American Water Stewardship Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6422

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2026-03-25: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Last Updated

2026-06-11T23:41:28Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The American Water Stewardship Act (H.R. 6422) aims to reauthorize and update several U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs focused on restoring and protecting specific water bodies across the United States. It extends funding authorizations for these geographic programs through fiscal year 2031, makes targeted improvements to program operations, and introduces oversight measures to ensure efficient use of federal funds.

Key Provisions

• Reauthorization of Specific Programs:
• Extends the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (Section 2), Long Island Sound program (Section 3), Columbia River Basin Restoration program (Section 4), and National Estuary Program (Section 6) through fiscal year 2031.
• Adds Mississippi Sound, Mississippi, to the National Estuary Program, but delays implementation until after fiscal year 2027 unless additional funding (at least $850,000 more than fiscal year 2024 levels) is appropriated for 2027.
• Reauthorizes grants for coastal recreation water quality monitoring and notification (Section 7) through 2031.

• Updates to San Francisco Bay Restoration Program (Section 5):
• Removes the word "grant" from the program name and heading to broaden funding options.
• Allows EPA to use interagency agreements, contracts, or other mechanisms to provide funds to federal, state, local agencies, special districts, public or nonprofit agencies, and private entities.
• Limits federal funding to 75% of project costs; requires non-federal entities to cover at least 25% from non-federal sources.

• Enhancements to Coastal Water Monitoring (Section 7):
• Permits states and local governments to use grants to identify specific sources of contamination in coastal recreation waters near public beaches.
• Expands the definition of "coastal recreation waters" to include coastal estuaries, river and stream mouths, nearby shallow waters, and beach waters.
• Requires EPA to update guidance for grantees to incorporate new testing technologies for water contamination.

• Funding Restrictions (Section 8):
• Prohibits federal funds for these programs from going to non-federal entities based in, headquartered in, or organized under the laws of a "foreign country of concern" (as defined in existing law, generally referring to nations posing national security risks like China).
• Bans funding for projects involving such countries.

• Oversight and Reporting (Section 9):
• Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO, an independent agency that audits federal programs) to submit a report to Congress within two years of enactment.
• The report must evaluate EPA geographic programs (e.g., Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico) on fund management, progress toward goals, obstacles, coordination with other programs, and ethics practices.
• Includes recommendations to improve program efficiency, accountability, and outcomes.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Extensions and Expansions: Previously, many programs were authorized only through 2023–2026; this bill pushes them to 2031, providing long-term stability. The addition of Mississippi Sound to the National Estuary Program is new, with built-in funding safeguards to prevent resource strain.
• Funding Flexibility and Limits: Shifts the San Francisco Bay program from grant-only to multiple funding tools, introduces cost-sharing requirements, and adds national security-based restrictions on foreign involvement—changes not present in prior authorizations.
• Monitoring Improvements: Adds explicit authority to pinpoint contamination sources and broadens water definitions; mandates tech updates in EPA guidance, enhancing proactive pollution response.
• Accountability Measures: Introduces a comprehensive GAO review of multiple EPA programs, focusing on duplication, ethics, and measurable results, which was not previously required.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: EPA will manage extended programs with broader funding options but must comply with new restrictions and reporting. State and local agencies gain more tools for water quality monitoring and restoration but face cost-sharing mandates. GAO's involvement increases federal oversight, potentially leading to more efficient operations.
• On Citizens: Residents in affected areas (e.g., Great Lakes states, coastal communities) may benefit from improved water quality, reduced pollution at beaches, and better public notifications about contamination risks, promoting safer recreation and fishing.
• On International Relations: The ban on funding entities or projects linked to "foreign countries of concern" could strain ties with those nations but aligns with U.S. national security priorities, with minimal direct impact on allies.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• EPA and Federal Agencies: Primary implementers, responsible for program execution, guidance, and compliance with new rules.
• State, Local, Tribal, and Non-Federal Entities: Recipients of funds for projects; must now meet cost-sharing and foreign restriction requirements; benefit from expanded monitoring tools.
• Citizens and Communities: In regions like the Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, Columbia River Basin, San Francisco Bay, and coastal areas—gain from environmental protections but may see indirect costs through non-federal contributions.
• Non-Profits and Private Entities: Eligible for funding in restoration efforts, but subject to new limits on foreign ties.
• Foreign Entities: From "countries of concern" are excluded, potentially affecting international collaborations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the Clean Water Act (the Federal Water Pollution Control Act) by embedding national security considerations into environmental funding, which could set precedents for future programs. The GAO report promotes transparency without creating new enforcement powers.
• Constitutional: No apparent challenges; aligns with Congress's authority to appropriate funds and regulate interstate waters under the Commerce Clause.
• Political: Encourages bipartisan environmental stewardship by extending popular regional programs, while the foreign country restrictions reflect ongoing U.S. concerns over influence from adversarial nations. The conditional addition of Mississippi Sound ties funding to appropriations, potentially influencing budget debates. Overall, it balances conservation goals with fiscal and security accountability.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-25: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
• 2026-03-24: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2026-03-24: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 32 (Roll no. 97). (text: CR H2662-2663) (Roll call 97)
• 2026-03-24: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 32 (Roll no. 97). (Roll call 97)
• 2026-03-24: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2665-2666)
• 2026-03-24: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
• 2026-03-24: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6422.
• 2026-03-24: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2662-2665)
• 2026-03-24: Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• 2026-03-20: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 485.
• 2026-03-20: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-564.
• 2026-03-20: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-564.
• 2025-12-18: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
• 2025-12-18: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-12-18: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged

Bill Versions

• American Water Stewardship Act — issued 2026-03-24 — PDF (12 pages)
• American Water Stewardship Act — issued 2025-12-04 — PDF (10 pages)
• American Water Stewardship Act — issued 2026-03-25 — PDF (10 pages)
• American Water Stewardship Act — issued 2026-03-20 — PDF (12 pages)