Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 6639
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 6639Water Resources Development
Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Act
INTRO DEC 11· LAST ACTION DEC 11
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
California frequently faces severe droughts and water shortages, making the reliable supply of water a critical issue for its large population and agricultural economy. This bill matters because it attempts to speed up the development of new water infrastructure by reducing what it identifies as "regulatory hurdles."
If this bill becomes law, it could potentially lead to faster construction of water projects like reservoirs or groundwater recharge systems, which might increase water availability and reduce costs for some users. However, it also raises questions about how thoroughly environmental impacts will be reviewed if regulations are suspended or revised. If it doesn't become law, the current regulatory review processes for water projects would remain in place, potentially continuing existing delays but also ensuring current levels of environmental scrutiny.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
The Secretaries of Interior and Commerce must identify all major ongoing or potential water-supply and storage projects in California.
This establishes a clear scope for the bill's actions, focusing federal attention on specific water infrastructure needs in California.
PROVISION 02
For each identified project, each Secretary must designate a federal official to coordinate their agency's compliance with environmental laws.
This centralizes responsibility and aims to improve efficiency in navigating complex regulatory requirements for water projects.
PROVISION 03
Designated officials must, within 30 days of the bill's enactment, identify regulatory hurdles that unnecessarily obstruct or delay projects and propose plans to suspend or revise them.
This provision directly targets perceived obstacles to water project development and aims for rapid regulatory changes.
California frequently faces severe droughts and water shortages, making the reliable supply of water a critical issue for its large population and agricultural economy. This bill matters because it attempts to speed up the development of new water infrastructure by reducing what it identifies as "regulatory hurdles."
If this bill becomes law, it could potentially lead to faster construction of water projects like reservoirs or groundwater recharge systems, which might increase water availability and reduce costs for some users. However, it also raises questions about how thoroughly environmental impacts will be reviewed if regulations are suspended or revised. If it doesn't become law, the current regulatory review processes for water projects would remain in place, potentially continuing existing delays but also ensuring current levels of environmental scrutiny.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
The Secretaries of Interior and Commerce must identify all major ongoing or potential water-supply and storage projects in California.
This establishes a clear scope for the bill's actions, focusing federal attention on specific water infrastructure needs in California.
med
For each identified project, each Secretary must designate a federal official to coordinate their agency's compliance with environmental laws.
This centralizes responsibility and aims to improve efficiency in navigating complex regulatory requirements for water projects.
high
Designated officials must, within 30 days of the bill's enactment, identify regulatory hurdles that unnecessarily obstruct or delay projects and propose plans to suspend or revise them.
This provision directly targets perceived obstacles to water project development and aims for rapid regulatory changes.
