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HR 13

Proposing approval of United States H.R. 5966, Ohio River Restoration Program Act.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bill Anderson and 10 co-sponsors

West Virginia backs H.R. 5966 to create a non-regulatory Ohio River Basin Restoration Program that improves water quality, habitats, flood resilience, and recreation.

Completed legislative action
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Bill Summary · HR 13

Overview

  • Purpose: This West Virginia House Resolution (HR 13) proposes approval of United States House of Representatives Bill H.R. 5966, the Ohio River Restoration Program Act. The resolution expresses support for the federal measure and aims to bring clean water, enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, economic benefits, and expanded recreation opportunities to West Virginia through the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program.

  • Status: Introduced February 10, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works, then Rules. The House adopted the resolution on February 27, 2026.

  • Sponsors: A group of ten delegates serving as co-sponsors (Fehrenbacher, Heckert, Anderson, Zatezalo, Criss, Riley, Flanigan, Sheedy, Linville, Pinson, plus additional co-sponsors Linville, Sheedy, Criss, Heckert, Flanigan, Lucas, Fehrenbacher, Pinson, Zatezalo, Anderson, Riley).

  • Jurisdiction: West Virginia

What the bill would do

  • Proposes unanimous backing of H.R. 5966, which establishes the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program at the federal level.

  • The program is described as non-regulatory in the bill text, not creating additional permit requirements or a third-party cause of action. The intention is to deploy a collaborative, non-regulatory framework to guide restoration and conservation efforts.

Key provisions and changes (as described in the resolution)

  • Objectives of the federal act (H.R. 5966) referenced by the resolution:

    • Improve water quality in the Ohio River Basin.
    • Increase flood resiliency by restoring natural systems.
    • Protect and restore fish and aquatic wildlife habitat.
    • Prevent and control invasive aquatic species.
    • Remediate toxic substances in the basin.
    • Improve public access and recreation opportunities.
    • Enhance public outreach and education related to the Ohio River watershed.

  • This resolution emphasizes that WV’s portion of the river is significant to state interests:

    • The Ohio River spans 981 miles; 277 miles border West Virginia (28.2%).
    • West Virginia owns the riverbed up to the low-water mark on the Ohio side.
    • The Ohio River drains roughly 75% of West Virginia (about 18,217 square miles) and provides drinking water to about 700,000 residents in the state.
    • The river also serves transportation and broader economic functions within the state.

Who/what would be affected

  • West Virginia residents and communities along the Ohio River: potential improvements in drinking water quality, flood resilience, and habitat restoration.

  • Public access and recreation: potential expansion of recreational opportunities along the river.

  • Environmental and wildlife resources: aims to restore fish and wildlife habitat and control invasive species.

  • Local economies: anticipated economic benefits from improved water quality, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced tourism/recreation opportunities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and committee routing:

    • Introduced February 10, 2026.
    • Referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works, then Rules.

  • Legislative actions in WV:

    • Filed, then advanced through Rules, and subsequently adopted by the WV House on February 27, 2026 (voice vote).

  • Interaction with federal bill:

    • The WV resolution does not alter the text of H.R. 5966 but signals formal approval and support from the West Virginia House of Delegates for the federal bill’s authorization of the Ohio River Restoration Program.

Summary of impact

  • The WV House Resolution endorses H.R. 5966 and seeks to align state interests with federal restoration efforts in the Ohio River Basin.

  • If H.R. 5966 becomes law, expected outcomes include improved water quality and habitat, flood resilience, reduced invasive species, toxic substance remediation, and expanded recreational and educational opportunities in West Virginia along the Ohio River.

  • The resolution emphasizes that the program is non-regulatory in nature, reducing concerns about additional permitting or legal actions arising from the program’s implementation.

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

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