PRIA Logo™
119-hr-2030119th Congress

Maintaining Cooperative Permitting Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4]

In Committee

Summary

Locks federal approval of three state Clean Water Act Section 404 permit programs. This bill would ratify and keep Michigan's, New Jersey's, and Florida's Section 404 programs in force and bar EPA from withdrawing those approvals except through a new Act of Congress. It would also set a short transition rule and create a pathway for other states to gain comparable approval.

Show full summary
  • Residents and permit applicants in Florida could receive state-issued 404 permits during a 90-day transition, allowing state permits for activities into Florida's navigable waters.
  • Federal agencies would face limits: EPA would be prevented from withdrawing the listed approvals without an Act of Congress, and the Secretary of the Army must suspend federal 404 permit issuance for activities covered once a state program begins administering an approved program.
  • Other states would have a clear process to seek "comparability" to the described programs; if EPA finds a submitted program comparable, federal permit issuance for those activities would be suspended while the state administers the program.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

States keep wetlands permit authority

If enacted, Michigan, New Jersey, and Florida would keep their approved wetlands fill permit programs. EPA would not be able to withdraw those approvals unless Congress later passes a new law. This would give permit seekers in those states more stable rules.

State wetlands permits replace federal ones

If enacted, EPA could find a state wetlands fill permit program comparable to certain approved models. After approval and when the state starts running it, the Army Corps would stop issuing federal permits for those activities. This could speed permits for local projects but reduce federal review on covered work. If you plan a project that needs a Section 404 permit, you would need to check if your state’s program is approved.

Florida gets 90-day permit window

If enacted, for 90 days after enactment in Florida, both the Army Corps and the State could issue wetlands fill permits. This would apply only to permits under Florida’s approved program and navigable waters in Florida. Applicants could choose the faster path during that window.

State permit approvals not rules

If enacted, approving a state wetlands permit program would not be treated as a federal rule. This is a procedural change for agencies and states. It could change how approvals are reviewed or challenged.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4]

FL • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 6/30/2025

  • Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 8/15/2025

  • Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 8/22/2025

  • Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation