Maintaining Cooperative Permitting Act of 2025

This bill locks in certain state-run permit programs that handle approvals for putting dredged or fill material into navigable waters. It ratifies the existing programs in Michigan, New Jersey, and Florida, and says the EPA cannot take back those approvals unless Congress later passes a new law allowing it. This is meant to keep these state programs in place and stable over time.

It also sets rules for transitions and new approvals. For 90 days after the bill becomes law, both the Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Florida may issue these permits in Florida. After a comparable state program is approved and starts, the Corps pauses issuing federal permits for activities the state can permit. The bill also says that approving a state program is not a “rule or regulation” under federal law.

• Who is affected: People and projects needing permits in Michigan, New Jersey, and Florida; other states that may seek similar programs.
• What changes: EPA cannot withdraw approval of these state programs without a new Act of Congress; a 90-day period in Florida allows both the Corps and the state to issue permits; once a comparable state program begins, the Corps pauses permits for covered activities; state program approvals are not treated as rules or regulations .
• When: These changes take effect upon enactment; the Florida dual-permitting window lasts 90 days after enactment.