119-S-3738 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary: S. 3738 (119th) — The MORE WATER Act

Headline Summary: A Senate bill to expand large‑scale water recycling and upgrade canals and pipelines in Western states, with targeted benefits for low‑income communities and the environment, funded by authorizations that begin in fiscal year 2028.

What It Does: The bill reauthorizes and expands federal grant programs at the Bureau of Reclamation. It adds a new Water Conveyance Improvement Program to help design and build or restore canals, pipelines, and related infrastructure in Reclamation States. It re‑ups funding for big water‑recycling projects and raises per‑project caps in an existing recycling law. It also sets aside money for environmental and habitat work (including the Great Salt Lake and salmon habitat in California). Federal cost‑sharing is generally capped at 50%, with specific incentives for multi‑benefit projects that deliver safe drinking water for low‑income communities and measurable environmental gains.

• Who’s For It: Sponsor Sen. Alex Padilla (D‑CA). Likely backers include Western water agencies, cities, and irrigation districts seeking to repair aging canals and add drought‑proof supplies; Tribes and local governments pursuing safe drinking water connections; and conservation groups that support the bill’s dedicated environmental and habitat funding. Supporters will point to drought resilience, infrastructure modernization, and co‑benefits for disadvantaged communities.

• Who’s Against It: Possible skeptics include fiscal conservatives wary of new federal authorizations, and stakeholders who fear conveyance expansions could prioritize water deliveries over ecological flows if not tightly conditioned. Some local opponents may also question federal involvement or project‑by‑project impacts, permitting timelines, or cost overruns.

What’s Next: The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 29, 2026, referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and received a Subcommittee on Water and Power hearing on March 17, 2026. It now awaits full committee markup and votes before any potential Senate floor action, House consideration, and—if enacted—future appropriations decisions.