A Democratic 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 Water Cyber Shield Act of 2026 aims to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to strengthen cybersecurity for water systems. It requires community water systems and covered treatment works to conduct regular risk and resilience assessments and prepare emergency response plans. The bill establishes baseline cybersecurity standards to be developed by the EPA in collaboration with various experts and agencies. To support these efforts, the bill authorizes significant funding to help water systems identify and mitigate vulnerabilities. Additionally, it updates cyber incident reporting obligations for critical infrastructure entities.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill significantly enhances the cybersecurity defense of critical water infrastructure.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill protects water safety and environmental integrity through better cybersecurity of water systems.
- Scored +4
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands EPA oversight and mandatory standards for water systems.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Water treatment entities face new regulatory compliance and administrative costs.
- Scored -2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill exempts certain water system security information from public disclosure under FOIA.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Water System Security: By requiring cybersecurity assessments and the implementation of countermeasures, the bill aims to improve the resilience of drinking water and wastewater systems against malevolent acts or technical disruptions (Section 101, Section 102, Section 201, Section 202).
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Financial Support for Infrastructure: The bill authorizes $300,000,000 per year from 2027 through 2032 to help public water systems and treatment works build cybersecurity resilience and mitigate vulnerabilities (Section 103, Section 203).
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Targeted Help for Vulnerable Systems: The legislation mandates that assistance be prioritized for water systems that have the greatest need regarding capacity, workforce, expertise, or resources (Section 103, Section 203).
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Protection of Sensitive Information: The bill includes provisions to ensure that sensitive assessment and response plan information is kept secure and is exempt from public disclosure under FOIA or similar open government laws (Section 101, Section 201).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Regulatory Burdens on Water Systems: Community water systems and treatment works are required to conduct regular assessments, prepare emergency response plans, and undergo periodic reviews and revisions, which creates new administrative requirements (Section 101, Section 102, Section 201, Section 202).
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Increased Oversight and Inspections: The bill mandates that States carry out annual inspections of a representative sample of water systems to ensure compliance with baseline cybersecurity standards (Section 102, Section 229).
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Potential Enforcement Actions: Failure to correct identified cybersecurity violations can lead to enforcement actions by State or Federal authorities (Section 102, Section 229).
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.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill significantly enhances the cybersecurity defense of critical water infrastructure.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill protects water safety and environmental integrity through better cybersecurity of water systems.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — Ensuring clean and secure water provides long-term health benefits for children. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Prioritized assistance for vulnerable water systems benefits low-income communities. Would business owners be better off under this? — Water treatment entities face new regulatory compliance and administrative costs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands EPA oversight and mandatory standards for water systems. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill allows States to assume primary enforcement responsibility for water system cybersecurity. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill exempts certain water system security information from public disclosure under FOIA.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances public safety by securing critical water infrastructure against cyberattacks.
- 8/7/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota