Bay restoration gets flexible funding — but cost-sharing may favor wealthy jurisdictions
H.R. 1382 — To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to San Francisco Bay restoration, and for other purposes. · Filed by Jared Huffman (D-CA) · 8 cosponsors · Introduced Feb 14, 2025 · Reported out
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What it does
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to expand how the San Francisco Bay restoration program can distribute federal funding. It allows the Director to use grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other mechanisms (not just grants) to fund restoration projects through federal, state, local, and nonprofit entities. It requires non-federal recipients to contribute at least 25% of project costs and bars funding to entities domiciled in or partnered with foreign countries of concern.
Why we flagged it
The bill's operative function is to broaden the funding tools available for San Francisco Bay restoration by amending the FWPCA to permit cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, and contracts in addition to grants. This is a technical amendment enabling more flexible project delivery.
What the text implies
- The 25% non-federal cost-share requirement may create barriers for smaller or under-resourced local agencies, potentially concentrating funding toward well-capitalized entities or wealthy jurisdictions.
- Foreign-entity restrictions (42 U.S.C. 19237) are incorporated by reference; the scope of 'foreign country of concern' and 'agreement, partnership, or relationship' definitions live in that statute and are not visible in this bill text.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
San Francisco Bay Area environmental nonprofits; State and local water agencies; Environmental consulting and engineering firms (as contractors)