HR 9497
Passed a chamber
Authorizes and directs the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out a wide range of water projects, studies, and program changes, including new offices, dam safety updates, dredging rules, and project authorizations across the country.
Official title: Water Resources Development Act of 2026
Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions
House
Introduced
29-JUN-2026
Referred
29-JUN-2026
Approved by committee
14-JUL-2026
Reported
03-SEP-2026
On the calendar
03-SEP-2026
Passed
16-SEP-2026
Senate
Received
17-SEP-2026
- Requires the Army Corps of Engineers to create several new offices within its Directorate of Civil Works, including ones for inland navigation construction and water supply and drought resiliency, and to report to Congress on them.
- Establishes a Levee Owners Board of eleven Federal levee owner-operators that meets at least twice a year to advise the Secretary and Congress on levee reliability.
- Authorizes dozens of new feasibility studies and project modifications for flood control, navigation, ecosystem restoration, and water supply, and lists specific new environmental infrastructure grants for communities in many states.
- Prohibits diverting or exporting water from the Missouri River for use outside Missouri River states unless every Missouri River state's governor approves.
Covers an older version. The newest CRS summary describes the bill as of "Reported to House" (03-SEP-2026); the text has changed since (Engrossed in House, 16-SEP-2026).
CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Read it on congress.govWater Resources Development
■ 2 D■ 1 R
2 Democrats
1 Republican