Bill · H.R. 4879· House(119-HR-4879)
Emergency Rural Water Response Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 8/5/2025
- Last activity
- 8/6/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- Sponsored by
- Jim Costa
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Emergency Rural Water Response Act of 2025," seeks to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. It aims to expand eligibility for grants related to emergency water assistance. Specifically, it adds associated uses related to water resources infrastructure to the grant program. This includes facilities for potable water, wastewater, storm drainage, or solid waste. Additionally, it increases a specific numerical value from 10,000 to 35,000 within the existing act. The bill also creates a permit exemption for certain water treatment facilities during declared disasters.
Yes· 3 of 10
Does this invest in rural communities?+5
The bill specifically expands grant eligibility for water resources infrastructure within the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill expands the capacity and scope of water-related emergency assistance specifically for rural development.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+4
The bill streamlines the deployment of water treatment facilities by exempting them from certain permits during declared disasters.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expanded Water Infrastructure Eligibility: The bill adds coverage for water resources infrastructure such as potable water, wastewater, storm drainage, or solid waste facilities (Section 2). This could benefit communities by allowing more types of water-related infrastructure to qualify for grants.
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Increased Grant Capacity: By striking "10,000" and inserting "35,000" in subsection (e)(1)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Section 2), the bill changes a specific threshold or limit related to the grant program.
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Faster Emergency Water Response: During a 6-month period following a declared disaster or state of emergency, no permit will be required for discharges from portable water treatment and filtration facilities installed in the affected area (Section 3). This allows for the quick deployment of facilities to provide clean water during emergencies.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+4Improves Environmental Protections+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2Improves Pandemic Preparedness+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+1Reduces Government Spending+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 2/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/6/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 8/5/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Chuck EdwardsRepublican · North Carolina
Adam GrayDemocrat · California
Anna Paulina LunaRepublican · Florida