# Plain Language Summary: American Water Stewardship Act (H.R. 6422)

## What This Bill Does

This bill extends and updates several Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs that protect and restore water quality in specific U.S. regions. The bill renews funding authorization for six major water restoration initiatives through 2031, including programs focused on the Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, Columbia River Basin, San Francisco Bay, coastal estuaries, and beach water quality monitoring. In essence, it keeps these regional water protection programs operating and funded for the next several years.

## Key Changes

The bill makes several important modifications to how these programs operate:

- **Extended funding timelines**: Most programs are reauthorized through fiscal year 2031 (previously ending in 2023-2026)
- **San Francisco Bay Program flexibility**: Expands how the EPA can distribute funds to include more types of organizations and funding mechanisms, while requiring non-federal partners to cover at least 25% of project costs
- **New Mississippi Sound program**: Adds Mississippi Sound to the National Estuary Program, though with restrictions on spending in 2026-2027
- **Expanded water quality monitoring**: Allows states and local governments to use grant money to identify sources of water contamination and includes new technologies for testing water safety
- **Foreign entity restrictions**: Prohibits federal funds from going to organizations based in or partnered with foreign countries of concern

## Who Benefits

Environmental organizations, state and local governments, tribal nations, and non-profit agencies working on water restoration would benefit from continued funding. Coastal communities and the public would benefit from improved water quality monitoring at beaches and recreation areas. The bill also includes safeguards to ensure funds support U.S.-based entities.