Bill · H.R. 635· House(119-HR-635)
WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act
- Introduced
- 1/22/2025
- Last activity
- 1/22/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Melanie Stansbury
- Cosponsors
- - 7 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act," aims to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The primary goal is to increase Tribal access to water conservation and efficiency grants. It allows the Secretary to reduce or waive the non-Federal share of costs for certain grants or agreements with Indian Tribes. This change occurs if the Secretary determines that contributing the non-Federal share would cause a financial hardship for the Tribe.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+7
The bill specifically increases the ability of Indian Tribes to access and fund water conservation and efficiency grants.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+6
The bill increases tribal access to water conservation grants by allowing the Secretary to waive or reduce the non-Federal cost share for Indian Tribes.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill facilitates water conservation and efficiency projects through increased federal support for tribal water management.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased financial support for Tribes: The Secretary may reduce or waive the non-Federal share of costs and increase the Federal share for infrastructure improvements or activities (Section 2). This is positive because it provides more funding for Tribes who might otherwise struggle to afford necessary water projects.
-
Relief from financial hardship: The bill allows for a waiver or reduction if the contribution of the non-Federal share would result in a financial hardship for an Indian Tribe (Section 2). This provides a safety net for Tribes facing economic difficulties while trying to improve water management.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+7Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Low Income Households+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Rural Development+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+6Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 1/22/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Jim CostaDemocrat · California
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas
Steven HorsfordDemocrat · Nevada
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California
Teresa Leger FernandezDemocrat · New Mexico
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado