Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act
Sponsored By: Representative Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]
In Committee
Summary
Would create a federal Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program to help low-income households pay drinking water and wastewater bills. It would set eligibility rules and award grants to states, Indian tribes, and qualified nonprofits to cover arrearages and service charges.
Show full summary
- Low-income households could get help paying water and sewer arrearages and ongoing charges. Eligible households include those on certain federal or state benefits or with income up to 150% of the poverty level or 60% of State or area median income.
- States and tribal grantees would receive grants allocated by formulas tied to their share of households at or below 150% of poverty or their share of households spending over 30% of monthly income on housing. Up to 3% of grant funding is reserved for Indian tribes.
- Owners and operators of public water systems and treatment works could receive funds to assist low-income customers with unpaid bills and service rates.
- The Secretary could award grants to qualified nonprofit organizations to help rural, underserved, or tribal areas access funds and to provide technical assistance and support data-sharing that streamlines eligibility.
*This bill would authorize $500 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out the program, increasing federal spending over that period.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Water and sewer bill help for low-income homes
This bill would create help for low-income households to pay water and sewer bills and past-due balances. The government would grant money to states, tribes, and some nonprofits, which would pay public water or sewer systems to lower eligible bills. You could qualify if someone in your home gets TANF part A, SSI, SNAP, LIHEAP, or certain VA payments, or if your income is at or below the greater of 150% of poverty, 60% of your State median income, or 60% of your area median income, as set by your State or tribe. Money would be allotted based on each state’s or tribe’s share of low-income households or of households spending over 30% of income on housing. Up to 3% could be set aside for tribes, funds could add to but not replace local aid, and the bill would authorize $500 million each year for 2026–2030. The Secretary would provide technical help to simplify data sharing and eligibility.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Bresnahan
PA • R
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Schrier
WA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 7/29/2025
McBath
GA • D
Sponsored 8/1/2025
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
CA • R
Sponsored 10/28/2025
Mrvan
IN • D
Sponsored 10/28/2025
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 10/28/2025
Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]
NY • D
Sponsored 11/4/2025
LaLota
NY • R
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
OR • D
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
CA • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Rogers (KY)
KY • R
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
OH • D
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/2/2026
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 2/26/2026
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 2/26/2026
Mannion
NY • D
Sponsored 2/26/2026
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Norcross
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]
LA • D
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
MD • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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