US HB5762

Establishes the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program within 180 days, a nonregulatory program administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to coordinate restoration and protection activities across the watershed region

Creates a competitive matching grant program for state, tribal, and local governments, nonprofits, and higher education institutions, with federal cost-share up to 50% (or 90-100% for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities)

Authorizes $20 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2031, with at least 75% directed to the grant program and no more than 5% for administrative costs

Requires the Secretary to consult with EPA, NOAA, USDA, National Park Service, New York and New Jersey governors, and regional programs including the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program and Hudson River Estuary Program

Prohibits federal government from maintaining ownership of land acquired under the Act (must transfer to eligible grant recipients) and includes a sunset date of October 1, 2031