MORE WATER Act

Bill Number

S. 3738

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Water Resources Development

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-17: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

Last Updated

2026-04-02T18:23:55Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The MORE WATER Act (S. 3738) aims to enhance water management and resilience in the western United States by reauthorizing and expanding federal programs for water recycling, reuse, and conveyance infrastructure. It focuses on improving water supply reliability for agriculture, communities, technology, the environment, and residences in regions served by the Bureau of Reclamation, while promoting multi-benefit projects that address drinking water access for low-income areas and environmental restoration.

Key Provisions

• Reauthorization of Large-Scale Water Recycling and Reuse Program (Sec. 2): Amends Section 40905 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to extend the program through fiscal year 2032, authorizing $450 million in grants for feasibility studies, planning, design, and construction of projects in Reclamation States (17 western states and territories under the Reclamation Act of 1902). Expands eligibility to include construction activities and increases the grant term from 5 to 10 years, with exceptions for ongoing projects.

• Establishment of Water Conveyance Improvement Program (Sec. 3): Creates a new program within the Bureau of Reclamation to fund grants and agreements for designing, studying, and building new or improved water conveyance facilities (e.g., canals, pipelines) in Reclamation States. Key elements include:
• Definitions for terms like "conveyance project," "multi-benefit project" (projects providing safe drinking water for low-income communities, environmental benefits, or both), and "Reclamation State."
• Federal funding capped at 50% of total costs, with up to 20% additional for multi-benefit aspects (e.g., aiding endangered species or low-income water access).
• Requirements for feasibility studies, non-Federal cost-sharing (cash, in-kind, loans), and stakeholder agreements for multi-benefit projects.
• Prioritizes projects meeting critical needs, with no dollar cap per project (except new facilities over $5 billion are ineligible) and non-reimbursable federal funds.
• Authorizes $500 million for fiscal years 2028–2032.

• Reauthorization of Other Water Programs (Sec. 4):
• Increases funding for water recycling and reuse projects under the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to $550 million for 2028–2032.
• Raises the federal cost-share ceiling for individual projects from $20 million (1996 dollars) to $50 million (adjusted annually for inflation).
• Authorizes $250 million for environmental restoration, including habitat improvements for endangered species (e.g., salmon in the Sacramento River), monitoring, and actions benefiting saline lakes like the Great Salt Lake.

• Offsets and Extensions (Sec. 5): Extends certain provisions of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act until 15 years after enactment, including environmental and habitat programs, to offset new authorizations.

• Deauthorization of Inactive Reclamation Projects (Sec. 6): Establishes a process to identify and deauthorize Bureau of Reclamation projects that received no funding in the current or prior 7 fiscal years. The Secretary submits interim and final lists to Congress, excluding projects vital for public health, economy, or environment. Deauthorization occurs after congressional review unless Congress acts, funding is provided, or non-Federal sponsors complete the project. Aims to reduce backlog and prioritize active projects.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Extends and boosts funding for the large-scale water recycling program (previously authorized through 2027 with lower funding levels) by adding construction grants, extending timelines, and increasing appropriations.
• Introduces the new Water Conveyance Improvement Program, which did not exist, providing a structured federal grant mechanism for conveyance infrastructure with emphasis on multi-benefit outcomes (e.g., integrating environmental and equity goals into water supply projects).
• Raises funding caps and authorizations for recycling/reuse and environmental programs, adjusting for inflation and expanding eligible activities (e.g., fish passage improvements, real-time monitoring).
• Modifies expiration dates for related provisions in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act to align with new authorizations.
• Adds a proactive deauthorization process for inactive projects, replacing ad-hoc approaches, with public transparency via searchable online lists and congressional oversight.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Bureau of Reclamation will gain expanded authority and funding ($1.75 billion total across programs) to manage water infrastructure, potentially reducing maintenance backlogs and enabling more efficient operations. It may increase administrative workload for feasibility reviews and stakeholder coordination but streamline project approvals.
• Citizens: Improves water supply reliability in arid western regions, benefiting agriculture, urban residents, and low-income/Tribal communities through better access to safe drinking water (e.g., via ratepayer assistance or exchanges). Environmental enhancements could support ecosystems and recreation, though cost-sharing may raise local water rates.
• International Relations: No direct impacts noted, as the bill focuses on domestic Reclamation States; however, improved water management could indirectly aid U.S. commitments under binational water treaties (e.g., Colorado River with Mexico) by enhancing supply flexibility.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Eligible Entities and Project Proponents: States, Indian Tribes, municipalities, irrigation/water districts, and regional authorities in Reclamation States, who can apply for grants to develop or operate conveyance and recycling projects.
• Low-Income and Tribal Communities: Benefit from prioritized safe drinking water access, with protections for Tribal lands and nonprofit involvement in project planning.
• Environmental Groups and Wildlife Interests: Nonprofits and Tribes gain roles in multi-benefit projects, supporting habitat restoration, endangered species protection, and water body health (e.g., Great Salt Lake).
• Federal and Non-Federal Water Users: Farmers, utilities, and industries reliant on Reclamation projects, who may see operational improvements but must contribute to cost-sharing.
• Congress and Taxpayers: Oversight via deauthorization lists and funding authorizations, with offsets from inactive projects potentially freeing resources for active initiatives.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Ensures projects comply with federal, state, and Tribal laws (e.g., Endangered Species Act), with streamlined feasibility processes to expedite approvals while maintaining environmental reviews. Non-reimbursable funds reduce repayment burdens but tie eligibility to non-Federal solvency and cost-sharing, potentially limiting access for under-resourced entities.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, by authorizing appropriations for public welfare (water infrastructure as interstate commerce and general welfare). Involves Tribal sovereignty through definitions and consultations, respecting treaty obligations.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan water security in water-scarce regions, balancing economic (agriculture/power) and equity (low-income/environmental) goals. The deauthorization process introduces transparency and efficiency but could spark debates over project priorities, with congressional veto power preventing unilateral executive actions. Authorizations through 2032 provide long-term planning stability amid climate challenges.

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

Sponsor

Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-17: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
• 2026-01-29: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S380-381)
• 2026-01-29: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Making Our communities Resilient through Enhancing Water for Agriculture, Technology, the Environment, and Residences Act — issued 2026-01-29 — PDF (33 pages)