Bill · H.R. 7845· House(119-HR-7845)
DROUGHT Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/5/2026
- Last activity
- 3/6/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- Sponsored by
- Scott Peters
- Cosponsors
- - 8 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "DROUGHT Act of 2026," seeks to amend the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014. It focuses on adjusting Federal assistance for specific water infrastructure projects. The amendment allows for Federal assistance to cover up to 90 percent of a covered project's total cost. Priority is given to projects in areas facing severe drought or specific economic conditions. It also targets projects deemed to have regional or national significance by the Secretary or Administrator.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill specifically prioritizes infrastructure projects that serve areas with household incomes at or below 200 percent of the poverty threshold.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill promotes water reuse, recycling, and reduced water usage, which directly enhances environmental sustainability.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+4
By prioritizing drought-stricken regions and specific counties, the bill supports the water security of rural and drought-prone communities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Financial Support for Water Projects: The bill allows Federal assistance for a covered project to reach up to 90 percent of the total project cost, which is an exception to previous limits (Section 2, (D)(i)).
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Support for Drought-Stricken Areas: Financing is prioritized for projects located in States designated with severe drought (D2) or greater for at least 4 weeks in the previous 5 years, or in counties where a Governor has declared a drought emergency (Section 2, (D)(iii)(I)).
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Economic Relief for Low-Income Communities: Priority is given to projects serving areas where the average household income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty threshold established by the Bureau of the Census, or those meeting specific affordability criteria (Section 2, (D)(iii)(II)).
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Benefits from Significant Infrastructure: Projects designated as having regional or national significance can provide benefits such as increased drinking water supply capacity or reliability, enhanced water reuse or recycling, reduced regional water usage, lower costs to ratepayers, or substantial public health or environmental benefits (Section 2, (D)(iii)(III)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned 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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Rural Residents+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Rural Development+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3Increases Job Creation+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Opioid Crisis Response+1
- 5/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/6/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 3/5/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Nanette BarragánDemocrat · California
Jim CostaDemocrat · California
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Raul RuizDemocrat · California
Juan VargasDemocrat · California