Bills · HR 4733
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4733Environmental Protection
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act
INTRO JUL 23· LAST ACTION DEC 1
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
43
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because access to clean, affordable drinking water and sanitation is a basic necessity, yet many low-income families face the difficult choice between paying for water or other essential expenses like food or rent. If this bill becomes law, it would establish a dedicated and ongoing federal program to help ensure these families can maintain access to water services, preventing shut-offs and reducing a significant financial burden.
Without this bill, many low-income households would continue to struggle with water affordability, potentially leading to increased water shut-offs, health risks, and greater financial instability. The program helps address a critical gap in assistance, similar to how federal programs help with energy costs, by focusing specifically on water. It also helps local water utilities recover lost revenue from unpaid bills, contributing to the overall stability and maintenance of water infrastructure.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) under the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency.
This creates a formal, ongoing federal program dedicated to addressing water affordability for low-income households.
PROVISION 02
Authorizes grants to states and Indian tribes to help low-income households pay for drinking water and wastewater service bills, including past-due amounts.
This provides direct financial assistance to vulnerable populations to cover essential utility costs.
PROVISION 03
Allows for grants to qualified nonprofit organizations to assist public water systems in rural or underserved areas, or within Indian tribes, in accessing the program funds.
This helps ensure that smaller, harder-to-reach water systems and their customers can benefit from the assistance.
PROVISION 04
Defines 'low-income household' based on participation in other public assistance programs or having an income at or below 150 percent of the poverty level or 60 percent of state/area median income.
This clarifies who is eligible for assistance, aiming to target those most in need.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes $500,000,000 to be appropriated for the program for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
This secures a substantial, multi-year funding stream for the water assistance program.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 43
D· Illinois
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
12
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 37%
DEM 35 REP 8 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSDEC 1
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
JUL 23
Introduced in House
JUL 23
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4733
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 23, 2025
Last actionDec 1, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 23, 2025
House BillHR 4733Environmental Protection
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act
INTRODUCED JUL 23, 2025· LAST ACTION DEC 1, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
43
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
