Sponsors (2)
The bill shifts the authorization window later—trading near‑term certainty and the ability to proceed with projects now for preserved federal support and more planning time in a later five‑year period (FY2027–FY2031).
State and local governments retain eligibility to use subsection (j) authorities in FY2027–FY2031, preserving future federal support for nonpoint source pollution management and allowing projects to proceed in that later window.
EPA and state/local agencies get additional time to plan and align funding and programs for the updated FY2027–FY2031 timeframe, reducing immediate administrative urgency and helping smoother implementation later.
State and local governments (and the communities they serve) cannot rely on subsection (j) authorizations for FY2023–FY2026, which may defer nonpoint source pollution control projects and delay associated environmental and public-health benefits.
Governors, local implementers, and project planners face uncertainty and potential funding or planning gaps because projects assumed FY2023–FY2027 authority may need to be reworked, causing disruption and possible economic impacts.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Shifts the five‑year fiscal authorization in 33 U.S.C. §1329(j) from FY2023–2027 to FY2027–2031, changing the years the statutory authority applies.
Official title: To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize certain programs relating to nonpoint source management, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 4, 2026 by Hillary Scholten · Last progress February 4, 2026
Changes the five-year fiscal authorization window in federal water pollution law by moving the covered period forward four years. Specifically, it amends 33 U.S.C. §1329(j) to replace the phrase authorizing funds “for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027” with “for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031,” shifting when the statutory authorization applies. This is a timing/authorization change rather than a new program or an appropriation; actual grant funding still requires separate appropriations. The change alters the years during which the subsection’s authorities or authorized amounts are in effect.