Bills · HR 4879
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4879Environmental Protection
Emergency Rural Water Response Act of 2025
INTRO AUG 5· LAST ACTION AUG 6
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
3BIPARTISAN
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 it directly addresses challenges many rural communities face in maintaining and upgrading their essential water infrastructure, especially during emergencies. By expanding grant eligibility to larger towns, it acknowledges that water issues are not limited to the smallest communities and that medium-sized rural areas also need support. The broadened scope of grant uses means communities can tackle a wider array of interconnected water-related problems, from drinking water to storm runoff, using the same emergency funds.
Furthermore, the temporary permit exemption for portable water treatment during disasters could be crucial for quickly restoring access to clean water after floods, severe storms, or other events that damage existing systems. Without this bill, more communities would remain ineligible for critical funding, and emergency water response could be slowed down by bureaucratic processes. If it becomes law, it could lead to more resilient rural water systems and faster recovery for communities hit by environmental disasters.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Expands the types of water infrastructure projects eligible for federal emergency assistance grants to include potable water, wastewater, storm drainage, and solid waste facilities.
This allows rural communities to use emergency funds for a broader range of critical water-related infrastructure needs, making the grants more versatile.
PROVISION 02
Increases the population limit for communities eligible for these emergency water assistance grants from 10,000 to 35,000 people.
This change makes many more medium-sized rural towns eligible for federal financial aid for their water systems during emergencies.
PROVISION 03
Creates a temporary, 6-month exemption from NPDES permits for discharges from portable water treatment and filtration facilities used in state-declared disaster areas.
This provision aims to speed up the deployment of temporary clean water solutions in emergencies by reducing immediate regulatory hurdles.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 3
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
21
BILLS LED
29
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 67%
DEM 1 REP 2 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSAUG 6
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
AUG 5
Introduced in House
AUG 5
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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 4879
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedAug 5, 2025
Last actionAug 6, 2025
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED AUG 5, 2025
House BillHR 4879Environmental Protection
Emergency Rural Water Response Act of 2025
INTRODUCED AUG 5, 2025· LAST ACTION AUG 6, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
3
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
