HR 3898 RFS
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘1,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘1,320’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘2,500’’ and 
inserting ‘‘3,000’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (d). 
SEC. 22. COORDINATION WITH FEDERAL PERMITTING IM-
PROVEMENT STEERING COUNCIL. 
With respect to any covered project (as defined under 
section 41001 of the FAST Act (42 U.S.C. 4370m)) for 
which a certification or permit from a State under section 
401, 402, or 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act is required, the State is encouraged to choose to par-
ticipate, to the maximum extent practicable, in the envi-
ronmental review and authorization process under section 
41003(c) of the FAST Act (42 U.S.C. 4370m–2(c)), pur-
suant to paragraph (3)(A) of such section. 
SEC. 23. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON CHESAPEAKE BAY WA-
TERSHED AGREEMENT. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Chesapeake Bay 
Watershed Agreement is a voluntary, cooperative agree-
ment between the Federal Government, the State of Dela-
ware, the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland, the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of New York, 
the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of West Vir-
ginia. As such, the Federal Government should take a col-
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laborative and cooperative approach to the parties with re-
gard to their compliance with the Chesapeake Bay Total 
Maximum Daily Load outlined in such agreement. 
SEC. 24. IDENTIFICATION AND PERMITTING FOR WATER 
RECHARGE ON CERTAIN FEDERAL LANDS. 
(a) REVIEW AND IDENTIFICATION.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, 
shall review lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary 
to identify parcels of such lands that are hydrologically 
and geologically well-suited for water recharge efforts, in-
cluding aquifer recharge, surface water infiltration, or 
managed aquifer recharge projects, taking into consider-
ation factors such as soil permeability, proximity to water 
sources, and minimal environmental impact. 
(b) STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS.—The Sec-
retary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency and each relevant State 
water resource agency, shall— 
(1) establish clear and simple permitting proc-
esses for water recharge projects on parcels of land 
identified by the Secretary under subsection (a), in-
cluding a process to facilitate (to the extent prac-
ticable)— 
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(A) the actions of the Secretary under sec-
tion 17 applicable to such projects; and 
(B) the expedited issuance of a permit 
under section 404 of the Federal Water Pollu-
tion Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344), as amended 
by this Act, relating to such projects; and 
(2) ensure, to the extent practicable, that each 
process established under paragraph (1) minimizes 
regulatory burdens, provides for categorical exclu-
sions or streamlined environmental assessments, and 
promotes collaboration with State and local entities 
to expand water recharge efforts. 
(c) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall submit to Congress a report detailing the par-
cels identified under subsection (a) and each permitting 
process established under subsection (b). 
SEC. 25. STATE-LED PERMITTING EFFICIENCY AND WATER 
QUALITY PILOT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency shall establish a voluntary 
pilot program to support State-led water quality improve-
ments in waters listed as impaired for nitrogen or phos-
phorus under section 303(d) of the Federal Water Pollu-
tion Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1313(d)). 
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(b) VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION.—Participation by 
agricultural producers in the program established under 
this section shall be voluntary. 
(c) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section may 
be construed to authorize the regulation of nonpoint 
sources or expand Federal jurisdiction. 
SEC. 26. INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMIS-
SION AUTHORITY. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Commission is authorized 
to accept funds from a Federal or non-Federal entity, in-
cluding through a grant or funding agreement, to study, 
design, construct, operate, or maintain wastewater treat-
ment works, water conservation projects, or flood control 
works, and related structures, consistent with the func-
tions of the Commission. 
(b) DEPOSIT.—Any funds accepted by the Commis-
sion under this section shall be— 
(1) deposited into the account in the Treasury 
of the United States entitled ‘‘International Bound-
ary and Water Commission, United States and Mex-
ico’’; and 
(2) subject to the availability of appropriations, 
available until expended to carry out the activities 
described in subsection (a). 
(c) LIMITATIONS.— 
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(1) LIMIT ON REIMBURSEMENT.—The Commis-
sion may not provide credit towards the non-Federal 
share of the cost of a project, or reimbursement, to 
non-Federal entities for funds accepted under this 
section in an amount that exceeds a total of 
$5,000,000 in any fiscal year. 
(2) SOURCE OF FUNDS.—The Commission may 
not accept funds under this section from any non- 
Federal entity— 
(A) that is domiciled in, headquartered in, 
or organized under the laws of, or the principal 
place of business of which is located in, a for-
eign country of concern; or 
(B) that has in place any agreement with 
a foreign country of concern. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than the last day of each fis-
cal year, the Commission shall submit to the Committee 
on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives a report on the funds accepted under this 
section that includes a description of— 
(1) the activities carried out with such funds; 
and 
(2) costs associated with such activities. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) The term ‘‘Commission’’ means the United 
States Section of the International Boundary and 
Water Commission, United States and Mexico. 
(2) The term ‘‘foreign country of concern’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 10638 of the 
Research and Development, Competition, and Inno-
vation Act (42 U.S.C. 19237). 
Passed the House of Representatives December 11, 
2025. 
Attest: 
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER, 
Clerk. 
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