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HR7560119th Congress

LCBP Enhancements Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]

In Committee

Summary

Creates a formal, jointly selected fiscal agent with regular reviews for the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program. It would also expand cooperation with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and add reporting and continuity rules while extending program authority through 2032.

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  • Lake communities and environment: Would authorize the Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s U.S. Section to work on Lake Champlain in Vermont and New York on fisheries, lamprey control, invasive species prevention, research, and public engagement.
  • Fiscal agent candidates and staff: Would replace the current fiscal agent designation with a jointly selected fiscal agent and require that funding be awarded to that agent without competition until a new agent is chosen.
  • Program continuity and funds: Would let the Administrator move unobligated or unexpended funds from prior awards to a new fiscal agent and require continuity of staff, programming, funding awards, and administrative functions to the maximum extent practicable.
  • Oversight and reporting: Would require an effectiveness assessment of the fiscal agent as soon as practicable and at least every 5 years with stakeholder input, and would require the Administrator to report findings to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure within 90 days of completing an assessment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Great Lakes Fishery Commission on Lake Champlain

If enacted, the bill would authorize the U.S. Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to do work on Lake Champlain and nearby parts of the Saint Lawrence River basin in Vermont and New York. The Commission would be able to fund and support fisheries and aquatic research, monitoring, restoration and management, sea lamprey control, invasive species prevention and mitigation, and public engagement and education. The Commission could carry out this work in cooperation with the Lake Champlain Basin Program, federal and state agencies, colleges, nonprofits, local governments, and Canadian authorities.

Lake Champlain program authorization extended

If enacted, the bill would change the program reference year from 2027 to 2032 in the statute, effectively extending the program's authorization timeline through 2032. This would give program staff and grantees more time to plan under the statutory authorization. The change would not directly change household taxes or benefits.

New fiscal agent process for Lake Champlain

If enacted, the bill would create a formal fiscal agent role for the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program. The Steering Committee and the Administrator would jointly pick a qualified fiscal agent and begin an assessment of its effectiveness as soon as practicable, with reviews at least once every five years and stakeholder input. The chosen fiscal agent could receive funding without competition until a new fiscal agent is selected, and the Administrator could move unobligated or unexpended prior funds to a newly selected fiscal agent. The bill would require the Committee and Administrator to try to keep staff, programs, awards, and administration continuous during any transition and set location and staffing preferences for new fiscal agents.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]

NY • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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