GLRI Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 528
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-15: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:37Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 aims to reauthorize and extend federal funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), a program focused on protecting and restoring the Great Lakes ecosystem, which includes efforts to improve water quality, combat invasive species, and preserve habitats across the U.S. and bordering Canada.
Key Provisions
- Funding Authorization: Allocates $500,000,000 annually for the GLRI for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
- Legislative Amendment: Modifies Section 118(c)(7)(J)(i) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act), which governs water pollution control and environmental protection programs. This section outlines funding priorities for Great Lakes restoration projects.
- Scope: The funding supports a range of activities, such as pollution prevention, habitat restoration, and research, as defined under the existing GLRI framework managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extension of Funding: Previously authorized funding under the Clean Water Act ended or was set to expire; this bill adds a new subclause (VII) to extend dedicated annual appropriations through 2031, building on prior authorizations (e.g., up to fiscal year 2026 in earlier versions).
- No Major Structural Overhaul: The amendment is technical, focusing solely on funding levels without altering program priorities, eligibility, or oversight mechanisms.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Provides stable funding for the EPA and partner agencies (e.g., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) to implement restoration projects, potentially reducing reliance on annual appropriations battles in Congress.
- On Citizens: Benefits communities in the Great Lakes region (spanning eight U.S. states and one Canadian province) by improving water quality for drinking, recreation, and fishing, which could enhance public health and local economies tied to tourism and shipping.
- On International Relations: Supports binational cooperation with Canada under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, fostering joint environmental efforts without introducing new diplomatic requirements.
- Broader Environmental Effects: Could accelerate progress on long-term goals like reducing toxic pollution and invasive species, contributing to climate resilience in a region vital for 40 million people's water supply and 20% of the world's surface freshwater.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal and State Governments: EPA, state environmental agencies in Great Lakes states (e.g., Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania), and tribal governments involved in restoration.
- Local Communities and Businesses: Residents, farmers, and industries (e.g., agriculture, manufacturing, shipping) that depend on clean water; potential job creation in environmental cleanup and conservation.
- Environmental and Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the Great Lakes Commission or nonprofits focused on water protection, which often partner on GLRI projects.
- International Partners: Canadian provinces and federal entities collaborating on shared lake management.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement of the Clean Water Act by ensuring predictable funding, but does not create new regulatory burdens or litigation risks; aligns with existing federal authority over interstate waters.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts with federalism, as it involves congressional spending power under Article I, Section 8, and supports states' roles in environmental management without overriding state laws.
- Political: Bipartisan support evident from cosponsors across parties (e.g., Democrats and Republicans from Great Lakes states), signaling regional consensus; could influence future environmental budgets but may face debates over spending priorities in a divided Congress.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (12)
Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-15: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held.
- 2025-02-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2025-02-11: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-11 — PDF (2 pages)