Senate BillS 3737Water storageAgricultural practices and innovations
GROW SMART Act
INTRO JAN 29· LAST ACTION MAR 17
READING
7MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it tries to tackle the growing problem of drought and water scarcity, especially in agricultural regions. If it becomes law, it could lead to more sustainable water use by encouraging new technologies and partnerships. This could help prevent farm closures due to water shortages, protect jobs in rural areas, and ensure that cities and industries have reliable water, even during dry periods.
Without this bill, or similar initiatives, communities and farmers might have fewer resources to invest in innovative water solutions, potentially making them more vulnerable to the economic and environmental impacts of drought. It could mean less secure food production and greater strain on existing water supplies, impacting everything from the cost of food to local economies.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
The bill allows the Secretary (likely of the Interior) to provide financial and technical assistance for planning innovative drought preparedness projects.
This provision establishes the core mechanism for supporting new water-saving and water-sharing efforts, which is crucial for drought-prone regions.
PROVISION 02
It defines 'innovative approaches' as new or unproven methods for water conservation, including water-sharing agreements, water-thrifty crops, and advanced irrigation, while excluding widespread fallowing.
This ensures that federal support is directed towards cutting-edge solutions rather than common practices that may not address long-term water challenges effectively.
PROVISION 03
The bill prioritizes applications from voluntary partnerships between agricultural entities and other water users (like cities or industries), but also allows individual states, tribes, or agricultural entities to apply under specific conditions.
This broadens the reach of the program, recognizing that solutions may come from collaborative efforts or critical needs of individual entities.
PROVISION 04
It streamlines the application process by requiring only a brief description and basic information, without demanding extensive supporting reports.
This makes it easier for potential applicants, especially smaller entities, to access assistance, reducing administrative burden and encouraging participation.
This bill matters because it tries to tackle the growing problem of drought and water scarcity, especially in agricultural regions. If it becomes law, it could lead to more sustainable water use by encouraging new technologies and partnerships. This could help prevent farm closures due to water shortages, protect jobs in rural areas, and ensure that cities and industries have reliable water, even during dry periods.
Without this bill, or similar initiatives, communities and farmers might have fewer resources to invest in innovative water solutions, potentially making them more vulnerable to the economic and environmental impacts of drought. It could mean less secure food production and greater strain on existing water supplies, impacting everything from the cost of food to local economies.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
The bill allows the Secretary (likely of the Interior) to provide financial and technical assistance for planning innovative drought preparedness projects.
This provision establishes the core mechanism for supporting new water-saving and water-sharing efforts, which is crucial for drought-prone regions.
high
It defines 'innovative approaches' as new or unproven methods for water conservation, including water-sharing agreements, water-thrifty crops, and advanced irrigation, while excluding widespread fallowing.
This ensures that federal support is directed towards cutting-edge solutions rather than common practices that may not address long-term water challenges effectively.
med
The bill prioritizes applications from voluntary partnerships between agricultural entities and other water users (like cities or industries), but also allows individual states, tribes, or agricultural entities to apply under specific conditions.
This broadens the reach of the program, recognizing that solutions may come from collaborative efforts or critical needs of individual entities.
med
It streamlines the application process by requiring only a brief description and basic information, without demanding extensive supporting reports.
This makes it easier for potential applicants, especially smaller entities, to access assistance, reducing administrative burden and encouraging participation.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991
A federal law that gives the Secretary of the Interior authority to take certain actions to prepare for and respond to droughts in Western states, often involving water management projects.
Financial and technical assistance
Includes money (financial) to help pay for projects, and expert advice or support (technical) to plan and carry out those projects effectively.
Voluntary water partnership agreements
Deals made between different groups who use water, like farmers and city water providers, where they willingly agree to share water or work together on water conservation without being forced to.
Water-thrifty crops
Agricultural plants that require less water to grow successfully compared to traditional crops, helping to save water resources.
Fallowing
The practice of leaving agricultural land unplanted for a period, often a growing season, to allow the soil to recover and accumulate moisture.
Hydroponics
A method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions dissolved in water.
Agrovoltaics
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTS
MAR 17
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
COMMITTEE
JAN 29
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 29
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S380)
The practice of co-locating agricultural cultivation with solar panel arrays on the same land, often benefiting both crops (shade, water retention) and solar energy production.
Agroforestry
A land use system where trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland, integrating agriculture and forestry practices for mutual benefits like soil health and water conservation.
Consumptive water use
Water that is removed from a source and not returned to it, typically through evaporation, transpiration by plants, or absorption into products, making it unavailable for reuse in the immediate area.
