Bill Summary
The "Puerto Rico Water Infrastructure Resilience Act" mandates the Secretary of the Army to conduct a thorough assessment of Puerto Rico's water and wastewater infrastructure modernization needs within 180 days of the law's enactment. This assessment will involve collaboration with the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority and other relevant agencies. The Secretary is required to produce a report for Congress that outlines the current state and vulnerabilities of Puerto Rico's water infrastructure, details ongoing and planned projects, identifies modernization needs to bolster resilience against natural disasters, and offers recommendations for improved coordination among federal and local agencies to expedite project delivery. The legislation aims to enhance the reliability and effectiveness of Puerto Rico's water infrastructure system.
Possible Impacts
The "Puerto Rico Water Infrastructure Resilience Act" could affect people in several significant ways, including:
1. **Improved Water Quality and Access**: By assessing and modernizing water and wastewater infrastructure, this legislation aims to enhance the quality of drinking water and wastewater management in Puerto Rico. Improved infrastructure can lead to better access to clean water for residents, which is crucial for public health and overall quality of life.
2. **Enhanced Disaster Preparedness**: The Act focuses on making the water infrastructure more resilient to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods. This could lead to quicker recovery times and less disruption in water services during emergencies, thereby protecting communities from water-related issues in the aftermath of disasters.
3. **Economic Development Opportunities**: The assessment and subsequent modernization projects could create jobs in construction, engineering, and maintenance of water infrastructure. This economic boost can benefit local communities by providing employment opportunities and stimulating local economies through improved infrastructure and services.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7397 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7397
To require the Secretary of the Army to conduct a comprehensive
assessment of the water and wastewater infrastructure modernization
needs of Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 5, 2026
Mr. Hernandez (for himself, Mr. Soto, and Mr. Goldman of New York)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of the Army to conduct a comprehensive
assessment of the water and wastewater infrastructure modernization
needs of Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Puerto Rico Water Infrastructure
Resilience Act''.
SEC. 2. CORPS OF ENGINEERS REPORT ON WATER INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS IN
PUERTO RICO.
(a) Assessment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Puerto
Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority and any other relevant local and
Federal agencies, shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of the water
and wastewater infrastructure modernization needs of Puerto Rico.
(b) Report.--Upon completion of the assessment described in
subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that
includes--
(1) a description of the current condition and
vulnerabilities of water infrastructure in Puerto Rico;
(2) the status of ongoing and planned projects in Puerto
Rico authorized under section 219 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-580), including any
delays or gaps in project execution;
(3) a description of water infrastructure modernization
needs of Puerto Rico to enhance resilience against future
natural disasters, droughts, and system failures; and
(4) recommendations for improving coordination across
Federal and local agencies to accelerate project delivery in
Puerto Rico.
(c) Secretary Defined.--In this section, the term ``Secretary''
means the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers.
<all>