Ocean planning partnerships would keep federal funding through 2031
Officially: Regional Ocean Partnerships Reauthorization Act of 2026
Regional Ocean Partnerships would keep getting federal support for several more years. The bill sets funding levels for 2028 through 2031 and requires another program report within 5 years after it becomes law.
Where it stands
Sitting in Commerce
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
- This bill updates the current Regional Ocean Partnerships law in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which is listed in federal law at 16 U.S.C. 1468.
- It requires a program report within 5 years after this reauthorization bill becomes law, in addition to the reports already required.
- It changes the wording from "The report" to "Each report," so the law now calls for recurring reports instead of a one-time report.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
The debate
What people are saying about this bill
- Keeps these partnerships funded for the long haul, which helps regions plan ocean and coastal work that takes years to do.
- Gives Congress regular updates on how the program is working, which can help guide later funding or policy choices.
- Lets states and partner groups plan projects with more confidence because support is authorized across several years.
- Adds to federal spending commitments, and some people may want that money used somewhere else.
- Keeps the federal government involved in ocean and coastal planning when some would rather leave more of that work to individual states.
- Extends the current program mostly as is, which some may see as a missed chance to shrink it or change how it works.
Where this bill is in the process
Legislative timeline
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Senate Committee
Under Senate committee consideration
Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (2/5/2026)
Senate Floor Vote
Voted on by Senate
Passed Senate
Approved by Senate
House Review
Sent to House for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail