Environment (Water Quality)

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9855: CURRENT Act

The CURRENT Act modifies the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to streamline how states and federal agencies issue certifications for energy and transmission projects. It requires these agencies to publish clear certification rules, set a strict one-year deadline to decide on requests, and base decisions solely on whether a project will violate specific water quality laws. The bill also mandates that denials or conditions must be supported by clear and convincing evidence showing no reasonable way exists to meet environmental standards, while protecting applicants from having certifications reopened without a court order. Additionally, it establishes a fast-track judicial review process for energy projects, requiring courts to issue final rulings within 120 days.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill streamlines energy project certifications and sets strict deadlines to accelerate energy infrastructure development.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill streamlines water pollution certifications to enforce strict deadlines and clear rules, strengthening environmental protection mechanisms.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Pipeline Infrastructure Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 16, 2026

S 5016: Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026

The Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026 updates how federal funding for water pollution control is distributed among states, Indian tribes, and U.S. territories. It requires the Environmental Protection Agency to set aside specific portions of funds for oversight and tribes before calculating state shares, while also introducing a new formula that allocates money based on watershed needs, population size, and poverty levels. The bill includes safeguards to prevent funding amounts for any single state from changing drastically from one year to the next and allows states to use a small percentage of their grants to conduct the necessary assessments for this new formula. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that these changes do not affect existing infrastructure funds and expands the allowable uses of capitalization grants to include technical assistance and survey activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill modernizes funding for water pollution control and prioritizes watershed needs, directly advancing environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9663: State Standing Committee Act

This bill creates a new State Standing Committee within the Environmental Protection Agency to provide scientific and technical advice on major environmental laws. The committee will consist of unpaid, voluntary members from every state, federal district, territory, and federally recognized tribe, who must be employees of local environmental or natural resource agencies. Members will offer advice to the EPA Administrator and the Science Advisory Board on specific issues like air and water quality, with the Administrator required to publish these views online within 30 days. Additionally, the bill updates reporting requirements so the EPA must annually submit reports on the committee's activities to Congress. The Federal Advisory Committee Act will not apply to this new group, and the Science Advisory Board will also be required to report its activities to Congress.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a committee to provide scientific and technical advice to the EPA, strengthening environmental regulation and oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Jun 9, 2026

HR 9226: Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act

This bill establishes a new partnership program to coordinate conservation efforts across the five-state Connecticut River watershed, involving federal, state, tribal, and local groups. It creates a voluntary grant system that provides up to 90 percent federal funding for projects focused on restoring fish and wildlife habitats, improving water quality, and supporting environmental justice communities. The legislation also mandates regular reporting to Congress and authorizes funding from 2026 to 2030 to support these restoration activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a partnership to restore habitats, improve water quality, and protect natural resources through significant federal funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HR 8830: 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 and share better maps that show the risk of urban flooding, which includes water damage from heavy rain and overwhelmed drainage systems. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will award grants to up to 12 cities and stormwater authorities to develop technology-based tools that provide specific flood risk assessments for individual buildings and incorporate climate trends. Funding is available for fiscal years 2027 through 2030, with grants covering up to 75% of project costs and prioritizing communities that are highly vulnerable to sea-level rise or have populations facing socioeconomic challenges. Recipients must complete their projects within 18 months and submit reports on their progress and lessons learned to the agency and Congress.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a pilot program funded by FEMA grants to improve flood mapping and risk assessment for homeowners, advancing fiscal management and public safety infrastructure.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds flood mapping and climate trend integration to improve urban resilience and disaster preparedness.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds flood risk mapping for buildings, protecting property and enabling safer housing decisions.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds and mandates the development of technology-based tools for flood risk assessment and data sharing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality Homeownership

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in committee · United States · House Jun 25, 2026

HR 9483: Clean Ports for Commerce Act

The Clean Ports for Commerce Act requires the Secretary of the Army to create an advanced plan before dredging materials known to contain PFAS chemicals. This plan must identify where the contaminated materials will be disposed of, outline steps to protect water quality and public health, and estimate any potential delays caused by these substances. The legislation directly impacts federal dredging projects and aims to ensure that cleanup operations are managed safely before they begin. By mandating these specific preparations, the bill seeks to address environmental and health risks associated with PFAS in port maintenance work.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates PFAS disposal planning and water quality protection in dredging, directly strengthening environmental safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Hazardous Materials Water Quality

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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 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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