June 11, 2025
Mr. Collins (for himself and Mr. Graves) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to make targeted reforms with respect to waters of the United States and other matters, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act
or the PERMIT Act
.
Sec. 2. Definition of navigable waters
Section 502(7) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362(7)) is amended—
(1)
by striking (7) The term
and inserting the following:
(7) Navigable waters
(A) In general
The term; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(B) Exclusions
The term navigable waters does not include—
(i)
waste treatment systems, including treatment ponds or lagoons designed to meet the requirements of this Act;
(ii)
ephemeral features that flow only in direct response to precipitation;
(iii)
prior converted cropland;
(iv)
groundwater; or
(v)
any other features determined to be excluded by the Administrator or the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers.