A bill to provide for drought preparedness and improved water supply reliability.
Actions Overview (1)
Date
Actions Overview
07/02/2020
Introduced in Senate
07/02/2020 Introduced in Senate
All Actions (2)
Date
All Actions
07/22/2020
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. Action By: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power
07/02/2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4227) Action By: Senate
07/22/2020 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
07/02/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4227)
Committees, subcommittees and links to reports associated with this bill are listed here, as well as the nature and date of committee activity and Congressional report number.
Committee / Subcommittee
Date
Activity
Related Documents
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
07/02/2020
Referred to
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power
07/22/2020
Hearings by
Related Bills (0)
No related bill information was received for S.4189.
Specifically, the bill establishes a Bureau of Reclamation Infrastructure Fund to fund water-related programs, including water reclamation and reuse projects, dam safety projects, and the WaterSMART program (which provides assistance to eligible government entities to increase water supply). Each year from FY2031-FY2061, the Department of the Interior must deposit $300 million of revenues into this fund that would otherwise be deposited into the Reclamation Fund (which currently funds irrigation works in western states).
The bill also reauthorizes through FY2025 the WaterSMART program and expands the program, including by expanding the types of entities eligible for assistance.
In addition, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the Cooperative Watershed Management Program (which provides assistance to watershed groups to address water management needs) and expands the program to include projects that generate environmental benefits.
The bill also establishes new programs directed at western states to
provide assistance to agricultural producers to create and maintain waterbird and shorebird habitats,
award grants to eligible government entities and nonprofit conservation organizations for habitat restoration projects that improve watershed health, and
provide assistance to eligible government entities and nonprofit organizations for aquatic ecosystem and restoration projects.
Specifically, the bill establishes a Bureau of Reclamation Infrastructure Fund to fund water-related programs, including water reclamation and reuse projects, dam safety projects, and the WaterSMART program (which provides assistance to eligible government entities to increase water supply). Each year from FY2031-FY2061, the Department of the Interior must deposit $300 million of revenues into this fund that would otherwise be deposited into the Reclamation Fund (which currently funds irrigation works in western states).
The bill also reauthorizes through FY2025 the WaterSMART program and expands the program, including by expanding the types of entities eligible for assistance.
In addition, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the Cooperative Watershed Management Program (which provides assistance to watershed groups to address water management needs) and expands the program to include projects that generate environmental benefits.
The bill also establishes new programs directed at western states to
provide assistance to agricultural producers to create and maintain waterbird and shorebird habitats,
award grants to eligible government entities and nonprofit conservation organizations for habitat restoration projects that improve watershed health, and
provide assistance to eligible government entities and nonprofit organizations for aquatic ecosystem and restoration projects.
