HAMDT 130 | ChamberLight

AMENDS

AMENDMENT PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 3

Proposed

Considered

Disposed

Proposed
Considered
Disposed

DISPOSITION

ADOPTED

DEC 11, 2025

“On agreeing to the Biggs (AZ) amendment (A003) Agreed to by voice vote.”

what this changes

This amendment changes the rules for how long a farmer can leave land idle without losing its status as exempt farmland. It extends the time period from five years to ten years, making it easier for landowners to keep their land free from certain federal water regulations even if they aren't actively farming it.

WHY IT MATTERS

This change reduces the risk of 'abandonment' for farmers, where land that isn't farmed for a few years is suddenly declared a regulated wetland, which can restrict what the owner can do with the property and lower its value.

WHO IS AFFECTED

Farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners are most directly affected, particularly those who may need to stop farming certain plots of land for several years due to economic or environmental reasons.

AMENDS

HR 3898PASSED HOUSE

PERMIT Act

OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THIS BILL

KEY POINTS

low

Extends the 'abandonment' window

Gives landowners a full decade instead of five years to resume farming before federal regulators can re-evaluate the land as a protected wetland.

low

Protects land use exemptions

Ensures that historically farmed land remains under less restrictive agricultural rules rather than more complex federal water pollution regulations.

GLOSSARY

prior converted cropland: Wetlands that were cleared or drained for farming before December 23, 1985, and are generally exempt from federal water regulations.
Waters of the United States (WOTUS): A legal term that determines which rivers, streams, and wetlands are under the authority of the federal government for environmental protection.

Official sources

HAMDT 130 on Congress.gov

This analysis used: Amendment description · Amended bill: summary · Latest action

ACTION TIMELINE

4 EVENTS

DEC 11, 25

On agreeing to the Biggs (AZ) amendment (A003) Agreed to by voice vote.

FLOOR

DEC 11, 25

Amendment (A003) offered by Mr. Biggs (AZ). (consideration: CR H5782-5783; text: CR H5782)

FLOOR

DEC 11, 25

House Amendment Offered

FLOOR

DEC 11, 25

House amendment agreed to: On agreeing to the Biggs (AZ) amendment (A003) Agreed to by voice vote.

FLOOR

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An amendment numbered 3 printed in Part A of House Report 119-399 to amend the definition of prior converted cropland under the Waters of the United States rule by striking "five years" and inserting "ten years".

AMENDS

SUMMARY

KEY POINTS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

AMENDMENT INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

An amendment numbered 3 printed in Part A of House Report 119-399 to amend the definition of prior converted cropland under the Waters of the United States rule by striking "five years" and inserting "ten years".

AMENDS

AMENDMENT PROGRESS

DISPOSITION

WHY IT MATTERS

WHO IS AFFECTED

KEY POINTS

GLOSSARY

Official sources

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

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An amendment numbered 3 printed in Part A of House Report 119-399 to amend the definition of prior converted cropland under the Waters of the United States rule by striking "five years" and inserting "ten years".

AMENDS

SUMMARY

KEY POINTS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

AMENDMENT INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

An amendment numbered 3 printed in Part A of House Report 119-399 to amend the definition of prior converted cropland under the Waters of the United States rule by striking "five years" and inserting "ten years".

AMENDS

AMENDMENT PROGRESS

DISPOSITION

WHY IT MATTERS

WHO IS AFFECTED

KEY POINTS

GLOSSARY

Official sources

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion