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119-s-2421119th Congress

CLEAR Waters Act

Sponsored By: Senator Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

Introduced

Summary

Would narrow the federal definition of “navigable waters” by reorganizing the Clean Water Act definition and listing specific exclusions for certain features.

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  • Operators of waste treatment systems would be affected because any component of a treatment system, including lagoons or settling and cooling ponds used to convey, retain, or remove pollutants, is listed as excluded from the term.
  • Landowners and property managers would see ephemeral features that flow only after precipitation and groundwater explicitly excluded from the statutory definition.
  • Federal agencies would gain a clear backstop because the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, could designate additional excluded features.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Less federal oversight for certain waters

If enacted, this bill would narrow which waters the federal pollution law covers. It would exclude parts of waste treatment systems, including lagoons or settling and cooling ponds used to hold, move, or remove wastewater. It would also exclude ephemeral streams that flow only after rain and it would exclude groundwater. The bill would let EPA and the Army Corps (through the Chief of Engineers) decide on other exclusions. If enacted, landowners, farms, developers, and utilities could face fewer federal pollution permits. The change would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

IA • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 7/24/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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