H.R. 7023Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act

3 recorded actions299 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: David Rouzer [R-NC-07]
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Committees: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Environment and Public Works Committee
Latest action: Mar 22, 2024 · Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

IntroducedJan 17, 2024
Passed the HouseMar 21, 2024
Passed the SenateNot yet reached
Sent to the PresidentNot yet reached
Became lawNot yet reached

What the measure doesCRS summary

Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act

This bill modifies requirements under the Clean Water Act, including requirements concerning water quality criteria, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, the permit program for discharging dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, and the meaning of waters of the United States. It also limits the issuance of permits under the act.

First, the bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop any new or revised water quality criteria for states through a rule.

Next, the bill modifies the NPDES program, including by providing statutory authority for provisions that shield NPDES permit holders from liability under certain circumstances. It also provides statutory authority for the EPA to issue general permits under the program. The EPA must also provide written notification two years before the expiration of a general permit. If notice is not provided by that deadline, then discharges under the expired permit may continue until a new permit is issued. Finally, the bill extends the maximum term for NPDES permits issued to states or municipalities from 5 to 10 years.

Additionally, the bill modifies the permitting program of the EPA and the U.S. Corps of Engineers that regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. For example, the bill limits the EPA's veto authority to restrict, prohibit, deny, or withdraw the specification by the Corps of a site for the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. The bill also modifies requirements for general permits to discharge dredge or fill material that are issued on a nationwide, regional, or state basis for particular categories of activities, including by extending the maximum term for a general permit from a period of 5 years to 10 years. It also exempts the Corps from certain consultation and environmental review requirements when reissuing nationwide general permits.

Further, the bill also provides statutory authority for the EPA's decision to approve Florida's request to assume permitting authority from the Corps for the discharge of dredged or fill material. The decision, which was issued in 2020, was subsequently vacated in 2024 by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The bill also directs the EPA and the Corps to begin a process to issue guidance on the implementation of the 2023 final rule titled Revised Definition of "Waters of the United States"; Conforming and stipulates the guidance must comply with the decision of the Supreme Court in Sackett v. EPA.

Finally, the bill prohibits permits from being issued under Title IV of the Clean Water Act for any discharges from a point source that is owned or operated by certain foreign counties of concern and any subsidiaries of entities that are subject to the jurisdiction of such countries.

Roll calls on H.R. 70233 roll calls on this measure

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Mar 21, 2024Each bar: ✓ Yea from the bottom, ✕ Nay aboveMar 21, 2024

How every member votedHouse roll call 101

House Mar 21, 2024 · the primary vote

On Passage

Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act

Passed

213 Yea 205 Nay 14 not voting

Party-line vote 3 of 418 voting members broke with their own party: 2 Democrats, 1 Republican.

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How the chamber split

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DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

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All members432 members

Democratic213 members

Republican219 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Loading the public record

Who lobbied on H.R. 702344 organizations

Organizations that named H.R. 7023 in a lobbying disclosure. Only those that cited the bill by number appear, so this is a floor, not a full list.

EDISON ELECTRIC INSTITUTEfiled by MISSY EDWARDS STRATEGIES, LLC, EDISON ELECTRIC INSTITUTE, MEHLMAN CONSULTING, INC.Its PAC: Powerpac of the Edison Electric Institute

Budget/Appropriations · Energy/Nuclear · Defense · Environment/Superfund +5 more9 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2024Filing

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERSIts PAC: Build PAC of the National Association of Home Builders

Trade (domestic/foreign) · Disaster Planning/Emergencies · Transportation · Government Issues +15 more6 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2024Filing

CMS ENERGY CORPIts PAC: CMS Energy Corp. Employees for Better Government

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code · Homeland Security · Environment/Superfund · Budget/Appropriations +5 more5 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2024Filing

PHILLIPS 66Its PAC: Phillips 66 PAC

Fuel/Gas/Oil · Environment/Superfund · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities +2 more5 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2024Filing

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC

Energy/Nuclear · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code · Transportation · Environment/Superfund +3 more5 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2024Filing

SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER

Energy/Nuclear · Clean Air and Water (quality) · Natural Resources · Government Issues +1 more5 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2024Filing

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

Science/Technology · Transportation · Agriculture · Aviation/Airlines/Airports +8 more4 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2024Filing

ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS INCfiled by ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS, INC.Its PAC: Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. PAC

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace · Environment/Superfund · Health Issues · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code +7 more4 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2024Filing

ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICAIts PAC: Associated General Contractors of America PAC

Budget/Appropriations · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products · Environment/Superfund · Foreign Relations +10 more4 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2024Filing

CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF SANITATION AGENCIESfiled by ENS RESOURCES, INC.

Clean Air and Water (quality) · Health Issues · Budget/Appropriations4 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2024Filing

122 disclosures name this measure. Retrieved from LDA.gov on 2026-10-04. Senate Office of Public Records cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from LDA.gov.