Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act seeks to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This bill focuses on reauthorizing various water power research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities. It updates requirements for both hydropower and marine energy technologies. The legislation also includes provisions for workforce development and training. Additionally, it adjusts funding levels for upcoming fiscal years.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +8
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill increases funding for water power, marine energy, and hydropower research and development.
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill significantly increases authorized funding for hydropower and marine energy research and development.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically mentions collaborating with Tribal entities and Alaska Native Corporations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Manufacturing and Job Growth: The bill aims to advance scalable, United States-based manufacturing of marine energy components through partnerships with industry and universities (Section 2, paragraph 1B).
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Workforce Development: There is a focus on supporting workforce development programs, training, student-led research, and education to grow the next generation of professionals in both the hydropower and marine energy sectors (Section 2, paragraph 2, subparagraph I; and Section 2, paragraph 4, subparagraph iv).
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Community Resilience: The bill supports the generation and storage of power to promote the resilience of waterside communities and critical infrastructure (Section 2, paragraph 3, subparagraph H, ii).
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Environmental and Economic Assessment: The bill directs studies to improve the hydropower licensing process by assessing a full range of potential environmental and economic impacts (Section 2, paragraph 2, subparagraph C).
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Increased Funding: The bill increases authorized funding to $300,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 (Section 2, paragraph 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated 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 Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically mentions collaborating with Tribal entities and Alaska Native Corporations. Would students be better off under this? — The bill supports student-led research, education, and graduate fellowships. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill promotes industrial supply chains and collaborations with industry. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill funds student-led research, training, and workforce development programs. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill focuses on the resilience of isolated power systems and waterside communities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill significantly increases authorized funding for hydropower and marine energy research and development. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill supports the generation of power to promote resilience in disaster recovery and water-side communities. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill focuses on power resilience for critical infrastructure and waterside communities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill increases funding for water power, marine energy, and hydropower research and development. Does this make college cost less? — The bill supports student-led research, graduate fellowships, and higher education collaborations.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill aims to advance United States-based manufacturing of marine energy components and supports workforce development. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill increases authorized funding for water power research and development to foster industrial supply chains.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to provide biennial briefings to Congress and make findings available to the public.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill includes provisions for cybersecurity in the context of hydropower research and development.
- 10/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/20/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 1/16/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Nicholas BegichRepublican · Alaska
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island