H.R. 9497

Water Resources Development Act of 2026

Sponsor: Sam Graves

3 cosponsors
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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

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I General Provisions

Sec. 102. Contracting efficiency Since introduced

(a) Sense of Congress. It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) the Corps of Engineers should maximize the efficiency of contract actions through the use of multiyear or continuing contracts; and

(2) multiyear or continuing contracts—

(A) provide cost savings by combining work across multiple projects across different accounts of the Corps of Engineers; and

(B) increase reliability of projects constructed or maintained by the Corps of Engineers and ensure realization of the benefits derived from such projects.

(b) Review

(1) In general. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a review of any considerations relating to and benefits of awarding multiyear or continuing contracts for the construction of authorized water resources development projects carried out by the Secretary.

(2) Requirements. In developing the review under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall—

(A) describe existing statutory authorities and limitations under which the Corps of Engineers may carry out water resources development projects utilizing a multiyear or continuing contract, including such authorities and limitations under section 10 of the Act of September 22, 1922 (33 U.S.C. 621) and section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (33 U.S.C. 2331);

(B) review—

(i) prior instances in which the Secretary has carried out an authorized water resources development project utilizing a multiyear or continuing contract for the construction;

(ii) prior instances in which the heads of other Federal agencies, including the Secretary of Defense, have carried out large-scale infrastructure or asset construction projects utilizing a multiyear or continuing contract for the construction; and

(iii) the response of the Corps of Engineers to prior recommendations of the Comptroller General related to management of water resources development projects that utilize multiyear or continuing contracts; and

(C) evaluate—

(i) potential cost savings, considerations, and benefits (including accelerated completion of construction) from awarding multiyear or continuing contracts for the construction of authorized water resources development projects; and

(ii) safeguards to minimize the inefficient reprogramming of appropriated funds related to multiyear or continuing contracts.

(3) Report. Upon completion of the review under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General 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 a report on the findings of such review, including any legislative recommendations that result from such review.

II Studies and Reports

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety