The SAND Act of 2023 changes how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can get sand and other materials for beach restoration projects. Normally, federal agencies are required to buy materials from American sources when they're available. This bill removes that requirement, allowing the Corps to purchase sand and fill material from other countries even if the same materials can be found domestically. This matters because beaches naturally erode over time, and the Corps regularly works on beach nourishment projects to protect coastal communities from storms and rising water. By allowing foreign sources, the bill could potentially reduce costs or provide access to better-quality materials, though it may also mean less business for domestic sand suppliers and mining operations. The practical effect is that your tax dollars spent on beach protection projects might now go to international suppliers instead of American companies.

SAND Act of 2023

Rubio, Marco

Sand Acquisition, Nourishment, and Development Act of 2023 or the SAND Act of 2023 This bill allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to acquire fill material for beach erosion and nourishment purposes from non-domestic sources even if such materials are available from domestic sources.