GROW SMART Act
Sponsored By: Senator Alex Padilla
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a federal program to fund planning and technical help for voluntary, innovative water-sharing projects. It aims to help keep farms productive while building shared water supplies and drought resilience.
Show full summary
- Farmers and rural communities: Funds planning for projects that aim to keep agricultural land in production and support rural income and jobs.
- Cities, industrial users, and conservation groups: Supports partnerships to develop affordable or redundant water supplies and shared storage through voluntary agreements.
- Tribes and innovators: Allows unlimited Tribal participation and a Tribal waiver of the federal 75% cost share cap, and prioritizes new water-saving approaches like hydroponics, agrovoltaics, advanced irrigation, and regenerative practices.
*Would authorize $5.0 million per year for fiscal years 2028 through 2034 and allow using up to 10 percent of certain existing program funds, with federal support generally capped at 75 percent of project costs.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Planning help for farm water sharing
If enacted, the bill would create a voluntary planning program to support drought-response water-sharing projects. Eligible applicants would be partnerships that include at least one agricultural entity and one non‑agricultural partner. The federal share of activity costs would not exceed 75 percent, and Tribes could get a cost-share waiver. The program would be authorized $5 million per year for fiscal years 2028 through 2034. The Secretary could also use up to 10 percent of funds under 42 U.S.C. 10364(e) for the program. Projects would need to focus on innovative water-saving approaches, avoid widespread seasonal fallowing, and plan for long-term non‑Federal implementation. Applications would be short, and the Secretary would prioritize projects with 10‑year agreements and clear dedication of saved water to local members.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Alex Padilla
CA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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