WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

The law › Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters › Chapter 15

33 U.S.C. 701r: Protection of highways, bridge approaches, lighthouses, public works, and nonprofit public services

Created in 1974 by Public Law 93-251. Changed by 7 later laws. 1 bill in this Congress would change it.

6 other sections of the Code cite this one, including 33 U.S.C. 400, 33 U.S.C. 2255, 33 U.S.C. 2281c, 33 U.S.C. 2282d, 33 U.S.C. 2290.

This Congress

  • H.R. 9497 Water Resources Development Act of 2026 · passed house · would change the section as a whole

How it got here

2025

  • Pub. L. 118–272 substituted "$50,000,000" for "$25,000,000" and "$15,000,000" for "$10,000,000". (Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024) Law text

2022

  • Pub. L. 117–263 inserted "lighthouses (including those lighthouses with historical value)," after "bridge approaches," and substituted "$10,000,000" for "$5,000,000". (James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023) Law text

2018

  • Pub. L. 115–270 substituted "$25,000,000" for "$20,000,000" and inserted ", and if such amount is not sufficient to cover the costs included in the Federal cost share for a project, as determined by the Secretary, the non-Federal interest shall be responsible for any such costs that exceed such amo… (America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018) Law text

2014

  • Pub. L. 113–121 substituted "$20,000,000" for "$15,000,000" and "$5,000,000" for "$1,500,000". (Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014) Law text

2007

  • Pub. L. 110–114 substituted "$1,500,000" for "$1,000,000". (Water Resources Development Act of 2007) Law text

1996

  • Pub. L. 104–303 substituted "$15,000,000" for "$12,500,000" and "$1,000,000" for "$500,000". (Water Resources Development Act of 1996) Law text

1986

  • Pub. L. 99–662 substituted "$12,500,000" for "$10,000,000" and "$500,000" for "$250,000".

1974

  • Pub. L. 93–251 substituted "$10,000,000" for "$1,000,000", "$250,000" for "$50,000", and "construction, repair, restoration, and modification of emergency streambank and shoreline protection works to prevent flood damages to highways, bridge approaches, and public works, churches, hospitals, school…

Text, outline and history from the official U.S. Code (2024 edition) on GovInfo, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel. Changes made after that edition appear under This Congress.