Alex Padilla (D-CA)
A bill to authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes.
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
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 authorizes the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds from Federal or non-Federal entities. These funds can be used for studying, designing, constructing, operating, or maintaining wastewater treatment, water conservation, or flood control works. Accepted funds must be deposited into a specific Treasury account for the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico. The bill places limits on reimbursements to non-Federal entities and restricts the source of acceptable funds. Additionally, the Commission is required to submit annual reports regarding the funds and activities.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +4
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The authorization of flood control works can improve resilience against water-related disasters.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill facilitates water conservation and wastewater treatment works which aids environmental management.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates annual reports to Congressional committees regarding fund usage and costs.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Infrastructure Improvement: The Commission is authorized to use funds to study, design, construct, operate, or maintain wastewater treatment works, water conservation projects, or flood control works, and related structures (Section 1(a)). This could lead to better water and flood management.
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Financial Accountability: The bill requires the Commission to submit a report every fiscal year to specific Senate and House committees, detailing the activities carried out and the associated costs (Section 1(d)). This ensures there is a public record of how the money is being used.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Reimbursement Caps: The Commission is prohibited from providing credit or reimbursement to non-Federal entities for funds accepted under this section in an amount that exceeds $5,000,000 in any fiscal year (Section 1(c)(1)). This could limit the scale of certain projects.
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Funding Restrictions: The Commission cannot accept funds from non-Federal entities that are domiciled in, headquartered in, or organized under the laws of a foreign country of concern, or those that have agreements with such countries (Section 1(c)(2)). This restricts the potential pool of funding available for these projects.
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 improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The authorization of flood control works can improve resilience against water-related disasters. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill facilitates water conservation and wastewater treatment works which aids environmental management.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates annual reports to Congressional committees regarding fund usage and costs. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the authority of the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept external funds.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill allows funds for studying and designing water-related works.
- 6/11/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Introduced in Senate
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.