Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator John Hoeven
Introduced
Summary
Targeted federal funding for North Dakota water projects and Tribal rural water systems. This bill would add and restructure fixed, inflation‑indexed appropriations to finish several named State, municipal, rural, industrial, and Tribal water projects in North Dakota and nearby reservations.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Big tribal rural water funding
If enacted, this would authorize $743 million, as indexed, for tribal rural water systems. The bill would allocate up to $118 million for Spirit Lake, $275 million for Three Affiliated Tribes, $240 million for Standing Rock, and $98 million for Turtle Mountain. It would also provide $12 million for a Lake Traverse feasibility study and, if the Secretary finds the project technically and financially feasible under reclamation law, to begin construction. The Secretary would have up to two years after enactment to finish required final engineering reports for these systems.
More water funds for North Dakota
If enacted, this would authorize new, indexed funds for four North Dakota water projects: $120 million for the Northwest Area Water Supply Biota treatment plant and pump station; $404 million for the McClusky Canal and Missouri River North alternative; $50 million for the Southwest Pipeline Project to finish a raw water intake and pump station, transmission upgrades, hydraulic fixes, and rural distribution expansion; and $63 million for rural water districts for treatment and distribution expansions. Money could be moved among these projects, but no project's initial amount could be increased by more than 50 percent by transfers. The Secretary would have up to two years after enactment to finish required final engineering reports. The bill would also clarify that the new subsection for these funds is included under the existing trust authority rules.
One-time $75 million for section 11
If enacted, this would authorize $75,000,000 to carry out the programs under section 11. The funds would remain available until expended.
Index project cost ceilings
If enacted, this would let certain authorized funding ceilings rise with ordinary construction cost indexes. It would apply to the listed $200 million amounts, the $50 million item tied to the 2026 appropriations act, and the newly added funds for the projects in subsections (b)(1)(D) and (b)(2)(C). All other authorized cost ceilings would stay the same.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
John Hoeven
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.
View on Congress.gov