The bill S. 2245 aims to extend the Digital Coast program, run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), until 2030. This program provides a digital platform with data, tools, and training to help manage coastal areas. The bill mandates that all data and products created under this program be made freely available online. It also requires NOAA to enhance efforts to gather and integrate data on underground infrastructure and utilities. Additionally, the bill specifies that trainings should focus on teaching technical skills related to the program's data and tools.
Media outlets have praised the bill for promoting transparency and accessibility of important coastal data, which is crucial for effective coastal management. The extension of the program until 2030 is seen as a positive step towards ensuring long-term support for coastal communities dealing with environmental challenges. The focus on integrating underground infrastructure data is also highlighted as a beneficial move for comprehensive planning and disaster preparedness.
Critics of the bill have expressed concerns that the focus on technical training might limit broader educational initiatives that could engage more stakeholders. Some also argue that merely extending the program without significant increases in funding or resources might not adequately address the growing needs for coastal data management in the face of climate change and urban development pressures.
Based on the available data, there appears to be a low risk of conflict of interest between Senator Tammy Baldwin's campaign donors and the subject matter of bill S. 2245. The bill pertains to the Digital Coast program, which does not align directly with the industries of Senator Baldwin's top donors: Health Professionals, Retired, Securities & Investment, and Government. Therefore, there is no direct financial overlap between the bill's subject matter and the senator's top donors. However, it is worth noting that there has been significant lobbying activity in this bill's policy area, with companies such as AccentCare, Inc., the National Education Association, and various financial institutions including Russell Investments Group, LLC and Wells Fargo & Company. The total lobbying expenditure in this policy area is over $1.3 million. However, these lobbying activities do not directly implicate Senator Baldwin's donors.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION | NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION | $670,000 |
| ACCENTCARE, INC. | ACCENTCARE, INC. | $235,000 |
| ACCENTCARE, INC. | ACCENTCARE, INC. | $235,000 |
| TD BANK, NA | GEOFFREY P. GRAY | $60,000 |
| FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF ATLANTA | GEOFFREY P. GRAY | $50,000 |
| CORELOGIC | GEOFFREY P. GRAY | $50,000 |
| WISCONSIN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION | WISCONSIN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION | $40,000 |
| RUSSELL INVESTMENTS GROUP, LLC | GEOFFREY P. GRAY | $30,000 |
| WELLS FARGO & COMPANY | GEOFFREY P. GRAY | $30,000 |
| RELX INC. | GEOFFREY P. GRAY | $30,000 |
| ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS COALITION | GEOFFREY P. GRAY | $30,000 |
| INTERNATIONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATION | INTERNATIONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATION | $30,000 |
| AMERICAN AIRLINES INC (FORMERLY REPORTED AS "AMERICAN AIRLINES") | GEOFFREY P. GRAY | $20,000 |
| JPMORGAN CHASE HOLDINGS LLC | GEOFFREY P. GRAY | undisclosed |
| TULE RIVER TRIBE | PATTERSON REAL BIRD & RASMUSSEN LLP | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Tammy Baldwin, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)