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119-s-3732119th CongressWALLET

Water Security and Drought Resilience Act

Sponsored By: Senator Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

In Committee

Summary

This bill would expand federal support for water storage and natural retention projects, aiming to help states, tribes, and local water managers increase available water and use existing storage more effectively.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Expanded small water storage grants

This bill would expand the Small Storage Program and extend its term from 5 years to 10 years. It would add two eligibility pathways: (A) projects with 200 to 30,000 acre-feet of surface or groundwater storage or conveyance, and (B) recharge/storage projects averaging 200 to 150,000 acre-feet per year that increase or recover groundwater or stabilize groundwater levels. The bill would require grants be distributed across multiple Reclamation States and would preserve existing Federal and State water laws, interstate compacts, and water rights. Federal funds under the program would be nonreimbursable.

More federal help for water storage

This bill would let the Interior Secretary provide financial assistance under the storage subtitle for projects in any Reclamation State. The Secretary would have authority to participate in or conduct feasibility studies for federally owned or State-led storage projects. The bill would require that financial assistance be distributed across projects in multiple Reclamation States. Federal funds provided under this authority would be nonreimbursable.

Grants for natural water retention

This bill would create a Natural Water Retention and Release grant program run by the Interior Secretary through the Bureau of Reclamation. It would authorize $15,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and make grants nonreimbursable. Eligible applicants would include States, Tribes, cities, irrigation and water districts, qualifying regional authorities, and nonprofits with written support. Projects up to $20,000,000 would need a demonstration they help optimize water storage or delivery in a watershed with a Reclamation facility. Projects over $20,000,000 would also need an independent Secretary determination and credible wet/normal/dry-year storage-benefit estimates. The bill would require grant awards to be spread across multiple Reclamation States.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

AZ • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2026

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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