Environment (Water Quality)

in committee · United States · House Mar 20, 2026

HR 8027: Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act of 2026

This bill establishes a federal grant program to help states fund advanced wastewater treatment projects, with $1 billion authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The Environmental Protection Agency will distribute funds based on a formula, requiring states to contribute at least 50 percent of project costs unless the project serves disadvantaged communities, which are exempt from this requirement. At least 49 percent of the funding must go to projects serving disadvantaged communities, rural or tribal facilities, or regional water providers that benefit multiple disadvantaged areas. The legislation also requires the EPA to conduct a study with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to evaluate how well advanced wastewater treatment technologies remove emerging contaminants like nanomaterials and certain chemicals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $1 billion in federal grants for wastewater treatment projects, directly funding public infrastructure and environmental programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds advanced wastewater treatment projects to improve water quality and reduce pollution, directly supporting environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 4234: Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act of 2026

The Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act of 2026 amends the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act to expand Federal support for local watershed projects that address erosion, flooding, drought, and water quality issues. The bill defines "multibenefit works of improvement" as projects that deliver at least two public benefits, such as improved fish habitat, water conservation, flood risk reduction, or renewable energy production, and requires that at least 20 percent of project benefits relate to agriculture or conservation. It streamlines the approval process by delegating decision-making authority to State Conservationists and sets a 45-day deadline for the Secretary of Agriculture to approve or disapprove applications, while also requiring notification to Congress for projects exceeding $50 million in Federal funding. The legislation allocates at least 50 percent of available funds to multibenefit projects, increases the maximum loan amount to $10 million, and introduces new conditions for Federal assistance, including requirements for land acquisition, water rights, and repayment plans for future water storage demands.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill defines multibenefit works to include renewable energy production and requires 20% of project benefits to be renewable energy, indicating support for energy infrastructure.65% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands federal support for watershed projects addressing erosion, flooding, drought, and water quality issues, promoting environmental protection and natural resource conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 7978: Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill reauthorizes and expands the Cooperative Watershed Management Program, which provides federal grants to local communities and Indian tribes for watershed restoration and management projects. It updates the program's definition to explicitly include Indian tribes as eligible recipients and increases the maximum annual grant amount from $100,000 to $150,000 for a minimum of three years. The legislation also adds provisions allowing grant continuations for up to two additional years based on satisfactory performance and enables multiple grant applications per year to increase funding opportunities. Finally, it authorizes $40 million in federal funding annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases federal grant funding for watershed management programs, expanding eligibility and raising maximum grant amounts.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill reauthorizes and expands funding for watershed restoration and management, explicitly including Indian tribes and increasing grant amounts to protect natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality Tags Tribal Nations

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 4181: Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act

This bill, known as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, directs the Environmental Protection Agency to ban the discharge of pre-production plastic pellets and related materials into wastewater and runoff from specific industrial facilities. It requires the EPA to issue new rules within 60 days that prohibit these discharges from factories that make, use, package, or transport plastic pellets, as well as from facilities regulated under existing federal water pollution regulations. The law mandates that these new restrictions be included in all wastewater and stormwater permits issued by the EPA and state programs, as well as in performance standards for affected industrial point sources. This legislation directly impacts manufacturers and distributors of plastic pellets and aims to prevent plastic pollution from entering water systems during the production and packaging stages.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates EPA to ban plastic pellet discharge into wastewater, directly reducing pollution and protecting water quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 20, 2026

HR 7889: AWRC Act of 2025

The Advancing Water Research and Collaboration Act of 2025 amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to update research priorities and funding allocations for water resources research institutes. The bill adds artificial intelligence to the list of research areas alongside private industry and increases federal funding authorization to $16 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. It requires 20 percent of these funds to support research addressing interstate water problems and allows grants for projects focusing on regional or multi-state water issues. The legislation also expands the types of research institutes eligible for funding to include those working on problems identified by Congress as having interstate significance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases federal funding authorization to $16 million annually for water resources research, directly supporting government spending and budget allocation for essential programs.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases federal funding for water resources research, including AI applications and interstate water problems, which supports environmental protection and resource management.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly adds artificial intelligence to research priorities and increases federal funding for technology-related water research initiatives.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Artificial Intelligence

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 4102: Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill reauthorizes conservation programs for the Delaware River Basin by extending the program's funding period through 2033. It officially adds Maryland as a fifth state to the basin, expanding the geographic scope of the program beyond the original four states. The legislation also allows the Secretary to prioritize funding for projects that benefit small, rural, or disadvantaged communities. These changes amend the existing Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act to provide continued support for water conservation efforts in the region.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill reauthorizes and expands conservation programs for the Delaware River Basin, adds Maryland to the basin, and prioritizes funding for disadvantaged communities, directly supporting environmental protection and natural resource conservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 3, 2026

S 3967: FLOWS Act of 2026

This bill establishes a grant program to help rural water systems adopt digital technologies like sensors, data analytics, and cybersecurity tools to improve water infrastructure management. The Environmental Protection Agency would administer the program, which provides funding for designing, constructing, and maintaining digital systems that monitor water flow, detect leaks, and protect against cyber threats. Grants can also cover software costs and workforce training, with priority given to smaller systems serving fewer than 3,300 people and community-owned organizations. The legislation authorizes $50 million annually from 2027 to 2031 and requires a study five years after enactment to evaluate the program's impact on rural water systems.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds digital infrastructure for water systems to improve leak detection, monitor water flow, and protect against cyber threats, directly supporting environmental protection and resource conservation.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes grant program to fund digital infrastructure, cybersecurity tools, and workforce training for rural water systems, advancing technology adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Broadband Access Cybersecurity Tags Rural Communities

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 29, 2026

S 4041: Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill reauthorizes the Cooperative Watershed Management Program through fiscal year 2031, providing $40 million annually to support collaborative watershed projects. The program directly affects land management agencies, local communities, and Indian tribes by expanding eligibility criteria and increasing grant funding amounts to $150,000 per year for a minimum of three years. Key changes include adding Indian tribes as eligible participants, allowing multiple grant applications per year, and permitting grant extensions for successful projects. The legislation also clarifies what types of technical assistance are covered under the program and requires regular availability of funding opportunities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases funding for Cooperative Watershed Management Program by $40M annually and expands grant amounts, directly supporting government spending on environmental programs.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill reauthorizes and funds Cooperative Watershed Management Program, expanding eligibility to tribes and increasing grants for watershed conservation projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Water Quality

Track

passed · United States · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SRES 665: A resolution designating April 2026 as "National Native Plant Month".

This resolution designates April 2026 as National Native Plant Month to raise awareness about the importance of indigenous plant species in the United States. The bill directly affects environmental advocates, land managers, and the general public by encouraging recognition of native plants' ecological benefits, such as supporting wildlife habitats and improving soil and water quality. It formally acknowledges that native plants are better adapted to local conditions and play a critical role in ecosystem resilience compared to non-native species. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the value of preserving native plant diversity.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes native plant conservation, which supports wildlife habitats, improves soil and water quality, and strengthens environmental protection through ecological awareness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality Wildlife Tags Tribal Nations

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 3986: Maryland Whole Watershed Program Federal Partnership Act of 2026

This bill authorizes the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to join as an advisory member of state watershed management teams, including Maryland's Whole Watershed Program and similar programs in other states. The legislation allows the office to coordinate with state and local governments and federal agencies while providing technical assistance and financial resources for projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. By formalizing this advisory role, the bill enables the federal office to participate more directly in state-level watershed planning and implementation efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protection by authorizing federal coordination with state watershed programs for Chesapeake Bay conservation and technical assistance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track