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

Expand all

I General Provisions

Sec. 142. Ability to pay Changed · Sep 3

Where this section came from

  1. Jun 29, 2026 · Introduced in House Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Jun 29
  2. 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.
What changed in the text

… 5 unchanged passages …

(18) The feasibility study for the project for flood risk management, including riverbank stabilization and bluff stabilization, Columbus and Hickman, Kentucky, authorized by section 8201(a)(28) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3746) (as modified by this Act). (19) The project for shoreline erosion management, Hickman Bluff Stabilization, Kentucky, authorized by section 3071 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1124). ( 19 20 ) The study for the project for ecosystem restoration, Lower Osage River Basin, Missouri, authorized by section 201 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2670). ( 20 21 ) The project for ecosystem restoration, Lower Blackstone River, Rhode Island, described in section 8361 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3804). ( 21 22 ) The study for the reallocation of water supply storage, Aquilla Lake, Texas, carried out in accordance with section 301 of the Water Supply Act of 1958 (43 U.S.C. 390b), authorized by section 202(e) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2675). ( 22 23 ) The study to modify the project for hurricane and storm damage risk reduction, Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management, Virginia, authorized by section 401(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2738).

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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.

Section 1139(c) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3026) is amended—

(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting and studies after projects; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(17) The project for flood risk management, Big Island Local Flood Protection Project, Illinois, authorized pursuant to section 203 of the Flood Control Act of 1968 (82 Stat. 742).

(18) The feasibility study for the project for flood risk management, including riverbank stabilization and bluff stabilization, Columbus and Hickman, Kentucky, authorized by section 8201(a)(28) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3746) (as modified by this Act).

(19) The project for shoreline erosion management, Hickman Bluff Stabilization, Kentucky, authorized by section 3071 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1124).

(20) The study for the project for ecosystem restoration, Lower Osage River Basin, Missouri, authorized by section 201 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2670).

(21) The project for ecosystem restoration, Lower Blackstone River, Rhode Island, described in section 8361 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3804).

(22) The study for the reallocation of water supply storage, Aquilla Lake, Texas, carried out in accordance with section 301 of the Water Supply Act of 1958 (43 U.S.C. 390b), authorized by section 202(e) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2675).

(23) The study to modify the project for hurricane and storm damage risk reduction, Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management, Virginia, authorized by section 401(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2738).

II Studies and Reports

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety