Sponsors (4)
Introduced February 11, 2026 by Peter Welch · Last progress February 11, 2026
The bill strengthens coordination, continuity, and cross-border capacity for Lake Champlain environmental and fisheries work, but concentrates funding authority in a designated fiscal agent—raising risks of reduced competition, potential project delays during transitions, and added administrative burden.
State and local governments, nonprofits, and universities gain expanded federal partnership and resources because the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (U.S. Section) is authorized to work on Lake Champlain projects and partner with Canadian authorities, increasing capacity for fisheries management, invasive species control, and public engagement.
Nonprofits and local/state governments get more predictable program operations because the bill creates a clear statutory definition and selection process for a fiscal agent, improving continuity for payroll, grants, and fiduciary functions.
State and local partners and the public benefit from stronger oversight because the EPA and the Steering Committee must jointly reassess the fiscal agent at least every five years, promoting accountability of Lake Champlain program funds.
Nonprofits, universities, and other potential grantees face reduced competitive transparency because a selected fiscal agent receives no-competition funding until a replacement is chosen, concentrating funding authority.
Local governments and nonprofits may see delays or disruptions to existing projects because the bill allows re-obligation of prior unobligated or unexpended funds to a new fiscal agent during transitions.
Federal and state officials will incur additional administrative workload because new reporting and assessment duties for the EPA and the Steering Committee require staff time and resources to implement.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Amends the federal law that governs the Lake Champlain Basin Program to create clear rules for choosing and managing the program’s fiscal agent, require periodic program assessments, and set reporting deadlines for the EPA. It also authorizes the U.S. Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to perform and support fisheries and invasive‑species work in the Lake Champlain basin and to work with federal, state, local, academic, nonprofit, and Canadian partners.