Sponsors (2)
The bill creates and funds a federal navigator grant program that expands technical and financial support—especially for tribes, rural, and disadvantaged communities—to accelerate multi‑benefit water projects, while increasing federal spending and leaving gaps for some states, newer partners, and compliance‑focused needs.
Federal program funding is authorized ($15 million per year FY2027–FY2032), ensuring continued implementation and services for navigator grants and technical assistance.
Local and state agencies, nonprofits, and project sponsors can receive grant funding (up to 75% federal share) to hire navigators who accelerate water project delivery, grantwriting, and technical assistance.
Tribal communities and tribal organizations gain clearer eligibility, prioritized support, and potential cost-share waivers to develop multi‑benefit water projects.
Taxpayers will fund higher federal spending (roughly $15 million per year over six years) to operate the program and grants, increasing budgetary costs or pressure on other priorities.
Limiting eligible States to Reclamation Act states plus Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico risks excluding many non‑Reclamation states and their rural communities from program benefits.
Defining 'disadvantaged community' using state median income may exclude communities that are disadvantaged relative to local cost‑of‑living or regional poverty conditions.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal Water Project Navigators Program to fund navigator positions that help develop multi‑benefit water projects and authorizes $15M/year for FY2027–2032.
Introduced February 5, 2026 by John Wright Hickenlooper · Last progress February 5, 2026
Creates a Water Project Navigators Program in the Department of the Interior to fund navigator positions that help plan, develop, and implement multi‑benefit water projects in eligible States. Grants prioritize Indian Tribes, disadvantaged and rural communities, and other low‑capacity entities; federal cost share is generally capped at 75% with waiver authority for certain communities, and the program is authorized at $15 million per year for FY2027–2032. The Secretary of the Interior must establish the program within 180 days, publish grant criteria for public comment, coordinate with existing federal and state programs, avoid funding activities that merely meet existing compliance obligations, and report program outcomes to Congress within five years.