Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced
Summary
Expand federal financing and technical assistance for clean, drinkable water on Tribal and Native Hawaiian lands. This bill would create definitions and a whole‑of‑government approach to speed up water and sanitation projects, expand USDA rural development loans, grants, and technical help for Tribal and Native Hawaiian entities, broaden Indian Health Service sanitation construction to include non‑commercial community buildings, and require sustained support for operations and maintenance.
Show full summary
- Tribal families and communities would gain more access to funding and technical assistance for drinking water and sanitation projects, with priority for the most in‑need facilities.
- Native Hawaiian communities and Native Hawaiian organizations would be explicitly eligible for USDA rural water and waste funding and technical assistance, including expanded resident eligibility and waived matching requirements.
- Projects must receive operation, maintenance, and sustainment support for at least five fiscal years after completion, and the Bureau of Reclamation’s Native American Affairs technical assistance program is authorized at $18 million per year for FY2026–FY2030.
*It would increase federal spending by authorizing new appropriations, including $18 million per year for FY2026–FY2030.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More IHS funding for tribal water
This bill would give the Indian Health Service $500 million per year for FY2026–2030 for sanitation projects. It would also authorize $100 million per year for operation and maintenance and $30 million per year for technical help in those years. Funds would remain available until expended. IHS would have to prioritize the most in‑need facilities and keep completed projects eligible for sustained support for at least five years when money is available. The bill would add non‑commercial community buildings like schools and clinics to covered sites.
USDA loans and grants for Tribal water
This bill would let the Department of Agriculture make or insure loans and give grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations for water and waste systems. It would authorize $100 million per year for FY2026–2030 for loans and grants, and $30 million per year for technical assistance. The bill would waive matching payment rules and would not require recipients to show they cannot get commercial credit. The Agriculture Secretary would have to consult the Indian Health Service to coordinate and prioritize funds.
More planning help for Tribal water
This bill would authorize $18 million per year for FY2026–2030 for the Bureau of Reclamation to support Native American technical assistance and project planning. Funds would remain available until expended and be used under existing Reclamation authority to help Tribal communities develop water projects.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
John Hickenlooper
CO • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov