H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, passed the House on September 16, 2026.
H.R. 9497 — Water Resources Development Act of 2026
What it does
This bill establishes four new offices within the Army Corps of Engineers to improve water resource management: one for inland navigation, one for water supply and drought resilience, one for technical assistance to communities, and one for alternative project delivery methods. It also streamlines permitting processes, accelerates feasibility studies, creates a Levee Owners Board to advise Congress on flood management priorities, and authorizes new programs for flood risk management improvements and drought resilience projects, with cost-sharing requirements for non-federal partners.
Quorum's transparency scan gave Water Resources Development Act of 2026 a moderate transparency flag.
What happens next
H.R. 9497 passed the House. It now moves to the other chamber.
Who is behind it
Filed by Sam Graves. Cosponsored by Frederica Wilson, Mike Collins and Rick Larsen.
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