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119-s-1019119th CongressWALLET

Rural Water System Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

Introduced

Summary

Emergency grants to help rural water and wastewater systems prepare for and respond to disasters. This bill would create a grant-based technical assistance program to let nonprofit associations deploy licensed operators and skilled personnel for disaster preparedness, recovery, and response to rural water and wastewater utilities.

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  • Nonprofit operators and associations would get grants to send onsite staff and cover salaries, supplies, and related expenses so systems can get rapid technical help during disasters. No more than 25 percent of a grant may be used to buy or rent emergency equipment.
  • Rural households and disadvantaged communities would get faster repairs and safety services like water disinfection, leak detection, bypass pumping, emergency power, and preliminary damage assessments to restore service and protect public health.
  • State and local emergency networks would gain capacity for planning and coordination through GIS mapping, vulnerability assessments, developing emergency response plans, and help with FEMA and insurance recovery paperwork.

*Would authorize $20 million per year for FY2025–FY2029, increasing federal spending.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Grants to help rural water systems

If enacted, this bill would create a grant program to help rural water and wastewater systems prepare for and respond to disasters. The Secretary would award grants to eligible nonprofit groups with nationwide emergency assistance experience and the ability to deploy licensed operators or qualified staff. Grants could pay for staff, supplies, planning, GIS mapping, vulnerability and damage assessments, emergency repairs (for example pump repair, disinfection, leak and line repair), and help with FEMA and insurance claims. Grants could also target disadvantaged communities that lack resources for safe water. No more than 25 percent of each grant could buy or reimburse emergency equipment. Grants could not pay for activities that are already covered by other Federal funds. The program would be authorized $20 million per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2029.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

NV • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 3/13/2025

  • Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 10/30/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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