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Updates how the Lake Champlain Basin Program selects, reviews, and transitions its fiscal agent; requires periodic assessments of that fiscal agent with stakeholder input; permits continuity and fund transfers if a new fiscal agent is chosen; and expands the U.S. Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission's ability to work in Lake Champlain and nearby basins. The measure also clarifies the program's key definitions (for example, "fiscal agent" and "Steering Committee") and makes renumbering and consistency edits to existing program language. These changes affect program governance and oversight, aim to improve accountability and continuity in local program operations, and enable a federal fisheries body to provide services or coordination in the Lake Champlain region and adjacent basins.
The bill enhances local input, accountability, continuity of projects, and fisheries coordination for Lake Champlain, but does so at the cost of added administrative burden, potential reductions in competition, and some risk of funding or operational uncertainty for grantees.
Local governments, nonprofits, taxpayers, and Congress: Joint selection of fiscal agents plus periodic performance reviews and required reporting increase accountability, oversight, and transparency in administration of the Lake Champlain program.
Project beneficiaries, grantees, contractors, and local communities: Provisions to reallocate unobligated or unexpended funds to a newly selected fiscal agent and to preserve staff, programs, and awards minimize funding gaps and reduce disruption to ongoing projects.
Recreational fishers, local communities, and environmental groups: Expanding the Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s U.S. Section role provides technical resources for fisheries research, invasive species control, and stronger coordination with federal, state, local, academic, nonprofit, and Canadian partners to improve lake health.
Local communities, Indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders: Formal input into fiscal agent assessments gives affected communities a clearer voice in how program administration is evaluated and changed.
Taxpayers and grantees: Requiring joint selection processes and periodic competitive selection increases administrative time and costs, which could divert funds away from on-the-ground projects.
Current grantees and contractors: Re-obligating unobligated or unexpended funds to a new fiscal agent can change how existing grantees receive funds or complete projects, introducing financial or operational uncertainty.
Potential fiscal agent applicants and nonprofits: Allowing the Administrator to continue awarding funds to a selected fiscal agent without competition until a new agent is chosen can limit competitive opportunities and favor incumbents.
Long-term projects and local communities: Frequent assessments and possible turnover of fiscal agents can create uncertainty for projects that require stable, long-term administration.
Amends 33 U.S.C. §1270 (Section 120 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act) to replace the named fiscal agent reference with the term "fiscal agent" in subsection (a)(2)(A).
Establishes a requirement that the Steering Committee and the Administrator jointly select a qualified entity to serve as the fiscal agent for the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program.
Requires the Steering Committee and the Administrator to assess the effectiveness of the fiscal agent beginning as soon as practicable after enactment and at least once every 5 years, and to select a new fiscal agent through a competitive process if appropriate.
Requires the Steering Committee and the Administrator to consult with and incorporate feedback from impacted stakeholders when conducting fiscal agent assessments.
Permits the Administrator to award funding to the selected fiscal agent without competition until a new fiscal agent is selected.
Local program partners are the most directly affected. Entities currently serving as or seeking to serve as fiscal agent (often local governments, nonprofits, or regional authorities) will face a joint-selection process and periodic performance reviews, which could change who holds administrative control and how day-to-day program funds are handled. The continuity and fund-transfer provisions reduce the chance of service interruption when administrative responsibility shifts. The expanded authorization for the U.S. Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission may increase federal technical support, coordination, and project work in Lake Champlain and adjacent basins, affecting state agencies, academic researchers, and conservation groups. Overall, effects are administrative and organizational rather than creating new entitlement programs or direct federal spending increases; implementation will primarily involve planning and coordination among existing partners.
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Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Elise M. Stefanik · Last progress February 12, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House