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HR7845119th CongressWALLET

DROUGHT Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

In Committee

Summary

Raises the federal share to cover up to 90% of certain water infrastructure projects and prioritizes aid for drought-hit and low-income areas. This bill would amend the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act to add an exceptions rule that lets federal assistance reach 90 percent for qualifying "covered projects" and directs the Secretary or the Administrator to prioritize financing for those projects.

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  • Families and ratepayers: Projects that increase drinking water supply, reliability, or reuse and that lower costs to ratepayers would be prioritized, improving service and potentially reducing bills.
  • Local water systems and utilities: Would be eligible for larger WIFIA-style federal assistance up to 90 percent of project cost, easing the upfront funding burden on borrowers.
  • Low-income communities: Projects serving areas with average household income at or below 200 percent of the poverty threshold or meeting state affordability rules qualify for priority support.
  • Drought-affected regions and emergencies: Projects in states classified D2 (severe drought) or worse for at least 4 weeks in the prior 5 years, or in counties with a governor-declared drought emergency in that period, qualify as covered projects.
  • Regional or national priority projects: The Secretary or Administrator could designate projects that add supply, boost reuse, cut regional water use, or provide big public health or environmental benefits.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Priority federal loans for drought projects

If enacted, the bill would let federal assistance cover up to 90% of the cost for qualifying water infrastructure projects. Local borrowers or ratepayers would need to cover the remaining cost. The bill would require the Secretary or Administrator to prioritize projects in places with recent severe drought, areas where average household income is at or below 200% of the Census poverty threshold (or meet State affordability rules), or projects the agency designates as regionally or nationally important for water supply, reuse, cost savings, or public health and environmental benefits. These rules would apply under the referenced subtitle and take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]

    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

  • Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

    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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