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)
Sense of Congress
Communication
.
It
The
is the sense of Congress that the
Corps of Engineers, including each district of the Corps of Engineers,
should
shall
have open communications with each office of a Member of Congress. (b) In general. At the request of
the
any
Chairman or Ranking
Member of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate
Congress
, the Secretary and the Chief of Engineers shall provide, as expeditiously as possible, information or technical assistance relating to water resources development projects, including information relating to feasibility studies, Chief’s Reports, project justification and scope, authorization and implementation status, estimated project costs and schedules, operational capabilities, and other information relating to such projects.
… 1 unchanged passage …
(d) Member of Congress defined. In this section, the term Member of Congress includes a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to Congress.
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) Communication. The Corps of Engineers, including each district of the Corps of Engineers, shall have open communications with each office of a Member of Congress.
(b) In general. At the request of any Member of Congress, the Secretary and the Chief of Engineers shall provide, as expeditiously as possible, information or technical assistance relating to water resources development projects, including information relating to feasibility studies, Chief’s Reports, project justification and scope, authorization and implementation status, estimated project costs and schedules, operational capabilities, and other information relating to such projects.
(c) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to grant any authority to the Secretary or the Chief to deny a request for information related to a water resources development project.
(d) Member of Congress defined. In this section, the term Member of Congress includes a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to Congress.
II Studies and Reports
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety