[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3738 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3738
To amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the
large-scale water recycling and reuse program, to establish a Water
Conveyance Improvement Program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 29, 2026
Mr. Padilla introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the
large-scale water recycling and reuse program, to establish a Water
Conveyance Improvement Program, 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 ``Making Our communities Resilient
through Enhancing Water for Agriculture, Technology, the Environment,
and Residences Act'' or the ``MORE WATER Act''.
SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF LARGE-SCALE WATER RECYCLING AND REUSE
PROGRAM.
Section 40905 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (43
U.S.C. 3205) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as
paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively; and
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so
redesignated) the following:
``(1) Construction.--The term `construction' has the
meaning given the term in subsection (f) of section 4011 of the
Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (Public
Law 114-322; 130 Stat. 1881), except that any reference in
paragraph (2) of that subsection to `storage' shall be deemed
to be a reference to `infrastructure'.'';
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program to
provide grants to eligible entities on a competitive basis for the
development of feasibility studies, planning, design, and construction
of large-scale water recycling and reuse projects that provide
substantial water supply and other benefits to the Reclamation States
in accordance with this section.'';
(3) in subsection (d)(4), by striking ``30'' and inserting
``60'';
(4) in subsection (k)--
(A) by striking ``The authority'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
authority'';
(B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by
striking ``5'' and inserting ``10''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to an
eligible project that is under construction as of the
termination date described in that paragraph.''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to provide grants for eligible projects
and otherwise carry out this section $450,000,000 for the period of
fiscal years 2028 through 2032.''.
SEC. 3. WATER CONVEYANCE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Conveyance project.--The term ``conveyance project''
means a project for the undertaking of a new or improved water
conveyance facility, or the restoration of the capacity of an
existing water conveyance facility, that is located in a
Reclamation State.
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a State, Indian Tribe, municipality, irrigation
district, water district, wastewater district, or any
State or regional organization with statutory water or
power delivery authority;
(B) a State, regional, or local authority, the
members of which include 1 or more organizations that--
(i) have water or power delivery authority;
or
(ii) are responsible for operating
conveyance facilities as a transferred works
under the reclamation laws and Bureau of
Reclamation policy;
(C) an agency established under State law for the
joint exercise of powers; and
(D) any combination of entities described in
subparagraphs (A) through (C).
(3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given the term ``Indian tribe'' in section 102 of the
Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C.
5130).
(4) Low-income community.--The term ``low-income
community'' has the meaning given the term in section 45D(e) of
the Internal Code of 1986 (including any regulations issued
under that section), including Tribal communities.
(5) Multi-benefit project.--The term ``multi-benefit
project'' means a conveyance project that provides in the
region of the conveyance project benefits that include not
fewer than 1 of the following quantified, significant benefits:
(A) Safe drinking water benefits for low-income
communities.
(B) Environmental benefits.
(6) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the Water
Conveyance Improvement Program established under subsection
(b).
(7) Project proponent.--The term ``project proponent''
means an eligible entity that--
(A) plans and develops a non-Federal conveyance
project; or
(B) operates an existing Reclamation project that
is a transferred works.
(8) Project sponsor.--The term ``project sponsor'' means an
eligible entity that contributes to the non-Federal share of a
conveyance project.
(9) Reclamation project.--The term ``Reclamation project''
means a Bureau of Reclamation project that is owned by the
United States.
(10) Reclamation state.--The term ``Reclamation State''
means a State or territory described in the first section of
the Act of June 17, 1902 (43 U.S.C. 391; 32 Stat. 388, chapter
1093).
(11) Safe drinking water.--The term ``safe drinking water''
means water that meets all applicable Federal and State primary
and secondary drinking water standards.
(12) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior (acting through the Commissioner of
Reclamation).
(13) Stakeholder.--The term ``stakeholder'' means--
(A) with respect to safe drinking water benefits
for low-income communities--
(i)(I) an elected executive official with
applicable authority or legislative body
representing a low-income community (or a
delegate); and
(II) any agency exercising primary
enforcement responsibility for public water
systems in the State in which the applicable
project is located;
(ii) an Indian Tribe receiving safe
drinking water benefits; or
(iii) a nonprofit organization described in
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section
501(a) of that Code with--
(I) a demonstrated track record of
supporting improved access to safe
drinking water for low-income
communities in the region of the
applicable project; and
(II) no financial conflict of
interest with the project proponent or
any project sponsor, except that other
instances of partnership on similar
projects shall not be considered a
financial conflict of interest for
purposes of this subclause; and
(B) with respect to environmental benefits--
(i) a nonprofit organization described in
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section
501(a) of that Code with--
(I) a demonstrated track record of
supporting environmental restoration in
the region of the applicable project,
including species or species habitat;
and
(II) no financial conflict of
interest with the project proponent or
any project sponsor, except that other
instances of partnership on similar
projects shall not be considered a
financial conflict of interest for
purposes of this subclause; or
(ii) an Indian Tribe, if the project is
within the current or former reservation or
aboriginal territory of the Indian Tribe.
(14) Water supply benefit.--The term ``water supply
benefit'' means--
(A) an irrigation benefit;
(B) a general drinking water benefit; and
(C) operational flexibility that allows the Bureau
of Reclamation to provide multiple benefits, including
any of the benefits described in subparagraphs (A) and
(B).
(b) Establishment of Program.--The Secretary shall establish within
the Bureau of Reclamation a Water Conveyance Improvement Program to
provide authority to participate in, and provide grants to, conveyance
projects.
(c) Reclamation-Led Conveyance Projects.--
(1) In general.--On the request of any State, department,
agency, or subdivision of a State, or any public agency
organized pursuant to State law, the Secretary may provide a
grant to, and enter into an agreement on behalf of the United
States for the design, study, and construction of, a conveyance
project as part of a new Reclamation project, a new division of
a Reclamation project, a new supplemental works on a
Reclamation project, or the restoration or improvement of the
capacity of an existing Reclamation project, in accordance with
this subsection.
(2) Project commencement.--The construction of a conveyance
project that is the subject of an agreement under this
subsection shall not commence until the date on which the
Secretary--
(A) determines that the conveyance project is
feasible in accordance with the reclamation laws; and
(B) secures an agreement providing the funding
necessary to pay the non-Federal share of the costs of
the conveyance project in accordance with subsection
(e).
(3) Feasibility determination.--In determining feasibility
under paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary shall review and approve
a feasibility analysis provided by a project sponsor if the
Secretary determines that the analysis meets Bureau of
Reclamation policy relating to the preparation of a feasibility
study.
(d) Non-Federal Conveyance Projects.--
(1) Proposal.--
(A) In general.--A project proponent may submit to
the Secretary a proposal for the design, study, and
construction of a conveyance project to be provided a
grant under this section.
(B) Form.--The project proponent may submit a
proposal under subparagraph (A) in the form of a
completed feasibility study or any other means that
provide information to support a determination that the
conveyance project is eligible for a grant in
accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) Requirements.--The Secretary may provide to the project
proponent a grant for a conveyance project and enter into an
agreement on behalf of the United States with the project
proponent for the administration of the grant if--
(A) the project proponent determines, and the
Secretary concurs, through the preparation of a
feasibility study that is streamlined to the maximum
extent practicable, that the conveyance project--
(i) is technically and financially
feasible; and
(ii) is consistent with applicable Federal
and State law;
(B) the project proponent has sufficient non-
Federal funding available to complete the conveyance
project, as determined by the Secretary;
(C) the project proponent is financially solvent,
as determined by the Secretary; and
(D) not later than 60 days after the date on which
the Secretary concurs with the determination under
subparagraph (A) with respect to the conveyance
project, the Secretary submits to Congress written
notice of the determination.
(e) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--
(1) In general.--The Federal share of a conveyance project
funded under this section shall not exceed 50 percent of the
total cost of studies, planning, design, and construction of
the conveyance project.
(2) Projects that are not multi-benefit.--The Federal share
of a conveyance project other than a multi-benefit project
funded under this section may be used--
(A) solely for water supply benefits; or
(B) on the approval by the Secretary and, in the
case of a non-Federal conveyance project or an existing
Reclamation project that is a transferred works, at the
request of the project proponent, for a combination
of--
(i) water supply benefits;
(ii) safe drinking water benefits for low-
income communities;
(iii) environmental benefits; or
(iv) other benefits in accordance with the
reclamation laws.
(3) Multi-benefit projects.--In the case of a multi-benefit
project funded under this section--
(A) the Federal share of not more than 30 percent
of the costs of studies, planning, design, and
construction of the multi-benefit project may be used
for any of the benefits described in paragraph (2); and
(B) an additional Federal share of not more than 20
percent of the costs of studies, planning, design, and
construction of the multi-benefit project may be used
for--
(i) quantified, significant safe drinking
water benefits for low-income communities in
accordance with subsection (f)(2)(A);
(ii) quantified, significant environmental
benefits described in subsection (f)(3); or
(iii) a combination of the benefits
described in clauses (i) and (ii).
(4) Agreement.--The project proponent or the Secretary, in
the case of any Reclamation-led conveyance project that is a
new project or involves a reserved works, shall enter into an
agreement with 1 or more applicable stakeholders representing
multi-benefit interests that describes the benefits authorized
under paragraph (3)(B) proposed for the conveyance project.
(5) Form of non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of
the cost of a conveyance project funded under this section may
be in the form of--
(A) cash;
(B) in-kind contributions;
(C) reimbursable funding allocated pursuant to any
statutory authority, if the eligible entity has entered
into a repayment contract for the funding;
(D) a loan under the Water Infrastructure Finance
and Innovation Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.) or
any other Federal loan program;
(E) amounts made available from a State revolving
fund pursuant to the rules of the applicable State; or
(F) other non-Federal sources of funding, including
State funding.
(f) Special Provisions Applicable to Multi-Benefit Projects.--
(1) Requirement.--
(A) In general.--A conveyance project with a total
cost of not less than $800,000,000 that is funded under
this section shall be a multi-benefit project.
(B) Less than $800,000,000.--The Secretary shall
ensure that not less than 50 percent of conveyance
projects with a total cost of less than $800,000,000
that are funded under this section shall be multi-
benefit projects.
(2) Description of safe drinking water benefits for low-
income communities.--
(A) In general.--The Federal funding for
quantified, significant safe drinking water benefits
for low-income communities referred to in subsection
(e)(3)(B)(i) may be provided--
(i) directly, by paying for a sufficient
proportion of the capacity of the conveyance
project (or, in the case of a conveyance
project restoring the original capacity of a
conveyance facility, paying for sufficient
water from the conveyance project) and any
additional infrastructure necessary to deliver
safe drinking water to a low-income community
or other resource or facility accessible to the
community;
(ii) indirectly, by--
(I) supporting a low-income
ratepayer assistance program for a
project sponsor, a member agency of a
project sponsor, or a drinking water
district in the region of the
conveyance project; or
(II) contributing to a Federal or
State program that assists in
delivering safe drinking water to low-
income communities;
(iii) indirectly, by paying for a
sufficient proportion of the project capacity
during high-flow periods to provide a specific
quantity of water (or, in the case of a
conveyance project restoring the original
capacity of a conveyance facility, paying for
sufficient water from the conveyance project),
with 1 of the project sponsors in return
delivering the same quantity of water to the
community through an exchange, banking water in
a groundwater basin during times of excess for
subsequent delivery to the low-income
community;
(iv) indirectly, by paying for enhancement,
repair, or upgrades to a Bureau of Indian
Affairs conveyance facility in the region of
the project;
(v) by any other direct or indirect means
to provide safe drinking water to a low-income
community; or
(vi) through a combination of the methods
authorized under clauses (i) through (v).
(B) Delivery of water for drinking.--Delivery of
water for drinking purposes shall be considered to be
safe drinking water benefits for low-income communities
for purposes of this section if--
(i) facilities exist to treat the water
that is to become safe drinking water; or
(ii) the stakeholders representing the
applicable low-income communities agree that
there are viable plans and funding sources
(including Federal or State funding) to treat
the delivered water or exchanged water that is
to become safe drinking water.
(C) Inclusion.--Any benefits described in
subparagraph (A) that are safe drinking water benefits
for low-income ratepayers shall be considered to meet
the requirements for safe drinking water benefits for
low-income communities under this section.
(D) Effect.--Nothing in this section requires a
project proponent or project sponsor to pay for
treatment of water delivered to low-income communities,
other than low-income communities with which the
project proponent or the project sponsor has an
existing contractual relationship to deliver treated
water.
(3) Description of environmental benefits.--The quantified,
significant environmental benefits referred to in subsection
(e)(3)(B)(ii) include--
(A) benefits to a species listed as threatened or
endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or other species of concern
affected by operation of Reclamation projects or State
or local water projects;
(B) additional flows to an inland water body,
including the Great Salt Lake, either directly or
indirectly through an exchange;
(C) benefits that improve aquatic or terrestrial
habitats in the region of the proposed conveyance
project;
(D) contributions to a Federal or State program
that provides environmental benefits in the region of
the project;
(E) delivery of additional water to wildlife
refuges, either directly or indirectly through an
exchange; or
(F) strategically designed actions that
simultaneously achieve environmental and other
benefits, such as habitat restoration or efforts to
recover species that--
(i) improve the operation of the conveyance
project; or
(ii) have water supply or flood protection
benefits.
(4) Types of projects.--Of the multi-benefit projects
funded under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that, to
the maximum extent practicable--
(A) 50 percent provide at least some environmental
benefits (or a combination of environmental benefits
and safe drinking water benefits for low-income
communities); and
(B) 50 percent provide at least some safe drinking
water benefits for low-income communities (or a
combination of safe drinking water benefits for low-
income communities and environmental benefits).
(5) Phased funding of multi-benefit projects.--
(A) In general.--During the first 2 years in which
a multi-benefit project is being constructed, the
applicable project sponsor may apply for and receive
Federal funds for construction costs authorized under
subsection (e)(3)(A), subject to subparagraph (C).
(B) Design.--Subject to the provisions of this
paragraph, to the maximum extent practicable, the
project proponent shall seek to integrate environmental
benefits and safe drinking water benefits for low-
income communities into the design of the applicable
multi-benefit project.
(C) Requirement.--To be eligible for Federal funds
under subparagraph (A), the applicable project
proponent shall--
(i) commit to include safe drinking water
benefits for low-income communities or
environmental benefits in the multi-benefit
project on the date on which Federal funds are
provided under that subparagraph;
(ii) demonstrate that the project sponsor
is in negotiations to add multi-benefit project
elements with stakeholders representing the
environment or safe drinking water for low-
income communities; and
(iii) not later than 2 years after the date
on which the project sponsor first receives
construction funding for the project under
subsection (e)(3)(A), submit a proposal for
additional funding under subsection (e)(3)(B)
that is consistent with the applicable
agreement entered into under subsection (e)(4).
(D) Required ratio.--
(i) In general.--Subject to clauses (ii)
and (iii), on submission of a proposal for
additional funding under subparagraph (C)(iii),
for any subsequent 5-year period for which
Federal funds are made available for the
applicable multi-benefit project under this
section--
(I) 60 percent shall be made
available for costs relating to the
benefits referred to in subsection
(e)(3)(A); and
(II) 40 percent shall be made
available for costs relating to
environmental benefits or safe drinking
water benefits for low-income
communities in accordance with this
subsection.
(ii) Modification.--Notwithstanding clause
(i), the project proponent or the Secretary, in
the case of any Reclamation-led conveyance
project that is a new project or involves a
reserved works, and any stakeholders
representing multi-benefit interests subject to
an agreement referred to in subsection (e)(4)
may by mutual agreement modify the ratio of
funding for different components of the
conveyance project established under clause (i)
for funding over the specified 5-year period.
(iii) Allocation of total funding.--The
Secretary shall ensure that the total
allocation of funding for a multi-benefit
project shall reflect the ratio of funding
established under clause (i).
(g) Criteria for Selecting Conveyance Projects.--In determining
whether to select a conveyance project for a grant under this section,
the Secretary shall consider--
(1) the Federal benefits of the conveyance project;
(2) whether the conveyance project, in the judgment of the
Secretary, is well-designed to achieve the benefits of the
conveyance project at a reasonable cost;
(3) whether the conveyance project meets a critical need at
the national, State, regional, or local level;
(4) whether the conveyance project assists the Federal
Government in honoring contracts of the Federal Government;
(5) diversity in the geography and size of conveyance
projects; and
(6) such other factors as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(h) Total Dollar Cap.--The Secretary shall not impose a total
dollar cap on Federal funds under this section for any individual
conveyance project funded under the Program.
(i) New Conveyance Facility.--No Federal funds are authorized under
this section for any new conveyance facility that costs more than
$5,000,000,000.
(j) Reimbursability of Funds.--Any Federal funds provided by the
Secretary under the Program shall be nonreimbursable to the United
States, including--
(1) funding of Reclamation-led conveyance projects under
subsection (c); and
(2) grants to eligible entities for non-Federal conveyance
projects under subsection (d).
(k) Funding Eligibility.--A conveyance project shall not be
considered ineligible for funding under the Program on the basis of the
conveyance project receiving assistance under any other Federal funding
program or Federal joint use agreement.
(l) Applicable Law.--A conveyance project funded under the Program
shall be consistent with applicable Federal, State, and Tribal law.
(m) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $500,000,000
for the period of fiscal years 2028 through 2032.
SEC. 4. REAUTHORIZATION OF RECYCLING PROGRAM AND ENVIRONMENTAL
RESTORATION PROGRAM.
(a) Authorization of New Water Recycling and Reuse Projects.--
Section 1602(g) of the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and
Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h(g)) is amended by striking paragraph (1)
and inserting the following:
``(1) There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of the Interior to carry out this section
$550,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2028 through
2032.''.
(b) Ceiling on Federal Share.--Section 1631(d)(1) of the
Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act (43
U.S.C. 390h-13(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``$20,000,000 (October
1996 prices)'' and inserting ``$50,000,000 (in December 2025 prices, as
automatically adjusted each January based on the percentage increase in
the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city
average) over the previous year, as published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics)''.
(c) Actions for Benefit of Endangered Species, Important Habitat,
and Water Bodies.--Section 4010(b) of the Water Infrastructure
Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law 114-322; 130 Stat. 1872) is
amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Actions for benefit of endangered species, important
habitat, and water bodies.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior (acting through
the Commissioner of Reclamation) $250,000,000 for the period of
fiscal years 2028 through 2032--
``(A) for the restoration of habitat or improvement
of conditions at the Great Salt Lake and other saline
inland lakes affected by the operation of the Central
Utah Project or Bureau of Reclamation water projects or
deliveries;
``(B) for--
``(i) gravel and rearing area additions,
fish passage improvements, barrier removal, and
habitat restoration to the Sacramento River,
its tributaries, or other rivers or river
basins affected by the operation of Bureau of
Reclamation facilities to benefit species
listed as threatened or endangered under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.), including Chinook salmon and
steelhead trout;
``(ii) scientifically improved and
increased real-time monitoring to inform real-
time operations of Bureau of Reclamation
facilities, and alternative methods, models,
and equipment to improve temperature modeling,
science, and monitoring to support flow
benefits for fish species, and related
forecasted information for purposes of
predicting impacts to salmon, salmon habitat,
species listed as threatened or endangered
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), or other species of
concern as a result of water management at
Bureau of Reclamation facilities;
``(iii) aquatic habitat restoration
activities, including floodplain reconnection
and reactivation projects (such as off-channel
and managed floodplain inundation projects that
enhance biological productivity and food web
support for fish) that enhance the ability of
the Bureau of Reclamation to meet contractual
obligations for water deliveries;
``(iv) fish hatchery modernization and
construction projects; and
``(v) structural or operational
improvements, including temperature control and
associated facilities, necessary to implement
activities described in clauses (i) through
(iv); and
``(C) for planning, design, scientific studies,
resource and biological monitoring, environmental
reviews, permitting, construction, implementation, and
adaptive management associated with any of the
activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).''.
SEC. 5. OFFSET FROM EXTENSION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.
Section 4013 of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the
Nation Act (43 U.S.C. 390b note; Public Law 114-322) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``in'' and inserting
``under'';
(3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) section 4009(c), section 4010(b)(2), and subsections
(a), (b), (c), (d), and (f) of section 4011, which shall expire
15 years after that date of enactment; and''.
SEC. 6. DEAUTHORIZATION OF INACTIVE PROJECTS OFFSET.
(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
(1) to establish an efficient and transparent process for
deauthorizing Reclamation projects that have failed to receive
a minimum level of investment to ensure active Reclamation
projects can move forward while reducing the backlog of
authorized Reclamation projects; and
(2) to allow for exceptions for the deauthorization of
Reclamation projects under paragraph (1) based on--
(A) action by Congress;
(B) funding to completion by the non-Federal
project sponsor; or
(C) a finding by the Secretary that certain
Reclamation projects should continue to be authorized
to meet vitally important needs of a State or the
United States.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Reclamation project.--The term ``Reclamation project''
means a project that is--
(A) owned by the United States; and
(B) constructed and operated under the direction of
the Bureau of Reclamation.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior (acting through the Commissioner of
Reclamation).
(c) Interim Deauthorization List.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and make
available on a publicly accessible internet website in a manner that is
downloadable, searchable, and sortable--
(1) an interim deauthorization list of Reclamation
projects--
(A) that are authorized; and
(B) for which funding was not obligated during the
fiscal year in which this Act is enacted or any of the
preceding 7 fiscal years; and
(2) for each Reclamation project listed under paragraph
(1)--
(A) the date of authorization of the Reclamation
project, including any subsequent modifications to the
original authorization;
(B) a brief description of the Reclamation project;
(C) the estimated cost of completion of the
Reclamation project; and
(D) any remaining amounts authorized, but not
appropriated, for the Reclamation project.
(d) Final Deauthorization List.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the interim deauthorization list is submitted under
subsection (c), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and make
available on a publicly accessible internet website in a manner
that is downloadable, searchable, and sortable, a final
deauthorization list of all Reclamation projects identified in
the interim deauthorization list, other than any Reclamation
project--
(A) for which funding has been provided by an Act
of Congress after the date of submission of the interim
deauthorization list; or
(B) that the Secretary excludes under paragraph
(2).
(2) Exclusions.--The Secretary may exclude from the final
deauthorization list under paragraph (1) a Reclamation project
that the Secretary determines is vitally important for the
interests of the United States or a particular State, based on
consideration of the effects of the Reclamation project on--
(A) public health and safety;
(B) the economy; or
(C) the environment.
(e) Deauthorization; Congressional Review.--Effective beginning on
the date that is 1 year after the date of submission of the final
deauthorization list under subsection (d), a Reclamation project
included on the final deauthorization list under that subsection is
deauthorized, unless, prior to that date--
(1) a joint resolution disapproving the final
deauthorization report is enacted into law;
(2) funding for the Reclamation project has been provided
by an Act of Congress; or
(3) the non-Federal sponsor of the Reclamation project
provides sufficient funds to complete the Reclamation project.
<all>
MORE WATER Act
#3738 | S Congress #119
Policy Area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: CaliforniaCongressional oversightEndangered and threatened speciesEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchFishesGovernment information and archivesLakes and riversPublic-private cooperationUtahWater qualityWater resources fundingWater use and supplyWildlife conservation and habitat protection
Last Action: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. (3/17/2026)
Bill Text Source: Congress.gov
Summary and Impacts
Original Text