S. 4846: Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program Act

This bill would reauthorize a federal program that studies shared groundwater resources along the U.S.-Mexico border. The program is called the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program.

What the bill changes

• Extends the program’s life: It updates the law so the program can continue operating, with federal funding authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2036 instead of the earlier expired funding window.
• Adds Arizona to the list of priority areas: The existing law focused on transboundary aquifers in New Mexico or Texas. This bill changes that to New Mexico, Texas, or Arizona, with one specific exception for a portion of the Yuma groundwater basin that is already addressed separately.
• Updates the sunset provision: It revises the law’s expiration language so the program’s authority is tied to the new version of the act.

What the program does

The program supports joint work between the United States and Mexico to better understand aquifers that cross the border. In plain terms, it helps scientists and agencies gather information about underground water supplies that are shared by both countries. That can include studying how much water is available, how it moves underground, and what condition it is in.

Practical effect

If enacted, the bill would not create a new program from scratch. Instead, it would keep an existing program going and expand its geographic focus to include Arizona. The main practical effect would be continued federal support for research and assessment of border-region groundwater resources, which could inform water planning and management decisions in affected areas.

Relevant Companies

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