Bill · H.R. 8461· House(119-HR-8461)
Western Tribal Water Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/23/2026
- Last activity
- 4/23/2026 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Hurd
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Western Tribal Water Act of 2026," aims to amend the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. Its primary purpose is to reauthorize the Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program. The legislation seeks to include 10 eligible projects located within the Upper Colorado River Basin. Additionally, it provides specific funding amounts for the upcoming years. These changes are intended to address water supply reliability challenges faced by Indian Tribes in that region.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+8
The bill directly funds critical water infrastructure projects for Indian Tribes, including the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+7
The bill specifically targets infrastructure improvements for remote tribal communities in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
Does this invest in rural communities?+7
The bill invests in critical water infrastructure projects for rural Indian Tribes in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill increases government spending by allocating $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Water Infrastructure in the Upper Colorado River Basin: The bill adds 10 eligible projects within the Upper Colorado River Basin to the Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program (Section 3, subsection (c)(1)). This addresses the finding that Tribes in this basin face over $100,000,000 in water infrastructure needs (Section 2).
-
Support for Ute Mountain Ute Tribe: The bill addresses a specific project for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe that has an estimated cost of $50,000,000 to fix aging drinking water delivery infrastructure in southwestern Colorado (Section 2).
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Increased Funding for Water Services: The bill adds $60,000,000 for both fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to the Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program (Section 3, subsection (g)). This funding supports Indian Tribes in drought-stricken basins across the Western United States to improve drinking water supplies and other water services (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the 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 Native Americans+8Good For Rural Residents+7Good For Low Income Households+6
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+7Improves Environmental Protections+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+7Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+6
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/23/2026
- 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.
- 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.
Jason CrowDemocrat · Colorado
Brittany PettersenDemocrat · Colorado