To authorize the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to serve as a member of certain State watershed programs, and for other purposes.

# HR 7788 Summary **What the Bill Does** HR 7788 would allow the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to officially participate as a member in certain state-based watershed protection programs. The Chesapeake Bay Program is a federal partnership focused on restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, one of the largest estuaries in the United States. This bill would expand the office's authority to formally join related state programs that work on water quality and ecosystem health in the broader watershed region. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects government agencies and organizations working on environmental protection in the Chesapeake Bay region, which spans multiple states including Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

It could benefit residents and communities in this area by improving coordination between federal and state water quality efforts. **Current Status** As of now, HR 7788 is in committee, meaning it has been introduced but hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was sponsored by Representative Sarah Elfreth, a Democrat from Maryland, whose district includes part of the Chesapeake Bay region.