Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act

119th Congress Introduced by Scott Perry

HR 3428 mandates a review of Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions to improve ethics, transparency, and accountability in managing vital water resources.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Purpose of the Legislation

The Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (HR 3428) aims to mandate a comprehensive review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions by the Comptroller General of the United States. This review will focus on the ethical practices, public communication, and federal responsibilities of these commissions.

Key Provisions

Review Requirement: The bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of the following commissions:

Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC)
Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC)
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB)

Focus Areas: The review will specifically assess:

Ethics practices within the commissions
Communication strategies with the public
Execution of federal responsibilities

Reporting Obligations: Following the GAO's review, the commissions must submit a report to both the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. This report will include:

Findings from the GAO review
Recommendations for improving transparency and ethical practices

Follow-Up Reports: Each commission is required to report back to Congress within 90 days of the GAO report and then annually for five years on the actions taken to comply with the recommendations.

Background and Need for Legislation

The Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions are established through interstate compacts that manage water resources in their respective basins. Recent audits, particularly of the SRBC, have raised concerns regarding compliance with ethical standards and the appropriate use of state funds. This legislation seeks to enhance accountability and transparency within these commissions to ensure they effectively manage water resources and uphold public trust.

Affected Entities

Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions: The SRBC, DRBC, and ICPRB will be directly affected as they will undergo scrutiny and be required to implement changes based on the GAO's findings.

State Governments: Each member state contributes funding and has representation in the commissions, thus their operations and governance may impact state-level water management policies.

Federal Government: The bill involves federal oversight and accountability mechanisms, impacting how federal responsibilities are executed in relation to water management.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: May 15, 2025

House Actions:

Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on September 8, 2025
Passed in the House on September 8, 2025, by voice vote

Senate Actions: Received in the Senate on September 9, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Conclusion

HR 3428 seeks to enhance the governance and ethical standards of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions through a mandated review process. By requiring transparency and accountability, the bill aims to ensure that these commissions effectively manage vital water resources while maintaining public trust.

Bill