Water Resources Development Act of 2026
Latest action (Sep 17, 2026) — Received in the Senate.
What it does
Congressional Research Service, Sep 3, 2026This 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, andsupport 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.
Face Value
as introducedHow much of this bill its name accounts for.
- Every bill starts at100
- Areas of law−16
Amends 3 separate titles of the US Code: 5, 10, 18.
- Length−14
131 sections, against 20 before length counts against a bill.
Face Value measures reach, not honesty. A big bill can be accurately named, and a low score is not an accusation — it means the contents reach further than any short title could describe. Count it yourself ↗ How this is worked out
What Congress did
1 recordedOn , as Amendeddecisive vote
House · Sep 16, 2026
A fast-track vote: no amendments, short debate, and two thirds needed to pass. Used for bills expected to be uncontroversial.
Who lobbied on this
7 organizationsThese organizations told Congress, in their own quarterly disclosures, that they were lobbying on this bill.
- American Council of Engineering Companiesno position stated
“…outreach on Water Resources Development Act priorities (H.R. 9497/no bill number)” filing ↗
- Archer Daniels Midland Companyno position stated
“…provisions related to transportation security H.R. 9497: Water Resources Development Act of…” filing ↗
- International Association of Fire Fightersno position stated
“H.R. 9497, Water Resources Development Act of 2026 Issues related to regulating PFAS in firefighting equipment and gear Issues related to the FMVSS…” filing ↗
- National Stone, Sand and Gravel Associationno position stated
“…Authorization Buy America Provisions Highway Trust Fund Revenue Materials Accessibility Innovation and Materials Preference H.R. 3898, the PERMIT Act H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 S. 4949, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 ***Mira Lezell - Senate Only” filing ↗
- Portland Cement Associationno position stated
“…Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (H.R. 9497)” filing ↗
- The Fertilizer Instituteno position stated
“…including Nurse Tank Safety (Congress, DOT) Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works (USACE) navigation program funding and execution (Congress, USACE) H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (Congress) Railroad rate, practice, and service issues (Surface Transportation Board, Congress)…” filing ↗
- Woolpert, Inc.no position stated
“H.R. 9497 / S. 4949 - Water Resources Development Act of 2026 - issues related to Inland Marine Transportation System.” filing ↗
Most filings say only that an organization lobbied on a bill, not which side it took — where that's the case we say so rather than guessing. Quotes are verbatim from the filing. How this is built.
Discussion
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