What does Preamble of HR 6422 do?

This bill intends to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The bill aims to reauthorize certain EPA geographic programs. The bill has other purposes, though these are not specified in the preamble.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 6422 do?

This bill is formally titled the American Water Stewardship Act.

What does GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE. of HR 6422 do?

This section amends Section 118(c)(7)(J)(i)(VI) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The amendment modifies the language regarding fiscal years. The phrase 'fiscal year 2026' is replaced with 'each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031'.

What does LONG ISLAND SOUND. of HR 6422 do?

This section amends Section 119(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The amendment strikes the year '2023' and inserts '2031'.

What does COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN RESTORATION. of HR 6422 do?

This section amends Section 123(d)(6) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The amendment strikes the phrase 'and 2021' and inserts 'through 2031'.

What does SAN FRANCISCO BAY RESTORATION PROGRAM. of HR 6422 do?

This section amends Section 125 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, related to the San Francisco Bay Restoration Program. The section heading of subsection (e) is changed from 'Grant Program' to 'Program Implementation'. The methods of providing funds are expanded to include interagency agreements, contracts, and other funding mechanisms, now available to Federal, State, local agencies, special districts, public or nonprofit agencies, and other public or private entities. The maximum amount of federal funding for a project, activity, or study under this section is capped at 75 percent of the total cost. At least 25 percent of the cost of any project, activity, or study carried out using federal funds provided to a non-Federal entity must be from non-Federal sources.

What does NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM. of HR 6422 do?

This section amends Section 320 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The amendment adds Mississippi Sound, Mississippi, to the list of eligible areas for the National Estuary Program alongside Pensacola and Perdido Bays, Florida. The deadline for certain actions related to the National Estuary Program is extended from 2026 to 2031. The Environmental Protection Agency is restricted from using funds appropriated for fiscal year 2026 to implement the amendment adding Mississippi Sound. The EPA may not use funds for fiscal year 2027 unless the appropriation for that year exceeds the 2024 appropriation by at least $850,000.

What does COASTAL RECREATION WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND NOTIFICATION. of HR 6422 do?

This section amends Section 406 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to allow grant recipients to use funds to identify specific sources of contamination in coastal recreation waters. The amendments authorize appropriations for the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 from 2026 through 2031. The definition of 'Coastal Recreation Waters' is expanded to include the mouths of rivers and streams, nearby shallow waters, and waters present on beaches. The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator must ensure guidance provided to grant recipients reflects innovations in testing technologies for water contamination.

What does LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS. of HR 6422 do?

This section limits the use of federal funds for carrying out specific sections of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Funds are restricted from being provided to non-Federal entities meeting certain criteria related to foreign countries of concern. Entities domiciled in, headquartered in, or organized under the laws of, or with a principal place of business in a foreign country of concern are ineligible. Entities with agreements or partnerships with a foreign country of concern are also ineligible.

What does GEOGRAPHIC PROGRAM REPORT. of HR 6422 do?

This section requires the Comptroller General to submit a report to the House and Senate committees on EPA geographic programs within two years of the Act's enactment. The report must evaluate fund management, progress toward program goals, obstacles to success, coordination with other programs, and ethics policies. The evaluation must assess the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations and the use of Federal funds. The report should include recommendations to improve EPA geographic program efficiency, accountability, and effectiveness. The term 'EPA geographic program' is defined to include specific programs such as the Chesapeake Bay Program, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and others listed under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

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American Water Stewardship Act — HR. 6422

Last updated: 12/18/2025 · Introduced: 12/4/2025

Author: Pete Stauber (R-MN)

TL;DR (AI)

The American Water Stewardship Act amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend funding authorizations for several EPA geographic programs, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Long Island Sound, Columbia River Basin Restoration, and San Francisco Bay Restoration Program, through fiscal year 2031.
The bill expands the National Estuary Program to include Mississippi Sound and modifies funding procedures for the San Francisco Bay Restoration Program, allowing for a wider range of entities to receive funds and capping federal contributions at 75% of total project costs.
The Act broadens the definition of 'Coastal Recreation Waters' for monitoring purposes, restricts federal funding to entities not associated with foreign countries of concern, and mandates a report evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of EPA geographic programs.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 8 more.

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