S 3732 — Water Security and Drought Resilience Act

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html January 29, 2026

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands eligibility and funding for water storage and management projects and establishes new grant programs while modifying existing eligibility criteria and funding limits.

• 43 U.S.C. 390b note

  the authorization of appropriations is established. → There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2033.

  This change authorizes new appropriations for the storage program over a longer time period.

• 43 U.S.C. 3203(b)

  A project shall be considered eligible for consideration for a grant under this section if the project-- → A project shall be considered eligible for consideration for a grant under this section if the project--

  The eligibility criteria for grant applications are expanded to include additional types of water storage projects.

• 43 U.S.C. 3203(b)

  the project-- (i) has water storage capacity of not less than 200 acre-feet and not more than 30,000 acre-feet; → the project-- (i)(I) has water storage capacity of not less than 200 acre-feet and not more than 30,000 acre-feet; and (II)(aa) increases surface water or groundwater storage; or (bb) conveys water, directly or indirectly, to or from surface water or groundwater storage; or (ii)(I) has water storage capacity for recharges of not less than 200 acre-feet and not more than 150,000 acre-feet on an average annual basis over the life of the project for storage or use; and (II)(aa) increases groundwater aquifer storage; (bb) conveys water, directly or indirectly, to, or recovers water from, groundwater storage; (cc) both increases groundwater aquifer storage and conveys water, directly or indirectly, to or recovers water from groundwater storage; and (dd) stabilizes groundwater levels.

  This change adds criteria for larger groundwater storage projects and broadens the definitions of eligible projects.

• 43 U.S.C. 3203

  The authority to carry out this section terminates on the date that is 5 years after November 15, 2021. → The authority to carry out this section terminates on the date that is 10 years after November 15, 2021.

  This extends the termination date for the small storage program, allowing it to operate longer.

• 43 U.S.C. 390b note

  In providing financial assistance under this subtitle, the Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that the financial assistance is distributed among projects across multiple Reclamation States.

  This new provision requires a distribution of financial assistance among multiple states to promote equitable funding.

• 43 U.S.C. 3203

  The Federal share of the cost of a natural water retention and release project provided a grant under this section shall not exceed 90 percent of the total cost of the natural water retention and release project.

  This establishes a higher federal cost-share limit for natural water retention and release projects under the new grant program.

• 43 U.S.C. 3203

  Any Federal funds provided by the Secretary to an eligible entity under this section shall be considered nonreimbursable to the United States.

  This ensures that federal funds provided for natural water retention and release projects do not need to be repaid.

Action History

1. January 29, 2026

   Introduced in Senate

2. January 29, 2026

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

3. March 17, 2026

   Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

4. July 29, 2026

   Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Sponsors

• Mark Kelly · Cosponsor
• Alex Padilla · Cosponsor
• Ruben Gallego · Primary

Subjects