Sponsor
Mike Lee
Senator · R-UT
The bill reduces federal regulatory and administrative burden for handling dredged material—benefiting ports and agencies financially and procedurally—but increases environmental risk, shifts costs to states and localities, and creates legal uncertainty that could delay projects.
Ports and maritime operators will face fewer federal regulatory requirements for handling dredged material, simplifying permitting and day-to-day operations.
State and local governments and the Department of Transportation may have reduced administrative burden because removing §55109 eliminates duplicative or outdated rules.
Local communities and utilities could see reduced environmental oversight of dredged sediments, increasing risks to water quality, habitats, and public health.
State and local governments and ports may bear increased cleanup, monitoring, and compliance costs previously covered by federal requirements.
Transportation agencies and project sponsors could face legal gaps or uncertainty about regulatory authority, raising the chance of litigation or project delays.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Repeals 46 U.S.C. §55109 and amends 46 U.S.C. §55110 to remove dredged material from that section’s coverage.
Senator · R-UT
Repeals one existing port-related statute and narrows the scope of another by removing dredged material from its coverage. The change eliminates 46 U.S.C. §55109 entirely and amends 46 U.S.C. §55110 to exclude dredged material from that section’s authority, which alters how federal law applies to dredging-related activities at ports and could shift regulatory or operational responsibilities for harbor maintenance and channel work.
Official title: Repeal the requirements of the Foreign Dredge Act of 1906 with respect to dredging and dredged material.
Introduced June 11, 2026 by Mike Lee · Last progress June 11, 2026