Bill · S. 2260· Senate(119-S-2260)
Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act
- Introduced
- 7/10/2025
- Last activity
- 7/10/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act, seeks to restore water quality in the Tijuana River and the New River. It establishes two specific geographic programs to plan and implement water quality restoration and protection activities in these watersheds. The legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator to develop science-based action plans and coordinate with various federal, state, tribal, and local entities. It also creates a United States-Mexico border water infrastructure program to provide financial and technical assistance for eligible projects. Funding is authorized for various infrastructure, monitoring, and management efforts to address pollution and public health risks.
Yes· 3 of 12
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
The bill focuses on restoring water quality and protecting critical habitats in the Tijuana and New River watersheds.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
The bill addresses sediment management to protect estuaries and wildlife habitats.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+5
The bill includes provisions to consult with Indian Tribes within the watershed region.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Public Health and Safety: The bill aims to address pollution from untreated sewage and stormwater that creates health risks for local populations and Border Patrol agents (Section 101(a)(6), 101(a)(11)).
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Restoration of Recreational and Economic Opportunities: By improving water quality, the act seeks to protect the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the Tijuana River, which impacts the economies of communities like Imperial Beach and San Diego (Section 101(a)(5)).
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Environmental and Habitat Protection: The program aims to protect critical habitats for wildlife, such as shore birds and fish, by managing sediment and water salinity (Section 101(a)(4), 101(a)(9)).
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Water Security and Sustainability: The bill supports water reuse and recycling projects to address water needs within the watersheds (Section 101(b)(1)(C)(ii), 103(b)(2)(B)(ii)).
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Infrastructure Support: The legislation provides for the construction, operation, and maintenance of essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure (Section 301(a)(2), 401(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Administrative and Operational Costs: The bill involves significant authorized appropriations for various programs, such as $50,000,000 per fiscal year for the Tijuana River program and $50,000,000 per fiscal year for the New River program (Section 105(f)(1), 205(f)(1)).
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Requirement for Federal Share: The Administrator has the authority to establish a Federal share requirement for certain projects, which may impact how assistance is distributed (Section 105(c), 301(g)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+8Improves Public Land Management+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+5Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Low Income Households+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+5Improves Diplomatic Engagement+4Increases Foreign Aid+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Government Transparency+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+5
- 7/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Introduced in Senate
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.