To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to modify provisions relating to rural decentralized water systems grants.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7921
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Water Resources Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-12: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-15T14:41:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (H.R. 7921) amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to update and expand a grant program that helps rural households build, repair, and maintain individual water wells and decentralized wastewater systems (like septic systems not connected to public sewers).
Key Provisions
- Grants to Nonprofits: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary can give grants to private nonprofit organizations.
- Subgrants and Loans to Individuals:
- Subgrants (free money): For households with combined income below 60% of the area's median nonmetropolitan household income (based on the latest census). These fund construction, refurbishing, or servicing of individual household water wells or decentralized wastewater systems in rural areas.
- Loans: For households at or above 60% of that median income, for the same purposes.
- Updated Limits and Features:
- Increases the maximum amount per subgrant or loan from $15,000 to $20,000.
- Allows extra funding in subgrants for wastewater systems to cover a performance warranty lasting at least 5 years.
- Program Extension: Authorizes the program through 2031 (previously ended in 2023).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Rewrites the program's name and structure to explicitly cover both water wells and wastewater systems owned by individuals.
- Introduces income-based tiers: low-income households (under 60% median) get subgrants; others get loans (previously less clearly defined).
- Raises per-person funding cap by $5,000.
- Adds warranty coverage for wastewater systems (new feature).
- Extends funding authorization by 8 years.
Potential Impacts
- Citizens: More rural households, especially low-income ones, can access affordable upgrades to safe drinking water and waste disposal, reducing health risks from poor systems.
- Government Agencies: USDA gains flexibility to support nonprofits, with longer-term program stability; may increase administrative workload but extend benefits.
- No notable international relations impact.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural residents: Primary beneficiaries, particularly low-income households in non-city areas needing well or septic improvements.
- Nonprofit organizations: Receive grants to distribute aid; must serve defined areas and verify incomes.
- USDA: Oversees grants and program rules.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Streamlines eligibility and funding rules without creating new mandates; relies on existing census data for fairness.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; uses Congress's spending power for rural infrastructure.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Sewell and Rogers); focuses on rural needs, potentially aiding underserved communities without controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-12: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-03-12: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to modify provisions relating to rural decentralized water systems grants. — issued 2026-03-12 — PDF (3 pages)