Bill · S. 2753· Senate(119-S-2753)
Urban Canal Modernization Act
- Introduced
- 9/10/2025
- Last activity
- 9/17/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 640.
- Sponsored by
- James Risch
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Urban Canal Modernization Act. It amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The legislation authorizes certain extraordinary operation and maintenance work for urban canals of concern. It defines an urban canal of concern as a canal reach where failure would put an estimated population of more than 100 individuals at risk. The Secretary of the Interior or the transferred works operating entity may carry out this necessary work. For non-emergency work on these canals, 25 percent of the total costs will be provided by the Secretary on a nonreimbursable basis, while the remaining amounts must be repaid by the operating entity.
Yes· 3 of 15
Would people in cities be better off under this?+7
Directly targets the safety and modernization of canals specifically in urban areas.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
Provides an authorization mechanism for the Secretary of the Interior to maintain critical canal infrastructure on public lands.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
Urban canal failures often disproportionately affect higher-density, lower-income housing areas.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
Authorizes new federal spending for the maintenance of urban canals of concern.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
The bill provides nonreimbursable federal funding for 35% of project costs.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Safety for Populated Areas: Under section 2(a)(4), the bill defines an urban canal of concern where a failure would risk more than 100 individuals. This focuses attention and safety efforts on populated areas.
-
Federal Cost Assistance: Under section 2(b)(3)(A), the Secretary will provide 25 percent of the total costs for extraordinary operation and maintenance work on urban canals of concern on a nonreimbursable basis. This means the federal government chips in funds that do not have to be paid back.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Repayment Burdens: Under section 2(b)(3)(B), the remaining amounts for extraordinary operation and maintenance work on urban canals of concern must be advanced by the Secretary and repaid by the transferred works operating entity. This could create a financial burden for the operating entities responsible for the repayment.
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 Urban Residents+7Good For Low Income Households+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Children+3Good For High Income Households+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Young Adults+3Good For Union Workers+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+1Increases Job Creation+1Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-1
- 9/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with amendments. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 640.
- 6/10/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
- 3/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- 9/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon