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Ohio River Restoration Program Act

USA119th CongressHR-5966| House 
| Updated: 11/8/2025
Morgan McGarvey

Morgan McGarvey

Democratic Representative

Kentucky

Cosponsors (13)
Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Frank J. Mrvan (Democratic)Michael A. Rulli (Republican)André Carson (Democratic)Jefferson Shreve (Republican)Carol D. Miller (Republican)Emilia Strong Sykes (Democratic)Mark B. Messmer (Republican)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Max L. Miller (Republican)Robert E. Latta (Republican)Erin Houchin (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Ohio River Restoration Program Act," amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The program's primary goal is to advance systemic, large-scale restoration and protection of the Ohio River Basin, which encompasses portions of 15 states. A dedicated Ohio River National Program Office will be created within the EPA, led by a Program Director responsible for coordinating Agency actions, developing an action plan, and engaging with Tribal Governments and stakeholders. The Program Director will also establish an advisory council comprising federal entities and non-federal stakeholders, including representatives from Ohio River States, Tribal Governments, and the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission. Projects and activities under the program are designed to address critical issues such as improving water quality , enhancing community resilience to flood and storm risks, protecting fish and wildlife habitat , preventing aquatic invasive species , and remediating toxic substances . The program prioritizes the use of natural infrastructure and nature-based solutions. The bill mandates the development of measurable actionable goals within one year and a comprehensive action plan within two years, which will be updated every five years. This plan will outline specific objectives, activities, and measures for progress, leveraging existing federal, state, and tribal programs. The Program Director can provide grants to non-federal entities for project implementation, with selection criteria emphasizing equitable distribution, measurable environmental outcomes, and economic benefits. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $350,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out these restoration efforts, with a requirement for a separate budget line item.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10432
Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act
Nov 7, 2025
Introduced in House
Nov 7, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Nov 8, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Feb 5, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3796
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10432
    Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act


  • November 7, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • November 7, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • November 8, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.


  • February 5, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3796
    Introduced in Senate

Environmental Protection

Ohio River Restoration Program Act

USA119th CongressHR-5966| House 
| Updated: 11/8/2025
This bill, titled the "Ohio River Restoration Program Act," amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The program's primary goal is to advance systemic, large-scale restoration and protection of the Ohio River Basin, which encompasses portions of 15 states. A dedicated Ohio River National Program Office will be created within the EPA, led by a Program Director responsible for coordinating Agency actions, developing an action plan, and engaging with Tribal Governments and stakeholders. The Program Director will also establish an advisory council comprising federal entities and non-federal stakeholders, including representatives from Ohio River States, Tribal Governments, and the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission. Projects and activities under the program are designed to address critical issues such as improving water quality , enhancing community resilience to flood and storm risks, protecting fish and wildlife habitat , preventing aquatic invasive species , and remediating toxic substances . The program prioritizes the use of natural infrastructure and nature-based solutions. The bill mandates the development of measurable actionable goals within one year and a comprehensive action plan within two years, which will be updated every five years. This plan will outline specific objectives, activities, and measures for progress, leveraging existing federal, state, and tribal programs. The Program Director can provide grants to non-federal entities for project implementation, with selection criteria emphasizing equitable distribution, measurable environmental outcomes, and economic benefits. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $350,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out these restoration efforts, with a requirement for a separate budget line item.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10432
Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act
Nov 7, 2025
Introduced in House
Nov 7, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Nov 8, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Feb 5, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3796
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10432
    Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act


  • November 7, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • November 7, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • November 8, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.


  • February 5, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3796
    Introduced in Senate
Morgan McGarvey

Morgan McGarvey

Democratic Representative

Kentucky

Cosponsors (13)
Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Frank J. Mrvan (Democratic)Michael A. Rulli (Republican)André Carson (Democratic)Jefferson Shreve (Republican)Carol D. Miller (Republican)Emilia Strong Sykes (Democratic)Mark B. Messmer (Republican)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Max L. Miller (Republican)Robert E. Latta (Republican)Erin Houchin (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee

Environmental Protection

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted