Sponsors (20)
Official title: To establish a low-income water assistance program, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 13, 2026 by Rashida Tlaib · Last progress April 13, 2026
The bill provides substantial, sustained federal funding and stronger transparency to prevent water shutoffs and expand access—especially for low-income and underserved communities—but does so at the cost of large federal spending, increased administrative burdens, and reduced state/local flexibility that could strain budgets and complicate implementation.
Low-income households (renters and homeowners) will receive sustained, direct financial help (bill discounts, payment plans, lifeline rates, and funds applied to customer accounts) to avoid water shutoffs and reduce household water debt through a federally administered program with large annual funding.
Tribal and other under-resourced communities will get prioritized funding and environmental-justice/community-based technical assistance to improve water access and outreach, helping historically underserved populations enroll and receive benefits.
The bill creates stronger transparency and data tools (national collection, central EPA repository, annual state reports, and required public comment on plans) so the public and governments can better see how funds are used and target help where needs are greatest.
All taxpayers face a large new federal spending commitment ($20 billion per year FY2027–2037) that will increase budgetary outlays and could raise deficits, pressure taxes, or crowd out other federal priorities.
Small and mid-size utilities, states, and local governments will face substantial new administrative, reporting, and compliance burdens (data collection, enrollment systems, and rule compliance) that will increase costs and staff time, potentially straining limited budgets.
Expanding eligibility and mandating assistance uses risks demand outpacing available funding (and equal set-asides for drinking water and sewer needs could dilute resources), leaving some applicants unmet without sustained appropriations.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates an EPA Low-Income Water Assistance Program and requires states to increase transparency, public comment, and data reporting for water revolving fund intended use plans.
Creates a federal Low-Income Water Assistance Program at EPA to help low-income households keep drinking water and sewer service and expands transparency, public notice, and reporting requirements tied to state water revolving fund intended use plans. It sets income and benefit-based eligibility rules, defines covered systems and entities, and directs EPA to issue regulations and publish state-by-state data and annual analyses. Requires states to post draft intended use plans, accept public comment for at least 30 days, respond in writing, hold a public hearing, publish final plans online, and accept applications at any time; directs EPA to set minimum transparency and data-reporting rules within one year and to create a central online repository and annual report using that data.