Sponsors (3)
The bill makes EPA water‑assistance information and program coordination clearer and holds the agency to GAO recommendations—helping communities access funds and adopt cost‑effective technologies—while imposing reporting burdens, potential additional costs, and some privacy/reputational risks for small communities.
Local governments, Tribal authorities, and disadvantaged communities gain improved capacity to apply for and use EPA water infrastructure programs, increasing the likelihood they secure funding and complete projects.
Local governments, Tribes, States, and non‑profits get a centralized, clearer catalog of EPA clean‑water technical assistance, making it easier to find and access support for projects.
State and local governments benefit from identification of gaps and duplication across EPA programs, which can streamline assistance and reduce wasted time and money for communities.
Taxpayers and other EPA priorities could face increased costs if implementing GAO recommendations requires additional federal spending or reallocations.
State and local governments (and EPA program delivery) may face added administrative burden because GAO reviews and new EPA reporting requirements could divert staff time away from on‑the‑ground program work.
Small or rural communities and service providers could experience privacy or reputational harms if community‑level lists showing costs and outcomes are published.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced May 15, 2025 by David J. Taylor · Last progress September 16, 2025
Requires the Government Accountability Office to review EPA technical assistance programs related to clean water infrastructure and report findings and recommendations to Congress. The GAO review must catalog available assistance to States, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofits; analyze how assistance is identified, selected, delivered, coordinated, and evaluated (including services to economically distressed communities); assess duplication and unmet needs; and examine coordination with other federal agencies and use of cost‑effective technologies. After the GAO report, the EPA must submit a response plan within 90 days and then annually for five years describing actions taken to address the GAO recommendations.