Sponsors (7)
The bill directs substantial new federal funding and technical assistance to expand tribal water and sanitation access—improving public health and tribal capacity—but does so at significant fiscal cost and with implementation, sustainability, and administrative risks that could limit long‑term impact.
Tribal communities (Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, residents on Tribal lands) would gain substantially expanded funding for construction and access to safe drinking water and sanitation, improving public health and reducing disease risk.
Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations get clearer eligibility and access to federal water and sanitation programs (including explicit inclusion of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands), plus waived matching/credit requirements that lower barriers to receiving funds.
Tribes would receive dedicated technical assistance and capacity‑building resources (multi‑year TA funds across agencies) to plan, apply for, build, operate, and maintain water and sanitation systems, improving tribal self‑sufficiency in utility management.
U.S. taxpayers face substantial new federal spending (hundreds of millions across FY2026–2030 and recurring annual authorizations), increasing budgetary pressure without specified offsets.
Key supports are time‑limited or conditional (FY2026–2030 authorizations and some 'subject to availability of funds'), so promised multi‑year maintenance and some projects may go unfunded after the appropriation window ends.
Waiving credit‑worthiness and matching requirements and accelerating disbursements could result in projects that lack local capacity or buy‑in, raising the risk of poorly maintained systems and unsustainable operations.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes funding and technical assistance to expand construction, repair, operation, and maintenance of drinking water and sanitation systems on Tribal lands and for Native Hawaiian communities.
Introduced July 14, 2025 by Joseph Neguse · Last progress July 14, 2025
Provides new, dedicated federal funding and technical assistance to expand construction, repair, operation, and maintenance of drinking water and sanitation systems on Tribal lands and for Native Hawaiian communities. It expands existing USDA and Indian Health Service programs to prioritize Tribal needs, waives certain matching and financing barriers, and directs funding to technical assistance and Bureau of Reclamation Tribal water support for FY2026–FY2030.