Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)
Water Security and Drought Resilience Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 650.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Water Security and Drought Resilience Act. It amends previous laws to let the Secretary of the Interior provide financial help for water storage projects across multiple Reclamation States. The bill also reauthorizes and updates rules for the small storage program, extending its timeline. Additionally, it creates a new grant program for natural water retention and release projects handled by eligible entities like States, Tribes, and water districts. Federal funding for these natural projects is nonreimbursable. Finally, the legislation ensures that nothing in the small storage section affects existing state water laws, federal water laws, or water rights.
Yes· 3 of 21
- Scored +9
Would farmers be better off under this?
Critically improves water storage and groundwater stability essential for farming.
- Scored +8
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Directly addresses water scarcity and infrastructure in rural Reclamation States.
- Scored +7
Does this invest in rural communities?
Provides significant financial assistance for water storage and resilience in rural Reclamation States.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill increases government spending by authorizing appropriations through 2033.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes new federal spending for grants and projects.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance for water storage projects and feasibility studies in Reclamation States, which can help communities improve their water supplies.
-
Section 3 updates the small storage program to help fund projects that increase surface water or groundwater storage, or stabilize groundwater levels, while explicitly protecting existing state and federal water rights under subsection (f).
-
Section 4 allows eligible entities—including States, Indian Tribes, municipalities, and water districts—to receive grants for natural water retention and release projects that use natural materials to improve water availability in watersheds.
-
Section 4(e) states that any federal funds provided for natural water retention and release project grants are considered nonreimbursable to the United States, meaning local communities do not have to pay that money back.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 4(d) sets the Federal share of the cost for a natural water retention and release project grant at a maximum of 50 percent, which means local entities or states must find ways to pay for at least half of the project's total cost themselves.
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 farmers be better off under this? — Critically improves water storage and groundwater stability essential for farming. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Directly addresses water scarcity and infrastructure in rural Reclamation States. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Explicitly includes Indian Tribes as eligible entities for water retention and release grants. Would business owners be better off under this? — Directly benefits owners of agricultural and water-dependent businesses. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact on agricultural regions where Hispanic communities are heavily represented. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Water security projects can help stabilize water costs and availability for low-income rural areas. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increases overall water security for households in Reclamation States. Would union members be better off under this? — Potential increase in union construction work for water infrastructure projects. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Benefits municipalities through grants for water management. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact on residents and farmers in Western Reclamation States. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Generally improves infrastructure and resource security.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Provides significant financial assistance for water storage and resilience in rural Reclamation States. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to manage water storage and aquifer recharge projects. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill encourages projects that mimic natural hydrologic processes and recharge aquifers. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Increases drought resilience and water storage, mitigating future disaster impacts.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Provides grants to States and local entities for project implementation. Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases the role of the Secretary of the Interior in managing and funding water projects.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Improved water security supports agricultural productivity and economic stability in Western states. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Small-scale water storage projects can benefit small-scale agricultural businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — Infrastructure projects for water storage and retention typically create construction and engineering jobs. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill increases government spending by authorizing appropriations through 2033. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes new federal spending for grants and projects.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Increased water security can protect rural livelihoods and reduce economic instability.
- 9/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 650.
- 7/29/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 3/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- 1/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California