Water Security and Drought Resilience Act
Sponsored By: Senator Ruben Gallego
Introduced
Summary
Boosts federal backing for water storage and nature-based retention across Reclamation States. It would reauthorize and expand small storage funding, require geographic distribution of grants, and create a new program for natural water retention and release projects that use aquifer recharge and floodplain approaches.
Show full summary
- Local water managers and water districts would be able to seek federal financing or grants for storage projects in any Reclamation State, including projects with Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act feasibility studies, with awards spread across multiple states.
- Farmers and groundwater managers would get support for projects that increase or stabilize surface and groundwater storage, with Small Storage Program eligibility set at 200–30,000 acre-feet and recharge projects up to 150,000 acre-feet on average annually.
- Tribal governments, municipalities, irrigation and water districts, and conservation partners could compete for Natural Water Retention grants for aquifer recharge, floodplain retention, and runoff-timing projects, with federal cost-share capped at 90 percent and program rules for distributed watershed projects.
*The bill would authorize multiyear appropriations, including $20.0 million per year for FY2027–2033 for the Small Storage Program and $15.0 million per year for FY2027–2031 for Natural Water Retention grants.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants for natural water retention
If enacted, this bill would create a Natural Water Retention and Release Grants program. It would authorize $15,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. States, Tribes, cities, irrigation and water districts, other water or power delivery entities, multijurisdiction authorities, and qualified nonprofit partners could apply. Federal funds could pay up to 90% of project costs and would be nonreimbursable. Projects costing $20,000,000 or less must help optimize storage or delivery in a watershed with a Bureau of Reclamation facility. Larger projects would need Secretary concurrence and credible storage-benefit estimates for wet, normal, and dry years. Grants would be spread across multiple Reclamation States.
More small water storage funding
If enacted, this bill would extend the Small Storage Program from 5 years to 10 years. It would authorize $20,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2033. Eligible projects would include storage of 200 to 30,000 acre-feet or recharge averaging 200 to 150,000 acre-feet per year. Grants would have to be spread across multiple Reclamation States. The change would not override State or Federal water law, interstate compacts, treaties, or water rights, and would not let the federal government acquire water.
Secretary can fund more Reclamation projects
If enacted, this bill would let the Secretary of the Interior provide financial assistance for projects anywhere in a Reclamation State under the subtitle. Projects with IIJA-authorized feasibility studies could become eligible for construction funding under the applicable IIJA rules. The Secretary would be required to spread financial assistance across projects in multiple Reclamation States.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ruben Gallego
AZ • D
Cosponsors
Mark Kelly
AZ • D
Sponsored 1/29/2026
Alex Padilla
CA • D
Sponsored 1/29/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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