HR4733119th CongressWALLET

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act

Sponsored By: Representative Sorensen

In Committee

Summary

Would create a federal Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program to help low-income households pay drinking water and wastewater bills. It would set eligibility rules and award grants to states, Indian tribes, and qualified nonprofits to cover arrearages and service charges.

Show full summary
  • Low-income households could get help paying water and sewer arrearages and ongoing charges. Eligible households include those on certain federal or state benefits or with income up to 150% of the poverty level or 60% of State or area median income.
  • States and tribal grantees would receive grants allocated by formulas tied to their share of households at or below 150% of poverty or their share of households spending over 30% of monthly income on housing. Up to 3% of grant funding is reserved for Indian tribes.
  • Owners and operators of public water systems and treatment works could receive funds to assist low-income customers with unpaid bills and service rates.
  • The Secretary could award grants to qualified nonprofit organizations to help rural, underserved, or tribal areas access funds and to provide technical assistance and support data-sharing that streamlines eligibility.

*This bill would authorize $500 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out the program, increasing federal spending over that period.*

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Water and sewer bill help for low-income homes

This bill would create help for low-income households to pay water and sewer bills and past-due balances. The government would grant money to states, tribes, and some nonprofits, which would pay public water or sewer systems to lower eligible bills. You could qualify if someone in your home gets TANF part A, SSI, SNAP, LIHEAP, or certain VA payments, or if your income is at or below the greater of 150% of poverty, 60% of your State median income, or 60% of your area median income, as set by your State or tribe. Money would be allotted based on each state’s or tribe’s share of low-income households or of households spending over 30% of income on housing. Up to 3% could be set aside for tribes, funds could add to but not replace local aid, and the bill would authorize $500 million each year for 2026–2030. The Secretary would provide technical help to simplify data sharing and eligibility.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sorensen

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Bresnahan

    PA • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Schrier

    WA • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Lawler

    NY • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Kelly (IL)

    IL • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Fitzpatrick

    PA • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Davids (KS)

    KS • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

  • Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]

    GU • R

    Sponsored 7/29/2025

  • McBath

    GA • D

    Sponsored 8/1/2025

  • Valadao

    CA • R

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Mrvan

    IN • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Kim

    CA • R

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Ryan

    NY • D

    Sponsored 11/4/2025

  • LaLota

    NY • R

    Sponsored 11/4/2025

  • Levin

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/4/2025

  • Salinas

    OR • D

    Sponsored 11/4/2025

  • Bonamici

    OR • D

    Sponsored 11/4/2025

  • Brownley

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rogers (KY)

    KY • R

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Brown

    OH • D

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Lieu

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • DelBene

    WA • D

    Sponsored 2/26/2026

  • Simon

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/26/2026

  • Mannion

    NY • D

    Sponsored 2/26/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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