Bill · S. 4956· Senate(119-S-4956)
Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/13/2026
- Last activity
- 7/13/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Cynthia Lummis
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026" seeks to change how the Federal Water Pollution Control Act is applied. It aims to provide permitting relief to landowners. The bill directs that exemptions for certain discharges of dredged or fill material be interpreted liberally. Additionally, it specifies that recapture provisions should be interpreted narrowly.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would farmers be better off under this?+9
The bill is specifically named for and intended to provide permitting relief to farmers and ranchers.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
Highly beneficial for rural landowners who deal with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
Directly benefits landowners and agricultural business owners by reducing regulatory costs.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-5
The bill directs liberal interpretation of exemptions for discharging material into waters, potentially reducing environmental oversight.
Does this give the federal government more power?-4
Limits the federal government's ability to strictly enforce permitting for water discharges.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Permitting Relief for Landowners: The bill intends to provide "meaningful permitting relief to landowners" by ensuring exemptions for certain discharges of dredged or fill material are interpreted liberally (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for people are explicitly mentioned 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+9Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Business Owners+6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+4Improves Economic Growth+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+3Increases Federal Power-4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5Improves Environmental Protections-5
- 8/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
- Alan Armstrong
Republican · Oklahoma
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska