Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would ensure reliable, clean drinking water on Tribal lands. It would create new, coordinated funding and technical assistance across USDA Rural Development, the Indian Health Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation to build, operate, and maintain water and sanitation systems.
Show full summary
- Tribal families and communities would get direct help for homes and community buildings. The bill would expand eligibility for loans and grants and provide $500 million per year for sanitation transfers and $100 million per year for operations and maintenance through 2026–2030.
- Tribal governments and Native Hawaiian organizations would gain easier access to USDA water and waste programs and technical assistance. It authorizes $100 million per year for USDA loans and grants and $30 million per year for USDA technical help without required matching funds.
- Federal program capacity would grow to support long-term upkeep and rapid deployment. The bill funds sustained operation and maintenance and adds $18 million per year for Bureau of Reclamation technical assistance.
*Would authorize roughly $3.9 billion in new federal spending across 2026–2030, increasing federal outlays.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More rural water loans for Tribes
If enacted, this would fund loans and grants for Tribal and Native Hawaiian water and sewer projects. It would authorize $100 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 for loans and grants, plus $30 million per year for technical help. No match would be required, and applicants would not need to prove they cannot get commercial credit. Native Hawaiian organizations, including the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, could apply. Funds could be used to serve residents on Tribal land, and USDA would consult with the Indian Health Service.
More Tribal water help from Indian Health Service
If enacted, the Indian Health Service would get $500 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 to build and transfer water and sanitation projects. It would also provide $100 million per year for operation and maintenance and $30 million per year for Tribal technical help. The bill would expand coverage to key community buildings like schools, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, Tribal offices, and post offices. The Secretary would prioritize systems most in need and could support Tribe‑owned systems. Finished projects could get support for at least five fiscal years after completion, if funds are available.
Reclamation program funds Tribal water planning
If enacted, the bill would authorize $18 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program. The money would stay available until spent. It would support Tribal water planning and related technical help.
Who can apply for Tribal water funds
If enacted, the bill would spell out who can apply and what counts as help. Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations could apply; for some grants, approved consortia could also apply. Technical assistance would include help getting funds from the federal infrastructure law and USDA, and building the skills to run water systems. Tribal land would follow a 2021 law’s definition to decide which projects and residents qualify.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
WI • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
CO • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov