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Congress·In Committee·about 1 month ago

Congress would let Army Corps clean contaminated sediments under EPA-approved plans, with liability protection

Also known as: CLEAN–UP Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(1)
Farmer Rancher
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Union Member
Helps

Key Points

  • Lets the Army Corps move forward on approved water projects that remove or treat polluted mud on riverbeds and harbors.
  • Protects the Secretary of the Army from certain cleanup liability as long as the work follows a joint cleanup plan approved by EPA.
  • Requires the plan to spell out what work will happen, where dredged material will go, who does what, and where the money comes from.
  • Requires coordination with state and local officials and gives the public a chance to comment before the plan is finalized.
  • Says the federal government should still try to recover cleanup costs from the parties responsible for the pollution.
EnvironmentInfrastructure

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 27, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Jan 27, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Soon after the law takes effect

Army Corps and EPA begin using the new “joint remediation plan” approach for eligible sediment cleanups (if the bill becomes law).

Some cleanup projects may face fewer legal roadblocks, which can shorten the time before dredging and disposal work starts near affected waterways.

Before each covered cleanup begins

Public comment periods occur for joint remediation plans for covered cleanups.

Residents, fishers, and local businesses can weigh in on where dredged material goes, how risks are handled, and what protections are used during the work.

During planning, before work starts

Sites document what hazardous substances are in the sediment and the Army Corps seeks to identify potentially responsible parties.

Polluters may be pursued for repayment, and the cleanup plan may be tailored to the specific chemicals found at the site.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

CLEAN–UP Act

Bill NumberHR 7268
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.