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HR 9484

Water Reservoir Transparency Act

119th Congress Introduced by Hillary Scholten and 1 co-sponsor

The bill requires the Secretary of the Army to study how new commercial and industrial water users could affect storage and reliability of water in Corps reservoirs.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9484

Bill Overview

  • Bill: HR 9484
  • Session: 119
  • Jurisdiction: United States
  • Title: To require the Secretary of the Army to conduct a study on the effect of new commercial and industrial water users on the amount of water maintained by Corps of Engineers reservoirs, and for other purposes.
  • Sponsored by: (Introduced in the House) with co-sponsors Hillary Scholten and Emilia Sykes
  • Action history: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (2026-06-25); introduced in the House (2026-06-25)

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill requires the Secretary of the Army to study how the addition of new commercial and industrial water users affects the volume and reliability of water stored in Corps of Engineers reservoirs.
  • The underlying goal is to assess potential impacts on water availability for existing uses (e.g., municipal, agricultural, ecological) and on reservoir operations, storage targets, and downstream water supply.

Key Provisions (expected based on title and summary)

  • Commissioning a study by the Secretary of the Army (likely through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) focusing on:
    • The impact of new commercial and industrial water users on reservoir storage levels.
    • How expanded demand from such users could influence reservoir management, water releases, and capacity for flood control, hydroelectric power, and other authorized purposes.
    • Whether and how current water allocation and priority frameworks could be affected by new demand.
  • The study may include:
    • Data collection on projected or actual water withdrawals by new industrial/commercial customers.
    • Analysis of reservoir operation constraints and safety margins.
    • Evaluation of potential mitigation strategies or policy changes to preserve essential water supplies.
  • Timeline and reporting requirements (to be specified in the bill text) likely include:
    • A defined period for completion of the study.
    • A requirement to provide a final report to Congress with findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
    • Possible interim briefings or updates.

Potential Impacts and Affected Parties

  • Government and Agencies:
    • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: lead agency for conducting the study and reporting.
    • Secretary of the Army: responsible for fulfilling study requirements and disseminating results.
  • Water Users and Stakeholders:
    • New commercial and industrial water users: potential changes in access, impact assessments, or coordination required for water supply planning.
    • Municipal utilities, agriculture, hydropower, and ecological resources that rely on reservoir storage: potential considerations for how increased demand could affect reliability and operations.
  • Policy and Operations:
    • Reservoir management practices, allocation priorities, and contingency planning may be examined or adjusted based on study findings.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • The bill directs a formal study rather than immediate regulatory changes, indicating an information-gathering and evaluation phase.
  • After the study, Congress would likely receive a report outlining findings and any recommended actions, such as policy adjustments or operational changes.
  • The bill’s implementation depends on passage, subsequent appropriations, and adherence to the reporting timeline specified in the enacted statute.

Notes

  • As of the current action history, HR 9484 has been introduced and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (June 25, 2026). No further amendments, hearings, or vote outcomes are listed here.
  • Specific dollar amounts, definitional scope (e.g., what constitutes “new” commercial and industrial water users), geographic scope (which reservoirs or regions), and detailed study methodologies would be clarified in the bill’s text and accompanying authorizing language.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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