Summary of S. 3737 - GROW SMART Act

Overview

The GROW SMART Act is a bill introduced in the Senate in January 2026 that aims to provide financial and technical assistance for innovative approaches to voluntary water partnership agreements and projects that reduce agricultural water use. The bill would amend the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to enable this new assistance program.

Key Provisions

• Allows the Secretary of the Interior to provide technical and financial assistance to qualified applicants for planning support related to implementing innovative voluntary water projects, including:
  • Agreements between agricultural entities and water providers, industries, states, or nonprofits to share water supplies, storage, or other benefits
  • Adoption of water-saving agricultural practices and crops
  • Projects to reduce agricultural water consumption without fallowing land
• Establishes criteria for "innovative approaches" that are new or lack a well-established track record, such as crop diversification, precision irrigation, and regenerative agriculture
• Allows assistance to be provided directly to agricultural entities, states, tribes, etc. even without a formal voluntary partnership agreement
• Prioritizes assistance for applicants experiencing at least a 40% reduction in water supply or groundwater/surface water levels

Potential Impact

The GROW SMART Act is intended to support agricultural communities in adapting to drought conditions by facilitating partnerships and adoption of water-efficient technologies and practices. This could help maintain agricultural production and rural economies while reducing overall water use. The bill's focus on innovative approaches may also spur development and deployment of novel water management solutions.

The direct assistance to individual entities, even without formal partnerships, recognizes the diverse water challenges faced across the western U.S. and provides flexibility in the program. The priority consideration for those experiencing severe water reductions could direct resources to the most impacted areas.

Overall, the bill aims to promote collaborative, adaptive, and sustainable water management in the agriculture sector as a strategy for enhancing drought resilience.