WATER Act of 2025

This bill would create a program run jointly by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency that lets states take over federal permitting under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for highway, railroad, and public transit projects. A state could also take on related federal environmental reviews, endangered species consultations, and certain Rivers and Harbors Act permits for those projects. States would apply after giving public notice, sign a written agreement of up to 5 years (or 10 years for some experienced states), and accept federal court jurisdiction over their decisions. The Corps would audit participating states, report to Congress yearly, and could end a state's participation if it does not fix problems within at least 120 days; states could also leave with 90 days' notice.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Jon Husted Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors