Environment (Water Quality)

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 29, 2026

S 4417: Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act

This bill amends the existing water rights settlement for the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians to update the legal definition of their reservation and clarify how certain funds can be used. It specifically adds several historical land additions to the reservation definition and expands the definition to include any contiguous federal trust land located within the Santa Margarita River Watershed. Additionally, the legislation allows the use of a specific water quality account to address issues in the Wolf Valley Basin, broadening its scope beyond just desalination. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make these necessary changes to the settlement agreement without affecting any water rights that already exist.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands reservation to include federal trust land within the Santa Margarita River Watershed, directly enhancing water conservation and environmental protection in that area.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8614: Safe Water in Schools Act of 2026

The Safe Water in Schools Act of 2026 directs federal funding to help schools and child care programs install point-of-use water filtration systems. These filters are intended to prevent exposure to lead in drinking water before testing occurs or to clean up existing contamination. The bill authorizes specific annual funding amounts, increasing from $60 million in 2026 to $72 million in 2030, to support these efforts. Local educational agencies will receive grants to implement the filtration systems at facilities under their jurisdiction. This legislation amends the existing Safe Drinking Water Act to formalize these requirements and funding levels.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides federal funding to install water filtration systems in schools, improving infrastructure and student health.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds water filtration to prevent lead exposure and clean contamination, directly protecting public health and reducing environmental pollution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate May 13, 2026

S 4515: Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2026

This bill establishes a pilot program to help local governments in large urban areas create better maps for urban flooding, which occurs when heavy rain overwhelms drainage systems in built-up areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide grants to eligible cities and stormwater authorities to develop easy-to-understand digital tools that show specific flood risks for individual buildings and factor in climate trends. Funding is available for up to 12 locations over several years, with a preference for communities that are highly vulnerable to flooding or sea-level rise, and recipients must share their results and lessons learned online with the public.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds digital flood mapping tools to assess climate trends and reduce urban flooding risks, directly supporting environmental resilience.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds digital flood mapping tools to help homeowners understand risks, indirectly supporting housing stability and property rights.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds development of digital flood risk mapping tools for cities, advancing technology adoption for public safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality Homeownership

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in committee · United States · House Sep 10, 2026

HR 8546: Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act

This bill makes technical adjustments to the legal definition of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Reservation and clarifies how settlement funds can be used for water quality improvements. Specifically, it updates the list of historical dates used to define reservation boundaries and adds a provision to include any future contiguous land held in trust within the Santa Margarita River Watershed. Additionally, the legislation broadens the scope of allowable activities funded by the Pechanga Water Quality account from just desalination to any water quality issues in the Wolf Valley Basin. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to formally update the settlement agreement to reflect these changes while ensuring that existing water rights remain unaffected.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds water quality improvements and expands the reservation to include land in the Santa Margarita River Watershed, aiding environmental conservation.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8632: PFAS Cleanup Act

This bill, known as the PFAS Cleanup Act, aims to address the health and economic costs of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances by introducing two main financial mechanisms. First, it imposes a 45% excise tax on the sale of PFAS chemicals by manufacturers, producers, and importers starting in 2027. Second, it creates a tax credit for public water systems that spend money removing PFAS from drinking water when contamination levels exceed EPA safety limits. The revenue from the tax is intended to help fund cleanup efforts, while the credit encourages water providers to remediate hazardous pollution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes an excise tax on PFAS chemicals to fund cleanup efforts, directly addressing fiscal management and generating revenue for public health services.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes taxes on PFAS chemicals and funds water system cleanup, directly addressing pollution control and environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds PFAS water cleanup to reduce health risks from chemical contamination, protecting public health and preventing disease.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Credits Drinking Water Hazardous Materials Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 4350: Southeast New England Program Authorization Act of 2026

The Southeast New England Program Authorization Act of 2026 creates a new grant program within the Environmental Protection Agency to support water quality and ecosystem projects in the coastal watersheds of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. This initiative allows eligible recipients, including state and local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and universities, to receive funding for activities such as reducing pollution, restoring habitats, and improving stormwater management. The bill authorizes up to $30 million annually from 2027 to 2031 for these projects, with a maximum federal share of 75 percent and specific limits on funds used for technical assistance and administrative costs. Additionally, the act requires the EPA Administrator to coordinate federal agency efforts and provide necessary staff to implement the program effectively.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates EPA grants to reduce pollution, restore habitats, and improve stormwater management in coastal watersheds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate May 13, 2026

S 4506: Advancing Water Reuse Act

The Advancing Water Reuse Act creates a new federal tax credit to encourage investment in water recycling infrastructure. This 30 percent credit applies to businesses and utilities that install, replace, or modify onsite water recycling systems in industrial, manufacturing, data center, or food processing facilities. Eligible projects also include those that replace freshwater with recycled municipal water or build new municipal water recycling systems. To qualify, the construction of the project must begin within ten years of the bill's enactment, and the credit is calculated based on the cost of tangible property placed in service during the taxable year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new federal tax credit to encourage water recycling infrastructure investment, directly advancing fiscal management and providing tax relief.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates tax credits for water recycling infrastructure, conserving freshwater resources and reducing environmental strain.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Drinking Water Recycling Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4536: Protecting America's Drinking Water from Extreme Temperatures Act of 2026

The Protecting America's Drinking Water from Extreme Temperatures Act of 2026 expands the existing Safe Drinking Water Act to include extreme temperatures as a specific risk factor for midsize and large drinking water systems. By amending Section 1459F, the bill requires these systems to consider heat-related threats alongside traditional hazards like flooding when planning infrastructure improvements. Additionally, the legislation updates the program's funding timeline, shifting the covered period from 2022 through 2026 to 2027 through 2032.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protection by requiring water systems to address climate-related heat threats, enhancing resilience against extreme temperatures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Apr 13, 2026

HR 8254: Water Access and Affordability Act

The Water Access and Affordability Act establishes a federal program, administered by the EPA, to provide financial assistance to low-income households for their drinking water and sanitary sewer bills. States, large water systems, or Indian Tribes can receive grants to implement these programs, offering aid for bill payments, debt relief, and water efficiency improvements. The bill includes provisions to simplify enrollment, such as automatic enrollment and self-attestation, and prohibits service disconnections for participating households. Additionally, it revises federal State Revolving Loan Fund programs for water infrastructure, requiring states to increase transparency, public engagement, and prioritize assistance for disadvantaged communities. This includes public review of funding plans, reporting on the socioeconomic impact of projects, and expediting aid to communities with affordability challenges.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes water efficiency improvements and supports sustainable water access through EPA-administered grants, aligning with environmental conservation goals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Apr 16, 2026

HR 8195: Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026

This bill establishes a regional management framework for double-crested cormorants across four U.S. flyways, requiring the Secretary of the Interior to develop plans within 180 days that specify allowed hunting methods, time periods, and authorized entities including state and tribal agencies, lake managers, and pond managers. The framework must ensure cormorant populations remain sustainable while addressing impacts on fisheries, vegetation, other bird species, human safety, water quality, and endangered species. The bill mandates population surveys every five years and requires the management plans to be reviewed and updated every five years based on survey results and current data.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill aims to manage cormorant populations to protect fisheries, vegetation, and water quality, which are environmental concerns. Framework ensures sustainable populations while addressing ecological impacts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Wildlife

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