To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize sewer overflow and stormwater reuse municipal grants.

Bill Number

H.R. 5730

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Last Updated

2025-12-11T15:42:01Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill (H.R. 5730) aims to reauthorize federal funding for municipal grants that address sewer overflows and promote the reuse of stormwater. These grants help local communities improve water infrastructure to reduce pollution and manage wastewater more effectively, under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act).

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 221 of the Clean Water Act, specifically subsection (f), paragraph (1).
• Authorizes $350,000,000 in federal funding for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031 to support these grants.
• The funding is intended for projects that prevent sewer overflows (unintended releases of wastewater during heavy rain) and encourage stormwater reuse (capturing and repurposing rainwater for uses like irrigation to reduce runoff pollution).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Replaces the previous authorization language in Section 221(f)(1), which likely expired or had lower funding levels, with a new six-year authorization starting in fiscal year 2026.
• Increases and stabilizes funding at $350 million annually, providing long-term certainty for grant programs that were previously subject to annual appropriations.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which administers the Clean Water Act, will have dedicated funding to distribute grants, potentially streamlining project approvals and reducing reliance on short-term budgets.
• Citizens: Improves local water quality by funding infrastructure upgrades, which could lower flood risks, reduce health hazards from polluted water, and enhance community resilience to climate-related storms.
• International relations: Minimal direct impact, though better U.S. water management could indirectly support global environmental commitments, such as those under international agreements on pollution control.
• Overall, it promotes sustainable water practices, potentially benefiting urban areas with aging sewer systems.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Municipalities and local governments: Primary recipients of grants for infrastructure projects.
• Environmental and public health organizations: Benefit from reduced water pollution and improved ecosystem health.
• Taxpayers and ratepayers: May see indirect costs through federal spending but gain from long-term savings on water treatment and disaster response.
• Federal agencies like the EPA: Responsible for program implementation and oversight.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens enforcement of the Clean Water Act by ensuring consistent funding for compliance with water quality standards, without introducing new regulatory burdens.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate waters and environmental protection; no apparent challenges to federalism, as it supports state and local efforts with federal aid.
• Political: Represents a bipartisan environmental priority, extending funding amid growing concerns over climate change and infrastructure decay; could influence future appropriations debates by setting a funding baseline.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
• 2025-10-10: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-10-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-10-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize sewer overflow and stormwater reuse municipal grants. — issued 2025-10-10 — PDF (2 pages)