Bill · S. 4040· Senate(119-S-4040)
Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/10/2026
- Last activity
- 9/17/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 655.
- Sponsored by
- John Hoeven
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026. It updates a previous law to change how much money can be spent on various water supply projects. The funding goes toward state, municipal, rural, and industrial water systems. It also provides specific funding amounts for several Indian Reservation water systems. Finally, the bill includes instructions on how these funds can be adjusted for construction cost changes over time.
Yes· 3 of 20
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+10
Provides massive targeted funding for water systems on several specific Indian Reservations.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+9
Specifically targets the completion and expansion of rural water systems.
Would farmers be better off under this?+8
Essential water infrastructure directly supports farming and livestock operations.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-5
The bill authorizes hundreds of millions of dollars in additional government appropriations.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
The bill authorizes significant new federal spending, which increases the national deficit.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-2
Increasing authorized spending without offsetting cuts is generally seen as less fiscally responsible.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Northwest Area Water Supply: Section 2 authorizes $120,000,000 to complete all phases of the Northwest Area Water Supply Biota Water Treatment Plant and Pump Station Project. This could help complete this specific water infrastructure project.
-
Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply: Section 2 authorizes $404,000,000 to complete the McClusky Canal and Missouri River North Alternative. This funding is aimed at finishing this part of the alternative water supply project.
-
Southwest Pipeline Project: Section 2 authorizes $50,000,000 for the Southwest Pipeline Project to finish specific raw water intakes, transmission line upgrades, hydraulic improvements, and rural distribution expansions.
-
North Dakota Rural Water Districts: Section 2 authorizes $63,000,000 for North Dakota rural water districts for water treatment and rural distribution expansion, including specific work on the South Central Regional Water District and Northeast North Dakota projects.
-
Tribal Rural Water Systems: Section 2 authorizes up to $743,000,000 for several rural water systems. This includes up to $118,000,000 for the Spirit Lake Rural Water System, up to $275,000,000 for the Three Affiliated Tribes Rural Water System, up to $240,000,000 for the Standing Rock Rural Water System, and up to $98,000,000 for the Turtle Mountain Rural Water System.
-
Lake Traverse Indian Reservation: Section 2 provides $12,000,000 to complete a feasibility study for a municipal, rural, and industrial water system, and potentially begin construction if it is found to be feasible.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Authorizations and Spending: Section 2 authorizes significant new amounts of taxpayer funds—such as hundreds of millions for various water projects and tribal water systems—which could increase federal spending and the national financial burden on citizens.
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+10Good For Rural Residents+9Good For Farmers+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Business Owners+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Union Workers+3Good For White Americans+3Good For Children+2Good For Middle Aged+2Good For Seniors+2Good For Young Adults+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+8
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+5Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2Improves Small Business Support+2Reduces Government Spending-5Improves Fiscal Responsibility-2Reduces National Debt-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2
- 9/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 655.
- 6/10/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 3/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- 3/10/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California