River watch program funding provided, report required, and money appropriated.

HF 694 allocates $170,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $170,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the clean water fund to the Red River Watershed Management Board. The funds will support expanding the River Watch program, which engages schools in monitoring water quality and watershed health across the Red River of the North watershed. The bill requires the management board to submit a detailed report by February 15, 2028, on how these funds were used to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency and relevant legislative committees. This provides direct funding for an existing educational monitoring initiative in schools within a specific watershed area.