DROUGHT Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Peters
Introduced
Summary
This bill would let certain drought-response water projects get as much as 90 percent federal assistance when they meet drought, affordability, and regional-importance tests.** It creates clear eligibility rules and tells agencies to prioritize financing for those projects.
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- Families in low-income areas would see more investment in reliable drinking water and reuse projects because eligible places include areas with average household income at or below 200 percent of the Census poverty threshold.
- Local governments and project sponsors could build bigger projects with less local borrowing since qualifying projects would be eligible for up to 90 percent federal support and a prioritization regime for financing.
- Drought-impacted regions would be targeted by objective triggers. Projects in States or counties that hit at least D2 (severe drought) for 4 weeks in the last 5 years or with a gubernatorial drought emergency can qualify, and projects that demonstrably boost supply, reuse, or public-health outcomes can be designated as regionally or nationally significant.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More federal water loans for drought
If enacted, the bill would let certain water projects receive federal assistance covering up to 90% of project cost. Those "covered projects" must meet at least one of three tests. Test 1: The project is in a State listed D2 (severe drought) or worse for at least four weeks in the prior five years. Or it is in a county where the Governor declared a drought emergency during that five-year period. Test 2: The project serves an area where average household income is at or below 200% of the Census poverty threshold on the date assistance is provided. Or it serves an area that meets State affordability rules under the Safe Drinking Water Act or the Clean Water Act. Test 3: The Secretary or Administrator may designate projects as regionally or nationally significant. Designation can reflect increased drinking water supply or reliability, or more reuse and recycling. It can also reflect reduced regional water use, lower ratepayer costs, or major public health or environmental benefits. The Secretary or Administrator would be required to prioritize financing for covered projects. This rule would apply only to projects getting assistance under this subtitle and would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Peters
CA • D
Cosponsors
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Costa
CA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/16/2026
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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