Bill · H.R. 8006· House(119-HR-8006)
Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/19/2026
- Last activity
- 3/19/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Julie Fedorchak
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026," seeks to amend Public Law 89-108. It modifies the authorization of appropriations for various water supplies, including State, Tribal, municipal, rural, and industrial water services. The legislation authorizes significant funding for specific water projects in North Dakota, such as the Northwest Area Water Supply Biota Water Treatment Plant and the McClusky Canal. It also allocates funds for several rural water systems within various Indian Reservations. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for indexing funds to account for construction cost fluctuations.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+9
The bill allocates over $740 million specifically for various tribal rural water systems within Indian Reservations.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
The bill funds several water projects specifically aimed at rural water districts and distribution expansion.
Does this invest in rural communities?+8
The bill provides significant funding for rural water treatment and distribution projects in North Dakota.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Completion of Water Treatment and Pipeline Projects: The bill authorizes $120,000,000 for the Northwest Area Water Supply Biota Water Treatment Plant and Pump Station Project, $404,000,000 for the McClusky Canal and Missouri River North Alternative, and $50,000,000 for the Southwest Pipeline Project (Section 2, subsection (b)(1)(D)(i)). These funds are intended to complete these specific water service projects.
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Support for Rural Water Districts: An amount of $63,000,000 is authorized for North Dakota rural water districts to support water treatment and rural distribution expansion, specifically mentioning the South Central Regional Water District North Burleigh Water Treatment Plant Expansion and Phase One of the Northeast North Dakota Long-Term Water Supply Project (Section 2, subsection (b)(1)(D)(i)(IV)).
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Funding for Tribal Water Systems: The bill authorizes $743,000,000 for various rural water systems (Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(C)(i)). This includes specific allocations for the Spirit Lake Rural Water System ($118,000,000), the Three Affiliated Tribes Rural Water System ($275,000,000), the Standing Rock Rural Water System ($240,0000,000), and the Turtle Mountain Rural Water System ($98,000,000).
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Feasibility and Construction for Lake Traverse: $12,000,000 is authorized to complete a feasibility study for a water system within the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation and, if determined feasible, to begin construction (Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(C)(i)(V)).
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Protection Against Cost Inflation: The bill includes indexing provisions to ensure that authorized amounts can adjust for ordinary fluctuations in construction costs (Section 2, subsection (e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limitations on Fund Transfers: While funds can be transferred between certain projects, any single project's initial authorized amount cannot be increased by more than 50 percent through these transfers (Section 2, subsection (b)(1)(D)(ii)).
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+9Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Low Income Households+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+8
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 3/19/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 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.