Congress redirects $18M to drought-proof groundwater in water-stressed regions
H.R. 337 — To provide technical and financial assistance for groundwater recharge, aquifer storage, and water source substitution projects. · Filed by Jim Costa (D-CA) · 6 cosponsors · Introduced Jan 13, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill redirects $3 million per year from 2026–2031 (totaling $18 million) from unobligated balances in an existing water infrastructure program to fund groundwater recharge, aquifer storage, and water source substitution projects. It amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to allow the Secretary of the Interior to reallocate unused funds toward these specific water-management initiatives.
Why we flagged it
The bill is a straightforward technical amendment that redirects existing appropriated funds within a water infrastructure program toward specific water-management objectives (groundwater recharge, aquifer storage, source substitution). It is not a new appropriation but a reallocation of unobligated balances.
What the text implies
- The bill depends on the existence of unobligated balances in § 40901; if those balances are fully committed or depleted, the $3M annual transfer may not materialize, making the bill's practical effect contingent on implementation of the underlying IIJA program.
- Groundwater recharge and aquifer storage projects typically require state and local coordination; the bill does not specify matching-fund requirements or state participation, so effectiveness depends on state willingness to partner with federal funding.
- The bill does not specify geographic prioritization or eligibility criteria beyond the project types named; implementation guidance from the Secretary will determine which regions and projects receive funding.
Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.
Who it affects
The bill reallocates unused federal funds to expand water infrastructure in regions facing groundwater depletion and drought. Groundwater recharge and aquifer storage projects directly benefit communities dependent on groundwater supplies and improve long-term water security without imposing new costs on taxpayers.
Who stands to gain
- water utilities and districts undertaking groundwater recharge projects
- agricultural regions dependent on groundwater
- municipalities in water-stressed areas
Named in the bill
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58), Section 40910, Section 40901, Secretary of the Interior, U.S. Department of the Interior
Where it stands
6 cosponsors: 4 Democrats, 2 Republicans.
- Jan 13, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
- Jan 13, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on Natural Resources · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources”
Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.
How this was measured
Analysis — Quorum's AI read the bill text published by Congress.gov (449 characters) on Jun 10, 2026. Section numbers in the findings refer to that text, linked below; transparency and hidden-provision scores are compared against the median of 16,222 analysed bills.
Status and sponsors — Congress.gov's bill record — actions, committee referrals and cosponsors — loaded nightly. The timeline shows status changes, not every procedural action.
As of — page rendered 2026-10-20.
“Congress redirects $18M to drought-proof groundwater in water-stressed regions” QuorumCivic. https://share.quorumcivic.app/bill/119/hr337 Report an error
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