Robert Wittman (R-VA)
Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 establishes the Chesapeake Bay States Partnership Initiative to assist producers with conservation activities. This initiative aims to improve water quality, restore natural resources, and increase agricultural resilience to climate change. The bill modifies several programs to include specific provisions for riparian buffers and land restoration within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It also creates a Turnkey Pilot Program to assist with the establishment and management of specific conservation practices. Additionally, the legislation provides for workforce development through grants and fellowships and grants direct hire authority for the NRCS. Finally, it adjusts regulatory oversight regarding domestic, wild-caught invasive catfish.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +7
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill offers targeted financial and technical assistance specifically for producers and agricultural land management.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The legislation focuses heavily on improving water quality and protecting the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides significant support and streamlined processes for agricultural producers and businesses.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Support for Producers: The Secretary will establish an initiative to assist producers in implementing conservation activities on agricultural land to improve water quality and resource preservation (Section 2(b)).
-
Enhanced Agricultural Resilience: The initiative aims to increase the resilience of agricultural production against the impacts of climate change (Section 2(b)).
-
Streamlined Conservation Updates: The bill allows for updating existing agreements to include new incentives, such as riparian forest buffer management payments, without requiring full renegotiations (Section 3(a)(3)(A)).
-
Efficiency through Pilot Programs: The Turnkey Pilot Program provides for the establishment and management of eligible practices using third-party technical service providers, which can reduce the paperwork burden on owners and operators (Section 4(3)(B)).
-
Educational Opportunities: The bill expands grants and fellowships to include junior or community colleges and postsecondary vocational institutions, including opportunities for paid work-based learning (Section 5(a)).
-
Improved Hiring for Technical Assistance: The Secretary is granted direct hire authority to appoint qualified candidates to positions within the NRCS that provide technical assistance for conservation programs (Section 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Pilot Program Participants: Owners or operators participating in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Turnkey Pilot Program may not receive any cost-share, practice incentive, or management payments under the specific subchapter (Section 4(4)(B)).
-
Access Requirements: Owners and operators in the Turnkey Pilot Program are required to provide access to their land for the establishment or management of eligible practices (Section s4(4)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill offers targeted financial and technical assistance specifically for producers and agricultural land management. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides significant support and streamlined processes for agricultural producers and businesses. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill invests in rural development and agricultural resilience in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Would students be better off under this? — The bill expands grants, fellowships, and paid work-based learning opportunities for students in agricultural sciences. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill expands educational and work-based learning opportunities for students in agricultural sciences.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The legislation focuses heavily on improving water quality and protecting the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill aims to increase agricultural resilience to climate change and restore natural resources.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides direct assistance to agricultural producers through conservation initiatives and streamlined management processes. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes workforce development through grants and expanded educational opportunities in agricultural sciences. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investment in agricultural resilience and workforce development can support long-term rural economic stability.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill expands funding for food and agricultural sciences education and research programs.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill increases funding for food and agricultural sciences education and research.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill grants the Secretary of Agriculture direct hire authority and new regulatory oversight powers.
- 10/28/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/11/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Sarah ElfrethDemocrat · Maryland
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
April McClain DelaneyDemocrat · Maryland
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Robert ScottDemocrat · Virginia
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia