Lewis & Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
In Committee
Summary
Authorizes a federal feasibility study to evaluate expanding the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System into parts of Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. The study would recommend whether the project should be built and propose how construction costs should be split between federal and non‑federal partners.
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- Families and local water users: Municipal, rural, and industrial communities in the three states would get an official analysis of whether expansion is workable and what a recommended plan would look like.
- Non‑Federal project entity and local governments: The Lewis and Clark Rural Water System, Inc. or its nonprofit successor would negotiate cost sharing and could be required to cover at least 25% of construction costs based on ability to pay.
- Federal role, consultation, and transparency: The Interior Secretary would run the study with required consultation with Federal, State, Tribal, regional, and local authorities, publish the feasibility report to Congress and the public, and enter a cost‑sharing agreement. The federal share for the study may not exceed 50% and the study authority expires 10 years after enactment.
*Would authorize $10.0 million in appropriations for the feasibility study and caps the federal share of study costs at 50%.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Study to expand Lewis & Clark water system
This bill would require the Interior Secretary to carry out a feasibility study of a proposed project to expand the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. It would have the Secretary work with the non‑Federal project entity (Lewis & Clark Rural Water System, Inc.) and consult federal, state, tribal, regional, and local officials. The bill would authorize $10,000,000 to be appropriated and would limit the federal share of study costs to no more than 50 percent. The Secretary would have to sign a cost‑sharing or other financial assistance agreement and follow reclamation feasibility standards. The feasibility report would recommend whether to authorize construction and would recommend a non‑Federal construction cost share that must be at least 25 percent based on the non‑Federal entity’s ability to pay construction and ongoing operations, maintenance, and replacement costs. The report would be sent to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee and be made public. The authority to carry out this section would expire 10 years after enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
SD • R
Cosponsors
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 1/29/2026
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 1/29/2026
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 2/10/2026
Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 2/24/2026
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 2/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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