Congress·In Committee·S. 3939

Chesapeake Bay Protection and Education Program

Chesapeake WATERS Act

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

This bill updates and continues the work of the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office. It makes this office the main point of contact for federal efforts to protect the bay, focusing on new challenges like climate change and coastal hazards while continuing to track water quality and wildlife health.
A major part of the plan is a new education and training program. It would provide grants to schools for "meaningful watershed educational experiences," helping students and teachers learn about the bay's environment through field trips, classroom tools, and career internships.
The policy creates a specific program to manage and restore important local species like oysters, blue crabs, and striped bass. It also funds projects to rebuild underwater grass beds and coastal habitats that protect communities from storms and flooding.
It supports a network of high-tech buoys throughout the bay. These buoys provide real-time data on weather and water conditions for scientists, boaters, and students, and help track the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
The bill encourages the federal government to work closely with state and local leaders, Indian Tribes, and universities. By sharing staff and equipment, these groups can better coordinate their efforts to meet the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement.

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 26, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Feb 26, 2026

Introduced in Senate

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Chesapeake WATERS Act

Bill NumberS 3939

Congress119th Congress

ChamberSenate

Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

(3)

D: 3

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.