Water Access Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9313
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Water Resources Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-15: Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-29T12:42:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9313 (Water Access Act)
Purpose
This legislation aims to provide additional federal funding to support assistance for low-income households facing challenges in paying for water services.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is designated as the "Water Access Act."
- Appropriation: It directs $500,000,000 to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for fiscal year 2027.
- Program Funding: The funds are allocated specifically to the low-income household water assistance program established under section 2912 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill introduces a new, one-time appropriation of $500,000,000 to an existing program originally created by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
- This extends financial support beyond the program's initial funding period without altering the program's core structure or eligibility rules.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services would receive and administer the additional funds, potentially requiring updates to grant distribution processes.
- On Citizens: Low-income households could gain expanded access to financial aid for water bills, reducing risks of service shutoffs.
- On International Relations: No direct effects are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Low-income households eligible for water assistance.
- The Department of Health and Human Services as the administering agency.
- State and local governments or utilities involved in program implementation.
- Water service providers who may receive payments on behalf of assisted households.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill follows standard appropriations procedures under the U.S. Constitution's Spending Clause, with no apparent conflicts or novel legal elements.
- It represents a targeted extension of pandemic-era relief funding into future fiscal years through congressional action.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-15: Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
- 2026-06-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Water Access Act — issued 2026-06-15 — PDF (2 pages)