This bill makes changes to how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans and manages dredging projects that maintain waterways. Dredging is the process of removing sediment and debris from the bottom of rivers, harbors, and other waterways to keep them navigable for ships and commerce.

The main requirement is that before the Army Corps of Engineers signs a contract to do maintenance dredging work, they must talk with local stakeholders—including the non-federal sponsors (usually state or local governments) who help pay for these projects and other relevant groups. When deciding which dredging projects to prioritize, the Corps should focus first on waterways used for commercial shipping and navigation, emergency dredging needs, environmentally sensitive dredging windows, and projects supporting national interests. Recreation areas and other lower-priority uses would come later in the schedule.

The bill also requires better communication: if something changes that might affect when dredging work gets done, the Corps must notify the local sponsor within three business days. Additionally, when asked, the Corps must share technical capability information about dredging activities with the local sponsors. The only exception to the consultation requirement is if the Secretary of the Army determines there's an emergency or critical national interest at stake—in those cases, they can move forward without stakeholder input.