RAIN Act

The RAIN Act (S 2202) allows the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to modify existing water infrastructure projects during extraordinary maintenance work to increase public benefits, such as improved drinking water for disadvantaged communities. It requires that at least 50% of new benefits from such modifications must be public benefits, defined as drinking water meeting regulatory standards that exceed legal requirements and are verified through community outreach. Modifications are limited to 25% of the original project cost (or $25 million) and require written consent from project beneficiaries who would face reduced water access or quality. The bill directly affects water project beneficiaries (entities with long-term water contracts) and ensures new drinking water benefits for disadvantaged communities without increasing costs for existing beneficiaries.