Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 3725Rural conditions and developmentEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, research

Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act

INTRO JAN 29· LAST ACTION SEP 17

READING

7MIN

COSPONSORS

5BIPARTISAN

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Introduced only

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because reliable access to water is crucial for communities, agriculture, and industry, especially in regions facing growth or potential water shortages. If this bill passes, it kickstarts a formal process to assess whether a significant water infrastructure expansion is viable and necessary for parts of Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. This study would provide essential information for future decisions on federal and local investment in water infrastructure.

Without this bill, a federally funded study of this specific expansion project would not be mandated, potentially delaying or preventing a comprehensive assessment of the region's water needs and the feasibility of meeting them through the Lewis & Clark system. The outcome of the study could influence long-term planning for water resources and economic development in the affected states, determining if and how a major water supply project could move forward.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study for expanding the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System.

This initiates the official process to determine the viability and necessity of a significant water infrastructure project.

PROVISION 02

The study must include a recommendation on whether the project should be built and the appropriate local share of construction costs (at least 25%).

This ensures the study provides actionable guidance for future construction decisions and financial planning.

PROVISION 03

Establishes a cost-sharing agreement for the feasibility study, with the federal share not exceeding 50% of the costs.

This defines the financial responsibilities for the study itself, ensuring both federal and local investment.

PROVISION 04

Authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated for the Secretary of the Interior to carry out this study.

This allocates potential federal funding necessary to conduct the detailed investigation.

PROVISION 05

The authority to conduct the study expires 10 years after the bill is enacted.

This sets a clear timeframe for the study to be completed, preventing indefinite delays.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 5

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 80%

DEM 2 REP 3 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

12 EVENTS

SEP 17

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

COMMITTEE

SEP 17

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 649.

CALENDARS

JUL 16

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

JUL 16

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 3725

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedJan 29, 2026

Last actionSep 17, 2026

READER REACTIONS

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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 29, 2026

Senate BillS 3725Rural conditions and developmentEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, research

Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act

INTRODUCED JAN 29, 2026· LAST ACTION SEP 17, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

7 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study for expanding the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System.

This initiates the official process to determine the viability and necessity of a significant water infrastructure project.

high

The study must include a recommendation on whether the project should be built and the appropriate local share of construction costs (at least 25%).

This ensures the study provides actionable guidance for future construction decisions and financial planning.

med

Establishes a cost-sharing agreement for the feasibility study, with the federal share not exceeding 50% of the costs.

This defines the financial responsibilities for the study itself, ensuring both federal and local investment.

med

Authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated for the Secretary of the Interior to carry out this study.

This allocates potential federal funding necessary to conduct the detailed investigation.

low

The authority to conduct the study expires 10 years after the bill is enacted.

This sets a clear timeframe for the study to be completed, preventing indefinite delays.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

10 years after the date of enactment of this Act

Termination of authority for the Secretary to conduct the study.

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

AMOUNT	PROGRAM	TYPE	YEARS
$10,000,000	Lewis & Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study	discretionary	Until termination of authority (10 years after enactment)

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Secretary of the Interior: The head of the U.S. government department responsible for managing and conserving federal land and natural resources, including water projects.
Feasibility study: A detailed investigation to determine if a proposed project is practical, financially viable, technically achievable, and environmentally sound.
Non-Federal project entity: A local or regional organization, like the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System, Inc., that would partner with the federal government on a project.
Cost-sharing agreement: A formal contract outlining how the expenses for a project or study will be divided between different parties, such as federal and local governments.
Authorization of appropriations: A legislative act that permits money to be spent for a program or project, but it does not actually provide the funds; a separate appropriations act is needed to provide the money.
Municipal, rural, and industrial water: Water supplied for use by cities and towns (municipal), agricultural and sparsely populated areas (rural), and businesses or factories (industrial).

ACTION TIMELINE

12 EVENTS

SEP 17

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

COMMITTEE

SEP 17

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 649.

CALENDARS

JUL 16

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

JUL 16

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

READER REACTIONS

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Committee Referrals

Energy and Natural Resources CommitteeReferred

Sep 17, 2026

senate

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Video

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Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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