Regional Great Lakes Partnership Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Tammy Duckworth and 4 co-sponsors

The bill designates the Great Lakes Commission as the Regional Great Lakes Partnership for eight states, formalizing its role but not creating new funding or programs.

Introduced in Senate

Summary of S.4573 — Regional Great Lakes Partnership Act of 2026

Purpose

Establishes the Great Lakes Commission as a designated Regional Great Lakes Partnership. The bill amends a 2023 defense authorization provision to formally acknowledge the Great Lakes Commission’s role and geographic scope within the Great Lakes region.

Key provisions and changes

Amends Section 10202(b)(3) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023.

Adds a new subsection (E) that designates:

The Great Lakes Commission as the Regional Great Lakes Partnership.
The Commission is established pursuant to the Great Lakes Basin Compact (consent by Congress in Public Law 90-419, July 24, 1968).
Geographic composition includes eight states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The amendment clarifies the Commission’s formal recognition and regional partnership status within federal policy, though it does not appear to authorize new funding or create additional programs beyond designation.

Who or what would be affected

The Great Lakes Commission would gain formal status as the designated Regional Great Lakes Partnership.

The eight member states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania) would be represented within this officially recognized regional framework.

Federal actors (specifically the Department or agencies involved in the National Defense Authorization Act framework) would reference the Great Lakes Commission in relation to regional partnerships and coordination.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in the 119th Congress on May 19, 2026.

Bill sponsor: Senator Peters; cosponsors include Senators Moreno, Gillibrand, Slotkin.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation after introduction.

No fiscal appropriations or regulatory texts are included in the bill itself; it primarily codifies recognition within existing statutory language.

Potential impact and considerations

Provides formal recognition of the Great Lakes Commission as the Regional Great Lakes Partnership, potentially facilitating intergovernmental coordination on regional issues such as water quality, infrastructure, environmental protection, and cross-state initiatives.

Does not specify funding, authorization levels, or programmatic changes beyond designation; any substantive work would likely rely on existing authorities and future appropriations or actions by the Partnership and participating states.

Aligns with the historical framework of the Great Lakes Basin Compact and could streamline interjurisdictional collaboration under federal recognition.