Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act

Bill Number: H.R. 131
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Water Resources Development
Status: Failed of passage in House over veto
Latest Action: 2026-01-08: The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T16:38:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act" (H.R. 131) aims to modify repayment terms for the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a water infrastructure project in Colorado, to make it more affordable and enable its completion. This will provide reliable domestic water supplies to communities and households currently lacking access.

Key Provisions

Repayment Contract: Limits repayment to 35% of the conduit's total cost, regardless of other federal reclamation laws. Payments include:
Funding from non-federal sources (e.g., state or local entities) contributed during construction.
For any remaining balance, repayment over up to 75 years with simple interest at half the standard federal rate (set by the U.S. Treasury), but only if the Secretary of the Interior demonstrates financial hardship for the affected parties. Revenue from excess capacity or exchange contracts in the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project can count toward payments.
Operations and Maintenance: Local contracting parties (e.g., communities or water districts) must assume responsibility for the conduit's ongoing care, operation, maintenance, and replacement.
Technical Amendment: Updates a cross-reference in the law to align with the new repayment provisions.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This amends Public Law 87-590 (part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project authorization from 1962, with later updates). Key changes include:

Removing prior language that tied repayment to specific revenue sources like project contracts.
Introducing a new subsection capping repayment at 35% and allowing flexible, hardship-based terms with reduced interest and extended timelines (up to 75 years), which overrides stricter general reclamation repayment rules.
Shifting operations and maintenance costs from the federal government to local parties, reducing long-term federal liability.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The Bureau of Reclamation (under the Department of the Interior) faces reduced financial risk from the project, as non-federal funding and local O&M responsibilities lower federal costs. It may need to assess financial hardship claims.
On Citizens: Improves access to safe domestic water for underserved households and communities in Colorado's Arkansas Valley, potentially enhancing public health and economic opportunities in rural areas.
On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic water project with no cross-border elements.
Broader Effects: Could accelerate project completion, benefiting agriculture and local development, but places financial planning burdens on local entities.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Local Communities and Water Users: Residents and households in the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, who gain reliable water access but may bear O&M costs.
Water Districts and Contracting Entities: Local organizations responsible for repayment and maintenance.
Federal Government: U.S. Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation) oversees contracts and hardship determinations; U.S. Treasury influences interest rates.
State Government: Colorado may contribute funding or support local efforts.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Overrides certain federal reclamation laws for this project, providing targeted flexibility while maintaining a 35% federal cost-share cap. Requires Secretary of the Interior determinations on hardship, which could invite administrative reviews if disputed.
Constitutional: No apparent challenges; aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I and water resource management precedents.
Political: Supports rural infrastructure priorities in Western states, potentially setting a model for similar water projects facing funding hurdles, though it increases federal concessions on repayment terms.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]

Recent Actions

2026-01-08: The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House.
2026-01-08: On motion to refer the bill and the accompanying veto message to the Committee on Natural Resources. Agreed to without objection.
2026-01-08: Motion to refer the bill and accompanying veto message to the Committee on Natural Resources.
2026-01-08: On passage, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 248 - 177, 1 Present (Roll no. 9). (Roll call 9)
2026-01-08: Failed of passage in House over veto On passage, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 248 - 177, 1 Present (Roll no. 9). (Roll call 9)
2026-01-08: The Chair announced the unfinished business to be the consideration of the veto. (consideration: CR H212)
2026-01-08: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the veto message of the President to H.R. 131, the Chair put the question on will the House, on reconsideration, pass the bill, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. Under the Constitution, the vote must be taken by the yeas and nays. Further proceedings were postponed until a time to be announced.
2026-01-08: The previous question was ordered without objection.
2026-01-08: DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House of January 2, 2026, the unfinished business is the further consideration of the veto message of the President on H.R. 131. The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. (consideration: CR H205-208)
2026-01-08: The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President.
2026-01-02: POSTPONED CONSIDERATION OF VETO MESSAGE - The Chair announced that further consideration of the veto message and the bill, H.R. 131, is postponed until the legislative day of January 8, 2026. Agreed to without objection.
2026-01-02: The Chair announced that the objections of the President to H.R. 131 would be spread at large upon the Journal and the veto message would be printed as a House Document (119-119).
2026-01-02: The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President.
2025-12-29: Vetoed by President.
2025-12-29: Vetoed by President.

Bill Versions

Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act — issued 2025-07-21 — PDF (6 pages)
Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act — issued 2025-12-18 — PDF (2 pages)
Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (2 pages)
Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act — issued 2025-07-22 — PDF (4 pages)
Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act — issued 2025-07-10 — PDF (6 pages)