To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1948
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Water Resources Development
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-10: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T19:24:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, H.R. 1948, aims to expand the funding options for the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), which manages shared U.S.-Mexico border water resources. It authorizes the IBWC to accept external funds to support projects related to wastewater treatment, water conservation, and flood control, helping to address environmental and infrastructure needs along the border without relying solely on federal appropriations.
Key Provisions
- Authorization to Accept Funds: The IBWC can receive money from federal or non-federal sources (e.g., states, local governments, or private entities) via grants or agreements. These funds can be used to study, design, build, operate, or maintain wastewater treatment facilities, water-saving projects, flood control structures, and related infrastructure, as long as they align with the IBWC's core responsibilities.
- Fund Management: Accepted funds must be deposited into a specific U.S. Treasury account titled "International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico." These funds remain available indefinitely until spent on the approved activities.
- Limitations:
- The IBWC cannot offer credits toward project costs or reimbursements to non-federal entities exceeding $5 million total per fiscal year.
- Funds cannot come from non-federal entities based in, headquartered in, or operating under the laws of a "foreign country of concern" (a term defined in existing law to include nations like China, Russia, or Iran that pose national security risks), or those with agreements involving such countries.
- Reporting Requirements: By the end of each fiscal year, the IBWC must submit a report to key congressional committees (Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations; House Transportation and Infrastructure and Appropriations). The report details the funds received, activities funded, and associated costs.
- Definitions: Clarifies that "Commission" refers to the U.S. section of the IBWC, and "foreign country of concern" draws from a prior law (42 U.S.C. 19237) focused on research, competition, and innovation risks.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces new authority for the IBWC to solicit and accept non-federal funds specifically for water and flood projects, which was not previously explicitly permitted in this manner. It builds on the IBWC's established role under treaties with Mexico but adds flexibility for partnerships and funding sources.
- It imposes novel restrictions tied to national security, prohibiting funds from entities linked to foreign countries of concern—a change reflecting broader U.S. policies on protecting critical infrastructure from foreign influence.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances the IBWC's ability to fund border infrastructure projects more efficiently, potentially reducing the burden on federal budgets. It may encourage collaborations with state or local agencies but requires careful oversight to comply with funding limits and reporting.
- Citizens: Improves water quality, flood protection, and conservation in U.S.-Mexico border communities (e.g., in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California), benefiting residents through better environmental health and reduced flood risks. However, the $5 million cap could limit large-scale reimbursements for local projects.
- International Relations: Strengthens U.S.-Mexico cooperation on shared water issues under the 1944 Water Treaty, as the IBWC jointly operates with Mexico. The foreign country restrictions could signal U.S. vigilance against adversarial influences in bilateral projects, potentially affecting relations with restricted nations but not directly with Mexico.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- IBWC and Federal Government: Primary beneficiary, gaining new funding tools but with added administrative duties like reporting and security vetting.
- Non-Federal Entities: States, local governments, tribes, and private organizations along the border that may contribute to or receive support for water projects, though limited by the reimbursement cap and foreign ties prohibitions.
- Border Communities and Citizens: Residents in binational regions who rely on IBWC-managed infrastructure for clean water and flood safety.
- Congressional Committees: Involved in oversight, ensuring transparency and alignment with foreign policy goals.
- Mexico (Indirectly): As a treaty partner, benefits from improved U.S. capacity but must navigate joint projects under the new U.S. funding rules.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the IBWC's statutory authority under international treaties while adding safeguards against foreign interference, aligning with laws like the National Defense Authorization Act that address supply chain risks. The unlimited availability of deposited funds ("until expended") provides fiscal flexibility but requires congressional appropriations oversight to avoid executive overreach.
- Constitutional: Supports Congress's power to regulate foreign commerce and appropriations (Article I), without raising separation-of-powers concerns, as it explicitly directs reporting to legislative committees.
- Political: Reflects bipartisan priorities on border security and environmental protection, with the foreign country restrictions highlighting national security amid U.S.-China tensions. It could influence future funding debates by enabling public-private partnerships, but the annual reporting ensures accountability to prevent misuse of funds.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-10: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2025-06-09: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-06-09: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2555)
- 2025-06-09: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2555)
- 2025-06-09: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1948.
- 2025-06-09: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2555-2556)
- 2025-06-09: Mr. Ezell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2025-06-05: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 108.
- 2025-06-05: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-139.
- 2025-06-05: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-139.
- 2025-04-02: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 2025-04-02: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-04-02: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged
- 2025-03-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 2025-03-06: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Bill Versions
- An Act To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-06-09 — PDF (6 pages)
- To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-03-06 — PDF (3 pages)
- An Act To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-06-10 — PDF (4 pages)
- To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (6 pages)