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.
(a) In general. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall realign the following districts of the Corps of Engineers as follows:
… 2 unchanged passages …
(3) The counties of Arkansas, Clay, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Lonoke, Randolph, and Woodruff, Arkansas, shall be transferred to the Memphis District.
(4) Desha County, Arkansas, and Lincoln County, Arkansas, shall be transferred to the Vicksburg District.
(b) Requirement with respect to realignment action.
(1) In general. Except as provided in subsection (a), the Secretary may not carry out any action to modify a geographic boundary of the Corps of Engineers unless the Secretary submits to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a notification not later than 30 days in advance of such modification.
(2) Consultation and public comment. In developing the notification required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, consult with and accept comments from affected stakeholders in the geographic boundary affected by the proposed modification to the geographic boundary of the Corps of Engineers, including—
(A) State, Tribal, or local governments;
(B) non-Federal interests;
(C) the workforce of the Corps of Engineers (including any organizations representing such workforce); and
(D) other entities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(3) Contents. In the notification required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include—
(A) a justification for a modification to the geographic boundary of the Corps of Engineers;
(B) a description of the effects of such modification on—
(i) the ability of the Corps of Engineers to execute its mission;
(ii) the finances of the Corps of Engineers;
(iii) the workforce of the Corps of Engineers; and
(iv) stakeholders (including State agencies, conservation districts, and the public); and
(C) a summary of any comments received under paragraph (2) and the Secretary’s response to such comments.
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A markup is a committee meeting where members go through a bill and vote on changes before sending it to the full chamber.
(a) In general. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall realign the following districts of the Corps of Engineers as follows:
(1) Atchison County, Missouri, and Holt County, Missouri, shall be transferred to the Kansas City District.
(2) Northeast Missouri shall be transferred from the Rock Island District to the St. Louis District.
(3) The counties of Arkansas, Clay, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Lonoke, Randolph, and Woodruff, Arkansas, shall be transferred to the Memphis District.
(4) Desha County, Arkansas, and Lincoln County, Arkansas, shall be transferred to the Vicksburg District.
(b) Requirement with respect to realignment action
(1) In general. Except as provided in subsection (a), the Secretary may not carry out any action to modify a geographic boundary of the Corps of Engineers unless the Secretary submits to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a notification not later than 30 days in advance of such modification.
(2) Consultation and public comment. In developing the notification required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, consult with and accept comments from affected stakeholders in the geographic boundary affected by the proposed modification to the geographic boundary of the Corps of Engineers, including—
(A) State, Tribal, or local governments;
(B) non-Federal interests;
(C) the workforce of the Corps of Engineers (including any organizations representing such workforce); and
(D) other entities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(3) Contents. In the notification required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include—
(A) a justification for a modification to the geographic boundary of the Corps of Engineers;
(B) a description of the effects of such modification on—
(i) the ability of the Corps of Engineers to execute its mission;
(ii) the finances of the Corps of Engineers;
(iii) the workforce of the Corps of Engineers; and
(iv) stakeholders (including State agencies, conservation districts, and the public); and
(C) a summary of any comments received under paragraph (2) and the Secretary’s response to such comments.
II Studies and Reports
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety