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H.R.7575 / 116th Congress

Water Resources Development Act of 2020

Received in the Senate.

Official summary

Version 53 · Passed House · Jul 29, 2020

Water Resources Development Act of 2020

This bill modifies water resources infrastructure funding and addresses Army Corps of Engineers projects for navigation, flood damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration.

The bill removes certain funds appropriated for harbor operations and maintenance from annual discretionary spending limits. This allows additional funds to be appropriated for these purposes without the amounts counting against annual discretionary spending limits. Further, the bill increases the percentage of available funds allocated annually to emerging harbors (i.e., those that handle less than 1 million tons of cargo annually).

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Additionally, the bill modifies cost-sharing requirements for the construction of inland waterway projects for FY2021-FY2027.

Further, the Corps of Engineers must establish a pilot program to address the flood and storm damage risk reduction needs of economically disadvantaged communities. The Corps of Engineers may also construct projects for flood and coastal storm risk management in areas that have had been impacted by repetitive flooding. The Corps of Engineers must also identify any engineering or maintenance defects for levees in the national database.

The bill also creates a process to de-authorize projects that are no longer viable for construction and authorizes new projects, including projects for navigation, flood damage reduction, shoreline protection, and ecosystem restoration.

In addition, the Government Accountability Office must study (1) consideration by the Corps of Engineers of natural and nature-based features during project planning, (2) mitigation of the impact of water resources development projects, and (3) the operation and maintenance needs of federally authorized harbors and inland harbors.

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Who introduced it

Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] · D–OR

Committees

  • Budget Committee
  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Received in the Senate.

  2. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3927-3951)

  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  5. DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7575.

  6. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3927-3962)

  7. Mr. DeFazio moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. ORDER OF BUSINESS - Mr. DeFazio asked unanimous consent that debate under clause 1(c) of rule XV on the motion to suspend the rules relating to H.R. 7575 be extended to one hour. Agreed to without objection.

  9. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 369.

  10. Committee on the Budget discharged.

  11. Committee on the Budget discharged.

  12. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-460, Part I.

  13. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-460, Part I.

  14. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  15. Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged.

  16. Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

  17. Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  18. Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  19. Introduced in House

  20. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Objective

Analyze H.R.7575 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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