Maintaining Cooperative Permitting Act of 2025

This bill deals with state-run permits for discharging dredged or fill material into certain waters. It locks in the existing programs in Michigan, New Jersey, and Florida, and says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cannot take back those approvals unless Congress passes a new law. It also says approving a state program is not treated as a federal “rule” or regulation. This is meant to keep these state programs in place and make it clearer how other states can get similar approval .

For Florida, there is a short transition: for 90 days after the law takes effect, both the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Florida may issue these permits. After a state gets a comparable program approved, the Army Corps stops issuing permits that the state can handle. The bill’s overall aim is to ensure these approvals have the force of law and are not easily undone .

• Who is affected: Michigan, New Jersey, and Florida state agencies and people or businesses needing these water-related permits; other states that may seek similar programs in the future .
• What changes: EPA cannot withdraw approval of these state programs without a new act of Congress; approvals of state programs are not considered “rules”; the Army Corps pauses its permits once a state’s comparable program starts .
• When: The Florida transition lasts 90 days after the law takes effect; other parts take effect upon enactment as described in the bill text .