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HR7889119th Congress

AWRC Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

Passed House

Summary

Explicitly adds the artificial intelligence industry to the Water Resources Research Act’s priorities. It reauthorizes and refocuses the Water Resources Research Act (WRRA) institutes, sets a defined funding envelope for 2026–2029, and creates a new competitive track for interstate water problems with a capped share of funds.

Show full summary
  • Water research institutes and universities will compete more often for federal support for projects that cross state lines. This shifts interstate-focused work into a competitive grant process rather than automatic allotments.
  • State and regional water managers gain a clearer federal pathway for tackling cross-border water issues because the law lists regional/interstate research and Congress-identified priorities as eligible targets for funding.
  • The private sector now explicitly includes AI companies as stakeholders, so grantmaking and collaborations can prioritize artificial intelligence-related water research.
  • Interstate grants will still require a federal cost-share, so recipients must provide matching funds.

*Authorizes $16.0 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 and allows up to 20% of those amounts to support interstate-focused competitive grants.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Funds for water research institutes with interstate cap

This bill would authorize $16 million each year for fiscal years 2026–2029 for water research institutes. If fully funded, that would total $64 million over four years. Not more than 20% of each year’s funds would be used for interstate or regional water research. Those interstate awards would be competitive grants and would require matching funds. Eligible projects would include multi‑state water problems, priorities set jointly by the Secretary and the institutes, and issues Congress identifies as interstate. The funding would be subject to the law’s failure‑to‑obligate clause.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

VA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/9/2026

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 3/9/2026

  • Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 3/9/2026

  • Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 3/9/2026

  • Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 3/9/2026

  • Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 3/9/2026

  • Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

  • Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 4/6/2026

  • Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/6/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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