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HR 7397

Puerto Rico Water Infrastructure Resilience Act

119th Congress Introduced by Dan Goldman and 1 co-sponsor

The bill aims to boost Puerto Rico’s water resilience by funding upgrades to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems to withstand climate hazards.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
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Bill Summary · HR 7397

Overview

HR 7397, the Puerto Rico Water Infrastructure Resilience Act, is a bill introduced in the 119th Congress with the stated aim of supporting the resilience and reliability of Puerto Rico’s water infrastructure. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and its Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. It has two co-sponsors: Rep. Dan Goldman and Rep. Darren Soto.

Main purpose and intent

  • To enhance the resilience, reliability, and sustainability of Puerto Rico’s water infrastructure.
  • To address vulnerabilities in water systems that may be exposed to natural hazards (e.g., hurricanes, flooding) and climate-related stressors.
  • To support efforts that improve drinking water quality, wastewater management, and stormwater infrastructure as part of broader resilience planning for Puerto Rico.

Key provisions and changes (as described in the bill summary)

Note: The available information provided does not include the full text of the bill. The following reflects the bill’s likely scope based on its title and typical provisions in related infrastructure resilience legislation.

  • Authorization or appropriation mechanisms to fund water infrastructure resilience projects in Puerto Rico, potentially including grants, loans, or technical assistance.
  • Provisions to improve critical water systems, such as:
    • Drinking water treatment and distribution upgrades to meet safety and reliability standards.
    • Wastewater collection and treatment enhancements to prevent overflows and protect public health and ecosystems.
    • Stormwater management improvements to reduce flooding and protect water quality.
  • Climate resilience and adaptation measures, such as:
    • Reducing vulnerability to extreme weather events.
    • Incorporating resilience criteria into project planning and procurement.
    • Supporting contingency planning and redundancy (backup power, alternative water supplies).
  • Coordination and oversight provisions, possibly involving federal agencies (e.g., EPA or HUD-related programs) and Puerto Rico authorities to align with national resilience and water infrastructure programs.
  • potential reporting and compliance requirements to monitor progress, outcomes, and use of funds.

Who would be affected

  • Puerto Rico water and wastewater utilities and agencies responsible for supplying drinking water and treating wastewater.
  • Local governments and municipalities directly involved in water infrastructure projects.
  • End users in Puerto Rico who rely on drinking water and wastewater services, with potential short-term rate or cost implications depending on funding mechanisms.
  • Federal partners and program administrators administering resilience grants or loans.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced in February 2026 and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
  • Subcommittee review: It was subsequently referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment for hearings and markup.
  • Next steps (typical progress): If advanced, the bill would proceed to full committee vote, potential amendments, and floor consideration. If enacted, implementation would follow the authorization or appropriation provisions, with regulations and program guidelines developed by relevant federal and Puerto Rico authorities.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Policy impact: Elevates federal attention to Puerto Rico’s water resilience needs and could streamline funding for critical upgrades.
  • Economic impact: Availability of grants or low-interest financing could enable large-scale infrastructure upgrades, potentially reducing long-term operation and maintenance costs and improving public health protections.
  • Environmental impact: Improved water treatment and stormwater management could reduce pollution loads to ecosystems and improve watershed resilience.
  • Implementation considerations: Effective use of funds will require robust project planning, coordination between federal and local entities, and rigorous monitoring to ensure resilience outcomes are achieved.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize specific sections (e.g., funding mechanisms, governance, or implementation timelines) once the bill’s full text becomes available.

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

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