Sponsors
The bill improves federal guidance and produces GAO recommendations to better target funding and reduce water infrastructure failures, but may lead to increased federal spending and a reprioritization of funds that could delay other local projects.
State and local governments will receive clearer guidance on accessing FEMA disaster assistance for water infrastructure failures, improving planning, response, and access to federal funds.
Homeowners and small-business owners would benefit from GAO recommendations on funding mechanisms to mitigate high-risk water infrastructure, potentially reducing future service disruptions and repair and replacement costs.
Rural and urban communities prone to water main breaks would get better-targeted federal coordination as the GAO identifies appropriate federal partners, improving allocation of assistance to highest-risk areas.
Taxpayers could face higher federal spending if Congress enacts the GAO's recommended funding mechanisms, increasing the fiscal burden.
Local governments and communities may see federal or state funding priorities shift toward addressing identified water infrastructure risks, potentially delaying or reducing funding for other local projects.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs GAO to review FEMA funding available after water infrastructure failures and report to Congress within six months with partnership and funding recommendations.
Introduced August 29, 2025 by Nellie Pou · Last progress August 29, 2025
Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study what FEMA funding is available after water infrastructure failures (including water main breaks) for States, localities, individuals, and small businesses, covering incidents both with and without a federal emergency declaration. GAO must report to Congress within six months with findings and recommendations on which federal entities should partner with States to identify high-risk areas and on options for Congress to fund mitigation of at-risk water infrastructure.