Environment (Water Quality)

in committee · United States · House Mar 6, 2025

HR 1938: Department of Defense PFAS Discharge Prevention Act

HR 1938 requires the Department of Defense to request modifications to stormwater permits at military facilities, mandating quarterly monitoring of PFAS discharges and implementation of best management practices to reduce them. The bill directly affects all Department of Defense facilities subject to federal stormwater permits under the Clean Water Act. It allocates at least 1% of annual PFAS remediation funds specifically for testing stormwater runoff at these sites. The legislation focuses on preventing PFAS contamination in waterways by strengthening monitoring and reduction measures at military operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires DoD to monitor and reduce PFAS discharges via stormwater permits, directly addressing pollution control and environmental protection through mandated monitoring and remediation funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House Mar 27, 2025

HR 2408: Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms Act

The Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms Act amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act to include harmful algal blooms as a qualifying event for federal disaster assistance, alongside existing events like droughts and floods. This change allows communities affected by harmful algal blooms - such as those experiencing water contamination or public health risks - to access federal disaster relief funds and support. The bill directly impacts local communities that face recurring water quality issues from algal blooms, which can disrupt drinking water, recreation, and ecosystems. The key mechanism is updating the Stafford Act’s list of qualifying events to explicitly add "harmful algal blooms" without creating new programs. This procedural amendment streamlines access to existing disaster relief resources for affected areas.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides federal disaster assistance for communities affected by harmful algal blooms (water pollution), directly addressing environmental protection and public health risks from pollution events.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Natural Disasters Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House Jan 28, 2026

HR 7268: CLEAN–UP Act

HR 7268, the CLEAN-UP Act, streamlines the removal or remediation of contaminated sediment in waterways by requiring the Army Corps of Engineers (as "Secretary") to develop a joint plan with local partners. This plan must protect human health and the environment, detail work methods, disposal locations, roles, and funding sources, and undergo public review. The bill shields the Corps from liability under federal environmental law for cleanup activities conducted under this approved plan. It maintains existing requirements for the government to seek cost recovery from polluters responsible for the contamination. The law directly affects federal and local agencies managing sediment cleanup projects under existing water resources programs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires Corps to develop plan protecting human health/environment in sediment cleanup, explicitly mandating environmental protection as a core component.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 28, 2025

S 2472: Department of Defense PFAS Discharge Prevention Act

This bill requires the Department of Defense to request modifications to stormwater discharge permits at military facilities, mandating quarterly testing for PFAS (chemicals used in firefighting foams and other military products) and implementation of best practices to reduce discharges. It applies to all DoD facilities with active permits under the Clean Water Act, with exceptions for permits already containing these requirements. The bill also directs that at least 1% of annual funds allocated for PFAS remediation must be used for monitoring and reduction activities at these facilities. These provisions aim to standardize PFAS testing and controls across military sites without creating new regulatory standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates quarterly PFAS testing and discharge reduction at military facilities, directly addressing water pollution from toxic chemicals under Clean Water Act compliance.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House May 13, 2025

HR 3361: Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

HR 3361 reauthorizes the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program through 2034, doubling its annual funding cap from $4 million to $8 million. It directly affects collaborative groups working on forest restoration across federal, state, tribal, and private lands. Key changes include expanding eligible projects to address wildfire risk reduction across multiple land ownerships, enhance watershed health, and improve monitoring standards. The bill also requires federal staffing plans for supporting these collaboratives and adds new mechanisms like conservation finance agreements for implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReauthorizes and doubles funding for forest restoration, wildfire risk reduction, and watershed health - directly advancing environmental protection through increased resources and expanded project scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2025

HR 4721: Healthy H2O Act

The Healthy H2O Act creates a federal grant program to help rural households and small facilities (like child-care centers) install certified water filtration systems that remove health contaminants such as lead, arsenic, and PFAS. Eligible recipients must live in rural areas, have tested water containing contaminants, and meet income limits (under 150% of their state’s median nonmetropolitan household income). Grants cover the cost of purchasing, installing, maintaining, and testing certified point-of-use or point-of-entry filtration systems. The program requires annual reports to Congress analyzing water quality trends, filter effectiveness, and emerging needs in affected communities. This initiative addresses immediate drinking water safety gaps where long-term infrastructure projects cannot yet provide solutions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds water filtration to remove environmental pollutants (lead, arsenic, PFAS), directly reducing water contamination and protecting public health.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates federal grants for water filtration systems to remove health contaminants like lead and PFAS, directly improving public health access and safety for rural households.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Tags Rural Communities

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 4, 2025

S 386: Critical Water Resources Prioritization Act of 2025

This bill creates a temporary exemption process under the Endangered Species Act for water projects meeting "critical human water needs," such as municipal drinking water, firefighting, public health, or food security. Water management agencies (federal, state, or local) must first exhaust conservation measures and alternative water sources before seeking an exemption. Exemptions last up to 180 days and require monthly reports on water use, alternative development efforts, and species impacts, with annual reports to Congress. The Secretary of the Interior must issue implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment. This directly affects water agencies managing critical infrastructure during shortages while maintaining ESA protections through strict conditions and oversight.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires conservation first and species impact reporting for water project exemptions, ensuring environmental protection under Endangered Species Act.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill includes public health as a critical human water need, ensuring water access for health services and preventing health risks from water shortages.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Wildlife Public Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Apr 3, 2025

HR 2656: Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act

HR 2656, the *Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act*, establishes a federal grant program to help community water systems, schools, and other facilities reduce harmful nitrate and arsenic levels in drinking water. Eligible entities like municipalities, nonprofits, and water systems can apply for grants to install treatment technology, with priority given to disadvantaged communities, areas with past non-compliance, and facilities serving children or vulnerable populations. The program authorizes $15 million annually starting in 2026, limiting administrative costs to 4% of funds. It requires applicants to identify contamination sources and demonstrate how their project will reduce contaminants, aiming to improve water safety for at-risk communities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides federal grants specifically for schools to improve drinking water, directly supporting school infrastructure and student health.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces nitrate/arsenic contaminants in drinking water, directly addressing pollution control and protecting public health, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly addresses public health by reducing water contaminants linked to health risks, prioritizing vulnerable populations and facilities serving children, aligning with healthcare protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House May 13, 2025

HR 3376: Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2025

HR 3376 creates the Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Trust Fund, funded by increasing the corporate tax rate from 21% to 24.5% starting in 2025, with annual funding capped at $35 billion or 1/20th of 20-year infrastructure needs. The bill allocates funds to clean water programs (42%), safe drinking water programs (42.5%), household water well systems (1%), colonias assistance (0.5%), and Indian health services (3%), requiring specific prioritization of low-income and minority communities for many programs. It mandates an EPA study on water affordability, discriminatory practices, and civil rights violations in water service, including data collection on service disconnections affecting vulnerable populations. The bill also includes provisions for lead service line replacement, PFAS contamination response, and job training grants for water system operators with specific requirements to prioritize low-income communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases corporate tax rate to fund water programs, aligning with fiscal responsibility and public service funding priorities.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 84.5% of funds (42% clean water + 42.5% safe drinking water) to environmental protection programs, directly advancing water quality and pollution control goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House Mar 27, 2025

HR 2401: Urban Waters Federal Partnership Act of 2025

This bill establishes the Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program to improve coordination among federal agencies working on urban waterways. It designates specific urban areas (particularly overburdened or economically distressed communities) as "partnership locations," requiring each to have a local "Urban Waters ambassador" to coordinate projects. Key mechanisms include a federal steering committee (led by EPA) to guide priorities, a "Learning Network" for sharing best practices, and $10 million annually for program administration through fiscal years 2026-2030. The program aims to advance projects improving water quality, recreation, community engagement, and infrastructure in designated urban watersheds, while requiring annual congressional reports on progress.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $10M for urban waterways program, funding essential federal initiative under government spending.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes EPA-led program with $10M funding to improve urban waterway coordination, pollution control, and conservation in overburdened communities, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track