U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
SB4956: Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026
Status: In committee, July 13, 2026
A bill to 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.
What the bill says
To 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.
From the introduced text, July 13, 2026:
A BILL To 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. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026 . SECTION 2. Intent of Congress It 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. SECTION 3. Clarification of exemption for non-prohibited discharge of dredged or fill material Section 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) Construction This subsection shall be construed liberally in …
Sponsors
- Lummis, Cynthia (R) · primary sponsor
- Armstrong, Alan (R)
- Lee, Mike (R)
- Ricketts, Pete (R)
- McCormick, David (R, SD-PA)
Latest actions
- : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- : Introduced in Senate
Subjects: Environmental Protection
Common questions
- What is SB4956?
- SB4956 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026.
- What does SB4956 do?
- In its own words: To 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.
- What is the status of SB4956?
- In committee as of July 13, 2026. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (July 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB4956?
- Lummis, Cynthia (R), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB4956?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4956
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.