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Southeast New England Program Authorization Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4350| Senate 
| Updated: 4/21/2026
Jack Reed

Jack Reed

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Cosponsors (3)
Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)

Environment and Public Works Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish the Southeast New England Program within the Environmental Protection Agency. The program's primary purpose is to protect, enhance, and restore the coastal watersheds of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, specifically those draining into coastal waters between Long Island Sound and the Gulf of Maine. A key provision is the establishment of a grant program , allowing the Administrator to award funds to various entities, including states, local governments, tribes, and nonprofits. These grants will support projects focused on critical environmental issues such as eliminating pollution, restoring contaminated sites, improving water quality, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. The federal share for these projects is capped at 75%. The bill also mandates that the Administrator coordinate federal agency actions impacting water quality and living resources in the region to improve efficiency and outcomes. For the program's implementation, it authorizes an appropriation of $30,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with specific allocations for technical assistance and administrative expenses.
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Timeline
Apr 21, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Apr 21, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Apr 21, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1859)
  • April 21, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 21, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


  • April 21, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1859)

Environmental Protection

Southeast New England Program Authorization Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4350| Senate 
| Updated: 4/21/2026
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish the Southeast New England Program within the Environmental Protection Agency. The program's primary purpose is to protect, enhance, and restore the coastal watersheds of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, specifically those draining into coastal waters between Long Island Sound and the Gulf of Maine. A key provision is the establishment of a grant program , allowing the Administrator to award funds to various entities, including states, local governments, tribes, and nonprofits. These grants will support projects focused on critical environmental issues such as eliminating pollution, restoring contaminated sites, improving water quality, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. The federal share for these projects is capped at 75%. The bill also mandates that the Administrator coordinate federal agency actions impacting water quality and living resources in the region to improve efficiency and outcomes. For the program's implementation, it authorizes an appropriation of $30,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with specific allocations for technical assistance and administrative expenses.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Apr 21, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Apr 21, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Apr 21, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1859)
  • April 21, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 21, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


  • April 21, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1859)
Jack Reed

Jack Reed

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Cosponsors (3)
Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)

Environment and Public Works Committee

Environmental Protection

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