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
II Studies and Reports
Where this section came from
Not in the first version (Introduced in House, 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.
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) Assessment. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct an assessment of federally authorized emerging harbors that have experienced deferred maintenance, inadequate operations and maintenance funding, or recurring navigation deficiencies.
(b) Contents. In conducting the assessment under subsection (a), the Secretary shall identify, for each emerging harbor—
(1) the authorized dimensions and current condition of the harbor and associated Federal navigation features;
(2) the extent of deferred maintenance and dredging needs;
(3) the economic, public safety, emergency response, commercial fishing, Tribal, and recreational impacts associated with deferred maintenance;
(4) whether the harbor has been unable to receive regular maintenance because of current benefit-cost methodologies or other Federal policies;
(5) whether the harbor has not received Federal operations and maintenance funding for a period of not less than 10 years and the impacts of such lack of maintenance on navigation, safety, and local economic activity;
(6) recommendations for addressing identified maintenance backlogs; and
(7) a determination of—
(A) the interest of State, local, and Tribal governments, and port authorities, in assuming responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the emerging harbor; and
(B) any legal, financial, or operational barriers to such assumption of responsibility.
(c) Consultation. In conducting the assessment under this section, the Secretary shall consult with State, local, Tribal, and port authorities regarding—
(1) the potential deauthorization of federally authorized emerging harbors;
(2) the interest of non-Federal public entities in assuming responsibility for the operation and maintenance of such harbors; and
(3) the authorities, funding mechanisms, and technical assistance that may be necessary to facilitate such transfers.
(d) Report to Congress
(1) In general. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 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 a report containing the results of the assessment conducted under this section and recommendations for administrative or legislative actions to address any identified backlogs, including any recommendations regarding the transfer of operation and maintenance responsibilities to interested non-Federal entities.
(2) Priority list. The Secretary shall include in the report under paragraph (1) a prioritized list of emerging harbor maintenance projects based on economic importance, public safety, commercial fishing activity, Tribal reliance, emergency access needs, and the extent of deferred maintenance.
(e) Emerging harbor defined. In this section, the term emerging harbor has the meaning given the term in section 210(f)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2238(f)(2)).
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety