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HR 7476

Water Infrastructure Assistance Reauthorization Act

119th Congress

Extends the authorized grant window for rural water, waste disposal, and wastewater facilities from 2019–2023 to 2026–2031 under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
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Bill Summary · HR 7476

Summary of H.R. 7476 (119th Congress) – Water Infrastructure Assistance Reauthorization Act

Overview

  • Purpose: Reauthorize certain water infrastructure grants under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. The bill updates the period during which specific grants are authorized, extending them to a future date.
  • Short Title: Water Infrastructure Assistance Reauthorization Act.
  • Introduced: February 10, 2026 by Representative Taylor (House, Agriculture Committee).

Key Provisions

Section 2: Water, Waste Disposal, and Wastewater Facility Grants

  • Change to Authorization Window: The bill amends Section 306(a)(2)(B)(vii) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to replace the existing grant authorization period.
    • Current text being replaced: “2019 through 2023”
    • New text: “2026 through 2031”
  • Scope: Applies to grants related to water, waste disposal, and wastewater facilities as authorized under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Programs Affected: The water, waste disposal, and wastewater facility grant program administered under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (a program within USDA rural development activities).
  • Beneficiaries: Rural communities, farmers, and facilities that rely on federal grants to develop or upgrade water, wastewater, and related infrastructure.
  • Implementing Agencies: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Rural Development, consistent with the authorizing statute.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Agriculture (Feb. 10, 2026).
  • Next Steps: If approved by the House Committee on Agriculture and then the full House, the bill would proceed to the Senate for consideration. Any enacted changes would become law upon passage by both chambers and signature by the President.
  • Effective Date: The bill itself does not specify an effective date beyond replacing the authorized grant period; once enacted, the extended authorization window (2026–2031) governs eligibility for grants under Section 306(a)(2)(B)(vii).

Practical Impact

  • Extends funding certainty for rural water infrastructure projects by broadening the authorized grant window from 2019–2023 to 2026–2031.
  • Encourages planning and execution of infrastructure improvements in rural communities by ensuring continued access to federal grant support through 2031.
  • Potentially influences state and local grant applications, project timelines, and matching or sequencing with other federal, state, or local funding.

Notes

  • The summary reflects the text available in the introduced bill and its stated amendment to the existing statute. If enacted, implementing guidance and any related appropriations would follow the usual federal administrative processes.

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

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