PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 117-300.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 24, 2021
Water for Conservation and Farming Act
This bill establishes a funding source for certain water resources development projects in western states. The bill also reauthorizes and expands existing water resources development programs, as well as establishes new programs.
Specifically, the bill establishes the Bureau of Reclamation Infrastructure Fund to fund water-related programs, including water reclamation and reuse projects, dam safety projects, and the WaterSMART program (which provides assistance to eligible government entities to increase water supply). Each year from FY2031-FY2061, the Department of the Treasury must deposit $300 million of revenues into this fund that would otherwise be deposited into the Reclamation Fund (which currently funds irrigation works in western states).
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The bill also expands the allowable uses for grants under the WaterSMART program.
Next, the bill revises the Reclamation Climate Change and Water program (which assesses the impact of climate change on water supplies) by requiring Reclamation to develop a strategy to address sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought.
The bill also reauthorizes through FY2028 the Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation program (which funds fish passage projects in certain areas that drain into the Pacific Ocean).
Finally, the bill establishes new programs directed at western states to
provide assistance to agricultural producers to create and maintain waterbird and shorebird habitats,
award grants to eligible government entities and nonprofit conservation organizations for habitat restoration projects that improve watershed health, and
prepare plans to sustain the survival of critically important fisheries during periods of drought.
People & committees
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] · D–OR
Legislative record
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Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 117-300.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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