Environment (Water Quality)

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 29, 2025

S 1433: Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative, focusing on protecting and restoring the marine ecosystem in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca (from the Canadian border to Snohomish County, Washington). It establishes a 14-member Commission - representing local counties, Tribal governments, and the State of Washington - to develop science-based restoration projects, monitor water quality and habitats, and coordinate with federal agencies like NOAA. The bill authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2031 to fund these efforts, including habitat restoration, marine debris removal, and community outreach. The Commission must submit annual reports to Congress tracking progress on specific benchmarks, such as improving water quality and restoring marine species populations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReauthorizes marine conservation initiative to protect Puget Sound ecosystem, establish science-based restoration projects, and monitor water quality/habitats95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 1680: Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2025

This bill designates approximately 1,000 acres for addition to the Rough Mountain Wilderness and designates about 4,600 acres as a potential wilderness area that will become part of the Rich Hole Wilderness within Virginia's George Washington National Forest. The Rich Hole addition will be formally incorporated into the wilderness area within five years of the bill's enactment or after completing specific water quality projects. During the transition period, limited motorized equipment may be used for water quality improvement projects to minimize impact on wilderness character. The bill directly affects land management within the George Washington National Forest under the Wilderness Act.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates additional acres to wilderness areas, expanding protected natural resources and conservation under federal wilderness designations95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Feb 2, 2026

HR 6464: Affordable Clean Water Infrastructure Act

This bill amends federal water pollution control funding rules to make wastewater services more affordable for low-income communities. It requires states to dedicate at least 20% of their annual federal capitalization grants toward additional subsidies for wastewater infrastructure, with an additional 10% specifically reserved for rural, small, and tribal publicly owned treatment works. States must use these funds to help ratepayers afford wastewater (including stormwater) services, excluding loans with 0% interest rates from counting toward subsidy calculations. The policy directly affects communities served by publicly owned treatment works, particularly in underserved rural and tribal areas, by mandating minimum subsidy levels from state water funds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates 20%+ funding for wastewater infrastructure subsidies, directly reducing pollution in waterways and advancing environmental protection through pollution control infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Tags Rural Communities Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Mar 28, 2025

HR 1858: Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act

HR 1858, the Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act, requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a national study on flood risks to agricultural lands within two years, analyzing economic losses, downstream effects, and existing data on various flood types. The bill expands watershed restoration authority by allowing the Secretary to implement long-term protective measures beyond immediate repairs if they are cost-effective and benefit watershed health. It also increases federal funding for rehabilitating aging structural flood measures from 65% to 90% of project costs. This legislation directly affects agricultural producers and watershed management programs by mandating new assessments and modifying funding thresholds for flood prevention infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates watershed restoration and protective measures to benefit watershed health, directly advancing environmental conservation and flood risk management per its summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Jan 23, 2025

HR 644: Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025

This bill amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to strengthen federal efforts addressing harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia events. It requires a federal Task Force to develop a comprehensive Action Strategy every five years examining causes, ecological impacts, and economic consequences of HABs across marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems, including the Great Lakes and coastal waters. The bill establishes a National-Level Incubator Program to fund innovative prevention and control strategies, with priority given to solutions protecting public health, biodiversity, and vulnerable communities. It mandates enhanced coordination among federal agencies, states, Indian tribes, and local communities to improve monitoring, forecasting, and response capabilities for HAB events. The bill authorizes $19.5 million annually for NOAA and $8 million annually for EPA to implement these provisions from 2026-2030.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens federal efforts to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia through research, strategy development, and funding programs, directly protecting water ecosystems and public health from environmental harm.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Nov 21, 2025

HR 6256: Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act

HR 6256, the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act, simplifies regulatory processes for communities and landowners undertaking projects to restore natural floodplain functions. It exempts such projects from standard flood insurance map change fees and allows limited increases in flood levels (up to 1 foot) in designated floodways, provided projects don’t harm critical infrastructure and communities submit post-completion analysis within 180 days. The bill amends existing flood insurance law to prioritize ecosystem restoration by adjusting fee and approval requirements, directly affecting local governments managing floodplains and developers working on restoration projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestores natural floodplain functions, promoting ecosystem conservation and reducing flood risks without weakening environmental standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SJRES 120: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category-Deadline Extensions; Correction".

SJRES 120 is a joint resolution seeking to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have extended deadlines for steam electric power plants to meet water pollution standards. The rule, published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2026, aimed to delay compliance with existing effluent limitations (pollutant discharge rules) for power plants. This resolution uses a congressional disapproval process under title 5, U.S. Code, to prevent the EPA rule from taking effect. If enacted, it would maintain the original compliance deadlines for these power plants instead of implementing the extended timelines.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill blocks EPA rule extending deadlines for power plant pollution standards, maintaining stricter compliance requirements under existing effluent regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 5, 2025

S 1968: Working Waterfronts Act of 2025

The Working Waterfronts Act of 2025 provides financial support to coastal communities and industries through multiple programs. It creates a tax credit for hydroelectric facilities that improve fish passage and water quality, offers Department of Agriculture loans and grants for fishing and mariculture businesses, and establishes grants to support rural seafood processing infrastructure. The bill also includes a working waterfronts preservation grant program to protect areas used by commercial fishing, mariculture, and boatbuilding industries, and creates a maritime workforce grant program to support training and education. These provisions directly affect commercial fishing businesses, seafood processors, coastal communities, and maritime workers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for hydroelectric facilities and funds grants for coastal industries, advancing fiscal support for waterfront communities through targeted spending and tax relief.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates tax credit for hydroelectric facilities improving fish passage/water quality, directly promoting renewable energy infrastructure and clean energy investment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax credits require hydroelectric facilities to improve fish passage and water quality, and preservation grants protect waterfront areas, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Hydroelectric Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Apr 29, 2025

HR 3071: Increasing Penalties for Offshore Polluters Act

HR 3071, the "Increasing Penalties for Offshore Polluters Act," increases civil and criminal penalties for violations of oil spill regulations under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. It doubles fines and prison terms for polluters, such as raising the maximum civil penalty from $2,500 to $5,000 per violation and increasing criminal fines from $250,000 to $500,000 per day for severe offenses, with prison terms doubling to up to 30 years. The bill directly affects offshore oil and gas operators who cause spills by making penalties significantly harsher. Key provisions mandate minimum penalty amounts instead of maximums and explicitly double all existing fine and imprisonment limits for violations. These changes apply to both civil enforcement actions and criminal prosecutions under current federal law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases civil/criminal penalties for oil spill violations, directly strengthening enforcement of environmental protections under Federal Water Pollution Control Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Nov 8, 2025

HR 5966: Ohio River Restoration Program Act

HR 5966 establishes the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advance large-scale restoration and protection of the Ohio River Basin. The program, funded with $350 million annually from 2026-2030, directs the EPA to create a dedicated Program Office and advisory council including representatives from the 14 Ohio River Basin states, tribal governments, and regional agencies. It requires projects to improve water quality, increase flood resilience, restore habitats, control invasive species, and remediate toxins - prioritizing natural infrastructure like restored wetlands over traditional structures. The program mandates annual public reporting on progress, funding use, and project outcomes, with the EPA developing a detailed action plan within two years of enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds $350M EPA program for Ohio River Basin restoration, water quality improvement, and flood resilience - directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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