A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
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
This bill, known as the "Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program Enhancements Act of 2026," aims to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. It focuses on changing how the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program is managed by providing for the selection of a fiscal agent. The Steering Committee and the Administrator will jointly select this entity and assess its effectiveness at least every five years. Additionally, the bill authorizes the United States Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to undertake various works on Lake Champlain. These works include research, monitoring, and invasive species prevention.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill enhances water pollution control and invasive species prevention in the Lake Champlain basin.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill supports environmental and ecological management in the Lake Champlain basin, benefiting local residents.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill authorizes the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to undertake fisheries and aquatic ecosystem research.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Program Management: The bill establishes a process for selecting a qualified fiscal agent to handle tasks like payroll, paying bills, and executing funding agreements (Section 2, subsection (a)(3)(C)). This provides a clear structure for the program's financial and administrative functions.
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Local Economic and Operational Stability: When a new fiscal agent is selected, the law requires the Steering Committee and Administrator to ensure continuity of staff, programming, and funding (Section 2, subsection (a)(3)(B)(iv)(II)). Furthermore, the bill encourages selecting a fiscal agent headquartered in the Lake Champlain drainage basin, or alternatively in New York or Vermont (Section 2, subsection (a)(3)(B)(iv)(iii)).
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Expanded Environmental Protection and Research: The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is authorized to undertake work such as fisheries and aquatic ecosystem research, monitoring, and restoration (Section 2, subsection (g)(1)(A)). This can also include sea lamprey control and aquatic invasive species prevention (Section 2, subsection (g)(1)(B-C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Disruption of Funds: If a new fiscal agent is selected, the Administrator has the authority to de-obligate funds that were previously awarded to the old agent and re-obligate them to the new one (Section 2, subsection (a)(3)(B)(iv)(I)).
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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill enhances water pollution control and invasive species prevention in the Lake Champlain basin.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill supports environmental and ecological management in the Lake Champlain basin, benefiting local residents.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill authorizes the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to undertake fisheries and aquatic ecosystem research.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires regular assessments and reports to Congress regarding the fiscal agent's effectiveness.
- 2/13/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 2/12/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont