Bill · H.R. 7530· House(119-HR-7530)
Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/12/2026
- Last activity
- 3/20/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- Sponsored by
- Donald Davis
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2026," proposes amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. It aims to provide more help to rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems. The Secretary is authorized to provide grants, zero percent interest loans, or one percent interest loans to eligible entities. Additionally, the Secretary may modify existing loans or refinance other loans under specific conditions. Assistance can be used to maintain public health, safety, or order, or to address financial hardships in certain areas.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+7
The bill provides direct financial and structural support to improve water and waste systems in rural areas.
Does this invest in rural communities?+6
The bill specifically provides grants and low-interest loans to support the infrastructure of rural water and waste facilities.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+5
The bill provides financial assistance to rural water and waste systems to maintain public health and safety.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Financial Relief for Water Systems: The Secretary can provide grants, zero percent interest loans, or one percent interest loans to eligible entities (Section 2, subsection b(1)). This provides direct financial aid to rural water and waste facilities.
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Loan Flexibility: The Secretary has the power to forgive principal or interest, modify terms, or refinance existing loans (Section 2, subsection b(2)). This could help stabilize systems that are already carrying debt.
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Public Health and Safety: Assistance can be used to ensure an entity has the resources to maintain public health, safety, or order (Section 2, subsection c(1)).
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Support for Distressed Areas: The bill allows for assistance to address financial hardships if the entity is located in a disadvantaged or economically distressed area (Section 2, subsection c(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limitations on Loan Assistance: There is a restriction preventing the Secretary from providing assistance under the loan modification/refinancing paragraph for loans provided under the new grant/loan paragraph (Section 2, subsection b(3)).
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 Rural Residents+7Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Middle Class Households+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+6Improves Environmental Protections+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3Improves Racial Equity+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+5
- 3/20/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- 2/12/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 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.
Dusty JohnsonRepublican · South Dakota