H.R. 7845: Drought Relief Obtained Using Government Help Today Act of 2026
This bill, known as the Drought Relief Obtained Using Government Help Today Act of 2026 (or the DROUGHT Act of 2026), aims to amend an existing law regarding federal assistance for water infrastructure projects in regions experiencing severe drought conditions. Specifically, it modifies the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Federal Assistance Limit: The bill allows federal assistance for specific water infrastructure projects to cover up to 90% of the total project cost. This is an increase in support intended to facilitate significant projects aimed at addressing water shortages due to drought.
- Prioritization of Projects: The bill directs the relevant federal authorities (the Secretary or Administrator) to give priority consideration to certain projects when allocating financing. This is particularly aimed at projects that have been classified as "covered projects."
- Definition of Covered Projects: A "covered project" is defined as a water infrastructure project that:
- Is located in a state designated as experiencing severe drought (D2) or worse for at least four weeks during the past five years, or in a county where a drought emergency has been declared by the state governor within that timeframe.
- Serves areas with average household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty threshold or areas meeting certain affordability criteria established by state laws.
- Is determined by relevant authorities to be of regional or national significance because it can significantly improve drinking water supply, enhance water reuse, reduce overall water usage, lower costs for users, or provide substantial public health or environmental benefits.
Goals of the Bill
The primary goal of the DROUGHT Act of 2026 is to enhance the federal government's ability to support water infrastructure projects in areas severely affected by drought. By increasing the percentage of project costs covered by federal funds and prioritizing specific projects, the bill aims to improve water supply reliability and reduce the adverse effects of drought on communities.
Overall Impact
This legislation is designed to provide essential financial aid for water infrastructure, thereby fostering the development of projects that help mitigate the impacts of drought. The intended outcome is to create more resilient water systems in drought-stricken areas across the United States, ensuring access to reliable drinking water for affected populations.
Relevant Companies
- SWKS (Skyworks Solutions, Inc.) - Skyworks might supply components for water management devices or infrastructure technology that could see increased demand due to new projects funded by the bill.
- GRMN (Garmin Ltd.) - Garmin could be affected as their products related to water monitoring and management might gain traction under the bill's initiatives to enhance water resources.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
9 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Mar. 05, 2026 | Introduced in House |
| Mar. 05, 2026 | Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. |
Corporate Lobbying
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