Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (15 Sep 2026): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
What this bill does
H.R. 5063, the Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act, addresses lifeguard staffing at federally managed beaches and swim areas. If the Secretary of the Interior determines that a "designated swim location" is experiencing a staffing shortage—meaning it is likely to be, or has been, left unmonitored by federal lifeguards during normal seasonal hours—the Secretary may enter into agreements with local government agencies to have their lifeguards fill the gap. Such shortages must be more than short-term absences like employees taking sick or annual leave. Any local agency providing lifeguards under such an agreement must be reimbursed for all reasonable costs incurred.
The bill applies to swimming areas and beaches on lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, or Bureau of Reclamation that are normally staffed by federal lifeguards. It primarily affects visitors to these federal recreation areas, the federal agencies managing them, and local governments that may be asked to supply lifeguard services.
The bill was introduced in August 2025, reported with an amendment by the House Natural Resources Committee, and passed the House by voice vote on September 14, 2026. It now goes to the Senate for consideration before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act
This bill establishes requirements to ensure an adequate staff of lifeguards at swimming areas and swimming beaches managed by the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or the Bureau of Reclamation that are typically monitored by federally employed lifeguards during normal seasonal operating hours.
If the Department of the Interior determines there is a staffing shortage of lifeguards that will leave a swimming area or beach unmonitored by federally employed lifeguards during normal seasonal operating hours, Interior may enter into an agreement with local government agencies to provide lifeguards. Interior must ensure that a local government agency providing lifeguard services is reimbursed for all reasonable costs it incurred in carrying out the agreement.
The bill does not apply to short-term staffing shortages caused by temporary absences, such as an employee taking annual or sick leave.
Timeline
15 Sep 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 5063 do?
- H.R. 5063, the Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act, addresses lifeguard staffing at federally managed beaches and swim areas. If the Secretary of the Interior determines that a "designated swim location" is experiencing a staffing shortage—meaning it is likely to be, or has been, left unmonitored by federal lifeguards during normal seasonal hours—the Secretary may enter into agreements with local government agencies to have their lifeguards fill the gap. Such shortages must be more than short-term absences like employees taking sick or annual leave. Any local agency providing lifeguards under such an agreement must be reimbursed for all reasonable costs incurred. The bill applies to swimming areas and beaches on lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, or Bureau of Reclamation that are normally staffed by federal lifeguards. It primarily affects visitors to these federal recreation areas, the federal agencies managing them, and local governments that may be asked to supply lifeguard services. The bill was introduced in August 2025, reported with an amendment by the House Natural Resources Committee, and passed the House by voice vote on September 14, 2026. It now goes to the Senate for consideration before it could become law.
- Has H.R. 5063 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 5063. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 5063?
- H.R. 5063 was sponsored by Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2] (R-VA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 5063?
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (15 Sep 2026).
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