119-HR-5730 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary — 119-HR-5730

Headline Summary: Re-ups federal sewer overflow and stormwater reuse grants at $350 million per year through FY2026–2031 to help communities cut sewage spills and manage runoff. [1]U.S. Government Publishing Office — H.R. 5730 (Text as Introduced) — 119th Cong…

What It Does: The bill updates Section 221 of the Clean Water Act to authorize, not appropriate, up to $350 million annually for the EPA’s Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants. These grants help states and localities plan and build projects that reduce combined and sanitary sewer overflows and improve stormwater management—needs that disproportionately strain smaller or financially distressed communities. [1]U.S. Government Publishing Office — H.R. 5730 (Text as Introduced) — 119th Cong…[2]EPA — EPA Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants Program

Why It Matters: Stormwater and wastewater systems are aging, and heavy rains are causing more overflows that foul rivers and streets. ASCE’s 2025 Infrastructure Report Card gives stormwater a “D,” signaling chronic underinvestment; utilities cite aging assets and big funding gaps. These grants target exactly those problems. [3]ASCE — ASCE 2025 Report Card News Release (Overall grades, stormwater noted)[5]Stormwater Solutions — Stormwater earns ‘D’ on ASCE 2025 Infrastructure Report…

• Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Deluzio (D‑PA) introduced the bill on October 10, 2025. [6]Congress.gov — H.R. 5730 — All Information (Except Text)
• Local clean-water utilities and cities (e.g., NACWA members) have long advocated more funding for the Section 221 program to afford CSO/SSO fixes and stormwater projects. [7]NACWA — NACWA Supports Increased Sewer and Stormwater Grant Funding (2020)
• Evidence of bipartisan interest: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R‑LA) has highlighted OSG grants from the 2021 infrastructure law as helpful for local sewer and stormwater needs. [8]U.S. Senate — Sen. Bill Cassidy Press Release on OSG Grants for Louisiana (2023)

Who’s For It:

• Fiscal conservatives wary of EPA spending increases and some House appropriators who have pushed to cut water-infrastructure accounts (like the State Revolving Funds) may be skeptical of expanding or reauthorizing EPA grant lines. Reasons cited include reining in federal spending and prioritizing other programs. [9]Engineering News-Record — ENR: EPA Infrastructure, Superfund Programs Slashed b…
• Recent House FY2026 drafts propose sizable SRF reductions (roughly 19–25%), signaling resistance to higher water-infrastructure outlays in general. [10]Bond Buyer — Bond Buyer: Drinking, clean water revolving funds take hit in Hous…[11]Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies — AMWA summary: House Interior Subco…

Who’s Against It:

What’s Next: As of December 2, 2025, Congress.gov lists H.R. 5730 as introduced and referred to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee; next steps typically include subcommittee consideration, a committee markup, House/Senate floor votes, and (if enacted) annual appropriations to actually fund the authorized amounts. [6]Congress.gov — H.R. 5730 — All Information (Except Text)[4]Congress.gov / CRS — CRS: Authorizations and the Appropriations Process (R46497)