H.R. 6229: Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Amendments of 2025

The bill titled "Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Amendments of 2025" aims to reauthorize and amend the existing Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) from 2014. Its primary focus is on improving water infrastructure, particularly for small and rural communities, by enhancing the support and funding available for such projects.

Key Provisions of the Bill

1. Definitions and Eligibility

The bill redefines terms related to small communities and rural water projects. It specifies:

• A "rural water project" includes various federally recognized projects that serve rural communities.
• A "small community" refers to locations with populations of 25,000 or less.

This redefinition allows a broader range of projects to receive funding and assistance.

2. Eligible Project Costs

The legislation lowers the maximum project cost eligible for assistance from $5 million to $1 million. This change is intended to ensure that smaller projects, which are crucial for less populated areas, can gain access to necessary funding.

3. Technical Assistance

The bill enables the provision of technical assistance to small communities, helping them develop proposals for eligible projects. This assistance can include:

• Engineering support
• Financial planning

4. Project Delivery Methods

The bill allows for collaborative project delivery methods such as construction management at-risk and design-build methods, which can enhance efficiency and communication during project development.

5. Funding and Financial Assistance

The bill outlines new funding provisions, including:

• Reauthorization of appropriations totaling $68 million per year for WIFIA activities over fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
• An additional $15 million per year directed towards specific projects managed by the Secretary of the Army.

6. Outreach and Education

Within 180 days of enactment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to develop an outreach plan to promote financial assistance available under this legislation specifically targeting small communities.

7. Budgetary Treatment

Financial assistance provided to non-federal entities for eligible projects will be categorized as non-federal revenue sources, thus influencing how these funds are managed under federal budgeting rules.

8. Reporting Requirements

After one year, the bill mandates reports from the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the programs established under this bill. These reports are intended to provide transparency and accountability in the use of funds and project completion.

9. Technical and Conforming Amendments

The bill includes various technical corrections to align it with existing law and remove outdated references or terms.

Relevant Companies

• None found