What does Preamble of National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To improve dam and hydropower safety, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026.

What does DAM SAFETY CONDITIONS. of National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 10 of the Federal Power Act. The amendment adds a subsection (k) regarding dam safety conditions. Licensees are required to manage, operate, and maintain dams and project works to ensure dam safety and public safety. Dams and project works must meet the Commission's dam safety requirements.

What does DAM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. of National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 15 of the Federal Power Act. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) may issue a new license only if certain conditions are met. A new license can be issued if the Commission determines the dam meets safety requirements and the licensee can manage it safely. Alternatively, a new license can be issued if it includes a plan to resolve noncompliance with dam safety requirements.

What does VIABILITY PROCEDURES. of National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to establish procedures. These procedures will assess the financial viability of applicants for a license under the Federal Power Act. The viability assessment must determine if the applicant can meet dam safety requirements. The assessment also must determine if the applicant can operate the dam and project works under the license.

What does FERC DAM SAFETY TECHNICAL CONFERENCE WITH STATES. of National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to hold a technical conference with States. The conference must occur no later than October 1, 2027. The conference will focus on dam maintenance and repair. Topics also include Risk Informed Decision Making. The conference will address climate and hydrological regional changes affecting dam integrity. High hazard dams are also a subject of discussion. The term 'State' is defined as having the meaning given in section 3 of the Federal Power Act.

What does REQUIRED DAM SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN FERC AND STATES. of National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to notify states when a dam safety inspection finding requires repairs. Notifications are also required if a licensee fails to repair the dam after five years following the initial finding. FERC must notify states if it initiates a non-compliance proceeding or revokes a license due to repair failures. Upon license revocation, surrender, or implied surrender, FERC must consult with the state and provide records related to the dam's structure, operation, and condition. The records provided include dam safety inspection reports, repair specifications, cost estimates, maintenance history, age, hazard classification, condition assessments, hydrologic information, and risk assessments. The term 'Commission' refers to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The terms 'licensee' and 'project' are defined according to section 3 of the Federal Power Act.

Back to bills

National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026

Last updated: 5/19/2026 · Introduced: 5/19/2026

Author: Debbie Dingell (D-MI)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill amends the Federal Power Act to require dam licensees to manage, operate, and maintain dams and project works to ensure dam safety and public safety, meeting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) dam safety requirements.
FERC is authorized to issue new licenses for dams only if it determines the dam meets safety requirements or includes a plan to resolve noncompliance.
The bill mandates that FERC establish procedures to assess the financial viability of license applicants, ensuring they can meet dam safety requirements and operate the dam effectively.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

7 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account