H.R. 9497 · Where this bill is now

In the Senate

Passed the House Sep 16, 2026. Received Sep 17, 2026; no Senate vote yet

What this bill does

In plain words · AI-written from the official summary

Authorizes Army Corps water infrastructure projects

This bill gives the green light for the Army Corps of Engineers to work on a broad range of water infrastructure projects, from maintaining ports and harbors to reducing flood damage, protecting shorelines, and restoring wildlife habitats. It also sets up a new office to speed up how these projects get built, and allows the Corps to streamline approvals for small harbor and river improvements that cause minimal environmental harm.

How it affects you

Depending on where you live, you might benefit directly from improved flood protection, better navigable waterways, restored ecosystems, or enhanced recreational sites. People in coastal areas and river communities would likely see the most immediate effects from shoreline protection and flood damage reduction projects.

Read the official summary (Reported to House, Sep 3, 2026)

Water Resources Development Act of 2026

This 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, and

• support 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.

Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.

119th Congress
2nd SessionH. R. 9497

AN ACT