Dusty Johnson (R-SD)
Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Subcommittee Hearings Held
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 ``Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act'', directs the Secretary of the Interior to study a specific water project. The study aims to determine if it is feasible to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water from the Missouri River to the Western Dakota Regional Water System. The Secretary must coordinate with the non-Federal project entity and various authorities during this process. Once finished, a feasibility report must be developed with a recommendation on construction and cost-sharing. This report must be submitted to specific Congressional committees and made public. The bill authorizes up to $10,000,000 for these purposes and expires 10 years after enactment.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill focuses on expanding water supply capabilities for rural water systems in South Dakota.
- Scored +5
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill studies a project specifically designed to provide water to rural water systems in Western South Dakota.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The Secretary is required to make the feasibility report and associated documents publicly available.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes up to $10,000,000 in federal spending for the feasibility study.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Water Supply Feasibility: The study looks into supplying municipal, rural, and industrial water from the Missouri River to the Western Dakota Regional Water System, which could address water needs for these groups (Section 2, Section 3).
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Transparency and Public Information: The Secretary is required to make the feasibility report and associated documents publicly available, allowing people to see the findings (Section 3, subsection (a)(2)(B) and (C)).
-
Cooperation with Local Authorities: The bill requires the Secretary to consult and cooperate with Federal, State, Tribal, regional, and local authorities during the study (Section 3, subsection (a)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burden on Non-Federal Entities: If the project is authorized, the non-Federal project entity may be required to pay at least 25 percent of the total construction costs, based on an analysis of their financial capability (Section 3, subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii)).
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Cost-Sharing Obligations: The non-Federal project entity must enter into a cost-sharing or financial assistance agreement with the Secretary to conduct the study (Section 3, subsection (b)).
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 people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill focuses on expanding water supply capabilities for rural water systems in South Dakota. Would business owners be better off under this? — The study addresses industrial water needs which could benefit local businesses.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill studies a project specifically designed to provide water to rural water systems in Western South Dakota.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The Secretary is required to make the feasibility report and associated documents publicly available.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The study explores a water supply project that could facilitate future industrial and municipal development. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes up to $10,000,000 in federal spending for the feasibility study.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Securing water infrastructure can support long-term economic stability for rural communities.
- 4/16/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 4/9/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 1/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.