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S4040119th CongressWALLET

Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Hoeven, John [R-ND]

In Committee

Summary

Expands and indexes federal funding for North Dakota and nearby tribal water projects. It reorganizes authorized appropriations, creates new funding tracks for specified projects, and sets rules for allocation, transfers, and engineering deadlines.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Large funding for tribal water systems

This bill would authorize $743 million, stated "as indexed," for tribal and rural reservation water systems. It would cap amounts at up to $118 million for Spirit Lake, $275 million for Three Affiliated Tribes, $240 million for Standing Rock, $98 million for Turtle Mountain, and $12 million for a Lake Traverse feasibility study and possible start of construction. The $12 million could be used to begin construction only after the Secretary finds the project technically and financially feasible under reclamation laws. The Secretary could use these funds for final engineering reports, and those reports must be completed not later than 2 years after enactment.

More money for four Dakota water projects

This bill would authorize additional federal money for four named Dakota water projects. It would provide $120 million, $404 million, $50 million, and $63 million, each shown "as indexed." The Secretary could move money between those four projects, but no project's initial amount could be increased by more than 50 percent because of transfers. The Secretary could use funds from the $50 million and $63 million amounts to pay for final engineering reports, and those reports must be completed not later than 2 years after enactment.

Project cost ceilings tied to inflation

This bill would require several authorized dollar ceilings for Dakota water projects to be adjusted using engineering cost indices. It would apply indexing to specified $200 million amounts for costs after the 2000 Act, to a $50 million amount for costs after the 2026 appropriations act, and to the new funding pools created by this bill for costs after enactment. The bill would leave other authorized cost ceilings unchanged.

More Natural Resources Trust funding

This bill would authorize $75 million to carry out section 11 and would specify those funds remain available until expended. It would also add the new funding authority to the list of references the Natural Resources Trust may consider. If enacted, recipients could spend the $75 million over multiple years and the Trust could consider the newly authorized funds when deciding projects.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hoeven, John [R-ND]

ND • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/10/2026

  • Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 3/10/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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