Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 4041Water use and supplyWatersheds

Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

INTRO MAR 10· LAST ACTION SEP 17

READING

6MIN

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Introduced only

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Voters should care about this bill because healthy watersheds are fundamental for critical resources like clean drinking water and for supporting agriculture, while also playing a vital role in preventing and mitigating damage from natural disasters such as floods and wildfires. This legislation ensures that crucial federal support for these local efforts continues and is improved.

If this bill becomes law, communities will have increased and more flexible financial resources to tackle complex water-related challenges, respond more effectively to environmental emergencies, and involve Native American tribes more directly in protecting and managing their ancestral lands. If it doesn't pass, the program could expire or remain less effective, potentially leaving communities with fewer tools and funds to address pressing water and land management issues that impact public health, safety, and economic stability.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Reauthorizes the Cooperative Watershed Management Program, ensuring the program that supports local watershed management continues.

This provides ongoing federal support for vital water resource protection and management efforts across the country.

PROVISION 02

Increases the maximum annual 'first-phase' grant amount from $100,000 to $150,000 for at least three years, with potential extensions for two more years.

Allows recipients to undertake more substantial projects and provides more stable, longer-term funding for initial planning and implementation.

PROVISION 03

Expands eligibility to explicitly include Indian tribes and allows groups to qualify if their watershed faces significant need due to drought, wildfire, or other natural disasters.

Ensures that federal support reaches communities most impacted by environmental challenges and includes critical stakeholders like Native American tribes in watershed management.

PROVISION 04

Implements 'continuous enrollment,' allowing applications for grants to be submitted and evaluated multiple times throughout the year.

Makes the application process more flexible and responsive, potentially speeding up funding for urgent projects and reducing wait times.

PROVISION 05

Broadens the types of technical assistance available, including support for grant writing, project management, feasibility studies, design, and preliminary environmental reviews.

Provides comprehensive support beyond just project implementation, helping groups develop stronger proposals and manage projects more effectively.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 2

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%

DEM 2 REP 0 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

12 EVENTS

SEP 17

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

COMMITTEE

SEP 17

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 656.

CALENDARS

JUL 29

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

JUL 29

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 4041

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedMar 10, 2026

Last actionSep 17, 2026

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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 10, 2026

Senate BillS 4041Water use and supplyWatersheds

Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

INTRODUCED MAR 10, 2026· LAST ACTION SEP 17, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

6 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Reauthorizes the Cooperative Watershed Management Program, ensuring the program that supports local watershed management continues.

This provides ongoing federal support for vital water resource protection and management efforts across the country.

high

Increases the maximum annual 'first-phase' grant amount from $100,000 to $150,000 for at least three years, with potential extensions for two more years.

Allows recipients to undertake more substantial projects and provides more stable, longer-term funding for initial planning and implementation.

high

Expands eligibility to explicitly include Indian tribes and allows groups to qualify if their watershed faces significant need due to drought, wildfire, or other natural disasters.

Ensures that federal support reaches communities most impacted by environmental challenges and includes critical stakeholders like Native American tribes in watershed management.

med

Implements 'continuous enrollment,' allowing applications for grants to be submitted and evaluated multiple times throughout the year.

Makes the application process more flexible and responsive, potentially speeding up funding for urgent projects and reducing wait times.

med

Broadens the types of technical assistance available, including support for grant writing, project management, feasibility studies, design, and preliminary environmental reviews.

Provides comprehensive support beyond just project implementation, helping groups develop stronger proposals and manage projects more effectively.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Fiscal years 2027 through 2031

Program funding authorization

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

AMOUNT	PROGRAM	TYPE	YEARS
$40,000,000	Cooperative Watershed Management Program	discretionary	2027 through 2031

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Watershed: An area of land where all the water that falls in it, or drains off of it, flows into a common body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean.
Reauthorize: To renew or extend the legal authority for a government program or agency that was previously set to expire, often with updated provisions or funding levels.
Indian tribe: A federally recognized Native American tribal government, as defined by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
Appropriations: The act by Congress of setting aside specific amounts of government money for particular programs, projects, or agencies for a given fiscal year.
First-phase grant: An initial grant or funding provided at the beginning stages of a project, typically for planning, assessment, or early implementation activities.
Ancestral lands: Territories or lands that Indigenous peoples or tribes have historically occupied, used, or considered their traditional homeland for generations.
Discretionary funding: Government funding that is not mandatory and must be approved by Congress through an annual appropriations act, allowing flexibility in spending.

ACTION TIMELINE

12 EVENTS

SEP 17

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

COMMITTEE

SEP 17

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 656.

CALENDARS

JUL 29

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

JUL 29

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

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Committee Referrals

Energy and Natural Resources CommitteeReferred

Sep 17, 2026

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Energy and Natural Resources Committee (senate)Jul 29, 2026

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Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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