Bill · H.R. 9690· House(119-HR-9690)
Water Emergency and Technical Assistance Act
- Introduced
- 7/14/2026
- Last activity
- 7/14/2026 — 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
- Lori Trahan
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Water Emergency and Technical Assistance Act modifies the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. It reauthorizes emergency technical assistance for drinking water and creates new authority for emergency technical assistance and grants for treatment works. The bill focuses on responding to emergency situations that pose a substantial danger to public health, including cybersecurity events. It provides specific funding authorizations for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Yes· 3 of 27
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
Prevents water rate hikes by providing federal grants when repairs are not economically feasible for ratepayers.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
Crucial for rural areas with limited funding for emergency water infrastructure.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+6
Mitigates danger to public health from sewer overflows and drinking water contaminants.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill authorizes an increase in spending for drinking water and clean water emergency grants.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
The bill increases federal spending by authorizing additional appropriations for water emergencies.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Funding for Drinking Water: Section 101 increases funding to $50,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031, providing more resources for emergency situations.
-
Financial Protection for Ratepayers: Section 101 and Section 201(b)(2) ensure that assistance is available when actions are not economically feasible for ratepayers.
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Public Health Protection from Sewer Overflows: Section 201(a) allows grants to alleviate emergency situations, such as sewer overflows, that present a substantial danger to public health.
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Cybersecurity Response: Section 201(a) specifically allows for technical assistance and grants to respond to emergency situations resulting from cybersecurity events.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for people were 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+7Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Native Americans+5Good For Children+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Seniors+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Farmers+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Retirees+3Good For Asian Americans+2Good For Business Owners+2Good For High Income Households+2Good For Middle Aged+2Good For People With Disabilities+2Good For Union Workers+2Good For White Americans+2Good For Young Adults+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+6Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+4Improves Rural Development+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+3Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-1
- 7/14/2026
- 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.
- 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.