A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
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 Western Water Reinvestment Act extends authorizations and funding for various Bureau of Reclamation programs, including aquatic ecosystem restoration, watershed health, and WaterSMART grants, through 2031 or 2033. It establishes a waterbird and shorebird habitat creation program to provide financial assistance to agricultural producers in Reclamation States. The legislation requires drought planning and preparedness initiatives specifically focused on critically important fisheries and native biodiversity. It also directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a categorical exclusion for aquatic restoration projects under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Finally, the bill reauthorizes the Deschutes River Conservancy Working Group and updates the membership requirements of its board of directors.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +6
Would farmers be better off under this?
Agricultural producers gain access to new financial assistance programs for creating waterbird and shorebird habitats and compensated water transactions.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill reauthorizes aquatic ecosystem restoration, watershed health, and creates new habitat and drought planning mandates.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Explicitly incorporates Indian tribes into Cooperative Watershed Management and tribal drought planning initiatives.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes billions in increased spending and higher authorizations for various Bureau of Reclamation programs.
- Scored -3
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Raising program caps and adding new funding lines without offsets worsens fiscal commitments.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(b)(1) amends the WaterSMART program to allow assistance for temporary, voluntary, and compensated transactions that decrease consumptive water use at a regional or watershed scale, which could financially benefit water users willing to participate.
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Section 3 establishes a financial assistance program for agricultural producers in Reclamation States to create and maintain waterbird and shorebird habitats, providing direct payments or credits to participating farmers.
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Section 4(a) mandates comprehensive drought planning for critically important fisheries and authorizes $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to support fish, stream, and hatchery recovery efforts involving tribal governments and state agencies.
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Section 2(c) improves the Cooperative Watershed Management Program by including Indian tribes, allowing continuous enrollment for grants, and offering higher first-phase grant amounts up to $150,000 per year.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 2(b)(2) increases the authorized appropriations cap for the WaterSMART program from $1,000,000,000 to $1,400,000,000, which represents an increase in potential federal spending borne by taxpayers.
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Section 3 authorizes $3,500,000 annually through fiscal year 2031 for the waterbird and shorebird habitat creation program, adding to federal expenditures.
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Section 4(a)(4) authorizes $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 for fish and hatchery activities, which also increases government spending.
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Section 6(b)(1)(B) increases the allowable administrative cost cap for the Deschutes River Conservancy Working Group from 5 percent to 10 percent, potentially shifting more funds away from direct project work and toward administrative overhead.
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? — Agricultural producers gain access to new financial assistance programs for creating waterbird and shorebird habitats and compensated water transactions. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Explicitly incorporates Indian tribes into Cooperative Watershed Management and tribal drought planning initiatives. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural communities and watershed stakeholders benefit from extended authorizations and grants for water infrastructure and drought planning. Would business owners be better off under this? — Agricultural producers and water rights holders benefit from financial assistance and compensation opportunities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill reauthorizes aquatic ecosystem restoration, watershed health, and creates new habitat and drought planning mandates. Does this invest in rural communities? — Provides substantial financial assistance, grants, and habitat programs directly supporting rural and agricultural communities. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Mandates comprehensive drought planning and resilience projects to mitigate natural disaster impacts. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Streamlines aquatic restoration through categorical exclusions and supports watershed health on public lands.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Directs agencies to make watershed reports and environmental performance data publicly available. Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands federal Bureau of Reclamation program caps and reporting requirements.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Funds improved temperature modeling, fisheries recovery efforts, and environmental monitoring.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The legislation formally includes Indian tribes and tribal governments in watershed management and recovery programs.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investment in water infrastructure and watershed management supports regional economic stability in agricultural sectors. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Agricultural producers and local businesses benefit from expanded grant programs and compensation structures. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes billions in increased spending and higher authorizations for various Bureau of Reclamation programs. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Raising program caps and adding new funding lines without offsets worsens fiscal commitments.
- 9/16/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
- 9/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon