Sponsors (2)
The bill increases transparency and legal clarity for Reclamation contractors and water operators—helping planning and allowing review of draft biological opinions—but it also raises the risk of longer consultations, higher administrative/compliance costs, and potential weakening or delay of endangered-species protections by amplifying contractor influence and narrowing agency discretion.
Farmers, irrigation districts, and Reclamation contractors will get routine, continuing opportunities to consult with agencies, submit data during biological assessments, and review draft biological opinions before finalization, increasing transparency and allowing water-supply and economic impacts to be considered in agency decisions.
Agencies, water contractors, and project planners get clearer statutory definitions (including 'Federal water project' and Reclamation terms), reducing ambiguity in ESA consultations and helping speed permitting and project planning.
Operators and utilities gain clearer coverage and compliance obligations for municipal and agricultural water supply operations, aiding operational planning and implementation of projects.
Endangered species and the public's interest in their conservation could be harmed because greater contractor engagement and emphasis on contractor alternatives may pressure agencies to favor water-delivery interests and result in weaker species protections.
Expanded consultation and draft-review requirements could lengthen ESA Section 7 consultation and biological-opinion timelines, delaying conservation actions intended to protect at-risk species.
Taxpayers, federal agencies, and contractors may face higher administrative and compliance costs as agencies implement the new consultation, explanation, and procedural obligations, potentially diverting staff/time and increasing costs to project sponsors and the public.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires agencies to give covered contractors routine, continuing, timely opportunities to participate in ESA section 7 consultations about federal water project operations and to see draft opinions, alternatives, schedules, and supporting data.
Introduced April 14, 2026 by Cliff Bentz · Last progress April 14, 2026
Requires federal agencies and the Secretary, when doing or redoing Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 consultations about operating federal water projects, to give covered contractors routine, continuing, and timely opportunities to participate and be informed. It spells out what contractors must be consulted about (assessments, draft biological opinions, proposed reasonable and prudent alternatives/measures, schedules, supporting data, and legal authority) and defines key terms used in the law.