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S. 2039: A bill to allow a State or local government to construct levees on certain properties otherwise designated as open space lands.

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S. 2039: A bill to allow a State or local government to construct levees on certain properties otherwise designated as open space lands.

112th Congress · introduced 2012-01-26 · Emergency Management · Latest: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 126 - 254 (Roll no. 500). (text: CR H5105)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2012-01-26 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 500 (2012): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, S2039 (2012-07-23), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 126 - 254 (Roll no. 500). (text: CR H5105) (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

A bill to allow a State or local government to construct levees on certain properties otherwise designated as open space lands.

Plain summary

Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve the construction of a permanent flood risk reduction levee by a state, local, or tribal government under specified circumstances on land: (1) acquired and deed restricted under hazard mitigation provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; and (2) located in North Dakota in a community that is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program on the date on which a state, local, or tribal government requests construction of such a levee and certifies to the Administrator and the Chief of Engineers that the community will continue to participate in the Program. Requires such approval if the Administrator and the Chief of Engineers determine that: (1) construction of the proposed levee would more effectively mitigate against flooding risk than an open floodplain; (2) the proposed levee complies with federal, state, and local requirements, including the consideration of mitigation of adverse impacts and floodplain management requirements; and (3) the state, local, or tribal government seeking to construct the levee has provided an adequate maintenance plan that meets specified requirements. Requires: (1) a state, local, or tribal government that constructs such a levee to submit to the Administrator and the Chief of Engineers an annual certification indicating whether such government is in compliance with the maintenance plan; and (2) the Chief to review such certification and determine whether such government has complied with that plan.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

A bill to allow a State or local government to construct levees on certain properties otherwise designated as open space lands.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND] reported raising $523,195 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong112-s2039 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong112 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong112