A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
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 FLOWS Act of 2026 seeks to establish a grant program aimed at helping rural areas improve their water infrastructure through digital technology. The Administrator of the EPA will manage this program to assist with the design, construction, and maintenance of digital tools for water systems. These funds can also be used for workforce training and protecting digital systems from cyber-attacks. Priority will be given to smaller systems serving fewer than 3,300 people and community-controlled organizations. The bill authorizes $50,000,000 annually from fiscal year 2027 through 2031. Finally, a study will be conducted by the Comptroller General to evaluate the impact of these digital technologies on rural water management.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +7
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
This bill specifically targets rural areas for significant infrastructure and technology improvements.
- Scored +5
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill provides essential digital infrastructure funding specifically targeted at rural water systems.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill specifically allocates funds for cybersecurity training and countermeasures for water infrastructure.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Water System Efficiency: Grants can fund technologies like remote sensing and real-time monitoring to detect water loss or identify damaged infrastructure, which helps improve the operations of public water systems (Section 2(a)(2)(A)).
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Workforce Development: The program provides for training and workforce development activities to help managers and operators effectively use digital infrastructure technology (Section 2(b)(2)(A)(ii)).
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Cybersecurity Protection: Funds can be used to mitigate risks and employ countermeasures to protect water infrastructure from cyber-attacks through technical assistance and training (Section 2(b)(2)(A)(iii)).
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Support for Small and Local Communities: The program prioritizes entities that serve fewer than 3,300 people and those that are owned or controlled by community members rather than investors (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Software Accessibility: Grant recipients are permitted to use funds for the initial purchase and ongoing maintenance of necessary software (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly identified within the provided text.
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? — This bill specifically targets rural areas for significant infrastructure and technology improvements. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill aims to increase the affordability of water and wastewater services. Would farmers be better off under this? — Better water management systems benefit agricultural water resources. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Improved water infrastructure can lead to more stable utility costs. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill allows States or Tribes to apply for grants on behalf of eligible entities. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions for workforce development and training.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides essential digital infrastructure funding specifically targeted at rural water systems. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill aims to improve water system efficiency and source water protection via digital tools. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Digital monitoring can help manage water systems during extreme weather events.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill specifically allocates funds for cybersecurity training and countermeasures for water infrastructure.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports workforce development and training activities related to water infrastructure technology. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Improved water system monitoring can lead to safer and more reliable water services for consumers. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By modernizing water infrastructure, the bill helps support the economic stability of rural areas.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds a study on the impact of digital technologies in water management.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The required study and report provide transparency regarding the program's effectiveness. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill empowers the EPA Administrator to establish and manage a new grant program.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill funds studies on water resource management and digital technology impacts.
- 3/3/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 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.
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona