Sponsor
John James
Representative · R-MI
The bill funds rapid deployment of certified point-of-use filters to reduce children's lead exposure now and provides predictable grant support through FY2030, but it increases federal spending, risks delaying permanent infrastructure fixes, and may leave under-resourced districts behind.
Children and students at schools and child care facilities receive certified point-of-use water filters, reducing lead exposure now and lowering the risk of acute lead exposure while testing and remediation are arranged.
Local educational agencies and child care programs get federal grant funding to buy and install filters, lowering upfront costs and making it easier for facilities to implement protections quickly.
A dedicated funding stream through FY2030 improves predictability for the EPA and local educational agencies, supporting multi-year planning, maintenance, and program continuity.
Smaller or under-resourced school districts may lack capacity to apply for or manage grants, meaning high-need schools could be left without filters and disparities in protection could persist.
Relying on point-of-use filters is a temporary remedy that could delay more permanent and comprehensive solutions like lead service line replacement.
Taxpayers ultimately bear the cost of the authorized appropriations, increasing federal spending by tens of millions annually.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs EPA grants to LEAs for certified point-of-use filtration systems at schools and child care programs and authorizes $60M–$72M annually for FY2026–FY2030.
Representative · R-MI
Requires EPA to fund certified point-of-use water filtration systems in K–12 schools and child care programs through the existing school lead grant program, both preventively and to remediate lead contamination, and sets explicit annual funding levels of $60M for FY2026 rising to $72M for FY2030.
Official title: To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act with respect to lead contamination in school drinking water, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 30, 2026 by John James · Last progress April 30, 2026