James Gallagher (R-CA)
Doug LaMalfa Sacramento River Basin Water Security and Reliability Act of 2026
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
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 bill is known as the Doug LaMalfa Sacramento River Basin Water Security and Reliability Act of 2026. It extends the feasibility deadline for the water storage program under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN Act) to January 1, 2041. Additionally, it authorizes federal contributions to the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of certain public benefits associated with State-led water storage projects. The legislation also authorizes $500,000,000 for fiscal years 2028 through 2037 for environmental restoration and recovery actions within the Sacramento River Basin. Furthermore, the bill establishes the Sacramento River Basin Integrated Water Management Federal Leadership Committee to coordinate interagency efforts on conservation projects. Finally, the legislation permits eligible transferors to retain and use revenue from temporary water transfers for drought resilience, maintenance, and dam safety investments.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +7
Does this invest in rural communities?
The legislation supports rural water management, storage projects, dam safety investments, and drought resilience for agricultural and regional water users.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill authorizes $500 million for habitat restoration, endangered species recovery, and environmental improvements in the Sacramento River Basin.
- Scored +6
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill provides significant water security, drought resilience funding, and revenue retention provisions for temporary water transfers that benefit agricultural water users.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes new federal spending and appropriations for water infrastructure and ecosystem recovery programs.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The legislation authorizes substantial federal spending and appropriations, including $500 million for environmental restoration and nonreimbursable contributions to project maintenance.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 4 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to contribute up to 50 percent of the total annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs directly associated with public benefits of State-led water storage projects. This could benefit the public by improving ecosystems, fish and wildlife habitats, water quality, and flood control without placing the entire financial burden on local entities.
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Section 5 authorizes $500,000,000 for fiscal years 2028 through 2037 for actions that benefit endangered species, crucial habitats, and overall recovery in the Sacramento River Basin. This funding supports gravel and rearing area additions, fish passage improvements, habitat restoration, and modernizing fish hatcheries to protect species like Chinook salmon and steelhead trout.
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Section 6 establishes the Sacramento River Basin Integrated Water Management Federal Leadership Committee to help federal agencies and eligible entities advance covered projects. This committee works to resolve regulatory and procedural obstacles, align funding streams, and support water-supply reliability and ecosystem resilience.
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Section 7 allows transferors to retain revenue from eligible temporary water transfers rather than depositing those funds into the standard reclamation fund. Water rights holders can use these retained funds for drought resilience investments, extraordinary maintenance activities, or dam safety investments, which helps local communities better manage their water infrastructure.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 4 limits the federal contribution to operation and maintenance costs to a maximum of 50 percent of the total annual costs for public benefits. This means State or local entities must still cover at least 50 percent of these costs, which could create a financial strain on local governments or taxpayers.
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Section 7 requires that any funds placed in a transferor's reserve account that are not used for drought resilience, maintenance, or dam safety investments within 10 years must be transferred to the reclamation fund. This creates a strict deadline and potential financial penalty for entities that are unable to complete their planned investments within the decade timeframe.
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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The legislation supports rural water management, storage projects, dam safety investments, and drought resilience for agricultural and regional water users. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill authorizes $500 million for habitat restoration, endangered species recovery, and environmental improvements in the Sacramento River Basin. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill provides for federal cost-sharing on public benefits like flood control and supports dam safety investments to mitigate disaster risks. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The creation of the Sacramento River Basin Integrated Water Management Federal Leadership Committee enhances coordinated federal and state land and water management.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill provides significant water security, drought resilience funding, and revenue retention provisions for temporary water transfers that benefit agricultural water users. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural communities in the Sacramento River Basin benefit from improved flood control, ecosystem management, and water infrastructure reliability.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires regular reporting to Congress and the Commissioner regarding committee activities and the use of transferred water revenue. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The legislation supports state-led water storage projects and preserves state water rights and laws. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes a new federal leadership committee and authorizes federal contributions and oversight for state-led projects.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds scientific monitoring, temperature modeling, and biological studies to support fish species and water management operations.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investing in reliable water storage, drought resilience, and agricultural infrastructure supports long-term economic stability in water-dependent regions. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides federal funding for water infrastructure, environmental restoration, and maintenance projects, which can support local construction and engineering jobs. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes new federal spending and appropriations for water infrastructure and ecosystem recovery programs. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The legislation authorizes substantial federal spending and appropriations, including $500 million for environmental restoration and nonreimbursable contributions to project maintenance.
- 6/29/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House