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119-s-4549119th CongressWALLET

WATER for Farmers Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create an enforcement framework to make Mexico meet a minimum annual Rio Grande delivery and to compensate U.S. farmers for shortfalls. It ties trade penalties to missed deliveries and sets up a dedicated trust to pay affected Rio Grande Valley producers.

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  • Farmers in the Rio Grande Valley would get a defined way to receive direct compensation. Payments are calculated by multiplying the annual shortfall in acre-feet by an economic value per acre-foot and an impact multiplier, with losses assessed within 90 days of a shortfall.
  • Trade and importers would face new tariffs when deliveries fall short. The United States Trade Representative would impose duties starting 90 days after a shortfall determination, prioritize agricultural goods, and raise or expand duties if shortfalls persist year to year.
  • South Texas communities and federal administrators would see more data and a funding route for relief. Duties collected flow into a South Texas Agricultural Compensation Trust Fund in Treasury, and the International Boundary and Water Commission must publish monthly delivery, shortfall, and payment data.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Direct payments for Rio Grande farmers

If enacted, the Agriculture Secretary would calculate farmer losses within 90 days after a shortfall finding. Payments would equal the shortfall volume (acre-feet) times a value per acre-foot times an impact multiplier. The Treasury would hold duties collected in a South Texas Compensation Trust Fund and make that money available, without further appropriation, to pay eligible Rio Grande Valley producers. The Fund could earn interest and be invested in U.S. government obligations.

Tariffs on Mexican imports during shortfalls

If enacted, the U.S. Trade Representative would impose duties on imports from Mexico starting 90 days after a shortfall is found. Duties would stop 30 days after the Secretary of State certifies Mexico fixed the shortfalls. USTR would prioritize agricultural goods and products from areas that use Rio Grande water and must increase duties for a second consecutive shortfall year. Duties collected would be transferred to the Trust Fund to compensate U.S. producers.

New minimum water delivery checks

If enacted, the bill would set a minimum annual delivery of 350,000 acre-feet per year measured in five-year cycles. The Secretary of State would decide, within 30 days after each year, whether Mexico met that required delivery. A year with less water would be called a water delivery shortfall. The bill would also direct agencies to interpret the Act consistent with the 1944 Water Treaty and preserve other legal rights.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cornyn, John [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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