The LCBP Enhancements Act of 2026 modifies the federal Lake Champlain Basin Program by changing how it selects and manages its fiscal agent—the organization responsible for handling finances and administration. Rather than automatically using the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, the program's Steering Committee and the EPA Administrator will jointly select a qualified fiscal agent, which can be a nonprofit organization, interstate commission, or other suitable entity, with preferences for organizations headquartered in the Lake Champlain basin or in New York or Vermont. The bill requires the agencies to assess the fiscal agent's effectiveness every five years and conduct competitive reviews if they decide to switch to a new agent, while ensuring continuity of staff and programming during transitions. The legislation also expands the Great Lakes Fishery Commission's authority to conduct research, restore ecosystems, control invasive species, and manage fisheries in Lake Champlain and the Saint Lawrence River basin. Finally, the bill extends the program's authorization from 2027 to 2032, giving it five additional years of operational framework.
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