Bill · H.R. 7264· House(119-HR-7264)
Restoring America’s Floodplains Act
- Introduced
- 1/27/2026
- Last activity
- 3/20/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
- Sponsored by
- Mark Messmer
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Restoring America's Floodplains Act," seeks to amend the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978. It aims to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to handle floodplain easement restoration and management. The legislation allows for the restoration of vegetative cover and hydrological functions on acquired land. It also provides authority for the Secretary to monitor and maintain these restoration measures. Furthermore, the bill establishes rules for contracts, agreements, and compatible land uses.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The bill authorizes the Secretary to restore and maintain vegetative cover and hydrological functions to protect watersheds.
Would farmers be better off under this?+5
The bill authorizes various agricultural uses such as periodic haying or grazing on easement lands.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
The bill provides authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to manage and restore floodplain easements.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Land Restoration and Protection: The Secretary is authorized to restore and maintain vegetative cover and hydrological functions on land with floodplain easements (Section 2(a)(1) and Section 2(a)(2)). This could help improve the long-term health and protection of watersheds (Section 2(b)).
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Economic Opportunities for Landowners: Landowners may be authorized to engage in compatible economic uses such as hunting, fishing, managed timber harvest, water management, or periodic haying or grazing (Section 2(a)(3)(4)(B)).
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Collaborative Agreements: The Secretary can enter into contracts with landowners and agreements with States, nongovernmental organizations, and Indian Tribes (Section 2(a)(3)(A) and Section 2(a)(3)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Gun Owners+3Good For Native Americans+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Public Land Management+5Improves Rural Development+4
- 3/20/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
- 1/27/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico