Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3428
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Water Resources Development
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-09: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T01:08:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428) aims to increase transparency, accountability, and congressional oversight of three interstate river basin commissions in the Mid-Atlantic region by mandating a comprehensive review by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO, led by the Comptroller General) and requiring the commissions to report on compliance with any resulting recommendations.
Key Provisions
- GAO Review Mandate: Within one year of the Act's enactment, the GAO must conduct a detailed review of the three specified Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions, covering:
- Ethics policies and practices.
- Methods for communicating with the general public.
- Current federal responsibilities, including actions by relevant federal agencies.
- Levels and sources of federal and state funding.
- Any duties or responsibilities that duplicate or overlap with other federal authorities.
- Policies and best practices for reporting the commissions' activities.
- GAO Report: Upon completing the review, the GAO must submit a report to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The report will include findings and recommendations, such as potential statutory, administrative, or ethics changes to improve transparency and oversight.
- Compliance Plans: Within 90 days of receiving the GAO report, and annually for the next five years, each commission must submit a plan to the same congressional committees detailing actions taken to implement the report's recommendations.
- Definition of Commissions: The Act applies to:
- Susquehanna River Basin Commission (established by Public Law 91-575).
- Delaware River Basin Commission (established by Public Law 87-328).
- Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (established by Public Law 91-407).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This Act introduces new requirements for external review and ongoing reporting by the commissions, which previously operated under their original interstate compacts without these specific oversight mechanisms. It does not alter the commissions' core structures or authorities but adds layers of federal accountability, potentially leading to future adjustments based on GAO recommendations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies involved in river basin management (e.g., those handling water resources or environmental protection) may face increased scrutiny of their roles and funding contributions, possibly streamlining operations by addressing overlaps.
- On Citizens: Improved public communication practices could enhance access to information about river basin activities, benefiting residents in affected states through greater transparency on issues like water management and environmental protection.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the commissions focus on domestic interstate matters, though better oversight could indirectly support consistent U.S. environmental policies in shared border regions.
- Overall, the Act could lead to more efficient use of federal funds and reduced duplication in environmental governance, without immediate disruptions to ongoing operations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- River Basin Commissions: The Susquehanna, Delaware, and Potomac commissions, which will undergo review and must implement compliance plans, potentially affecting their internal policies and operations.
- Federal Government: The GAO (conducting the review) and agencies with responsibilities in the basins (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency or Army Corps of Engineers), facing analysis of their involvement and funding.
- Congressional Committees: House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, gaining enhanced oversight tools through reports and plans.
- States and Local Entities: States in the Mid-Atlantic region (e.g., New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia) that participate in these commissions, as changes could influence state-federal funding and cooperative water management.
- General Public: Residents and stakeholders in the river basins who may benefit from improved ethics, communication, and transparency.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: The Act reinforces congressional authority over interstate compacts (which require federal consent) by mandating reviews without infringing on the commissions' established powers. Recommendations could prompt future legislation to eliminate redundancies, ensuring compliance with federal funding laws.
- Constitutional Implications: Aligns with Congress's Commerce Clause powers over interstate waters and its role in overseeing compacts; no apparent conflicts with state sovereignty, as it promotes cooperative federalism.
- Political Implications: Enhances bipartisan oversight of regional environmental bodies, potentially reducing perceptions of inefficiency or lack of accountability in multi-state commissions. It may spark debates on federal spending priorities but focuses on administrative improvements rather than partisan reforms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-09: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2025-09-08: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-09-08: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3879)
- 2025-09-08: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3879)
- 2025-09-08: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3428.
- 2025-09-08: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3879-3880)
- 2025-09-08: Mr. Barrett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-09-08: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 198.
- 2025-09-08: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-241.
- 2025-09-08: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-241.
- 2025-06-11: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 2025-06-11: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged
- 2025-06-11: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-05-16: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 2025-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Bill Versions
- Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (6 pages)
- Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act — issued 2025-05-15 — PDF (4 pages)
- Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act — issued 2025-09-09 — PDF (4 pages)
- Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (6 pages)