Doug LaMalfa Sacramento River Basin Water Security and Reliability Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9512
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Water Resources Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-29: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T21:04:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation reauthorizes and expands federal water storage and infrastructure programs under the WIIN Act, authorizes funding and coordination for environmental restoration in the Sacramento River Basin, permits nonreimbursable federal contributions to state-led projects, creates an interagency leadership committee, and allows retention of certain water transfer revenues for drought resilience and maintenance.
Key Provisions
- Reauthorization of Water Storage Program: Extends the feasibility study deadline under Section 4007 of the WIIN Act from January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2041, and ensures continued applicability of the program.
- Federal O&M Contributions: Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to contribute up to 50% of annual operations, maintenance, and replacement costs for public benefits (such as ecosystem improvements, fish and wildlife enhancements, water quality, recreation, and flood control) of state-led storage projects receiving WIIN Act assistance; these funds are nonreimbursable.
- Sacramento River Basin Restoration: Amends the WIIN Act to authorize $500 million (fiscal years 2028–2037) for gravel additions, fish passage improvements, habitat restoration, monitoring, hatchery modernization, fish screens, and related activities benefiting endangered species like Chinook salmon and steelhead; funds are nonreimbursable.
- Federal Leadership Committee: Establishes the Sacramento River Basin Integrated Water Management Federal Leadership Committee within 180 days, chaired by the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, to coordinate federal agencies on habitat restoration and water-supply projects; the committee terminates after 15 years unless extended.
- Revenue Retention from Transfers: Permits holders of Reclamation contracts to retain revenue from eligible temporary water transfers (instead of depositing it in the Reclamation Fund) for drought resilience investments, extraordinary maintenance, or dam safety, subject to a 10-year reserve account limit and reporting requirements.
- Savings Clauses: Preserves existing protections under the WIIN Act, Central Valley Project Improvement Act, settlement contracts, state water law, tribal rights, and Endangered Species Act requirements.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extends and modifies deadlines and authorities in the WIIN Act (Public Law 114-322).
- Introduces new nonreimbursable federal funding mechanisms for operations and maintenance of state projects and basin restoration.
- Creates a new interagency committee structure not previously established by statute.
- Alters revenue handling under the Reclamation Act by allowing retention of temporary transfer proceeds for specific investments.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases coordination requirements among federal agencies (Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Corps of Engineers, and others) and may expand administrative responsibilities for the new committee and funding programs.
- Citizens and Water Users: Could enhance water supply reliability and drought resilience in California through storage and transfer flexibilities while supporting habitat improvements.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Bureau of Reclamation and other federal agencies involved in water management.
- State of California agencies (e.g., Department of Water Resources, Fish and Wildlife).
- Water contractors, irrigation districts, and settlement contractors in the Central Valley Project.
- Indian Tribes with reserved rights or treaty interests in the Sacramento River Basin.
- Environmental and fishery interests, including those focused on endangered anadromous fish species.
- Local entities implementing habitat restoration or storage projects.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill includes multiple savings clauses to avoid altering tribal trust responsibilities, state water rights, Endangered Species Act obligations, or existing contract priorities.
- Provisions for nonreimbursable funding and revenue retention represent departures from standard Reclamation repayment requirements.
- The legislation maintains applicability of biological opinions and does not preempt state law or modify Central Valley Project Improvement Act obligations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Gallagher, James [R-CA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-29: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-06-29: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Doug LaMalfa Sacramento River Basin Water Security and Reliability Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-29 — PDF (19 pages)