119-S-3635 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary (Fort Peck Water System Reauthorization Act)

Headline Summary: Give the Fort Peck–Dry Prairie rural water system two extra years of federal authorization, through 2028, so construction and funding authority don’t lapse. (congress.gov)

What It Does: The bill is a simple reauthorization. It changes existing law’s deadline from 2026 to 2028 for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System, which includes the Assiniboine & Sioux (tribal) system and the Dry Prairie (off‑reservation) system across Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley, and Daniels counties in northeast Montana. In short, it keeps the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority in place to continue building this drinking‑water project. (congress.gov)

Why It Matters: The project is designed to deliver safe, reliable drinking water to Tribal and non‑Tribal communities that have long struggled with poor‑quality local wells; Reclamation lists Fort Peck–Dry Prairie among its tribal rural water projects now being constructed to meet these needs. Local coverage also underscores the practical stakes for households and towns in the region. (usbr.gov)

Who’s For It:

• Sen. Steve Daines (R‑MT) and Sen. Tim Sheehy (R‑MT), the sponsors, say the extension helps ensure clean, reliable water for northeast Montana’s tribal and rural communities and keeps construction moving through 2028. (daines.senate.gov)
• Assiniboine & Sioux Rural Water System (tribal component) — expressed support, calling the project historic and life‑changing for people in northeast Montana. (daines.senate.gov)
• Dry Prairie Rural Water Authority (off‑reservation component) — praised the bill and the Montana delegation for seeing the system to completion. (daines.senate.gov)
• Regional reporting notes the project’s role in bringing safe water to multiple communities in the four affected counties. (mtpr.org)

Who’s Against It:

• No organized opposition has surfaced in public committee materials or local reporting as of March 18, 2026. (energy.senate.gov)
• Typical concerns raised about federal rural water projects generally include cost, schedule delays, and the size of the federal cost share; CRS has documented these recurring debates. (congress.gov)

What’s Next: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held a legislative hearing on March 17, 2026 that included S. 3635. Next steps would be a subcommittee/full‑committee markup, a Senate floor vote, and then consideration in the House if it passes the Senate. As of now, the bill remains in the Senate ENR Committee after being referred on January 14, 2026. (energy.senate.gov)