Sponsors (2)
The bill provides federal coordination, technical support, and funding to accelerate watershed restoration and improve water quality, but it increases federal engagement and administrative costs that could raise spending and spark concerns about state control.
Residents in and around the Chesapeake Bay (urban and rural communities) stand to see improved water quality because the bill promotes coordinated federal–state engagement to align projects and funding.
State and local governments will receive technical assistance and financial resources to design and implement on-the-ground watershed restoration projects, increasing capacity for restoration work (e.g., Maryland's Whole Watershed Program).
State and local governments gain an ongoing advisory partner to help design and implement watershed projects, improving planning and technical coordination.
Taxpayers may face increased federal spending or reallocation of funds to support these programs, which could raise fiscal costs or divert resources from other priorities.
State and local programs could incur additional administrative requirements and reporting tied to the advisory role, potentially slowing project approvals and implementation.
Some state and local officials may perceive increased federal involvement as reducing state control over watershed priorities and local decision-making.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Designates the Chesapeake Bay Program Office as an advisory member of Maryland’s State Management Team for the Whole Watershed Program and authorizes coordination, technical assistance, and financial support for Chesapeake Bay watershed projects.
Introduced March 4, 2026 by Angela Deneece Alsobrooks · Last progress March 4, 2026
Designates the Chesapeake Bay Program Office as an advisory member of Maryland’s State Management Team for the Maryland Whole Watershed Program and authorizes that Office to coordinate with state, local, and federal governments and to provide technical assistance and financial resources for projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The measure also includes a short-title provision and does not itself appropriate funds or create broad new mandates for states or localities.