S. 3015: Advancing Water Research and Collaboration Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, titled the Advancing Water Research and Collaboration Act of 2025, proposes several amendments to the existing Water Resources Research Act of 1984, specifically enhancing funding and focus on water-related research. Below are the main components of the bill:

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to improve the support and resources allocated to water research and technology institutes. It includes a specific intention to address the increasing role of private industry, including the artificial intelligence sector, in water resources research.

Funding Allocations

The bill authorizes the appropriation of $16 million annually for the fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to support the activities of water resources research and technology institutes.

General Appropriations: The bill provides $16 million each year for water research activities.
Additional Funds: It stipulates that 20% of the funds allocated for these years must specifically focus on research regarding water problems that affect multiple states.

Research Focus Areas

The bill highlights key areas of research that should be prioritized by funding initiatives:

Research on water issues that are regional or interstate in nature.
Research aligned with specific priorities identified by the Secretary of the Interior alongside the research institutes.
Research addressing water problems recognized by Congress as significant across state lines.

Grant Management

The management of grants will shift towards a more competitive grant system, aiming to ensure that funds are allocated to the most impactful research initiatives.

Overall Objectives

The overall objectives of the bill are to:

Enhance the capability and capacity of water resources research institutes.
Encourage collaboration between public entities and the private sector.
Address critical water issues that span beyond individual state concerns.

Conclusion

This bill seeks to modernize and fortify support for water-related research, acknowledging the growing need for collaboration with various sectors, including technology and artificial intelligence.