# 119-hr-6893: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act

119-hr-6893, Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3] (D-VA); status passed_house; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-26).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6893
- As of: 2026-09-26
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-6893
- Congress: 119
- Title: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act
- Status: passed_house
- Introduced: 2025-12-18
- Sponsor: Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3] (D-VA)
- Cosponsors: 7
- Policy area: Environmental Protection
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-26

## Summary

**Director-led Chesapeake Bay WATERS program** would reorganize NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office to centralize NOAA authority and expand efforts on coastal hazards, education, habitat restoration, and integrated ecosystem science.

## Cosponsors (7)

- Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3] (D-MD), 2025-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] (R-VA), 2025-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2] (R-VA), 2025-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2026-02-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4] (D-MD), 2026-02-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4] (D-VA), 2026-02-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6] (D-MD), 2026-04-29T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Grants for habitat and oyster aquaculture: benefit, medium. NOAA would fund work to restore and manage key Bay habitats and species. Grants and technical help would support oysters, blue crabs, marshes, submerged aquatic vegetation, striped bass, and menhaden. Fish and shellfish aquaculture would be eligible if it has a valid Federal or State permit. Projec…
- New Bay observing system and buoys: benefit, medium. NOAA would build an integrated observing system for the Chesapeake Bay. It would coordinate monitoring with Federal and State agencies in tidal Bay waters. The Office would collect and analyze data and share clear products for managers, scientists, teachers, and the public. It would support the Che…
- Stronger NOAA Bay office and oversight: benefit, medium. NOAA would lead Bay work through a strengthened Chesapeake Bay Office. The Office would be run by a Director with Bay expertise. The NOAA Administrator would give the Director needed authority, staff, and the power to sign grants, contracts, leases, and cooperative agreements. Projects the Office f…
- More Bay learning for K-12 students: benefit, medium. NOAA would start a Chesapeake Bay watershed education and training program. It would give grants for classroom and distance learning, field experiences, and teacher training. The program would also offer education and career-path internships. It would help school districts build capacity to run hig…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-2102: Major Richard Star Act
- 119-hr-2048: Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act
- 119-hr-979: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025
- 119-hr-909: Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hr-6893 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6893)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-2102: Major Richard Star Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2102)
- [119-hr-2048: Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2048)
- [119-hr-979: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-979)
- [119-hr-909: Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-909)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6893 (as of 2026-09-26).