119th (2025–2027)
S. 3791
This bill reauthorizes and funds Regional Ocean Partnerships, which are collaborative groups that bring together federal, state, tribal, and local entities to address coastal and ocean management issues in specific regions of the country. It extends funding authorization for these partnerships through fiscal year 2031, providing roughly $10.6 million to $11 million annually from 2028 through 2031. The bill also makes several technical and clarifying changes to existing law, such as updating terminology, adjusting which states are covered, and renaming a reference from "Mexico" to "America." Importantly, it adds a new restriction preventing these partnerships from using federal funds to develop regulatory proposals, model regulations, or compliance programs. The legislation primarily affects coastal and Great Lakes states involved in these regional partnerships, along with the federal agencies that oversee ocean and coastal policy coordination.