Twenty-First Century Dams Act

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 117th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

D KusterSponsor

49 cosponsors · 48 D, 1 R

9 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

First, the bill provides resources for programs related to state dam safety, the rehabilitation of high hazard potential dams, and the inspection of dams. In particular, the bill reauthorizes through FY2026 the National Dam Safety Program.

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Jul 9, 2021

Twenty-First Century Dams Act

This bill addresses dam infrastructure and safety.

In addition, the bill reauthorizes through FY2026 a program related to the rehabilitation of structural measures and a program related to water infrastructure.

Next, the bill allows a new tax credit for maintaining and enhancing hydroelectric dams that is equal to 30% of the basis of any qualified dam safety, environmental, and grid resilience enhancement property placed in service in a taxable year. It also allows a 30% credit for qualified obsolete river obstruction removal expenditures for demolishing and removing certain nonpowered or hydroelectric dams.

The bill directs the Department of the Army to establish a program to carry out dam removal projects.

Further, the bill establishes the Dam Removal Council to (1) coordinate with participating federal agencies to annually notify all known dam owners of the availability of dam removal funding and provide guidance on the existing programs of participating agencies; (2) evaluate and submit to Army recommendations for dam removal projects, technical assistance programs, and funding allocations; and (3) develop a dam removal strategy.

The bill requires certain dam assessments, including a joint assessment by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of Energy.

The bill also authorizes specified federal agencies to undertake certain activities related to federal dam infrastructure.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Twenty-First Century Dams Act

Latest action (Aug 11, 2021): Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.

Policy area: Water Resources Development · Origin: House · Introduced: Jul 9, 2021

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.