Bill · S. 4381· Senate(119-S-4381)
Western Tribal Water Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/23/2026
- Last activity
- 4/23/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Michael Bennet
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Western Tribal Water Act of 2026," seeks to amend the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. The primary goal is to reauthorize the Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program. It specifically targets the addition of 10 eligible projects located within the Upper Colorado River Basin. To support these projects, the bill allocates $60,000,000 for both fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+7
The bill provides significant funding specifically for Indian Tribes to improve their water supplies and infrastructure.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+6
The bill addresses infrastructure gaps specifically facing Indian Tribes in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
Does this invest in rural communities?+6
The bill invests in critical water delivery infrastructure within rural tribal lands in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill increases government spending by allocating $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Water Reliability: The bill addresses water supply reliability challenges faced by Indian Tribes in the Upper Colorado River Basin (Section 2: Findings).
-
Infrastructure Improvements: By adding 10 eligible projects in the Upper Colorado River Basin, the bill provides a way to address water infrastructure needs, such as the $50,000,000 project needed by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to fix aging drinking water delivery infrastructure (Section 2: Findings; Section 3: Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program).
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Enhanced Drinking Water Services: The amendment to the Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program helps Indian Tribes in drought-stricken basins across the Western United States improve their drinking water supplies and other water services (Section 2: Findings; Section 3: Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated 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 Native Americans+7Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Rural Residents+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+6Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+6
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+5
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Reduces Government Spending-2
- 4/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 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.
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado