PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Congressional Research Service
Version 81 · Passed House without amendment · Jun 1, 2015
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise the National Estuary Program by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to make competitive awards to address urgent and challenging issues that threaten the economic and ecological well-being of coastal areas, including:
extensive seagrass habitat losses resulting in significant impacts on fisheries and water quality,
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
recurring harmful algae blooms,
unusual marine mammal mortalities,
invasive exotic species that may threaten wastewater systems and cause other damage,
jellyfish proliferation limiting community access to water during peak tourism seasons,
flooding that may be related to sea level rise or wetland degradation or loss, and
low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters and related nutrient management.
The bill reauthorizes through FY2020 grants to develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive conservation and management plans for estuaries. A certain portion of the allocation of appropriations must be used for the competitive awards.
People & committees
Rep. LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2] · R–NJ
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3618)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3618)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 944.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3618-3619)
Mr. Gibbs moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 73.
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 114-104.
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 114-104.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.944 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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