Under current law, states are required to submit reports to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding nonpoint sources of pollution that affect navigable water within the state. They also must submit plans to EPA to manage that pollution and improve the quality of navigable water. EPA provides grants to assist states in implementing programs to manage nonpoint source pollution and in carrying out other activities to protect groundwater quality. In 2018, $167 million was appropriated for those purposes.
H.R. 1331 would authorize the appropriation of $200 million each year over the 2020-2024 period for those grant programs. Assuming appropriation of the specified amounts, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $810 million over the 2020-2024 period and $190 million after 2024. The costs of the legislation fall in budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).
