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HCR 40

Urge Congress to enact the Ohio River Restoration Program Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Adam Bird and 8 co-sponsors

Urge federal passage of the Ohio River Restoration Program Act to improve water quality, ecosystems, flood resilience, and public health across the Ohio River Basin.

Introduced
#airandwaterpollutioncontrol #environmentandnaturalresources
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Bill Summary · HCR 40

Summary of HCR 40 (House Concurrent Resolution) – 136th General Assembly, Ohio

What the bill is

  • Type: Concurrent Resolution
  • Title: No separate title provided; focuses on urging federal action
  • Purpose: To urge Congress to enact the Ohio River Restoration Program Act (as proposed in federal legislation H.R. 5966 and S. 3796) to advance clean water, wildlife restoration, economic benefits, recreation, and public health protections in the Ohio River Basin.

Main purpose and intent

  • The resolution seeks federal passage of the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, which would establish a comprehensive program in the Ohio River Basin aimed at:
    • Improving water quality
    • Increasing flood resiliency
    • Restoring natural ecosystems
    • Protecting/restoring fish and wildlife habitats
    • Preventing and controlling invasive aquatic species
    • Remediating toxic substances
    • Expanding public access, recreation, and outdoor education
    • Enhancing public outreach and environmental education

Key provisions and changes urged

  • Support for the creation of the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program (as proposed in H.R. 5966 and S. 3796 at the federal level).
  • The program would fund and coordinate efforts across multiple states within the Ohio River Basin to:
    • Improve drinking water quality and reduce waterborne health risks
    • Address pollution and harmful algal blooms
    • Upgrade infrastructure related to water management and flood control
    • Restore aquatic habitats and fish/wildlife populations
    • Remediate toxic substances and manage invasive species
    • Expand recreation and public access to river resources
    • Enhance information sharing and public education about the basin’s health and resilience
  • The resolution emphasizes measurable public health protections and long-term resilience to extreme weather events as outcomes of the program.

Who or what would be affected

  • Geographic focus: Ohio River Basin, including the Ohio River and its tributaries within Ohio and neighboring states in the basin.
  • Beneficiaries:
    • Ohio residents and communities relying on the river for drinking water, recreation, and economic activity
    • Municipal, environmental, and economic stakeholders involved in watershed management, fisheries, tourism, and infrastructure
    • Wildlife and aquatic habitats in the basin
  • Broad impacts include potential improvements in water quality, flood resilience, public health, and local economies dependent on healthy river ecosystems.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced and referred to committee on May 13, 2026.
  • Legislative action: The resolution itself is a formal expression of the Ohio General Assembly’s support and urging to the U.S. Congress; it signals state endorsement of federal legislation (H.R. 5966 and S. 3796) but does not by itself enact any program at the state level.
  • Intergovernmental coordination: The resolution calls for transmission of authenticated copies to Ohio’s congressional delegation, highlighting a push for federal action and collaboration.

Context and notable points

  • The Ohio River is highlighted as a major economic and ecological resource, with long river length, a large watershed, and significant downstream environmental and public health considerations.
  • The resolution cites potential public health benefits, reduced healthcare costs, and stronger resilience to flooding and extreme weather as motivations for supporting federal restoration legislation.
  • It aligns Ohio with bipartisan federal proposals intended to restore and protect the Ohio River Basin’s water quality, ecosystems, and recreational/economic opportunities.

If you’d like, I can add a concise bullet list of the specific federal bill provisions (H.R. 5966/S. 3796) as currently proposed, once those texts are summarized or linked.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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