Regional Ocean Partnerships Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill changes an existing law that supports Regional Ocean Partnerships, which are groups that help states, tribes, and partners work together on ocean and coastal planning. It updates the reporting rule so that reports about the program must be submitted not only after the original law took effect, but also within 5 years after this new act becomes law. This means there will be another required review of how the partnerships are working. The bill also extends and adjusts the funding that Congress authorizes for the program. It removes earlier listed funding amounts and replaces them with specific dollar amounts for fiscal years 2028, 2029, 2030, and 2031. It also changes the law to say that the funding authorization period now runs from 2026 through 2031.

Regional Ocean Partnerships help different states and groups coordinate how they use and protect shared ocean and coastal areas. Extending their funding can affect planning for fishing, shipping, energy projects, and conservation in those regions. Clear reporting timelines can give Congress and the public information on whether these partnerships are meeting their goals. How the money is used and what the reports show will influence future decisions about ocean and coastal management, but the exact outcomes are not described in this bill.