A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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 "Chesapeake WATERS Act," aims to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It updates the leadership structure by requiring the Office Director to have specific experience in Chesapeake Bay research or resource management. The legislation expands the Office's scope to include coastal hazards, climate change, education, and integrated ecosystem assessments. It also establishes new programs for coastal observations, watershed education, and the management of coastal living resources. Additionally, the bill mandates biennial reports to Congress regarding progress in protecting the bay's habitats.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill focuses on restoring, protecting, and building resilience for critical coastal habitats and living resources.
- Scored +5
Would students be better off under this?
Establishes educational programs, training, and career pathway internships.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill prioritizes scientific observation, data collection, and ecosystem assessment.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Scientific Oversight: The Director must use transparent mechanisms to ensure projects undergo peer review to maximize the use of funds and resources (Section 3, subsection c, paragraph 2).
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Improved Environmental Information: The Director is tasked with organizing scientific information into products that are useful to the public, scientists, and resource managers (Section 3, subsection c, paragraph 4, subparagraph B, clause iii).
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Educational Opportunities for Students: The bill establishes a watershed education and training program that includes providing career pathway internships and improving the understanding of the ecosystem for elementary and secondary school students (Section 3, subsection c, paragraph 5, subparagraph A).
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Teacher Professional Development: Grants may be used to provide professional development for teachers regarding the Chesapeake Bay watershed (Section 3, subsection c, paragraph 5, subparagraph B, clause iii).
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Support for Local Fisheries and Habitats: The Coastal Living Resources Management and Habitat Program can support native oyster research, restoration, and fish and shellfish aquaculture (Section 3, subsection c, paragraph 6, subparagraph B, clauses i and ii).
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Protection of Coastal Communities: The program may include activities to restore, protect, and build the resilience of critical coastal habitats and communities (Section 3, subsection c, paragraph 6, subparagraph B, clause iv).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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 students be better off under this? — Establishes educational programs, training, and career pathway internships. Would children be better off under this? — Includes educational programs for elementary and secondary school students. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Provides career pathway internships for students. Would business owners be better off under this? — Supports local fisheries and aquaculture businesses. Would farmers be better off under this? — Provides support and research for aquaculture, which is relevant to agricultural interests. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Benefits rural coastal and fishing communities through habitat restoration.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill focuses on restoring, protecting, and building resilience for critical coastal habitats and living resources. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Provides enhanced management for coastal living resources and habitats. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill targets coastal resilience to mitigate impacts of environmental hazards. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill addresses coastal hazards and climate change impacts in the Chesapeake Bay.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill prioritizes scientific observation, data collection, and ecosystem assessment. Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill establishes a watershed education program that includes professional development for teachers.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes career pathway internships and supports fisheries and aquaculture. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By supporting aquaculture and local fisheries, the bill contributes to regional economic stability. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Supports local fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates transparent peer-review mechanisms and biennial reports to Congress. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill reauthorizes and expands the scope of a federal NOAA office.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill expands scope for research into coastal hazards, climate change, and ecosystem assessments.
- 2/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland