Legis Daily

Water Security and Drought Resilience Act

USA119th CongressS-3732| Senate 
| Updated: 3/17/2026
Ruben Gallego

Ruben Gallego

Democratic Senator

Arizona

Cosponsors (2)
Alex Padilla (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Water and Power Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill seeks to bolster water security and drought resilience across Reclamation States by amending existing water infrastructure legislation and establishing new grant opportunities. It expands the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance for water storage projects under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, making additional projects eligible for funding and requiring distribution across multiple states. The legislation also reauthorizes and modifies the small storage program established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It clarifies project eligibility, specifying criteria for both surface/groundwater storage and groundwater recharge projects, with capacity ranges from 200 to 150,000 acre-feet. This program's authority is extended from 5 to 10 years, with an authorization of $20,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2033 . Furthermore, the bill creates a new grant program for natural water retention and release projects , designed to increase water availability through methods like aquifer recharge and floodplain retention, using natural materials and mimicking natural processes. Eligible entities, including states, tribes, and water districts, can receive grants with a federal cost-share of up to 90 percent, and $15,000,000 is authorized annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 . All programs emphasize the distribution of funds among multiple Reclamation States and clarify that the bill does not supersede existing water laws or infringe on water rights.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 29, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jan 29, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mar 17, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
  • January 29, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 29, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • March 17, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

Water Resources Development

Water Security and Drought Resilience Act

USA119th CongressS-3732| Senate 
| Updated: 3/17/2026
This bill seeks to bolster water security and drought resilience across Reclamation States by amending existing water infrastructure legislation and establishing new grant opportunities. It expands the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance for water storage projects under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, making additional projects eligible for funding and requiring distribution across multiple states. The legislation also reauthorizes and modifies the small storage program established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It clarifies project eligibility, specifying criteria for both surface/groundwater storage and groundwater recharge projects, with capacity ranges from 200 to 150,000 acre-feet. This program's authority is extended from 5 to 10 years, with an authorization of $20,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2033 . Furthermore, the bill creates a new grant program for natural water retention and release projects , designed to increase water availability through methods like aquifer recharge and floodplain retention, using natural materials and mimicking natural processes. Eligible entities, including states, tribes, and water districts, can receive grants with a federal cost-share of up to 90 percent, and $15,000,000 is authorized annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 . All programs emphasize the distribution of funds among multiple Reclamation States and clarify that the bill does not supersede existing water laws or infringe on water rights.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 29, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jan 29, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mar 17, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
  • January 29, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 29, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • March 17, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
Ruben Gallego

Ruben Gallego

Democratic Senator

Arizona

Cosponsors (2)
Alex Padilla (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Water and Power Subcommittee

Water Resources Development

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted