H.R. 9188: Military Readiness Permitting Efficiency Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Military Readiness Permitting Efficiency Act of 2026, aims to streamline the process that the Department of Defense (DoD) uses to carry out environmental reviews for priority military programs and projects. Here’s a breakdown of its main components:

Interagency Agreements

The Act authorizes the Secretary of Defense and military department leaders to establish agreements with specific governmental agencies that oversee environmental laws. These agencies include:

• The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
• The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Under these agreements, the agencies agree to expedite the review processes required by certain environmental laws, which include:

• The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972
• The Endangered Species Act of 1973
• The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

Financial Assistance

The Secretary of Defense or military department leaders can provide financial assistance to these agencies, specifically to hire personnel needed to conduct the expedited review process. This financial support is only to be used for the purposes outlined in the agreement.

Criteria for Agreements

Agreements can only be entered into if:

• The Secretary of Defense determines that a timely review process is in the interest of national defense.
• The designated agency informs the Secretary that it lacks the necessary funds or personnel to conduct the review within the desired timeframe.

Definitions

The bill defines certain key terms:

• Eligible Expense: This includes costs associated with planning for military activities, conducting the review process, and developing agreements necessary for the reviews.
• Review Process: This refers to evaluating the environmental impacts of a military program or project to ensure compliance with relevant laws.

This legislation aims to balance the need for military readiness with compliance to environmental regulations by facilitating a more efficient review process for priority military projects.

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