S. 2272 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jul 14, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryClean water access for tribes expanded
This bill makes it easier for Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian communities to get funding for clean water and sanitation systems. It expands existing USDA programs to include these groups and allows more money for water development. It also gives the Indian Health Service new authority to help tribes build and maintain water facilities and get technical help.
How it affects you
If you're a member of a tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, this means more access to loans and grants to improve water systems in your community. If you live on tribal lands, you may see improvements to drinking water and sanitation services. For most other Americans, this bill is primarily aimed at helping these specific communities address water and health challenges.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jul 14, 2025)
Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025
This bill expands access to water resources for Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian communities.
Under a current program, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes loans and grants to provide water and waste disposal facilities and services to low-income rural areas whose residents are facing significant health risks. This bill expands eligibility for the program to include Native Hawaiian organizations. Additionally, these loans and grants may be used to provide water or waste services to residents on tribal lands.
The bill authorizes USDA to make additional loans and grants under existing programs to tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to develop, use, and control water. The bill also allows USDA to support technical assistance for tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.
Additionally, the bill allows the Indian Health Service to (1) provide and maintain essential sanitation facilities for noncommercial community structures (e.g., schools, hospitals, and tribal offices), (2) provide technical assistance, and (3) provide financial assistance to operate and maintain drinking water and sanitation facilities serving tribes that are owned and operated by a tribe.
The bill also increases the authorization of appropriations for the Bureau of Reclamation's Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program through FY2030.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 2272
A BILL
Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D-CO) · Introduced Jul 14, 2025 · Native Americans · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 14, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.”