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Creates a new grant program that gives nonprofit organizations money to provide technical assistance to associations that operate rural water and wastewater systems so those systems can better prepare for and respond to disasters. Grants may pay for planning, onsite repair support, mapping, training, and focused help for disadvantaged communities. Authorizes $20 million per year for fiscal years 2025–2029 for the program, sets rules on who is eligible and how funds may be used, and requires coordination with the Secretary and other emergency agencies for planning and implementation.
Establishes an emergency preparedness and response technical assistance program to provide grants to eligible entities to assist associations described in paragraph (1) that operate rural water or wastewater systems in preparing for and responding to natural or manmade disasters, as determined by the Secretary.
Defines an 'eligible entity' as a nonprofit organization that has demonstrated experience providing emergency technical assistance for disaster preparation, recovery, and response activities to water and wastewater utilities nationwide, and that has the capacity to deploy personnel with either an active water or wastewater system operators’ license or knowledge of water and wastewater utilities necessary to carry out program activities.
Allows grant funds to be used to provide onsite personnel and equipment to assist with water and wastewater systems in the event of a disaster.
Allows grants to be used to coordinate with statewide emergency response networks to assist with water and wastewater systems.
Allows grants to be used to facilitate development of disaster action plans between the associations described in subparagraph (A), units of local government, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and State emergency management agencies.
Directly affected groups include associations that operate rural water and wastewater systems, nonprofit organizations that provide technical assistance, and the rural communities those systems serve. Eligible nonprofits will be able to apply for grant funds to deliver planning, mapping, training, and on-site repair support, which should improve preparedness, speed response and repairs after disasters, and help reach disadvantaged communities that lack resources. Public water systems in rural areas may see faster recovery and stronger emergency plans; system operators will get training and technical help. Federal agencies named for coordination will have roles in planning and oversight. The program is an authorization of funding ($20M/year FY2025–2029); actual availability of funds depends on subsequent appropriations and implementation details such as grant application and award rules.
Potential challenges include the need for nonprofit capacity to apply for and manage grants, competition for limited annual funds across many rural systems, and the requirement that federal agencies develop implementing guidance. Overall, the program aims to strengthen local resilience and reduce service interruptions for rural households and communities dependent on small water and wastewater systems.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced March 13, 2025 by Catherine Marie Cortez Masto · Last progress March 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced in Senate