H.R. 9497
Water Resources Development Act of 2026
Sponsor: Sam Graves
3 cosponsors
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Water Resources Development Act of 2026
This bill authorizes and modifies certain water resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes related requirements. For example, the bill authorizes and modifies various water resources feasibility studies and projects of the Corps of Engineers, such as studies or projects to
- maintain ports and harbors,
- make certain waterways more navigable,
- reduce flood and storm damage,
- restore aquatic ecosystems and protect fish and wildlife,
- protect shorelines,
- address harmful algal blooms,
- rehabilitate dams,
- manage recreational sites and facilities,
- support water supply and storage projects, and
- support other water resources infrastructure.
The bill also directs the Corps of Engineers to establish an Office on Alternative Delivery Methods in order to accelerate project delivery of infrastructure.
In addition, the bill directs the Corps of Engineers to issue a rule that establishes categorical permissions for certain harbor or river improvements that will cause only minimal adverse environmental effects.
Text of the bill
I General Provisions
Where this section came from
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Jun 29, 2026 · Introduced in House Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Jun 29
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Sep 3, 2026 · Reported in House Marked up by House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Jul 14 Reported by House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Sep 3 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
… 12 unchanged passages …
(c) Applicability. The amendments made by subsection (b)(1) shall apply with respect to funds made available after the date of enactment of this Act.
What is a markup?
A markup is a committee meeting where members go through a bill and vote on changes before sending it to the full chamber.
(a) Sense of Congress. It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should annually allocate all funds (including funds appropriated from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund) made available to the Secretary to pay for operations and maintenance costs of harbors and inland harbors within the United States, including costs of expanded uses carried out at an eligible harbor or inland harbor under section 210(d)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2238(d)(2)), in accordance with the requirements of 102(a)(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 2238 note).
(b) Amendments. Section 102(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 2238 note) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—
(A) by striking to the extent practicable,; and
(B) by striking , to the extent there are identifiable operations and maintenance needs,; and
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
(3) Annual reporting. For each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate an annual report that includes the following:
(A) The total amount of expenditures made in the fiscal year to pay for projects described in each of subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1).
(B) A list of projects for which such expenditures were made, including the amounts expended for each project.
(C) An explanation for any failure to make such expenditures in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1) in the fiscal year, and a corrective plan for the subsequent fiscal year.
(c) Applicability. The amendments made by subsection (b)(1) shall apply with respect to funds made available after the date of enactment of this Act.
II Studies and Reports
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety