Bill · S. 3737· Senate(119-S-3737)
GROW SMART Act
- Introduced
- 1/29/2026
- Last activity
- 3/17/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The GROW SMART Act amends the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991. It allows the Secretary to provide technical and financial assistance to qualified applicants for planning innovative, voluntary water-sharing projects to respond to drought. These projects aim to keep agricultural land in production and support rural employment. The bill focuses on new approaches, such as water-saving crops and innovative irrigation technologies. Priority is given to projects that reduce water use while maintaining income levels. Funding is provided through existing accounts and new appropriations from 2028 through 2034.
Yes· 3 of 19
Would farmers be better off under this?+9
Provides critical funding for water-saving crops, irrigation tech, and drought resilience.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
Aims to keep agricultural land in production and support rural employment.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+7
Tribal entities are eligible and can have the 25 percent cost-sharing requirement waived.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
The bill authorizes new federal appropriations from 2028 through 2034.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill increases government spending by authorizing new funding for water projects.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Rural Economic Support: The bill provides assistance for projects that keep agricultural land in production and support income and employment levels in rural communities (SEC. 201A(a)(1)).
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Water Security: The act aims to provide people with affordable water supplies, redundant water supplies, or shared storage (SEC. 201A(a)(2)).
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Agricultural Innovation: Financial and technical assistance is available for implementing water-saving practices such as hydroponics, agrovoltaics, agroforestry, and innovative irrigation technologies (SEC. 201A(b)(2)(C)).
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Protection Against Crop Failure: The bill supports agreements that insulate agricultural water users from the risk of crop failures or water shortages (SEC. 201A(b)(2)(A)).
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Environmental Recovery: The Secretary can award assistance to projects that work to reverse declining groundwater supplies or freshwater inflows to inland lakes (SEC. 201A(c)(3)(A)(ii)).
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Reduced Administrative Burden: To make it easier for applicants, the bill limits application requirements to a brief description and basic information, prohibiting the need for supporting reports (SEC. 201A(d)).
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Support for Tribal Entities: Tribal entities are eligible for participation and may have the 25 percent cost-sharing requirement waived (SEC. 201A(c)(2) and SEC. 201A(f)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burden on Applicants: Most applicants must cover at least 25 percent of the cost of activities, as the Federal share cannot exceed 75 percent (SEC. 201A(f)(1)).
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Limited Scope of Assistance: Financial assistance is not available for crops that are already widely used, planted, or well understood in terms of cost and yield (SEC. 201A(b)(3)(B)).
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Restriction on Fallowing: Projects that fallow agricultural land for the majority of the growing season or the majority of years in a drought-year agreement are not eligible for assistance (SEC. 201A(b)(3)(A)).
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 Farmers+9Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Native Americans+7Good For Business Owners+6Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Urban Residents+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+7Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+4Improves Public Land Management+3Increases Renewable Energy Investment+3Reduces Carbon Emissions+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+4Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2Reduces Government Spending-1Reduces National Debt-1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 3/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- 1/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S380)
- Introduced in Senate