All Roll Calls
Yes: 378 • No: 32
HR6422119th Congress
American Water Stewardship Act
Sponsored By: Representative Stauber
Passed House
Summary
Reauthorizes and tightens EPA geographic water programs through 2031. The bill extends funding windows and adjusts rules across multiple regional restoration and coastal monitoring programs to broaden coverage, add accountability, and set clearer funding terms.
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- Coastal communities and beachgoers get broader monitoring and updated guidance. The bill expands the definition of coastal recreation waters to include river mouths and nearby shallow waters, directs EPA to reflect new testing technologies, and shifts BEACHES Act funding to 2026–2031.
- Local partners and project sponsors face new funding rules and program changes. The San Francisco Bay program is rewritten to allow a wider range of recipients and caps Federal contributions at 75 percent while requiring non‑Federal partners to cover at least 25 percent. The National Estuary Program adds Mississippi Sound, Mississippi and extends authorities to 2031 but bars use of funds for FY2026 and limits FY2027 spending unless appropriations exceed FY2024 by $850,000.
- Federal oversight and eligibility tighten. The bill bars Federal funds for projects tied to certain foreign "countries of concern" for FY2026–2031 and requires the Comptroller General to report within two years on program efficiency, outcomes, coordination, and ethics, with recommendations to improve accountability.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Great Lakes and estuary programs extended
Great Lakes Restoration would be authorized for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031. Long Island Sound and the Columbia River Basin would be authorized through 2031. This extends program authority only; it would not itself provide money.
More help to monitor beach water
States and local governments would be able to use BEACH Act grants to find specific contamination sources at beaches. They would be able to include related data in program reporting. EPA guidance would be updated to reflect faster, modern water testing. Covered waters would explicitly include estuaries, river mouths, shallow areas, and waters on beaches. Authorizations would run from 2026 through 2031.
Water programs bar foreign-linked recipients
For FY2026–FY2031, certain EPA water programs would not fund non‑Federal entities tied to a foreign country of concern. They would also not fund projects conducted with those countries. Covered programs would include the Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, Columbia River Basin, and San Francisco Bay. The National Estuary Program and beach monitoring grants would also be covered.
Mississippi Sound added, with funding gate
Mississippi Sound would be added to the National Estuary Program. EPA would not use any FY2026 funds to implement this change. FY2027 funds would be used only if the FY2027 appropriation is at least $850,000 above FY2024. The program timeframe would be extended to 2031.
New cost share rules for San Francisco Bay
For San Francisco Bay projects, the Federal share would be capped at 75% of total cost. Non‑Federal recipients would need at least a 25% non‑Federal match. EPA would be able to fund work through agreements, contracts, or other tools. Eligible recipients would include agencies, special districts, nonprofits, and other public or private entities.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Stauber
MN • R
Cosponsors
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Sponsored 12/4/2025
LaLota
NY • R
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]
MI • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 3/24/2026
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Yes: 378 • No: 32
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