Sponsors (8)
The bill directs substantial federal funding, technical assistance, and regulatory clarification to close drinking water and sanitation gaps on Tribal lands—improving health and infrastructure for tribal communities—while creating significant federal spending obligations and implementation, eligibility, and sustainability risks that depend on future appropriations and agency execution.
Indigenous tribes and residents on Tribal lands will receive substantial, dedicated federal funding for drinking water, sanitation, and waste infrastructure (multiple new appropriations across FY2026–2030), enabling more projects to be built and repaired.
Tribal communities and nearby populations will see improved public health and safety because better water and sanitation infrastructure reduces disease risk and increases reliable access to safe water.
Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations will get technical assistance and capacity-building (managerial, financial, regulatory, and project planning support) to help them access federal funds, plan projects, and operate sustainable utilities.
Taxpayers face sizable new federal spending obligations (hundreds of millions per year and multi‑billion dollars over the FY2026–2030 window), which could increase deficits or crowd out other federal priorities.
Program delivery and long-term operations depend on future annual appropriations and on existing agency regulations, creating uncertainty that could leave Tribes without promised post‑completion support or with delayed funding.
Narrow statutory definitions, priority criteria, or administrative rules could exclude some communities or favor others, meaning some Tribes or projects may not receive expected assistance despite need.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes multi-year federal funding and technical assistance to build, operate, and maintain drinking water and sanitation systems on Tribal lands and Native Hawaiian organizations, and eases financing barriers.
Introduced July 14, 2025 by Michael F. Bennet · Last progress July 14, 2025
Provides new, targeted federal funding and technical assistance to expand and sustain safe drinking water and sanitation on Tribal lands. It directs USDA Rural Development, the Indian Health Service (HHS), and the Bureau of Reclamation to make loans, grants, operations & maintenance (O&M) support, and capacity-building assistance available to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, removes certain financing barriers, and requires interagency coordination. Sets specific authorized funding levels for fiscal years 2026–2030 (amounts remain available until expended), including multi-year appropriations for construction, technical assistance, and O&M, and requires prioritizing projects most in need and providing sustained support after project completion.