Doug LaMalfa Sacramento River Basin Water Security and Reliability Act of 2026

The bill reauthorizes and extends the water storage program under Subtitle J of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN Act), pushing its feasibility deadline from 2021 to 2041. This ensures the continued applicability of federal financial assistance for water storage projects. It also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide nonreimbursable federal contributions for the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs associated with public benefits of State-led water storage projects, with the federal share not exceeding 50 percent. These "public benefits" include ecosystem improvements , fish and wildlife enhancements, water quality improvements, recreation, and flood control. Furthermore, the bill authorizes a significant investment of $500,000,000 for environmental restoration and recovery in the Sacramento River Basin between fiscal years 2028 and 2037. This funding targets activities such as gravel and rearing area additions, fish passage improvements, habitat restoration for endangered species like Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, and modernization of fish hatcheries. To enhance coordination, the bill establishes the Sacramento River Basin Integrated Water Management Federal Leadership Committee , to be formed within 180 days. Chaired by the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science, this committee will include representatives from various federal agencies and may invite state and tribal participation. Its duties involve facilitating interagency coordination, identifying funding opportunities, and supporting habitat restoration and water-supply reliability projects in the Basin. A key provision allows water contract holders, or "transferors," to retain revenue from eligible temporary water transfers that would otherwise be deposited into the reclamation fund. These retained funds must be used for drought resilience investments , extraordinary maintenance activities, or dam safety investments for eligible facilities. Any funds not used for these purposes within 10 years will revert to the reclamation fund, ensuring accountability. The bill also includes several savings clauses, affirming that it does not alter existing state water laws, tribal rights, or environmental protections under acts like the Endangered Species Act.