Environment (Water Quality)

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 5, 2026

S 5262: Defense of Environment and Property Act of 2026

The Defense of Environment and Property Act of 2026 significantly narrows the federal definition of "navigable waters" by excluding wetlands without continuous surface connections, intermittent streams, and groundwater from federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. The bill prohibits federal agencies from using aggregation methods or the "significant nexus test" to assert authority over these excluded water bodies and invalidates existing regulations that expand the definition of covered waters. Additionally, it requires federal agencies to obtain written consent before entering private property for data collection and mandates that they pay affected landowners double the value of any economic loss caused by new federal water regulations.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentThe bill narrows the federal definition of navigable waters under the Clean Water Act, explicitly removing wetlands and intermittent streams from federal jurisdiction and invalidating existing regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 4956: Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026

The Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026 aims to simplify the permitting process for landowners by changing how federal rules regarding the discharge of dredged or fill material are interpreted. Specifically, the bill directs regulators to broadly allow discharges that do not harm fish or wildlife while strictly limiting the ability to revoke permits later. By amending the Clean Water Act, the legislation seeks to reduce the number of required permits for agricultural and ranching activities involving earth-moving or water management. These changes are intended to provide more flexibility for farmers and ranchers without altering the underlying environmental protections of the law.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill weakens environmental protections by broadening discharge allowances and limiting permit revocation, prioritizing agricultural interests over water and wildlife conservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4944: American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026

The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026 streamlines the permitting process for natural gas pipelines and other energy projects by designating the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as the sole lead agency for environmental reviews and establishing strict deadlines for federal and state agencies to complete their portions of the review. The bill also modifies water quality laws to reduce the number of required certifications for discharges into navigable waters, extends the validity of certain nationwide permits for dredged or fill material from five to ten years, and creates a new fund to address abandoned hardrock mines. Additionally, the legislation updates the National Environmental Policy Act to limit the scope of environmental reviews to effects directly caused by a project, impose specific timelines for agency decisions, and restrict the ability of courts to issue injunctions that would halt construction while legal challenges are pending.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill streamlines permitting for natural gas pipelines and energy projects, reducing regulatory barriers to energy infrastructure development.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill streamlines permitting for pipelines, designates FERC as sole lead for reviews, modifies water quality laws to reduce certifications, and establishes strict deadlines, indicating deregulation of environmental standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4755: DEEP Act

The DEEP Act establishes a new nationwide permit for dredging projects in U.S. ports and navigation channels, aiming to streamline the approval process for maintaining, expanding, or deepening ports up to 60 feet. The bill mandates that the Army Corps of Engineers propose this permit within 60 days of enactment and sets strict deadlines for environmental reviews, requiring the final permit to be issued within two years. It also imposes tight timelines on state agencies to review water quality certifications, deeming them complete if they do not respond within 14 days, and limits the Secretary's ability to deny permits if procedural deadlines are missed. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that compliance with the new permit is sufficient to satisfy other related federal laws regarding river and harbor regulations.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill streamlines dredging permits and imposes tight deadlines, likely weakening environmental review processes and protections.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill streamlines port dredging permits to facilitate maintenance and expansion of navigation channels, directly enhancing maritime transportation infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Ports

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in committee · United States · House Sep 10, 2026

HR 9017: Restore Florida Water Independence Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Restore Florida Water Independence Act of 2026, aims to streamline environmental permitting for the State of Florida by recognizing a specific federal biological opinion as fully compliant with the Endangered Species Act. By deeming this existing document sufficient, the legislation eliminates the need for additional federal consultations regarding dredge and fill projects under the Clean Water Act. The primary effect is to allow the Environmental Protection Agency to approve Florida's request to manage its own state-level permitting program without further federal oversight on these specific environmental matters.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill streamlines permitting and eliminates federal consultations, weakening environmental protections under the Endangered Species and Clean Water Acts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 4475: Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act of 2026

The Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act of 2026 streamlines federal permitting for energy projects by reducing environmental review requirements and setting strict deadlines for agency actions. It modifies the Clean Water Act to limit state authority in certifying water discharges, mandates that certain energy and carbon dioxide pipeline projects be exempt from NEPA reviews, and establishes a 120-day limit for courts to decide lawsuits challenging these permits. The bill also extends nuclear reactor licenses to a maximum of 60 years, exempts new nuclear reactors at existing sites from NEPA compliance, and restricts judicial review of tribal trust resource projects to claims brought by the tribes themselves. Additionally, it creates a 150-day statute of limitations for most NEPA-related lawsuits and requires courts to issue final decisions on environmental challenges within 180 days.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill streamlines permitting, reduces environmental reviews, and exempts pipelines from NEPA to accelerate energy project development.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill weakens environmental protections by reducing review requirements, limiting state authority, and exempting pipelines from NEPA.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Pipeline Infrastructure Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 4120: Community Water Project Acceleration Act

This bill, titled the Community Water Project Acceleration Act, would allow certain small water resources development projects to bypass formal environmental review requirements. It directly affects non-Federal sponsors who lead construction work on water projects funded by federal programs like the Water Resources Reform and Development Act or environmental infrastructure assistance programs. The key provision requires the Secretary of the Army to designate these projects as categorically excluded from National Environmental Policy Act reviews if they meet specific cost thresholds, such as having a federal share under $6 million or a federal share under 15 percent with total costs not exceeding $35 million. The bill mandates that the Secretary of the Army issue regulations to implement these exclusions within 150 days of enactment and complete the designation process within 180 days.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill allows water projects to bypass formal environmental review requirements, weakening environmental protections and reducing oversight on potential ecological impacts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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signed · United States · House Apr 27, 2026

HJRES 140: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.

HJRES 140 is a procedural resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule published in the Federal Register (88 Fed. Reg. 6308, January 31, 2023). The resolution targets Public Land Order No. 7917, which proposed withdrawing federal lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota. If passed, this resolution would block the BLM rule from taking effect by invoking the disapproval process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code. It directly affects the implementation of the land withdrawal proposal but does not alter the underlying land status or create new policy.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks to disapprove a BLM rule withdrawing federal lands, which would prevent conservation of natural resources and limit environmental protection in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Water Quality

in committee · United States · House Jun 13, 2025

HR 3901: Jurisdictional Determination Backlog Reduction Act

HR 3901, the Jurisdictional Determination Backlog Reduction Act, requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to eliminate existing backlogs for two specific types of applications within 60 days of the bill's enactment. It directly affects developers, construction companies, and others needing federal permits for projects involving waterways (under Clean Water Act Section 404) or jurisdictional determinations. The bill mandates the Corps to expedite processes and reallocate personnel/resources to clear all pending applications as of June 5, 2025. This is a concrete policy change focused on reducing processing delays for permit applicants.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExpedited permits under Clean Water Act could reduce environmental review time, prioritizing industry efficiency over regulatory protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Dec 11, 2025

HR 6639: Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Act

HR 6639, the Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Act, requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to identify major water-supply and storage projects in California subject to the Endangered Species Act or National Environmental Policy Act. The bill mandates they designate federal officials to identify unnecessary regulatory delays or costs ("unduly burdens") on these projects and develop plans to suspend, revise, or rescind such regulations. It directly affects California water projects (including surface/ground storage and aquifer recharge) and the federal agencies managing their environmental reviews. The key mechanism is a streamlined review process to remove regulatory obstacles without compromising legal protections.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill mandates suspension/revisions of ESA/NEPA regulations affecting water projects, directly targeting environmental protections to reduce regulatory burdens on infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Wildlife

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