The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (S 3293) allocates approximately $13.5 billion in federal funding for energy and water infrastructure programs for fiscal year 2026. The bill provides specific funding for Corps of Engineers civil works projects including flood control, river and harbor maintenance, and aquatic ecosystem restoration, as well as for Department of Energy programs focused on energy efficiency, nuclear energy, and grid infrastructure. It establishes the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program with $5 million allocated to support dam safety projects and levee maintenance for state and local entities. The bill includes detailed provisions governing how funds can be reprogrammed across different programs, with specific limits on reprogramming amounts for various categories. This funding bill directly affects federal agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Energy, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as well as state and local governments that receive federal funding for water infrastructure projects.
The Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025 reforms how recreational fishing data is collected and used by the National Marine Fisheries Service. It establishes a standing committee with the National Academies to advise on data collection methods, sets a 30% threshold for data reliability (percent standard error), and requires consultation when data falls below this level. States can develop their own data collection programs that may replace federal MRIP data when they meet specific standards, and the bill creates a grant program to help states improve their systems. The bill requires annual reports on implementation and data quality improvements, affecting recreational fishing management across all coastal states and federal fisheries agencies.
HR 2817, the Coastal Broadband Deployment Act, exempts certain broadband infrastructure projects in floodplains from standard federal environmental and historic preservation reviews. It directly affects telecom companies seeking to deploy or modify broadband facilities entirely within floodplains (as defined by federal regulations) and requiring Federal Communications Commission (FCC) permits. The bill removes the need for environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and historic preservation assessments under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) for these specific projects. This change streamlines the approval process for broadband infrastructure in coastal floodplain areas without altering the underlying FCC permitting requirements.
S.1391, the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025, amends the 2009 Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act to improve collaboration on ocean acidification issues. It requires the federal advisory board to include two tribal representatives and mandates ongoing input mechanisms - like liaisons or online platforms - from coastal stakeholders, fishery councils, Indigenous knowledge groups, and non-Federal experts. The bill specifically directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to prioritize collaboration with Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and underserved coastal communities in research planning, vulnerability assessments, and adaptation efforts. These changes aim to integrate diverse community knowledge into federal ocean acidification monitoring and response strategies.
The Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act of 2025 establishes a federal Task Force to identify and address challenges facing working waterfronts, which are properties used for commercial fishing, boating businesses, aquaculture, and other water-dependent coastal activities. It creates a $50 million annual grant program (2025-2029) to help coastal states, tribal governments, and Native Hawaiian organizations develop and implement working waterfronts plans that preserve access to coastal waters and protect these businesses from threats like sea level rise and conversion to incompatible uses. The bill also authorizes a preservation loan fund to provide low-interest loans for waterfront preservation, with special provisions for disadvantaged communities. Covered entities must develop plans identifying threatened waterfront areas, prioritizing preservation needs, and ensuring public access. The law aims to protect working waterfronts through coordinated federal and local planning efforts.
This bill creates a 30% tax credit for businesses investing in disaster mitigation projects on "working waterfront" properties, such as those used for commercial fishing, boating, or aquaculture. The credit covers up to $300,000 annually per business for eligible costs like floodproofing, shoreline stabilization, or warning systems designed to prevent damage from natural hazards. To qualify, a business must meet a gross receipts limit of $47 million annually and use the property for water-dependent activities with access to navigable waters. The credit applies to projects completed after 2025 and is limited to one claim per business every 10 years.
This bill establishes 7 regional "Ocean Innovation Clusters" across U.S. coastal areas to grow the sustainable ocean-based economy (Blue Economy), directly benefiting coastal communities, Tribal nations, small businesses, and diverse populations. It requires the Commerce Secretary to designate these clusters - led by nonprofits and including partners like universities, tribes, and governments - prioritizing underserved regions and economic diversity. The bill authorizes $10 million annually (2026-2030) for grants to support cluster operations, with each cluster managing a local "Ocean Innovation Center" providing shared workspaces, training, and collaboration hubs. These centers will focus on expanding job opportunities in sustainable sectors like seafood processing, ocean energy, and coastal resilience while improving cross-sector partnerships.
HR 5920, the District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025, amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to explicitly include the District of Columbia as an eligible entity for federal funding under that program. This change directly affects the District of Columbia, allowing it to access federal funds previously unavailable for coastal zone management and flood prevention planning. The bill's sole mechanism is adding "District of Columbia" to the list of eligible jurisdictions in Section 304(4) of the Act. It does not create new flood prevention measures but enables DC to utilize existing federal funding for coastal and flood management efforts.
S 1564, the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act, exempts ecosystem restoration projects from standard flood insurance map change fees and streamlines approvals for projects that recover or enhance floodplain functions. It allows communities to permit certain restoration projects within regulatory floodways if they meet specific criteria: the project won't increase base flood elevations by more than 1 foot, won't harm critical infrastructure, and includes a post-project analysis submitted within 180 days. The bill directly affects communities, developers, and landowners undertaking floodplain restoration, as it modifies FEMA's processes for approving such projects under the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must issue implementing guidance within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
The Working Waterfront Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act creates a 30% tax credit for businesses that invest in qualifying disaster mitigation projects on "working waterfront" property, such as commercial fishing facilities or boatyards. The credit covers up to $300,000 per year (adjusted for inflation after 2026) for projects designed to prevent flood, erosion, or storm damage using methods like structural elevation, floodproofing, or shoreline stabilization. To qualify, property must be used for water-dependent activities (e.g., commercial fishing or boating) with average annual gross receipts under $47 million and meet specific building code requirements for disaster resilience. The credit is limited to 10 years per business and applies to projects placed in service after 2025.
