HR 6893
Passed a chamber
Reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Chesapeake Bay Office and revises its leadership, research, education, and habitat restoration duties in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Official title: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act
Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions
House
Introduced
18-DEC-2025
Referred
18-DEC-2025
Approved by committee
15-JUL-2026
Reported
20-AUG-2026
On the calendar
20-AUG-2026
Passed
14-SEP-2026
Senate
Received
15-SEP-2026
- Amends Section 307 of the 1992 NOAA Authorization Act to restructure the Chesapeake Bay Office, with a Director responsible for its administration and operation.
- Requires the Office to consult with the Chesapeake Executive Council and requires peer review of projects it funds.
- Authorizes education and training grants for schools and teachers, plus a coastal and living resources program covering oysters, blue crabs, salt marshes, and striped bass.
- Requires a biennial report to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, including a two-year action plan.
Covers an older version. The newest CRS summary describes the bill as of "Reported to House" (20-AUG-2026); the text has changed since (Engrossed in House, 14-SEP-2026).
CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Read it on congress.gov- Natural Resources Committee (House)
- Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (Senate)
Environmental Protection
■ 5 D■ 2 R
5 Democrats
2 Republicans