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Renumbers certain definition paragraphs and inserts new definitions for "rural water project" and "small community."
Modifies subsection 3907(a)(2)(B) by striking an existing dollar figure and replacing a phrase referring to a community of a certain size with the new term "small community."
Adds a new subsection authorizing the Administrator to provide technical assistance to small communities and specifying types of assistance.
Makes targeted insertions into subsection (b)(2) and subsection (c)(1) of 33 U.S.C. 3912 (text to be inserted is not specified in the amendment excerpt).
Revises the outreach plan provision to require an outreach plan targeted to "small communities" with a new triggering deadline tied to enactment of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Amendments of 2025.
Amends subsection (b) of 33 U.S.C. 3913 (Section 5034(b) of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014) by replacing the existing timing language in paragraph (1), inserting a new subparagraph (B) in paragraph (2) requiring an evaluation of implementation of the subtitle by the Secretary, redesignating existing subparagraphs (B) and (C) as (C) and (D), and adjusting cross-references in the redesignated subparagraph (D) to refer to subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).
Amends 33 U.S.C. 3908(b)(5) by inserting a new subparagraph (B) establishing that for projects with a useful life over 35 years the final maturity date for a secured loan shall be the earlier of (i) 55 years after substantial completion or (ii) the project's useful life if less than 55 years; redesignates the prior subparagraph (B) as (C); and adjusts the introductory wording to 'Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), the final maturity date'.
Modifies paragraph (10) and adds new paragraphs (11)–(13) to expand the categories of projects eligible for assistance under section 3905. Adds: (11) a State-led storage project (see WIIN Act section 4007(a) / 43 U.S.C. 390b); (12) transferred works (see Omnibus Public Land Management Act section 9601 / 43 U.S.C. 510); and (13) a congressionally authorized water resources development project owned or operated by a non-Federal entity.
Amends and updates water-infrastructure law to clarify eligible projects, add definitions for "rural water project" and "small community," authorize technical assistance for small communities, permit collaborative delivery methods, adjust WIFIA loan maturity rules, reauthorize Corps financing with specified annual amounts, require budget scoring for certain nonfederal financing, and create reporting and GAO-evaluation requirements. It also makes technical and formatting edits to existing statutes.
Redesignate existing paragraph numbering in Section 5022: paragraphs (11)–(15) become (13)–(17); paragraph (10) becomes (11).
Adds a new definition for “Rural water project” that includes: (A) a rural water supply project authorized under the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 2401); (B) any project authorized under part III of subtitle A of title X of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 for a federally recognized Indian Tribe; and (C) any rural water project or rural water supply project authorized under (i) section 1110 of title XI of division FF of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116–260), or (ii) any other Federal law.
Adds a new definition for “Small community” to mean a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 25,000 inhabitants.
Amend Section 5028(a)(2)(B) by striking “$5,000,000” and inserting the text “inserting,000,000” (as shown in the section text).
Add subsection (c) to Section 5023 authorizing the Administrator to provide technical assistance to small communities to help them develop proposals for eligible projects and to seek assistance under this subtitle.
Who is affected and how:
Small communities (≤25,000 residents) and rural areas: They gain a formal statutory definition and new access to federally authorized technical assistance (engineering and financial planning). Required outreach should raise awareness of funding and support options.
Nonfederal project sponsors and local governments: More project types are eligible for WIFIA or similar financing (state-led storage, transferred works, and non-Federal congressionally authorized projects), increasing financing options for projects that were previously ineligible.
Borrowers and lenders (WIFIA/nonfederal borrowers): Loan maturity rules for very long‑lived projects are clarified and capped (max 55 years or project life), which affects financing term structuring, debt service planning, and credit analyses.
Corps of Engineers and EPA (and their regional staffs): Receive new funding authorization (for the Corps program), must implement or coordinate program changes, carry out studies and reports within short deadlines, and evaluate collaborative delivery methods and related staff training needs.
Construction and design contractors: Authorization of collaborative delivery (design‑build, construction-management at‑risk) may change procurement models and increase use of alternative contracting strategies—impacting project schedules, risk allocation, and contractor qualifications.
Federal budget and scorekeepers: The bill requires certain nonfederal financing to be treated as direct loans or loan guarantees under the Federal Credit Reform Act, affecting budget scoring and potentially reported federal credit exposure.
Oversight and evaluation entities (Congress, GAO): New and amended reporting and evaluation requirements give Congress and GAO clearer information about program performance, WIFIA agreements, and Corps financing program issues (including levees).
Overall effect: The bill mainly streamlines and expands financing and delivery options for water projects, directs targeted support to small/rural communities, clarifies long‑term loan treatment, obligates agencies to study and report on delivery and program implementation, and tightens budget accounting for nonfederal-funded assistance. Implementation will require agency actions and likely updates to WIFIA/Corps policies and guidance.
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Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced November 20, 2025 by Kim Schrier · Last progress November 20, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House