Brittany Pettersen (D-CO)
Water Project Navigators Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican 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
The Water Project Navigators Act establishes the Water Project Navigators Program to support the development and implementation of multi-benefit water projects. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with creating this program within 180 days of the Act's enactment. Through this program, the Secretary can award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to fund specialized navigator positions. These navigators assist with tasks like grant writing, project management, and technical assistance. The program focuses on eligible States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. An authorization of $15,000,000 is provided for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2032.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill provides specific priority and potential financial assistance for Indian Tribes.
- Scored +6
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill explicitly prioritizes and targets resources toward rural communities.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill funds projects that protect water quality, improve watershed health, and conserve habitats.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Water Project Development: The program provides funding for "navigator" positions to help entities with grant writing, project management, and technical assistance such as engineering and design (Section 3(d)).
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Benefits for Vulnerable Communities: The Secretary is directed to prioritize applications from entities that serve Indian Tribes, disadvantaged communities, and rural communities (Section 3(c)(2)).
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Increased Water Resilience: Multi-benefit water projects can enhance community resilience to climate-related impacts, such as increasing water use efficiency, reducing water supply-demand imbalances, and improving access to safe drinking water (Section 2(5)(A)).
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Ecosystem and Watershed Protection: Projects may provide benefits to ecosystems by conserving fish and wildlife habitats, protecting water quality, and improving watershed health (Section 2(5)(B)).
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Economic Opportunities: The program prioritizes projects that may promote job creation and retention within Tribal, disadvantaged, and rural communities (Section 3(c)(2)(A)(iii)).
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Financial Relief for Specific Entities: The Secretary has the authority to reduce or waive the required non-Federal cost share for Indian Tribes, acequias, land grant-merced, or disadvantaged communities if the contribution would cause financial hardship (Section 3(f)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Requirement for Non-Federal Shares: For most eligible entities, the Federal share of a grant or cooperative agreement cannot exceed 75 percent, meaning entities must provide at least 25 percent of the cost in cash or in-kind contributions (Section 3(g)(1)).
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Limited Duration of Funding: Grants or cooperative agreements under this program are limited to a period of no more than 3 years, though the Secretary may allow for a 2-year extension under certain conditions (Section 3(e)(1)).
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 provides specific priority and potential financial assistance for Indian Tribes. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill explicitly prioritizes and targets resources toward rural communities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes disadvantaged communities which often include low-income populations. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill mentions support for irrigated agricultural production stakeholders.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill funds projects that protect water quality, improve watershed health, and conserve habitats. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill supports projects that benefit ecosystems and improve watershed health. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill specifically prioritizes and provides resources for water infrastructure in rural communities. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The program focuses on enhancing community resilience to climate-related impacts and water supply issues.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill prioritizes projects that may promote job creation and retention in Tribal, disadvantaged, and rural communities. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The program aims to invest in the economies of rural, Tribal, and disadvantaged communities through water projects.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prioritizes support for Indian Tribes and disadvantaged communities, which can foster greater equity. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By targeting disadvantaged and rural communities, the bill aims to support their economic and resource stability.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill empowers the Secretary of the Interior to establish and manage a new grant program. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires a report to Congress regarding the program's effectiveness.
- 2/5/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 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.
Juan CiscomaniRepublican · Arizona