MORE WATER Act | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 3738Environmental assessment, monitoring, researchCalifornia

MORE WATER Act

INTRO JAN 29· LAST ACTION JUL 29

READING

23MIN

COSPONSORS

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

Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses critical water challenges facing many parts of the country, especially in the Western U.S. where water is increasingly scarce due to climate change, drought, and growing populations. If this bill becomes law, it means more federal investment will go towards making water supplies more reliable through recycling and modernizing outdated water delivery systems.

This could lead to more sustainable water sources, helping to secure drinking water for communities, support agriculture, and protect the environment. If it doesn't pass, these communities and sectors might continue to struggle with water shortages, aging infrastructure, and a lack of funding for innovative water solutions, potentially exacerbating economic and environmental stresses. It represents a federal commitment to long-term water resilience.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Reauthorizes the large-scale water recycling and reuse program, extending the authority for project approval from 5 to 10 years and providing $450 million in new funding.

This ensures the continuation and expansion of efforts to develop sustainable water sources and provides significant financial support for future projects.

PROVISION 02

Establishes a new Water Conveyance Improvement Program to provide grants for building new or improving existing water delivery infrastructure in Reclamation States.

This creates a dedicated federal program to address aging water infrastructure and enhance water delivery capacity in arid regions.

PROVISION 03

Prioritizes 'multi-benefit projects' under the new conveyance program, specifically those that provide safe drinking water for low-income communities or offer environmental benefits.

This directs federal resources towards projects that serve vulnerable populations and contribute to ecological health, ensuring broader community and environmental impact.

PROVISION 04

Increases the non-federal cost-share requirement for large-scale water recycling and reuse projects from 30% to 60%.

This shifts a greater financial responsibility to state and local entities for project funding, potentially impacting project feasibility.

PROVISION 05

Broadens the definition of 'construction' for the water recycling program to include general 'infrastructure' rather than just 'storage'.

This allows a wider range of activities and components related to water recycling projects to be eligible for federal funding.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 0

ACTION TIMELINE

6 EVENTS

JUL 29

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

COMMITTEE

MAR 17

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

COMMITTEE

MAR 17

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

COMMITTEE

JAN 29

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 3738

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedJan 29, 2026

Last actionJul 29, 2026

READER REACTIONS

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

Senate BillS 3738Environmental assessment, monitoring, researchCalifornia

MORE WATER Act

INTRODUCED JAN 29, 2026· LAST ACTION JUL 29, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

23 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

Reauthorizes the large-scale water recycling and reuse program, extending the authority for project approval from 5 to 10 years and providing $450 million in new funding.

This ensures the continuation and expansion of efforts to develop sustainable water sources and provides significant financial support for future projects.

high

Establishes a new Water Conveyance Improvement Program to provide grants for building new or improving existing water delivery infrastructure in Reclamation States.

This creates a dedicated federal program to address aging water infrastructure and enhance water delivery capacity in arid regions.

med

Prioritizes 'multi-benefit projects' under the new conveyance program, specifically those that provide safe drinking water for low-income communities or offer environmental benefits.

This directs federal resources towards projects that serve vulnerable populations and contribute to ecological health, ensuring broader community and environmental impact.

med

Increases the non-federal cost-share requirement for large-scale water recycling and reuse projects from 30% to 60%.

This shifts a greater financial responsibility to state and local entities for project funding, potentially impacting project feasibility.

low

Broadens the definition of 'construction' for the water recycling program to include general 'infrastructure' rather than just 'storage'.

This allows a wider range of activities and components related to water recycling projects to be eligible for federal funding.

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)

Fiscal years 2028 through 2032

Funding authorization for the large-scale water recycling and reuse program.

10 years from original termination date

Extended authority to approve large-scale water recycling and reuse projects (from 5 to 10 years), except for projects already under construction.

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
$450,000,000	Large-scale water recycling and reuse program	discretionary	2028 through 2032

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Reclamation State: One of the 17 Western states and territories where the Bureau of Reclamation operates, often in arid or semi-arid regions requiring federal water projects.
Water recycling and reuse program: A federal program that provides grants for projects that treat wastewater or stormwater to make it suitable for beneficial uses, such as irrigation or industrial processes, reducing the need for fresh water.
Water Conveyance Improvement Program: A new federal program established by this bill to fund projects that build new or improve existing infrastructure, like canals and pipelines, for moving water.
Multi-benefit project: A water conveyance project that provides at least one significant additional benefit beyond just moving water, such as ensuring safe drinking water for low-income communities or delivering environmental advantages.
Low-income community: A community with a significant portion of its residents having low incomes, as defined by federal tax law.
Non-Federal share: The portion of a project's cost that must be covered by state, local, or private funds, rather than federal money.
Project proponent

ACTION TIMELINE

6 EVENTS

JUL 29

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

COMMITTEE

MAR 17

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

COMMITTEE

MAR 17

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

COMMITTEE

JAN 29

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

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Energy and Natural Resources CommitteeReferred

Jul 29, 2026

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Business meeting to consider S.365 and H.R.1729, bills to amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to allow for additional entities to be eligible to complete the maintenance work on Bolts Ditch and the Bolts Ditch Headgate within the Holy Cross Wilderness, Colorado, S.764, to provide for the designation of certain wilderness areas, recreation management areas, and conservation areas in the State of Colorado, S.791, to establish the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site in the State of Maryland as an affiliated area of the National Park System, S.888, to designate certain land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service in the State of Oregon as wilderness and national recreation areas, to withdraw certain land located in Curry County and Josephine County, Oregon, from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws, location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws, S.945, to amend the Smith River National Recreation Area Act to include certain additions to the Smith River National Recreation Area, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain wild rivers in the State of Oregon, S.1005, to provide for conservation and economic development in the State of Nevada, S.1088, to provide that the memorial to commemorate the sacrifice and service of the women who worked on the home front to support the efforts of the United States military during World War II may be located on the National Mall, S.1195, to promote conservation, improve public land management, and provide for sensible development in Pershing County, Nevada, S.1257, to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to authorize the use of funds for certain additional Carey Act projects, S.1341, to amend the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 to add certain land to the Sarvis Creek Wilderness, S.1349, to withdraw the National Forest System land in the Ruby Mountains subdistrict of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the National Wildlife Refuge System land in Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Elko and White Pine Counties, Nevada, from operation under the mineral leasing laws, S.1476, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Gila River system in the State of New Mexico as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, to provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State of New Mexico, S.1737, to designate and expand wilderness areas in Olympic National Forest in the State of Washington, and to designate certain rivers in Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park as wild and scenic rivers, S.1777, to amend the California Desert Protection Act of 1994 to expand the boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, to redesignate the Cottonwood Visitor Center at Joshua Tree National Park as the "Dianne Feinstein Visitor Center", S.1870, to adjust the boundary of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to include the Rim of the Valley Corridor, S.2498, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to extend certain leases within units of the National Park System without opening the lease to bidding, S.2767 and H.R.5254, bills to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation to host private events in Gateway Arch National Park buildings, S.2801, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the Canterbury Shaker Village National Heritage Area, S.2887, to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Route 66 National Historic Trail, S.2933, to redesignate a playground in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in the State of West Virginia as the "Hearts of Gold Playground: In Honor of West Virginia Children and Families Impacted by Childhood Cancer", S.2968, to ensure access to certain public land, S.3194, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land in California as the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area, S.3313 and H.R.6365, bills to require the Secretary of the Interior to issue a right-of-way for an emergency exit on certain National Park Service land in the State of Virginia, S.3409, to reaffirm that the Bureau of Reclamation retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel, ensuring long-term conservation of the endangered pallid sturgeon and other native aquatic species in the Yellowstone River while protecting the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project and District from undue financial and operational burdens, S.3635 and H.R. 7250, bills to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000, S.3715 and H.R.6380, bills to establish the Chiricahua N

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

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Hearings to examine S.1034, to establish the Southwestern Power Administration Fund, S.1242, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry out watershed pilots, S.2437 and H.R.3857, bills to amend the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act, S.2753, to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to authorize certain extraordinary operation and maintenance work for urban canals of concern, S.3409, to reaffirm that the Bureau of Reclamation retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel, ensuring long-term conservation of the endangered pallid sturgeon and other native aquatic species in the Yellowstone River while protecting the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project and District from undue financial and operational burdens, S.3500, to amend the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to annually submit to Congress a report on the status of ongoing hydropower relicensing applications, S.3518, to amend the Federal Power Act to address certain alterations in, and the maintenance and repair of, project works, to provide for the licensing of micro hydrokinetic energy projects, S.3635, to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000, S.3684, to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reauthorize water power research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities, S.3693, to extend the authorization for a large-scale water recycling and reuse grant program, S.3723, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water from the Missouri River to the Western Dakota Regional Water System, S.3725, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water to expand the capacity and reach of the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System, Inc. (doing business as "Lewis &amp; Clark Regional Water System"), in the States of Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota, S.3732, to amend the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act to authorize assistance under the storage program, S.3736, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water to the Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System service area in the States of South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota, S.3737, to amend the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to provide financial and technical assistance to eligible entities for the conduct of innovative approaches to voluntary water partnership agreements among multiple water users and projects conducted by individual agricultural entities, 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, S.3743, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a feasibility study on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam, S.3792, to provide for the establishment of a Water Project Navigators Program, S.4040, to amend Public Law 89-108 to modify the authorization of appropriations for State and Tribal, municipal, rural, and industrial water supplies, and S.4041, to reauthorize the Cooperative Watershed Management Program.

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