PRIA Logo™
118-hr-7872118th CongressWALLET

Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act

Sponsored By: Representative Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

Became Law

Summary

Standardizes cost-sharing for Colorado River salinity-control projects. It gives the Interior Secretary clear authority to set which project costs are paid as nonreimbursable and which are repaid, and it links payments to basin funds and electricity rates.

Show full summary
  • Farmers and irrigators: On-farm salinity measures are set at 85% nonreimbursable, which lowers farmers' upfront bills for approved projects.
  • Local water districts and project sponsors: Most project categories get 70%–75% of construction and replacement costs covered as nonreimbursable, with operation and maintenance shares varying by category.
  • Basin funds and electricity customers: The law ties costs to the Lower and Upper Colorado River Basin funds and allows the Interior to raise electricity rates to help finance salinity-control work, creating a clearer revenue path for projects.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Federal pays most salinity project costs

The law sets fixed federal cost shares for salinity-control projects and puts Interior in charge. For many units, the federal share is 75% of construction and replacement. Some operation and maintenance and fish-and-wildlife work are paid at 90% or 100%. On-farm measures get 85%, and other categories are set at 70% or 75%. In FY 2024 and 2025, two unit types are 75% for all costs and one unit type is 70%; sponsors repay only the rest.

Electric bills can rise for salinity

The Interior Secretary can raise power rates to help pay for salinity-control work. Utilities and irrigation districts can pass these costs to customers. Your electric bill can go up; the law does not set amounts. This authority is in effect now.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

UT • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 4/5/2024

  • Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 4/5/2024

  • Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 4/5/2024

  • Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 4/5/2024

  • Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 4/5/2024

  • Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 4/5/2024

  • Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 4/5/2024

  • Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 4/5/2024

  • Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-31]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/5/2024

  • Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2024

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation