GLRI Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 284
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-10T08:05:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 aims to extend and fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), a program focused on protecting and restoring the Great Lakes ecosystem. The GLRI addresses water pollution, habitat loss, and invasive species in the largest freshwater system in the world, shared by the United States and Canada.
Key Provisions
- Reauthorization Funding: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize $500,000,000 annually for the GLRI for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
- Legislative Structure: The bill is short and targeted, making technical changes to existing law by adding a new funding subclause without introducing new programs or requirements.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extension of Authorization: Previously, the GLRI's funding was authorized through fiscal year 2026 at varying levels (e.g., lower amounts in earlier years). This bill extends it for five more years (2027–2031) at a consistent $500 million per year, increasing the total committed funding and providing long-term stability.
- No Broader Reforms: The changes are limited to funding; it does not alter program priorities, oversight, or implementation details already established in the Clean Water Act.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which administers the GLRI, will receive dedicated funding to support restoration projects, potentially streamlining budgeting and project planning. This could reduce reliance on annual appropriations battles in Congress.
- On Citizens: Residents in the eight U.S. states bordering the Great Lakes (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) may benefit from improved water quality, reduced pollution, and enhanced recreational opportunities, leading to better public health and economic gains from tourism and fishing.
- On International Relations: As the Great Lakes are shared with Canada, sustained U.S. funding supports binational efforts under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, fostering cooperation on cross-border environmental issues without introducing new diplomatic tensions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Environmental and Government Entities: EPA and state environmental agencies, which implement GLRI projects like wetland restoration and toxic cleanup.
- Local Communities and Industries: Fishing, shipping, agriculture, and tourism sectors in the Great Lakes region, which rely on clean water for livelihoods.
- Bipartisan Congressional Supporters: Introduced by representatives from Great Lakes states, including both Republicans and Democrats, indicating broad regional support.
- Non-Profit and Tribal Groups: Organizations and Native American tribes involved in conservation efforts that receive GLRI grants.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement of the Clean Water Act by ensuring predictable funding, but does not expand regulatory powers or create new enforceable rights for citizens.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, without raising federalism concerns as it builds on an existing federal-state partnership.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan collaboration on environmental issues, potentially setting a precedent for long-term funding of regional ecosystems amid debates over federal spending priorities. The bill's referral to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure highlights its focus on water infrastructure without broader partisan controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
Cosponsors (44)
Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. James, John [R-MI-10], Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-9], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (2 pages)