Summary of HR 6640 — Build Now Act

Overview

• Title: Build Now Act
• Bill Number: H.R. 6640
• Introduction: December 11, 2025
• Primary Sponsors: Rep. Adam Gray (primary) and Rep. Jim Costa (co-sponsor)
• Status: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
• Purpose: To streamline and accelerate the environmental review process for permits related to Central Valley Project (CVP) enhancement projects, in order to reduce regulatory delays while maintaining NEPA and Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections.

Key Provisions

• Mandatory environmental review timeline for CVP enhancement permits

  • For any federally issued permit connected to a CVP enhancement project that requires an environmental review, the environmental review must be completed within 1 year after the permit application is submitted.
  • This applies notwithstanding any other legal provision to the contrary.

• Handling of timeline overruns

  • If the agency responsible for the environmental review cannot meet the 1-year timeline, the head of that agency must:
  • Grant an extension for the environmental review with the approval of the permit applicant, or
  • Deny the permit.

• Post-denial process

  • If a permit is denied due to failing to meet the timeline, the applicant may re-apply at any time after the denial.
  • Upon re-application, the lead agency conducting the environmental review must, to the extent permitted by law, provide the applicant with any information gathered as part of, or related to, the previous environmental review to facilitate an expedited review for the new application.

• Definitions (selected)

  • CVP enhancement project: Projects whose primary purpose is to support, enhance, or maintain the Central Valley Project and related infrastructure, including groundwater recharge projects, aquifer storage projects, and water source substitution projects.
  • Environmental review: The set of requirements applicable to a CVP enhancement project permit under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), specifically section 7 of the ESA.

Who/What Is Affected

• Applicants seeking CVP enhancement permits (e.g., for groundwater recharge, aquifer storage, or water source substitution projects) would be directly affected by the revised timeline and review process.
• Lead agencies responsible for environmental reviews under NEPA and ESA for CVP-related permits would be responsible for meeting the 1-year deadline or granting extensions/denials as specified.
• CVP-related projects and infrastructure could experience faster or more predictable permitting timelines, subject to compliance with environmental protections.

Timelines and Procedural Notes

• Effective timeline: 1 year from permit application submission to completion of environmental review, for CVP enhancement permits requiring environmental review.
• Extensions/denials: If the 1-year deadline is not met, extensions (with applicant consent) or permit denial are allowed.
• Re-application pathway: Denied permits may be reapplied for, with prior review information shared to facilitate expedited processing.

Potential Impact

• Aims to reduce regulatory delays in CVP-related projects while preserving NEPA and ESA requirements.
• Improves predictability for project sponsors by establishing a concrete review deadline and a clear path if timelines slip.
• Could influence project delivery schedules, permitting costs, and planning for CVP infrastructure improvements.