Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 3723Rural conditions and developmentEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, research

Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act

INTRO JAN 29· LAST ACTION SEP 17

READING

6MIN

COSPONSORS

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Introduced only

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because reliable access to clean water is essential for communities to thrive, supporting everything from daily life to local economies and agriculture. Western South Dakota, like many regions, faces challenges in ensuring a stable water supply, and this bill initiates a crucial step to address those needs.

If this bill becomes law, it could lead to a major infrastructure project that secures water for thousands of people and businesses for decades to come. If it doesn't pass, the feasibility of such a project might not be thoroughly investigated by the federal government, potentially delaying or preventing a solution to the region's long-term water supply concerns, leaving communities reliant on existing, potentially less sustainable, water sources.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study for a project to supply water from the Missouri River to the Western Dakota Regional Water System.

This initiates the formal evaluation of a significant infrastructure project to address water supply needs in Western South Dakota.

PROVISION 02

Mandates a feasibility report after the study, recommending whether the project should be built and determining the local share of construction costs (at least 25%).

This ensures a clear recommendation based on thorough analysis and outlines the expected financial commitment from local entities for any future construction.

PROVISION 03

Establishes that the federal government will pay no more than 50% of the feasibility study costs, with the rest covered by the non-Federal project entity.

This provision ensures shared responsibility for the study's expenses, requiring local commitment alongside federal investment.

PROVISION 04

Authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated for the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the feasibility study.

This allocates specific federal funding to cover the government's share of the study, making the study possible.

PROVISION 05

Sets a termination date for the authority to conduct the study 10 years after the bill's enactment.

This ensures that the study is completed within a reasonable timeframe and prevents indefinite authorization.

SPONSORSHIP

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COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%

DEM 0 REP 1 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

12 EVENTS

SEP 17

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

COMMITTEE

SEP 17

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 648.

CALENDARS

JUN 10

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

JUN 10

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 3723

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedJan 29, 2026

Last actionSep 17, 2026

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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 29, 2026

Senate BillS 3723Rural conditions and developmentEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, research

Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act

INTRODUCED JAN 29, 2026· LAST ACTION SEP 17, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

6 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study for a project to supply water from the Missouri River to the Western Dakota Regional Water System.

This initiates the formal evaluation of a significant infrastructure project to address water supply needs in Western South Dakota.

high

Mandates a feasibility report after the study, recommending whether the project should be built and determining the local share of construction costs (at least 25%).

This ensures a clear recommendation based on thorough analysis and outlines the expected financial commitment from local entities for any future construction.

med

Establishes that the federal government will pay no more than 50% of the feasibility study costs, with the rest covered by the non-Federal project entity.

This provision ensures shared responsibility for the study's expenses, requiring local commitment alongside federal investment.

high

Authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated for the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the feasibility study.

This allocates specific federal funding to cover the government's share of the study, making the study possible.

low

Sets a termination date for the authority to conduct the study 10 years after the bill's enactment.

This ensures that the study is completed within a reasonable timeframe and prevents indefinite authorization.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

10 years after the date of enactment of this Act

Authority to conduct the feasibility study expires

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

AMOUNT	PROGRAM	TYPE	YEARS
$10,000,000	Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study	discretionary	Not specified, but for the duration of the study authority

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Secretary of the Interior: The head of the U.S. government department responsible for managing and conserving most federal land and natural resources, including water projects.
Feasibility study: A detailed investigation to determine if a proposed project is practical, viable, and worth doing, considering its technical, economic, legal, and environmental aspects.
Non-Federal project entity: A local organization or group, not part of the federal government, that partners with the federal government on a project. In this case, it's the Western Dakota Regional Water System, Inc.
Proposed rural water supply project: The specific plan to bring water from the Missouri River to serve homes, farms, and businesses within the Western Dakota Regional Water System.
Cost-sharing agreement: A formal contract outlining how the expenses for a project or study will be divided and paid for by different parties, such as federal and local governments or organizations.
Authorization of appropriations: A legislative act that allows money to be set aside for a specific government program or purpose, but doesn't actually provide the funds; those come from a separate appropriation bill.

ACTION TIMELINE

12 EVENTS

SEP 17

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

COMMITTEE

SEP 17

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 648.

CALENDARS

JUN 10

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

JUN 10

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

COMMITTEE

READER REACTIONS

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Committee Referrals

Energy and Natural Resources CommitteeReferred

Sep 17, 2026

senate

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Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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READER REACTIONS

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Discussion

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