To authorize the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to serve as a member of certain State watershed programs, and for other purposes.

House Bill

H.R. 7788

119th Congress

To authorize the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to serve as a member of certain State watershed programs, and for other purposes.

In Committee

Introduced:Mar 4, 2026

Primary Sponsor

Sarah Elfreth

D - MD

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Summary

This bill would allow the federal Chesapeake Bay Program Office to officially join and participate in state-level watershed management programs across the Chesapeake Bay region. By enabling better coordination between federal and state environmental agencies, the legislation aims to strengthen efforts to clean up and protect the Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary that provides drinking water, seafood, and recreation for millions of people.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Introduced3/4/2026

StatusReferred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

ChamberHouse

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Vote Prediction

To authorize the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to serve as a member of certain State watershed programs, and for other purposes.

This bill would allow the federal Chesapeake Bay Program Office to officially join and participate in state-level watershed management programs across the Chesapeake Bay region. By enabling better coordination between federal and state environmental agencies,

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill would allow the federal Chesapeake Bay Program Office to officially join and participate in state-level watershed management programs across the Chesapeake Bay region. By enabling better coordination between federal and state environmental agencies, the legislation aims to strengthen efforts to clean up and protect the Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary that provides drinking water, seafood, and recreation for millions of people.

Bill Number: 7788
Introduced: 3/4/2026
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: To authorize the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to serve as a member of certain State watershed programs, and for other purposes.
Bill Number: 7788
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced: 3/4/2026
Summary: This bill would allow the federal Chesapeake Bay Program Office to officially join and participate in state-level watershed management programs across the Chesapeake Bay region. By enabling better coordination between federal and state environmental agencies, the legislation aims to strengthen effor

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill would allow the federal Chesapeake Bay Program Office to officially join and participate in state-level watershed management programs across the Chesapeake Bay region. By enabling better coordination between federal and state environmental agencies, the legislation aims to strengthen efforts to clean up and protect the Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary that provides drinking water, seafood, and recreation for millions of people.

Last updated: 3/5/2026

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Authorizes formal federal participation in state watershed programs, breaking down bureaucratic barriers between different levels of government working on Bay restoration
Could improve coordination of cleanup efforts across the six-state Chesapeake Bay watershed (Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and New York)
Aims to enhance water quality protection efforts that affect drinking water, commercial fishing industries, and recreational activities for over 18 million people living in the Bay region
Represents a collaborative approach to environmental management without creating new regulatory burdens or major federal expenditures

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would primarily benefit residents of the six states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed by improving coordination of water quality protection efforts. Commercial watermen, recreational boaters, and communities dependent on Bay tourism could see long-term benefits from more effective environmental management. The legislation would also help state environmental agencies access federal expertise and resources more efficiently when addressing pollution and habitat restoration challenges.

Policy Areas

No policy areas assigned yet.

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

7788, 119th Congress (2026). "To authorize the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to serve as a member of certain State watershed programs, and for other purposes.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-hr-7788

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