Bill · S. 4949· Senate(119-S-4949)
Water Resources Development Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/13/2026
- Last activity
- 7/15/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 457.
- Sponsored by
- Shelley Capito
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 focuses on improving United States rivers and harbors and conserving water resources. It establishes new rules for how the Secretary of the Army manages water projects, including faster evaluation procedures for certain programs. The bill mandates more frequent reporting and communication between the Secretary and Congress to ensure accountability. It also provides for the protection of shorelines, the management of flood risks, and the coordination of dredging activities.
Yes· 3 of 14
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+5
Promotes nonstructural flood risk management and adapts to natural floodplains to reduce damages.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
Improved port and harbor efficiency benefits shipping and logistics businesses.
Would people in cities be better off under this?+4
Harbor and river improvements directly benefit port cities and urban waterways.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-4
The bill allows certain projects to be categorically excluded from NEPA environmental assessments.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Increased Project Funding Options: Non-Federal interests can request an option to contribute up to 10 percent more than the maximum cost for authorized navigation projects (Section 1103).
- Improved Flood Risk Management: The bill promotes "nonstructural features" like elevating structures and floodproofing to reduce damages by adapting to natural floodplains (Section 1118(a)).
- Voluntary Property Acquisition: For flood and storm risk projects authorized after the act, property acquisition and demolition must be done on a voluntary basis (Section 1118(d)).
- Enhanced Shoreline Protection: The bill increases the funding limit for shoreline and riverine protection and restoration to $20,000,000 and adds several new watersheds and coastlines to the program, including areas in Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Alaska (Section 1111).
- Technical Assistance for Applicants: The Secretary can now provide technical assistance to non-Federal entities planning to apply for permissions to alter civil works projects (Section 1105(a)(4)).
- Better Project Communication: The District Engineer must provide non-Federal interests with written status updates, schedules, and funding documentation at least every 60 days (Section 1115(c)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduced Environmental Review: Projects under continuing authority or environmental infrastructure programs with a Federal cost share under $50,000,000 may be categorically excluded from environmental assessments or impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Section 1109(a)).
- Simplified Project Evaluations: For certain programs, District Commanders may use "simplified evaluation procedures," which include limited screening or evaluation of alternatives (Section 1106(b)(2)(A)).
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+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Farmers+3Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Union Workers+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Improves Interstate Commerce+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5Improves Rural Development+4Improves Environmental Protections-4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade+2
- 7/15/2026
- Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Capito with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 457.
- 7/13/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island