Water Security and Drought Resilience Act | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 3732Water storageWater use and supply

Water Security and Drought Resilience Act

INTRO JAN 29· LAST ACTION SEP 17

READING

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Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses the growing challenge of water scarcity and drought, particularly in the western United States. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to significant federal investment in water infrastructure, both traditional and nature-based, helping communities store more water and better manage their existing resources. This could mean more stable water supplies for homes, farms, and businesses, potentially reducing the impact of future droughts and improving overall water security.

Without this bill, funding for these types of water projects might remain limited or less accessible, making it harder for communities to prepare for and respond to climate change impacts like prolonged dry periods. The bill's focus on natural water solutions also offers a potentially cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to water management, moving beyond solely relying on large-scale engineered solutions.

KEY PROVISIONS

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PROVISION 01

Expands eligibility for financial assistance under the existing storage program to cover more projects, including those with authorized feasibility studies under a different act.

This means more water storage projects in western states could qualify for federal funding, helping to improve water supplies.

PROVISION 02

Reauthorizes and extends the small storage program for an additional five years (from 5 to 10 years total) and broadens the types of small-scale water storage projects that are eligible for grants.

This ensures continued federal support for smaller, local water storage initiatives and makes the program more flexible to include various storage methods like groundwater recharge.

PROVISION 03

Creates a new grant program for "natural water retention and release projects" which use natural materials and processes (like aquifer recharge or floodplain retention) to increase water availability.

This introduces a new avenue for funding innovative, nature-based solutions to water management and drought resilience.

PROVISION 04

Authorizes $20,000,000 to be set aside for the small storage program for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2033.

This provides dedicated funding for small water storage projects, allowing for long-term planning and implementation.

PROVISION 05

Establishes a maximum federal share of 90 percent for the cost of natural water retention and release projects, ensuring that states or other entities contribute to project funding.

This provides substantial federal support while requiring local investment, promoting shared responsibility for project success.

SPONSORSHIP

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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. 650.

CALENDARS

JUL 29

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

COMMITTEE

JUL 29

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 3732

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedJan 29, 2026

Last actionSep 17, 2026

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

Senate BillS 3732Water storageWater use and supply

Water Security and Drought Resilience Act

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

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

12 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

Expands eligibility for financial assistance under the existing storage program to cover more projects, including those with authorized feasibility studies under a different act.

This means more water storage projects in western states could qualify for federal funding, helping to improve water supplies.

high

Reauthorizes and extends the small storage program for an additional five years (from 5 to 10 years total) and broadens the types of small-scale water storage projects that are eligible for grants.

This ensures continued federal support for smaller, local water storage initiatives and makes the program more flexible to include various storage methods like groundwater recharge.

med

This introduces a new avenue for funding innovative, nature-based solutions to water management and drought resilience.

high

Authorizes $20,000,000 to be set aside for the small storage program for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2033.

This provides dedicated funding for small water storage projects, allowing for long-term planning and implementation.

med

Establishes a maximum federal share of 90 percent for the cost of natural water retention and release projects, ensuring that states or other entities contribute to project funding.

This provides substantial federal support while requiring local investment, promoting shared responsibility for project success.

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)

From 5 years to 10 years after its enactment in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Termination of authority for the small storage program is extended.

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
$20,000,000	Small Storage Program	discretionary	Fiscal years 2027 through 2033

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Reclamation State: One of the 17 western states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) where the Bureau of Reclamation operates, primarily involved in water resource development and management projects.
Acre-foot: A unit of volume typically used to measure large quantities of water, equal to the volume of water that would cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot. Roughly 325,851 gallons.
Aquifer recharge: The process where water is added to underground water storage areas (aquifers) either naturally through rain and snowmelt, or artificially through human intervention like spreading basins or injection wells.
Nonreimbursable: Federal funds provided for a project that do not need to be paid back to the United States government by the recipient.
Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN Act): A federal law passed in 2016 that authorizes various water infrastructure projects and programs across the United States.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: A major federal law passed in 2021 that authorizes significant investments in various infrastructure sectors, including water, transportation, and broadband.

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. 650.

CALENDARS

JUL 29

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

COMMITTEE

JUL 29

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

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Energy and Natural Resources Committee (senate)Jul 29, 2026

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Water Security and Drought Resilience Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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BILL INFO

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Discussion

Water Security and Drought Resilience Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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