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119-hr-7530119th CongressWALLET

Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

In Committee

Summary

Additional financial assistance for rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems. The bill would authorize grants, 0% loans, and 1% loans and let the Secretary modify, forgive, or refinance existing rural water loans to address public health, safety, or economic hardship.

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  • Households: A new residential affordability indicator would measure water cost as a share of median household income so aid can be targeted where services strain homes.
  • Rural utilities and local systems: Systems located in disadvantaged or economically distressed areas would be prioritized using factors set by the Secretary.
  • Program focus: Assistance would be tied to eligible purposes that protect public health, safety, or address financial hardship for the utility or community.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More help for rural water systems

If enacted, the bill would define which rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal facilities are eligible for extra help. The Secretary would be able to give grants, zero-percent loans, and 1-percent loans to eligible entities. The Secretary would also be able to forgive principal or interest, change loan terms, or refinance existing loans whose purpose is eligible under section 306(a)(1) or 306C. Loans made under this program's own grant or 0%/1% loan authorities would not be eligible for later forgiveness, modification, or refinancing. To target help for hardship, the Secretary would set a residential water affordability indicator for each state or area. That indicator would measure household water cost as a share of median household income and include factors for disadvantaged or economically distressed areas.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

NC • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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