WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 9512

Doug LaMalfa Sacramento River Basin Water Security and Reliability Act of 2026

119th Congress

Expands federal funding and coordination to increase water storage, restore Sacramento River habitat, and fund drought resilience and dam safety via WIIN Act programs.

Introduced in House
2
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9512

Overview

Doug LaMalfa Sacramento River Basin Water Security and Reliability Act of 2026 (H.R. 9512) would reauthorize and expand federal support related to water storage, environmental restoration, and drought resilience in the Sacramento River Basin. The bill(s) create or extend programs under the WIIN Act, establish a federal leadership committee, authorize nonreimbursable federal contributions for state-led storage projects, and authorize funding for environmental restoration focused on native anadromous fish (e.g., Chinook salmon) and related habitat improvements. It also permits the retention of revenue from eligible temporary water transfers to fund drought resilience, maintenance, and dam safety investments. The act would take effect upon enactment and would operate for up to 15 years for the federal leadership committee, with various sunset and reporting provisions.

Key Provisions

  • Reauthorization of the WIIN Act Water Storage Program

    • Extends the feasibility deadline for the water storage program from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2041.
    • Keeps the WIIN Act framework in effect notwithstanding existing sunset timing.

  • Federal Contribution to Operations and Maintenance (O&M) for State-Led Storage Projects

    • The Secretary (via the Commissioner of Reclamation) may fund O&M, replacement costs, and associated nonstructural public-benefit activities for eligible state-led storage projects receiving WIIN Act assistance.
    • Federal contributions are limited to 50% of total annual O&M and replacement costs for each eligible project.
    • “Public benefits” include ecosystem improvements, fish and wildlife enhancements, water quality, recreation, flood control, and related benefits beyond mandatory environmental compliance.
    • Federal funds under this section are nonreimbursable to the United States.
    • Appropriations authority is proposed as necessary to carry out the section.

  • Sacramento River Basin Environmental Restoration and Recovery

    • Amends WIIN Act Section 4010(b) to authorize $500 million (fiscal years 2028–2037) for actions in the Sacramento River Basin aimed at endangered species recovery and habitat restoration.
    • Eligible uses include: gravel/rearing area additions, fish passage improvements, barrier removal, habitat restoration (including floodplain reconnection and managed inundation), hatchery modernization, fish screens, and native anadromous fish reintroductions.
    • Includes planning, design, scientific studies, monitoring, environmental reviews, permitting, construction, and adaptive management.
    • All funds under this section are nonreimbursable.
    • Grants and agreements under this provision would not be treated as new or amended contracts for certain Reclamation processes.

  • Sacramento River Basin Integrated Water Management Federal Leadership Committee

    • Establishes a Federal Leadership Committee to coordinate and advance covered projects (habitat restoration, floodplain activation, hatchery modernization, fish passage/screening, water infrastructure, groundwater recharge, working-lands habitat, and fishery monitoring) in the Sacramento River Basin.
    • The committee is built on the framework of the Sacramento Floodplain MOU (dated October 23, 2024) and aims to scale coordination beyond project-by-project efforts.
    • The Committee would include representatives from key federal agencies (Reclamation, FWS, NMFS, Army Corps, BLM, NRCS, EPA, USGS) and may include state and tribal representatives.
    • Responsibilities include removing regulatory and procedural obstacles, aligning federal programs and funding, supporting the Floodplain MOU, coordinating with recovery plans for winter-run Chinook salmon, and providing annual status reports to Congress.
    • The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science would chair the Committee.
    • The Committee would terminate 15 years after enactment unless extended by Congress.
    • Administrative support would be provided by the Secretary.

  • Use of Revenue from Eligible Temporary Water Transfers

    • Allows transferors to retain all revenue from eligible temporary transfers that would otherwise go to the Reclamation Fund.
    • Retained funds may be used for drought resilience investments, extraordinary maintenance, or dam safety investments, or placed in a reserve account to be used for those purposes.
    • If funds in the reserve are not used within 10 years, they would be transferred to the Reclamation Fund to apply toward repayment obligations.
    • Requires reporting on uses of funds and ensures compliance with state laws, federal policies, and interstate compacts.
    • Section clarifies that this provision does not alter other federal authorities or state water rights, nor tribal trust or treaty rights, nor Endangered Species Act requirements.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Federal agencies involved in water management and environmental restoration (e.g., Bureau of Reclamation, FWS, NMFS, Army Corps, BLM, NRCS, EPA, USGS) would implement and coordinate programs.
  • State and local entities and water districts implementing state-led storage projects under WIIN Act funding.
  • California state agencies (e.g., California Natural Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Water Resources) and tribal partners could participate in the federal leadership committee and related habitat/restoration activities.
  • Stakeholders in the Sacramento River Basin, including communities relying on water supply, fisherman, environmental groups, and agricultural users, through changes in water storage, habitat restoration, and related management.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: Upon enactment.
  • Federal Leadership Committee: Established within 180 days of enactment; terminates 15 years after enactment unless extended by Congress.
  • Authorization for environmental restoration funding: $500 million for 2028–2037, with eligible activities defined and tied to Endangered Species Act considerations.
  • Reauthorization of the WIIN Act storage program: Extends feasibility deadline to 2041; continued applicability of WIIN Act provisions.
  • Revenue retention from eligible temporary transfers: Ongoing authority to retain and use funds with reporting requirements and sunset-related considerations tied to repayment obligations.

Note: The bill preserves existing laws and tribal/State rights consistency while expanding federal involvement in storage, habitat restoration, and drought resilience in the Sacramento River Basin.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.