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Western Water Security Act of 2020

Introduced: October 28, 2019 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 11 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 18, 2020
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 558.
Dec 18, 2020
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged.
Dec 18, 2020
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-674, Part I.
Mar 11, 2020
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 11.
Mar 11, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 11, 2020
Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Discharged.
Jan 28, 2020
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Nov 12, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
Oct 28, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Oct 28, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
Oct 28, 2019
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Western Water Security Act of 2020

This bill addresses water management infrastructure and improvement, groundwater management, and water conservation and environmental restoration in certain western states.

Specifically, the bill increases the authorization of appropriations to fund research agreements between the Bureau of Reclamation and eligible entities for water management improvement. The bill expands eligibility for such agreements to include nonprofit conservation organizations.

Further, the bill allows certain financial assistance made available under an existing drought relief program to be used to assist state and tribal governments in addressing drought-related impacts to water supplies or any other immediate water-related crises. The bill reauthorizes the program through FY2030.

Additionally, the bill increases the maximum federal share of costs for certain infrastructure improvements and activities for groundwater management that provide benefits to consumptive water users (i.e., users of water that is not returned to a stream, river, or water treatment plant) and nonconsumptive ecological or recreational values.

The bill also requires Reclamation to carry out a water acquisition program in specified river basins. Further, Interior must analyze the extent to which changes in water supply will affect native biodiversity and must produce strategies for sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought.

What's happening now December 18, 2020

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 558.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2