Sponsors (2)
The bill strengthens fiscal clarity, accountability, and environmental work for the Lake Champlain basin by naming a fiscal agent, defining responsibilities, requiring timely EPA reporting, and extending the Great Lakes Fishery Commission's authority — but it could raise recurring administrative costs, create short-term project disruptions when fiscal agents change, and concentrate administrative control in ways that limit competition and shift local priorities.
Taxpayers and the public gain stronger federal oversight because the EPA must report to two congressional committees within 90 days after assessments, increasing transparency and accountability for fund use.
State and local water managers and communities get clearer fiscal oversight and continuity through a named fiscal agent with a competitive re-selection every 5 years, which standardizes administration and clarifies who manages funds.
Nonprofits and state/local governments benefit from defined fiscal agent responsibilities (payroll, fiduciary duties, funding agreements), which should improve administrative efficiency and more reliable grant management.
Local governments, nonprofits, and taxpayers could face short-term delays or disruptions if funds are re-obligated to a newly selected fiscal agent, potentially delaying projects or payments.
Taxpayers and federal budget overseers may incur additional administrative and oversight costs from running competitive selection processes and recurring oversight activities every 5 years.
Nonprofits and state/local governments could face reduced competition and innovation in administration because the selected fiscal agent receives automatic sole-source awards until re-selection.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires a competitively selected fiscal agent with 5-year reassessments, adds definitions and reporting, and allows the U.S. Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to fund basin fisheries and invasive-species work.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Elise M. Stefanik · Last progress February 12, 2026
Creates a formal, competitive process for choosing a fiscal agent to manage and receive funds for the Lake Champlain Basin Program, defines key terms, sets regular assessments and reporting, and lets the U.S. Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission carry out and fund certain fisheries and aquatic invasive species work in the Lake Champlain and St. Lawrence River basins. The bill authorizes competitive re-selection of the fiscal agent at least every five years, requires stakeholder consultation and a 90-day post-assessment report to two Congressional committees, and permits the Administrator to transfer unobligated or unexpended funds to a newly selected fiscal agent to maintain continuity of program activities.