Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 3857
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Water Resources Development
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-06-10: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Last Updated: 2026-06-11T12:29:42Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 3857: Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025

Purpose of the Legislation

This Act reauthorizes and amends the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program to improve snowpack measurement and water supply forecasting through integrated technologies. It updates the existing program under the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act (43 U.S.C. 1477) to emphasize real-time data integration and modeling for better water management decisions.

Key Provisions Outlined

Technology Emphasis: Prioritizes deployment of technologies that integrate snowpack measuring and modeling, replacing prior focus on a final report.
Data and Modeling Requirements: Updates requirements for technologies providing complete integration of accurate, timely, and spatially complete snowpack measurements and models, including specific examples such as airborne laser altimetry, imaging spectroscopy, and integrated physics-based snowpack and hydrologic modeling.
Agency Collaboration: Requires coordination with additional federal agencies, explicitly including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Program Focus Areas: Shifts program activities to maintain, establish, expand, or advance snowpack measurement and integrated modeling, with emphasis on improved forecasting responsive to changing conditions, real-time integration with water supply forecasts, river basins informing water management (including interstate decisions), and building partner capacity.
Reporting Updates: Removes the requirement for a specific report under subsection (d)(3) and adjusts related reporting language.
Funding Authorization: Authorizes $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

Removes references to a culminating report and post-report activities, streamlining program operations.
Expands the list of eligible technologies and adds emphasis on integration of measurements with models.
Updates reporting to focus on application, outcome, and data resources rather than just technology used.
Eliminates references to "sub-basins" in certain provisions.
Replaces aggregate funding for 2022–2026 with annual funding for 2027–2031 at a lower total amount.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Affects the Department of the Interior (Secretary's implementation role) and enhances collaboration with NOAA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service for data sharing and forecasting.
Citizens: May improve water supply forecasts in river basins, potentially aiding water management decisions that affect communities reliant on snowmelt for water resources.
International Relations: Limited direct impact, though provisions for interstate water management could indirectly support coordination on shared basins.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal agencies responsible for water forecasting and management.
State and local water managers in river basins.
Entities involved in interstate water agreements.
Organizations and partners implementing snowpack measurement technologies.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The Act operates within existing federal authority over water resources and interstate matters, with no apparent constitutional conflicts.
Reauthorization maintains program continuity while adjusting funding and priorities, potentially affecting resource allocation across fiscal years.

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

Sponsor

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

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

2026-06-10: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
2026-03-17: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
2025-12-11: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
2025-12-10: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-12-10: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2025-12-10: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2025-12-10: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5136)
2025-12-09: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Hurd (CO) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
2025-12-09: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3857.
2025-12-09: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5077-5078; text: CR H5078)
2025-12-09: Mr. Hurd (CO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-09-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 249.
2025-09-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-293.
2025-09-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-293.
2025-07-23: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Versions

Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-10 — PDF (6 pages)
Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-10 — PDF (5 pages)
Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (5 pages)
Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-15 — PDF (8 pages)