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Amends 33 U.S.C. 1330 by modifying subsection (a)(2)(B) to add Mississippi Sound, Mississippi to the priority estuaries list; also amends subsection (i)(1) (the matter preceding subparagraph (A)) by striking and inserting (replacement text not provided in this section).
Modifies subsection (b) to add a new clause requiring that, for States that use grants to identify specific sources of contamination, any data relating to such identified sources be included; redesignates an existing clause; adds a new paragraph (5) explicitly allowing grant funds to be used to identify specific sources of contamination for coastal recreation waters adjacent to beaches or similar public access points; and updates the timeframe in subsection (i) from "2001 through 2005" to "2026 through 2031."
Amends the definition of "coastal recreation waters" in paragraph (21)(A)(ii) to expand the parenthetical examples of such waters.
Amends 33 U.S.C. 1276a by (1) editing the section and subsection headings, (2) revising subsection (e)(1) to replace language that authorized providing funds 'or other means to State and local agencies, special districts, and public or nonprofit agencies' with language authorizing 'interagency agreements, contracts, or other funding mechanisms to Federal, State, and local agencies, special districts, public or nonprofit agencies, and other public or private entities', and (3) replacing prior paragraph (2) with a new maximum-amount provision capping assistance at 75 percent of project cost and adding a new paragraph (3) requiring that at least 25 percent of the cost of any project carried out using amounts provided to a non-Federal entity be provided from non-Federal sources.
Amends subsection (d)(6) by striking "and 2021" and inserting "through 2031", extending the statutory applicability referenced in that subsection to 2031.
Strikes and inserts new text in subsection (h) of 33 U.S.C. 1269 (Section 119(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act). The new text to be inserted is not provided in this section.
Strikes the phrase "fiscal year 2026" and inserts "each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031" in 33 U.S.C. 1268(c)(7)(J)(i)(VI).
Revises the terminal year referenced in subsection (d)(6) from '2021' to 'through 2031', extending the period covered by that provision.
Makes a range of targeted changes to federal water programs: it extends authorization windows for several restoration and beach‑monitoring programs through fiscal year 2031, broadens who can receive restoration funds and the allowable uses of those funds, adds Mississippi Sound to the National Estuary Program (with limits on EPA FY2026–FY2027 implementation spending), tightens restrictions on foreign‑linked recipients for certain Clean Water Act funds, and requires a Comptroller General audit of EPA geographic programs within two years.
The bill secures multi-year continuity and stronger monitoring for regional water and coastal restoration—boosting environmental protection and planning certainty—but does so with larger federal and local cost commitments, new matching requirements and implementation uncertainties that may exclude低‑
Millions of Americans living in and near major waterways (Great Lakes, Columbia River, coastal areas) get multi-year reauthorization and continuity for restoration and water-quality programs (FY2026–FY2031), enabling sustained cleanup, habitat work, flood control, and planning certainty.
Residents and recreationists gain stronger monitoring and management tools—expanded definition of 'coastal recreation waters', updated EPA testing guidance, and designation/eligibility for regions (e.g., Mississippi Sound)—which can improve water quality, public health, fisheries, and shoreline resilience.
More organizations can access restoration grants and a wider set of funding mechanisms, with federal support covering up to 75% of project costs, speeding access to funds and leveraging local investment to carry out more projects.
Legal conformity and targeted oversight (updating U.S. Code text, GAO audit of regional programs) reduce confusion, improve accountability, and can help federal, state, Tribal, and local partners coordinate and reduce duplication.
Taxpayers and the federal budget face larger multi-year spending commitments for reauthorized restoration and water-quality programs, which could crowd out other priorities or require tradeoffs in appropriations.
The required non‑Federal cost share (minimum 25%) and a 75% federal cap may strain local budgets and fundraising, and effectively exclude small or low-capacity community groups and nonprofits from accessing grants.
Key provisions create implementation uncertainty and potential delays—until new statutory text is published for Long Island Sound, Mississippi Sound implementation is deferred to FY2027 (contingent on funding increases), and eligibility checks or audit responses could slow grant awards and program activity.
Some language could weaken protections or limit international collaboration: if new text reduces standards it could harm local water quality and public health, and barring certain foreign collaborations may reduce cross‑border pollution control and information sharing.
Designates the official short title of the Act as the "American Water Stewardship Act."
Amends 33 U.S.C. 1268(c)(7)(J)(i)(VI) by replacing the phrase "fiscal year 2026" with "each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031".
Extends the period during which the cited provision applies to cover fiscal years 2026–2031.
Makes the referenced authorization or requirement in that clause applicable for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031 rather than only FY2026.
Strikes the existing text of Section 119(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1269(h)) and inserts new text in its place.
Agencies: The EPA is the main administrator; it must implement new definitions, issue updated guidance on testing technologies, manage grant rules, enforce the foreign‑entity funding restrictions, and respond to a required GAO audit. Congress retains appropriation control and may need to increase or target funds to meet designations and implementation limits. State and local governments: State and local agencies gain broader eligibility for restoration grants but must provide non‑federal cost shares (minimum 25%) for some projects, and some program deadlines/authorities are extended through 2031. Nonprofits and private project partners: Eligible to receive federal funds under updated rules, subject to cost sharing and restrictions on foreign ties. Coastal and estuarine areas and communities: Great Lakes, Columbia River Basin, San Francisco Bay programs, Mississippi Sound, and coastal recreation areas could see continued or expanded project activity, monitoring, and restoration opportunities over the extended authorization period. Recreational users and homeowners: Improved beach monitoring and source‑tracking may reduce contamination risks and improve public notification and water quality protections over time. International implications: The prohibition on funding entities tied to certain foreign countries will limit participation or partnerships with organizations based in those countries and block projects carried out with them, potentially affecting international cooperation on shared‑water issues. Oversight and accountability: The GAO audit requirement increases external review of geographic programs and is likely to produce recommendations that could change how EPA distributes and tracks funds. Fiscal effects: The act mainly changes authorizations, program rules, and administrative guidance; it does not itself appropriate funds, but it conditions certain implementation actions on future appropriations and cost‑shares, which may shift funding burdens to non‑federal partners.
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Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced December 4, 2025 by Peter Stauber · Last progress December 4, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 485.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-564.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held