Long-term Federal funding and resource allocation

(a) Ongoing Federal responsibility for operations and maintenance (1) In general The Secretary shall be the sole entity responsible for operations and maintenance and repairs of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. (2) Funding The Secretary shall fund all necessary repairs, modifications, and infrastructure improvements to maintain the effectiveness of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. (3) No financial burden The Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District, the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project, and any other non-Federal entity shall not bear any financial burden for maintenance, repairs, or monitoring of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. (b) Authorization of appropriations (1) In General There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter— (A) to ensure continuous, uninterrupted operation of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel; (B) to conduct necessary engineering evaluations, repairs, and upgrades in the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel as part of an ongoing Federal commitment to the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel; and (C) to implement adaptive management strategies in the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel to address environmental, hydrological, and biological changes affecting pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) passage. (2) Administration of funds The Secretary— (A) shall administer the funds made available under paragraph (1); and (B) may not transfer or delegate to any non-Federal entity the funds made available under that paragraph. (c) Reporting requirement The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a biennial report describing— (1) the operational status of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel; (2) any ongoing or anticipated repairs, modifications, or adaptive management actions with respect to the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel; (3) an updated cost analysis of operations and maintenance of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel; and (4) coordination efforts between the Secretary, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Chief of Engineers, and State agencies with respect to the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel.