WATER Act of 2025

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 3316 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 3316 To establish the Waterway Permit Section 404 Assignment program, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 3, 2025 Mr. Husted (for himself and Mr. Ricketts) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To establish the Waterway Permit Section 404 Assignment program, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Water Authority and Timely Environmental Review Act of 2025'' or the ``WATER Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. WATERWAY PERMIT SECTION 404 ASSIGNMENT PROGRAM. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. (2) Covered project.--The term ``covered project'' means a highway, railroad, or public transportation project. (3) FWPCA terms.--The terms ``navigable waters'' and ``State'' have the meanings given those terms in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362). (4) Program.--The term ``program'' means the Waterway Permit Section 404 Assignment program established under subsection (b)(1). (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers. (b) Establishment.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Administrator shall jointly establish and carry out a program, to be known as the ``Waterway Permit Section 404 Assignment program''. (2) Assumption of responsibility.-- (A) In general.--Subje