Environment (Water Quality)

in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 8924: Mullica River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2026

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey for potential designation as a Wild and Scenic River. The study will focus on specific segments of the Mullica River and its tributaries, including the Wading River, Batsto River, and various creeks and brooks. If the study concludes that these waters meet the necessary criteria, the federal government could officially protect them under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This legislation does not immediately change the status of the rivers but establishes a process to evaluate their suitability for conservation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs a study to potentially designate river segments as a Wild and Scenic River, which would strengthen environmental protection and conserve natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 8876: Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026

The Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026 strengthens federal efforts to manage and prevent the spread of non-native aquatic organisms by updating existing laws and creating new funding opportunities. The bill establishes a competitive grant program to research and develop environmentally sound technologies for controlling these species, while also requiring a comprehensive study of federal regulations that might slow down rapid response actions when an invasion is detected. It mandates the creation of a national plan for inspecting and decontaminating watercraft at boat launches to stop the transfer of invasive species, and it authorizes funding to support regional panels and monitoring programs across various waterways. Additionally, the legislation updates the National Invasive Species Council's role to better coordinate federal actions and encourages the adoption of advanced ballast water management systems on ships.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens federal efforts to manage invasive species, protects natural resources, and funds environmentally sound technologies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 4595: Mullica River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2026

This bill directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to study the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey to determine if it should be officially designated as a Wild and Scenic River. The study will focus on specific segments of the Mullica River and its tributaries, including the Wading River and Batsto River, to assess their suitability for protection. If the study concludes that these waters meet the necessary criteria, the area could receive federal protections to preserve its natural character and recreational values. The final results of this evaluation must be reported to Congress within three years of funding becoming available.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs a study to designate a river as a Wild and Scenic River, which would establish federal protections to preserve natural resources and reduce pollution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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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 · House Apr 22, 2026

HR 8459: WISE Act

The WISE Act amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require states receiving capitalization grants to allocate at least 20 percent of those funds toward specific sustainability projects. These designated projects must focus on green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency improvements, or other environmentally innovative activities, provided there are enough eligible applications and available funding. This change directly affects state governments by mandating a minimum spending threshold for these initiatives within the existing grant program. The legislation aims to ensure that a significant portion of federal water infrastructure money supports modern, eco-friendly solutions rather than traditional construction methods.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyThe bill mandates that grant funds be used for energy efficiency improvements and green infrastructure, directly advancing energy sustainability goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates 20% of grants for green infrastructure and energy efficiency, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 29, 2026

S 4417: Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act

This bill amends the existing water rights settlement for the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians to update the legal definition of their reservation and clarify how certain funds can be used. It specifically adds several historical land additions to the reservation definition and expands the definition to include any contiguous federal trust land located within the Santa Margarita River Watershed. Additionally, the legislation allows the use of a specific water quality account to address issues in the Wolf Valley Basin, broadening its scope beyond just desalination. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make these necessary changes to the settlement agreement without affecting any water rights that already exist.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands reservation to include federal trust land within the Santa Margarita River Watershed, directly enhancing water conservation and environmental protection in that area.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8614: Safe Water in Schools Act of 2026

The Safe Water in Schools Act of 2026 directs federal funding to help schools and child care programs install point-of-use water filtration systems. These filters are intended to prevent exposure to lead in drinking water before testing occurs or to clean up existing contamination. The bill authorizes specific annual funding amounts, increasing from $60 million in 2026 to $72 million in 2030, to support these efforts. Local educational agencies will receive grants to implement the filtration systems at facilities under their jurisdiction. This legislation amends the existing Safe Drinking Water Act to formalize these requirements and funding levels.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides federal funding to install water filtration systems in schools, improving infrastructure and student health.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds water filtration to prevent lead exposure and clean contamination, directly protecting public health and reducing environmental pollution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate May 13, 2026

S 4515: Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2026

This bill establishes a pilot program to help local governments in large urban areas create better maps for urban flooding, which occurs when heavy rain overwhelms drainage systems in built-up areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide grants to eligible cities and stormwater authorities to develop easy-to-understand digital tools that show specific flood risks for individual buildings and factor in climate trends. Funding is available for up to 12 locations over several years, with a preference for communities that are highly vulnerable to flooding or sea-level rise, and recipients must share their results and lessons learned online with the public.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds digital flood mapping tools to assess climate trends and reduce urban flooding risks, directly supporting environmental resilience.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds digital flood mapping tools to help homeowners understand risks, indirectly supporting housing stability and property rights.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds development of digital flood risk mapping tools for cities, advancing technology adoption for public safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality Homeownership

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in committee · United States · House Sep 10, 2026

HR 8546: Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act

This bill makes technical adjustments to the legal definition of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Reservation and clarifies how settlement funds can be used for water quality improvements. Specifically, it updates the list of historical dates used to define reservation boundaries and adds a provision to include any future contiguous land held in trust within the Santa Margarita River Watershed. Additionally, the legislation broadens the scope of allowable activities funded by the Pechanga Water Quality account from just desalination to any water quality issues in the Wolf Valley Basin. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to formally update the settlement agreement to reflect these changes while ensuring that existing water rights remain unaffected.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds water quality improvements and expands the reservation to include land in the Santa Margarita River Watershed, aiding environmental conservation.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8632: PFAS Cleanup Act

This bill, known as the PFAS Cleanup Act, aims to address the health and economic costs of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances by introducing two main financial mechanisms. First, it imposes a 45% excise tax on the sale of PFAS chemicals by manufacturers, producers, and importers starting in 2027. Second, it creates a tax credit for public water systems that spend money removing PFAS from drinking water when contamination levels exceed EPA safety limits. The revenue from the tax is intended to help fund cleanup efforts, while the credit encourages water providers to remediate hazardous pollution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes an excise tax on PFAS chemicals to fund cleanup efforts, directly addressing fiscal management and generating revenue for public health services.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes taxes on PFAS chemicals and funds water system cleanup, directly addressing pollution control and environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds PFAS water cleanup to reduce health risks from chemical contamination, protecting public health and preventing disease.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Credits Drinking Water Hazardous Materials Water Quality

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