Adam Gray (D-CA)
Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Act," aims to codify parts of Executive Order 14181. It focuses on emergency water resource measures in California and improving disaster response. The legislation directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to identify major water-supply and storage projects in California. These officials must designate compliance officials to coordinate responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. Finally, these officials are tasked with identifying and proposing plans to address regulatory hurdles that may unnecessarily burden water projects.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +6
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill directly addresses the expansion and efficiency of water supply and storage, which is critical for agricultural productivity.
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Improving water-supply projects directly benefits the water security of rural California residents.
- Scored +5
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill's focus on water resource management serves as an emergency measure to improve disaster response capabilities related to water scarcity.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill directs officials to rescind or suspend regulations that may be necessary for environmental protections if they are deemed an undue burden.
- Scored -1
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?
While focused on water, the streamlining of large infrastructure projects can impact overall infrastructure development efficiency.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Identification of Water Projects: The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce will identify all ongoing or potential major water-supply and storage projects in California, which includes surface and ground water storage, aquifer recharge, and State conveyance projects (Section 2(a)).
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Streamlining Regulatory Processes: Designated officials will identify regulatory hurdles and propose plans to suspend, revise, or rescind regulations that unduly burden projects but are not necessary to protect the public interest (Section 2(b)(2)(C)).
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Improved Efficiency: The designated officials are required to coordinate and share information to enable improved efficiencies regarding water projects (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Reduction of Economic Obstacles: The bill seeks to address "undue burdens," which are defined as things that unnecessarily obstruct, delay, curtail, impede, or impose significant costs on the supply of water and infrastructure (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill directly addresses the expansion and efficiency of water supply and storage, which is critical for agricultural productivity. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Improving water-supply projects directly benefits the water security of rural California residents. Would business owners be better off under this? — The reduction of regulatory burdens and costs on water infrastructure benefits various business operations. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Securing water resources can help ensure more stable utility costs and water availability for low-income families.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill aims to reduce regulatory delays for water infrastructure projects, which can facilitate industrial and construction growth. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Reducing costs and delays in water infrastructure can indirectly lower operational burdens for businesses relying on water supply.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill's focus on water resource management serves as an emergency measure to improve disaster response capabilities related to water scarcity. Does this invest in rural communities? — Increasing water storage and supply capacity is vital for the development and stability of rural California communities. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill directs officials to rescind or suspend regulations that may be necessary for environmental protections if they are deemed an undue burden. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — While focused on water, the streamlining of large infrastructure projects can impact overall infrastructure development efficiency.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates the identification and reporting of water-supply projects and regulatory hurdles.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Improving water supply reliability can support long-term regional housing stability and development.
- 12/11/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Jim CostaDemocrat · California