# 119-hr-9806: FLOWS Act

119-hr-9806, FLOWS Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23] (R-NY); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-02).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9806
- As of: 2026-08-02
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-9806
- Congress: 119
- Title: FLOWS Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-07-21
- Sponsor: Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23] (R-NY)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Energy
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-08-02

## Summary

**Streamlining approvals for hydroelectric works** is the main aim of the FLOWS Act, which would set clear thresholds for when FERC approval is required and exempt routine maintenance. It would also create an expedited licensing path for small micro hydrokinetic projects up to 5 megawatts. - Operators and licensees would get clearer rules on work at dams. Routine maintenance, repairs, and replacements would not need prior FERC approval while substantial alterations would require it, and temporary variances are allowed for events beyond a licensee’s control. FERC keeps its authority to require notice and enforce dam safety. - Small project developers would gain a new category for "micro hydrokinetic" projects defined at up to 5 megawatts that do not impound water, and could seek licenses for 10 to 20 years under an expedited, schedule-driven process. - Regulators and environmental review would face deadlines and new tools. FERC would have to propose standards within 90 days and finalize them within 180 days to define substantial versus routine work, and the bill allows categorical NEPA exclusions for low-disturbance micro projects while preserving exceptions for unusual circumstances.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8] (D-WA), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Faster licenses for small hydro projects: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would create a new micro hydrokinetic license for projects with up to 5 megawatts that do not impound water. FERC could issue 10–20 year licenses. Applicants would file a notification, submit an application within one year, and FERC would have one year to decide. FERC must writ…
- New rules for hydro project changes: mixed, medium. If enacted, FERC would have to approve any "substantial" alteration or addition to hydro project works or operations. FERC would write rules to define what counts as a substantial change. Routine maintenance, repair, or replacement needed to keep project works in working order would not need approv…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025
- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hr-4709: Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2025
- 119-hr-4206: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act
- 119-hr-1566: REPAIR Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-9806 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9806)

## Related
- [119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4669)
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hr-4709: Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4709)
- [119-hr-4206: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4206)
- [119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1262)
- [119-hr-1566: REPAIR Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1566)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9806 (as of 2026-08-02).