WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act

House Bill

H.R. 635

119th Congress

WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 22, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Donald S. Beyer Jr.

Representative

Democratic

VA-8

Cosponsors

7

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Native Americans

Summary

This bill allows the Department of the Interior to reduce or waive the nonfederal cost share for WaterSMART grants to Indian tribes if paying the match would cause financial hardship. This helps tribes access federal water management grants they might otherwise be unable to afford.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill allows the Department of the Interior to reduce or waive the nonfederal cost share for WaterSMART grants to Indian tribes if paying the match would cause financial hardship. This helps tribes access federal water management grants they might otherwise be unable to afford.

Last updated: 1/6/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

WaterSMART Access for Tribes ActThis bill allows the Department of the Interior to reduce or waive the nonfederal cost share of certain grants and agreements for assisting Indian tribes in planning, designing, or constructing any water management improvement or carrying out any water-related activity if Interior determines that paying the cost share would result in a financial hardship for the tribe.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Allows waiver of cost share for tribal WaterSMART grants
Interior determines financial hardship on case-by-case basis
Covers water management improvement projects
Includes planning, design, and construction activities
Removes barrier to tribal participation in water programs

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Indian tribes facing financial hardship could access water management grants without matching fund requirements. More tribes could participate in federal water improvement programs. Water infrastructure on tribal lands could benefit from increased grant access.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Native Americans

Related Subjects

Federal-Indian relations

Indian lands and resources rights

Water resources funding

Water use and supply

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

635, 119th Congress (2025). "WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-635