Bill · S. 2421· Senate(119-S-2421)
CLEAR Waters Act
- Introduced
- 7/23/2025
- Last activity
- 7/23/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Joni Ernst
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The CLEAR Waters Act amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. It changes the definition of "navigable waters" by adding exclusions. These exclusions include waste treatment systems, ephemeral features that flow only in response to precipitation, groundwater, and other features determined by the Administrator and the Secretary of the Army.
Yes· 3 of 11
Would business owners be better off under this?+2
Business owners might benefit from reduced regulatory burdens.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+2
The bill may reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses using waste treatment systems.
Would high-income households be better off under this?+1
High-income households may be less affected due to greater resources for water filtration and alternative sources.
The opposite· 3 of 19
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-5
Excluding water features from federal protection significantly weakens environmental safeguards.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-3
Low-income households are more vulnerable to water pollution due to limited access to alternatives.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?-3
Native American tribes may be significantly affected due to reliance on specific water resources.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Excluding components of waste treatment systems (like lagoons or settling ponds) from the definition of "navigable waters" (Section 2(B)(i)) might reduce regulatory burdens on businesses that use these systems to manage wastewater. This could potentially lead to lower costs for those businesses.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Excluding ephemeral features that flow only in direct response to precipitation from the definition of "navigable waters" (Section 2(B)(ii)) could lead to less protection for these waterways. This could negatively impact water quality, as pollutants entering these features might not be regulated under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
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Excluding groundwater from the definition of "navigable waters" (Section 2(B)(iii)) could reduce protection for groundwater resources. This could potentially lead to increased pollution of groundwater, which many people rely on for drinking water.
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Allowing the Administrator and the Secretary of the Army to determine additional exclusions to "navigable waters" (Section 2(B)(iv)) gives them broad authority. There's a risk they could exclude other important water features, potentially weakening environmental protections.
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 Business Owners+2Good For Billionaires+1Good For Farmers+1Good For High Income Households+1Good For High Net Worth Individuals+1Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals+1Good For Low Income Households-3Good For Native Americans-3Good For African Americans-2Good For Children-2Good For Hispanic Americans-2Good For Immigrants-2Good For Rural Residents-2Good For Asian Americans-1Good For Middle Aged-1Good For Middle Class Households-1Good For People With Disabilities-1Good For Retirees-1Good For Seniors-1Good For Urban Residents-1Good For White Americans-1Good For Young Adults-1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2Improves Economic Growth+1Increases Job Creation+1Reduces Government Spending+1Improves Consumer Protection-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+1Increases Federal Power-1
- 7/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Jerry MoranRepublican · Kansas
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi