TAAP Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4846
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Water Resources Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-05T01:19:16Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation reauthorizes the United States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment program, which studies shared groundwater resources along the border between the United States and Mexico. It updates the original 2006 law to continue the program's operations for another decade.
Key Provisions
- The bill expands the list of priority transboundary aquifers to include those in Arizona, with an exception for one specific aquifer in the Yuma groundwater basin.
- It extends federal funding authorization from fiscal years 2026 through 2036.
- It updates the program's expiration date to reference the new short title of this Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The original law limited priority aquifers to those in New Mexico or Texas. This bill adds Arizona (with the noted exception) and shifts the funding period forward by 20 years from the prior 2007–2016 authorization. The sunset clause is also revised to tie the end date to the enactment of this new Act.
Potential Impacts The reauthorization supports continued data collection and analysis of shared aquifers, which may inform water management decisions by federal and state agencies. It could affect border communities in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona by sustaining efforts to understand groundwater availability. On the international side, the program facilitates technical cooperation with Mexico on cross-border water resources.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies responsible for water resource studies and border issues.
- State water agencies and officials in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
- Local governments and water users in border regions.
- Mexican government counterparts involved in aquifer assessments.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within existing federal authority over interstate and international water matters. It contains no new regulatory mandates or changes to water rights, focusing solely on extending a scientific assessment program.
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
- 2026-06-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2026-06-22: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program Act — issued 2026-06-22 — PDF (2 pages)