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Bill116th CongressFiled Oct 28, 2019Water Resources Development
H.R. 4891

Western Water Security Act of 2020

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary reported to house, part i (Dec 18, 2020)

Western Water Security Act of 2020

This bill addresses water management infrastructure and improvement, groundwater management, and water conservation and environmental restoration in certain western states.

Specifically, the bill increases the authorization of appropriations to fund research agreements between the Bureau of Reclamation and eligible entities for water management improvement. The bill expands eligibility for such agreements to include nonprofit conservation organizations.

Further, the bill allows certain financial assistance made available under an existing drought relief program to be used to assist state and tribal governments in addressing drought-related impacts to water supplies or any other immediate water-related crises. The bill reauthorizes the program through FY2030.

Additionally, the bill increases the maximum federal share of costs for certain infrastructure improvements and activities for groundwater management that provide benefits to consumptive water users (i.e., users of water that is not returned to a stream, river, or water treatment plant) and nonconsumptive ecological or recreational values.

The bill also requires Reclamation to carry out a water acquisition program in specified river basins. Further, Interior must analyze the extent to which changes in water supply will affect native biodiversity and must produce strategies for sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought.

What just happenedDec 18, 2020

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 558.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Torres Small, Xochitl [D-NM-2](D-NM)Sponsor
5 cosponsors4 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
5cosponsors2committees15actions2related bills37subjects
  1. Dec 18, 2020CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 558.

  2. Dec 18, 2020DischargeH12300

    Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  3. Dec 18, 2020Committee5500

    Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  4. Dec 18, 2020CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-674, Part I.

    Natural Resources Committee
  5. Dec 18, 2020Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-674, Part I.

    Natural Resources Committee
  6. Mar 11, 2020Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 11.

    Natural Resources Committee
  7. Mar 11, 2020Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Natural Resources Committee
  8. Mar 11, 2020Committee

    Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Discharged.

    Natural Resources Committee
  9. Jan 28, 2020Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee
  10. Nov 12, 2019Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.

    Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee
  11. Oct 28, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  12. Oct 28, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.

    Natural Resources Committee
  13. Oct 28, 2019Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.

    Environment Subcommittee
  14. Oct 28, 2019IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  15. Oct 28, 2019IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Reported to House, Part IDec 18, 20208

Western Water Security Act of 2020

This bill addresses water management infrastructure and improvement, groundwater management, and water conservation and environmental restoration in certain western states.

Specifically, the bill increases the authorization of appropriations to fund research agreements between the Bureau of Reclamation and eligible entities for water management improvement. The bill expands eligibility for such agreements to include nonprofit conservation organizations.

Further, the bill allows certain financial assistance made available under an existing drought relief program to be used to assist state and tribal governments in addressing drought-related impacts to water supplies or any other immediate water-related crises. The bill reauthorizes the program through FY2030.

Additionally, the bill increases the maximum federal share of costs for certain infrastructure improvements and activities for groundwater management that provide benefits to consumptive water users (i.e., users of water that is not returned to a stream, river, or water treatment plant) and nonconsumptive ecological or recreational values.

The bill also requires Reclamation to carry out a water acquisition program in specified river basins. Further, Interior must analyze the extent to which changes in water supply will affect native biodiversity and must produce strategies for sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought.

Introduced in HouseOct 28, 2019

Western Water Security Act of 2019

This bill addresses water management infrastructure and improvement, groundwater management, and water conservation and environmental restoration in certain western states.

Specifically, the bill increases the authorization of appropriations to fund research agreements between the Bureau of Reclamation and eligible entities for water management improvement. The bill expands eligibility for such agreements to include nonprofit conservation organizations.

The bill also reauthorizes through FY2024 a program through which Interior is authorized to assist eligible desalination projects. The bill lowers cost-sharing requirements under the program for rural desalination projects.

Further, the bill allows certain financial assistance made available under an existing drought relief program to be used to assist state and tribal governments in addressing drought-related impacts to water supplies or any other immediate water-related crises. The bill reauthorizes the program through FY2030.

Additionally, the bill increases the maximum federal share of costs for certain infrastructure improvements and activities for groundwater management that provide benefits to consumptive water users (i.e., users of water that is not returned to a stream, river, or water treatment plant) and nonconsumptive ecological or recreational values.

The bill also requires Reclamation to carry out a water acquisition program in specified river basins. Further, Interior must analyze the extent to which changes in water supply will affect native biodiversity and must produce strategies for sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought.

Western Water Security Act of 2020 — Informed