Environment (Water Quality)

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3796: Ohio River Restoration Program Act of 2026

This bill establishes the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve water quality, restore ecosystems, and enhance resilience across the Ohio River Basin. It directly affects the 14 states in the basin (including Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania) and Tribal Governments within the region, authorizing $350 million annually from 2027-2031 for projects. Key mechanisms include creating an EPA Program Office led by a Director, requiring measurable goals for water quality and habitat restoration, and mandating public reporting on progress, projects, and funding. The program prioritizes natural infrastructure solutions, such as restoring wetlands and floodplains, and requires collaboration with states, tribes, and existing regional bodies like the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes EPA program with $350M annual funding to improve water quality, restore ecosystems, and enhance resilience in Ohio River Basin, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 781: Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes existing federal grant programs focused on restoring and stewarding the Long Island Sound through 2029. It extends the funding period for two key programs: the Long Island Sound Grants (under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act) and the Long Island Sound Stewardship Grants (under the 2006 Stewardship Act), changing their authorization from 2019-2023 to 2025-2029. These grants directly support states (Connecticut and New York), local governments, and non-profits working on water quality, habitat restoration, and public education projects in the Sound. The bill makes no new policy changes but continues current funding mechanisms for these established environmental programs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReauthorizes federal grants for Long Island Sound restoration/stewardship, extending pollution control funding through 2029 under existing environmental protection acts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

passed · United States · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 93: Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025

This bill amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to strengthen federal efforts addressing harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia across marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems. It establishes a new Task Force required to develop a comprehensive Action Strategy every five years, examining causes, ecological impacts, and economic consequences of HABs in diverse environments including the Great Lakes, coastal waters, and freshwater systems. The bill authorizes $19.5 million annually for NOAA and $8 million annually for the EPA (fiscal years 2026-2030) to implement these provisions, creates a national monitoring network for HABs, and establishes an incubator program to develop innovative prevention strategies. It mandates consultation with states, tribes, local governments, and affected industries like fisheries and agriculture to address HABs impacts on public health, ecosystems, and communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens federal efforts to address harmful algal blooms through research, strategy development, and ecosystem protection, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 9, 2025

S 2226: Necessary Environmental Exemptions for Defense Act

This bill exempts the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and its contractors from key environmental review laws - including the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Clean Water Act - for defense activities certified as countering threats from the Chinese Communist Party. It directly affects DoD readiness, training, infrastructure projects, and defense technology development when certified by the President or Secretary of Defense. The exemption eliminates mandatory environmental reviews or evaluations for these activities, prohibits substitute reviews by federal or state authorities, and retroactively cancels ongoing legal challenges related to such projects. The bill requires the DoD to review environmental best practices every five years but bars courts from reviewing or blocking certified defense activities.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts DoD from NEPA, ESA, MMPA, and Clean Water Act, directly weakening environmental protections for defense activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Wildlife

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 2, 2026

HR 6432: Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025

The Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025 increases federal funding for cleaning up contaminated properties (brownfields) in communities. It raises the per-site remediation grant from $500,000 to $1,000,000 and boosts annual funding from $200 million to $250 million, covering fiscal years 2026 through 2030 instead of 2019-2023. The bill also updates state programs to allow them to implement new revitalization strategies beyond just enhancing existing efforts. This directly affects communities with abandoned industrial sites and state environmental agencies managing cleanup projects. The changes aim to accelerate redevelopment of underutilized properties by providing more stable, long-term funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases federal funding for brownfields cleanup from $200M to $250M annually, directly expanding government spending on environmental remediation programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases funding for cleaning contaminated brownfields, directly advancing pollution control and environmental remediation through expanded grants and state program updates.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds brownfields cleanup to enable housing development on revitalized sites, supporting affordable housing access through site remediation and revitalization strategies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Water Quality Community Development

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 10, 2025

S 2260: Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act

The Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act establishes two new programs to address water pollution in the Tijuana River and New River watersheds, which flow across the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to create action plans, develop priority project lists, and coordinate funding with Mexican entities to improve water quality through natural infrastructure, stormwater management, and water reuse projects. It authorizes $50 million annually from 2026-2036 for these programs to address chronic pollution issues affecting communities like Imperial Beach and San Diego, which have experienced beach closures due to sewage and contaminants flowing from Mexico. The legislation emphasizes collaboration between U.S. and Mexican governments, including the International Boundary and Water Commission, to manage transboundary water quality concerns.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes $50M annually for water quality projects targeting pollution reduction in border watersheds through natural infrastructure, stormwater management, and water reuse.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House Sep 18, 2025

HR 5445: Federal-State Partnership for Clean Water Act of 2025

This bill increases federal funding for state and tribal wetlands programs under the Clean Water Act. It authorizes $300 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030 (up from $75 million previously), with at least $100 million each year specifically dedicated to state, tribal, and municipal wetlands protection, management, and restoration programs. Additionally, it allocates $500 million annually for state management assistance starting in 2026. The bill directly affects states, tribes, and municipalities by providing new funding streams for wetlands initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $300M annual federal funding increase for state wetlands programs, directly advancing government spending on environmental management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes $300M annually for wetlands protection, management, and restoration under Clean Water Act, directly funding environmental conservation efforts with significant funding increases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Tags Tribal Nations

Track

in committee · United States · House Sep 20, 2025

HR 5513: To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to make certain technology investments eligible for additional subsidization, and for other purposes.

HR 5513 amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to expand eligibility for federal subsidies to include specific technology investments by water infrastructure projects. It directly affects water treatment facilities and municipal water systems seeking funding for upgrades. The bill adds software for asset management, operational analysis, and digital construction systems to qualify for subsidies when used to achieve water-efficiency, energy-efficiency, stormwater runoff mitigation, or cost-effective sustainable projects. This change modifies existing subsidy rules to include these digital tools as eligible for funding under the Act.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly includes 'energy-efficiency' as a qualifying goal for subsidies, promoting energy-efficient upgrades in water infrastructure projects.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands subsidies for water/energy efficiency and stormwater mitigation tech in water infrastructure, directly advancing pollution control and resource conservation under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 6969: Rural Investment for Producers and the Environment (RIPE) Act of 2026

The RIPE Act of 2026 establishes a demonstration program to pay farmers and ranchers for adopting environmental practices on eligible agricultural watersheds. It provides direct payments covering costs of implementation, lost income during transition, and environmental benefits like improved water quality, carbon sequestration, and habitat restoration. The program targets up to 30 watersheds nationwide (max 2 per state), with 15% higher payments for limited-resource or socially disadvantaged producers. The Secretary must review payments annually and report annually on enrolled acres, environmental outcomes, and participant demographics. Funding includes $150 million annually from 2027-2029 for program operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirectly funds environmental practices (water quality, carbon sequestration, habitat restoration) through payments to farmers for adopting conservation methods.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Tags Agriculture Rural Communities

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 3140: Flood Protection and Infrastructure Resilience Act of 2025

This bill amends existing laws to increase federal support for flood protection and watershed restoration projects. It allows the Secretary to fund measures that exceed immediate needs if they benefit long-term watershed health and prevent repeated damage. Local organizations managing flood control infrastructure can now receive up to 90% federal funding for rehabilitation projects in "limited resource areas" (compared to 65% generally), while still covering permit and resource rights costs themselves. The bill directly affects local governments and watershed groups undertaking flood prevention work by expanding eligible projects under conservation programs to specifically include flood/drought mitigation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases federal funding for flood protection infrastructure, advancing government spending on public services with 90% federal support in limited resource areas.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds watershed restoration, prioritizes long-term environmental health, and increases federal support for flood protection projects aligned with conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Water Quality

Track