Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026

Cynthia M. Lummis

Republican · WY · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Alan Armstrong (R-OK)Original· 2026-07-13
• Mike Lee (R-UT)Original· 2026-07-13
• Pete Ricketts (R-NE)Original· 2026-07-13
• David McCormick (R-PA)· 2026-08-04

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

2026-07-13

Source: Congress.gov

The bill would clarify which activities are exempt from needing federal permits when companies or individuals discharge dredged material or fill into waterways, potentially affecting construction projects, farming operations, and development near wetlands and streams. By narrowing or expanding what counts as an exempt activity, the bill could make it easier or harder for businesses and property owners to proceed with projects without going through the federal permitting process. Environmental groups and construction companies would likely be most affected by how these exemptions are defined.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

119 S4956 IS: Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026 U.S. Senate 2026-07-13 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4956IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 13, 2026Ms. Lummis (for herself, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Ricketts) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public WorksA BILLTo amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify the scope of an exemption from permits for the discharge of dredged or fill material, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026.2.Intent of CongressIt is the intent of Congress that, to provide meaningful permitting relief to landowners—(1)the exemptions under section 404(f)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344(f)(1)) for certain discharges of dredged or fill material from the prohibition under that Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) of unpermitted discharge of pollutants (commonly referred to as section 404(f) exemptions) be interpreted liberally; and(2)the recapture provision under section 404(f)(2) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. (f)(2)) be interpreted narrowly.3.Clarification of exemption for non-prohibited discharge of dredged or fill materialSection 404(f) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344(f)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the discharge and inserting The discharge; and(2)by adding at the end the following:(3)ConstructionThis subsection shall be construed liberally in favor of not prohibiting, and not requiring a permit under this section for, any discharge of dredged or fill material described in paragraph (1)..

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