I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5716 
To promote water supply reliability and improved water management for 
rural communities, the State of California, and the Nation, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 25, 2021 
Mr. HARDER of California (for himself, Mr. COSTA, Mr. GARAMENDI, Mr. PA-
NETTA, and Mr. MCNERNEY) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To promote water supply reliability and improved water man-
agement for rural communities, the State of California, 
and the Nation, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Securing Access for 
the central Valley and Enhancing (SAVE) Water Re-
sources Act’’. 
SEC. 2. WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUND. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘Water Infrastructure and Drought Solutions Fund’’ (re-
ferred to in this section as the ‘‘Fund’’), consisting of— 
(1) such amounts as are deposited in the Fund 
under subsection (b); and 
(2) any interest earned on investment of 
amounts in the Fund under subsection (c)(1)(B). 
(b) DEPOSITS TO FUND.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—For each of fiscal years 
2032 through 2062, the Secretary of the Treasury 
shall deposit in the Fund $750,000,000 of the reve-
nues that would otherwise be deposited for the fiscal 
year in the reclamation fund established by the first 
section of the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388, 
chapter 1093), of which— 
(A) $250,000,000 shall be expended by the 
Secretary of the Interior for new surface or 
ground water storage projects provided that— 
(i) expenditures are made for nonre-
imbursable public benefits under Federal 
reclamation law (the Act of June 17, 1902 
(32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093), and Acts 
supplemental to and amendatory of that 
Act); and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(ii) Federal expenditures account for 
no more than 50 percent of total costs for 
any project; 
(B) $250,000,000 shall be expended by the 
Secretary of the Interior for water reclamation 
and reuse projects authorized under title XVI 
of Public Law 102–575 and section 4009 of 
Public Law 114–322; and 
(C) $250,000,000 shall be expended by the 
Secretary of the Interior for WaterSMART 
grants authorized under the Omnibus Public 
Lands Management Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 
10364). 
(2) AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.—Amounts de-
posited in the Fund under this section shall— 
(A) be made available in accordance with 
this section, without further appropriation; and 
(B) be in addition to amounts appropriated 
for such purposes under any other provision of 
law. 
(c) EXPENDITURES FROM FUND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), 
for each of fiscal years 2032 through 2062, the re-
spective Secretary may expend from the Fund, in ac-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
cordance with this section, not more than an amount 
equal to the sum of— 
(A) the amounts deposited in the Fund 
that year under subsection (b); and 
(B) the amount of interest accrued in the 
Fund for the fiscal year in which the expendi-
tures are made. 
(2) ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may ex-
pend more in any fiscal year than the amounts 
described in subsection (a) if the additional 
amounts are available in the Fund as a result 
of a failure of the Secretary to expend all of the 
amounts available under subsection (a) in 1 or 
more prior fiscal years. 
(B) RETENTION IN ACCOUNTS.—Any addi-
tional amounts referred to in paragraph (1) 
shall— 
(i) accrue interest in accordance with 
this section; and 
(ii) only be expended for the purposes 
for which expenditures from the Fund are 
authorized. 
SEC. 3. GROUND WATER RECHARGE PLANNING. 
(a) FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that— 
(A) there is a lack of information regard-
ing local ground water storage and recharge op-
portunities in the Western United States; 
(B) additional information regarding local 
ground water storage and recharge opportuni-
ties can help inform future Federal and State 
funding activities and assist State government 
initiatives such as implementation of part 2.74 
of the California Water Code (commonly known 
as the ‘‘Sustainable Groundwater Management 
Act’’); and 
(C) challenges associated with drought and 
extreme aridity from changing weather patterns 
will require additional investment in ground 
water storage and recharge. 
(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is 
to help inform future Federal, State, local, and other 
investment in ground water recharge projects. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CRITICALLY
OVERDRAFTED
BASINS.—The 
term ‘‘critically overdrafted basins’’ means those ba-
sins identified by the California Department of 
Water Resources pursuant to part 2.74 of the Cali-
fornia Water Code (commonly known as the ‘‘Cali-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
fornia’s 
Sustainable 
Groundwater 
Management 
Act’’). 
(2) RECLAMATION
STATE.—The term ‘‘Rec-
lamation State’’ means any Reclamation State (as 
defined in section 4014 of the Water Infrastructure 
Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law 114– 
322; 43 U.S.C. 390b note)). 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Di-
rector of the United States Geological Survey. 
(c) EVALUATION AND REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 4 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall complete an evaluation and report to Congress 
that identifies potential ground water storage and 
recharge opportunities in each Reclamation State in-
cluding recharge opportunities in critically over-
drafted basins. 
(2) REPORT.—The report to Congress shall in-
clude— 
(A) an assessment of potentially beneficial 
storage and recharge locations based on the 
Secretary’s assessment of— 
(i) hydrologic attributes; 
(ii) geologic attributes; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(iii) engineering attributes; 
(iv) water supply benefits; 
(v) environmental benefits; 
(vi) infrastructure benefits related to 
mitigation of subsidence-related infrastruc-
ture damage; and 
(vii) sustainability benefits for criti-
cally overdrafted basins; and 
(B) an assessment of potential conveyance 
infrastructure needs to move excess runoff to 
the recharge locations identified by the Sec-
retary under this section. 
(3) COORDINATION.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Secretary shall coordinate research 
activities with Reclamation State agencies, ground 
water sustainability agencies, universities, and non-
profit organizations in a manner designed to assist 
with implementation of State-led initiatives such as 
part 2.74 of the California Water Code (commonly 
known as the ‘‘Sustainable Groundwater Manage-
ment Act’’). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 4. RECLAMATION INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AND IN-
NOVATION PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 
‘‘Reclamation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation 
Act’’. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of the Interior 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall estab-
lish and carry out a pilot program under which the Sec-
retary shall provide to eligible entities described in section 
5025 of the Water Resources Reform and Development 
Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3904) financial assistance in ac-
cordance with this section to carry out eligible projects de-
scribed in subsection (c). 
(c) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A project eligible to receive 
assistance under the pilot program under this sec-
tion is a water supply project that, as determined by 
the Secretary— 
(A) is located in— 
(i) the State of Alaska; 
(ii) the State of Hawaii; or 
(iii) a Reclamation State (as defined 
in section 4014 of the Water Infrastruc-
ture Improvements for the Nation Act 
(Public Law 114–322; 43 U.S.C. 390b 
note)); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(B) would contribute directly or indirectly 
(including through ground water recharge) to a 
safe, adequate water supply for domestic, agri-
cultural, environmental, municipal, or industrial 
use; and 
(C) is otherwise eligible for assistance 
under this section. 
(2) 
SMALL
COMMUNITY
PROJECTS.—For 
projects eligible for assistance under this section and 
section 5028(a)(2)(B) of the Water Resources Re-
form and Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 
3907(a)(2)(B)), the Secretary may assist applicants 
in combining 1 or more projects into a single appli-
cation in order to meet the minimum project cost of 
$5,000,000 required under that section. 
(d) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The following entities are 
eligible to receive assistance under this section: 
(1) An entity described in section 5025 of the 
Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 
2014 (33 U.S.C. 3904). 
(2) A conservancy district, reclamation district, 
or irrigation district. 
(3) A canal company or mutual water company. 
(4) A water users’ association. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(5) An agency established by an interstate com-
pact. 
(6) Any other individual or entity that has the 
capacity to contract with the United States under 
the reclamation laws. 
(e) REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) PROJECT SELECTION.—In selecting eligible 
projects to receive assistance under the pilot pro-
gram under this section, the Secretary shall ensure 
diversity with respect to— 
(A) project type; and 
(B) geographical location within the States 
referred to in subsection (c)(1). 
(2) IMPORTATION OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS.— 
The following shall apply to the pilot program under 
this section: 
(A) Sections 5022, 5024, 5027, 5028, 
5029, 5030, 5031, 5032, and 5034(a) of the 
Water Resources Reform and Development Act 
of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3901, 3903, 3906, 3907, 
3908, 3909, 3910, 3911, and 3913(a)), except 
that— 
(i) any reference contained in those 
sections to the Secretary of the Army shall 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
be considered to be a reference to the Sec-
retary of the Interior; 
(ii) any reference contained in those 
sections to an eligible project shall be con-
sidered to be a reference to an eligible 
project described in subsection (b); 
(iii) paragraphs (1)(E) and (6)(B) of 
subsection (a), and subsection (b)(3), of 
section 5028 of that Act (33 U.S.C. 3907) 
shall not apply with respect to this section; 
and 
(iv) subsections (e) and (f) of section 
5030 of that Act (33 U.S.C. 3909) shall 
not apply with respect to this section. 
(B) The agreement between the Adminis-
trator of the Environmental Protection Agency 
and the Commissioner of Reclamation required 
under section 4301 of the America’s Water In-
frastructure Act of 2018 (Public Law 115– 
270). 
(C) Other applicable environmental laws, 
including the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the pilot 
program under this section $150,000,000 for fiscal 
years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until 
expended. 
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS.—Of the funds 
made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
may use for administrative costs of carrying out the 
pilot program under this section (including for the 
provision of technical assistance to project sponsors 
pursuant to paragraph (3) and in obtaining nec-
essary approvals and transfer to the Administrator 
of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide 
assistance in administering and servicing Federal 
credit instruments under the pilot program) not 
more than $5,000,000 for each applicable fiscal 
year. 
(3) SMALL COMMUNITY PROJECTS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the Commissioner may use the 
funds made available under paragraph (2) to 
provide assistance, including assistance to pay 
the costs of acquiring the rating opinion letters 
under section 5028(a)(1)(D) of the Water Re-
sources Reform and Development Act of 2014 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(33 U.S.C. 3907(a)(1)(D)), to assist project 
sponsors in obtaining the necessary approval for 
small community projects that are eligible for 
assistance under section 5028(a)(2)(B) of the 
Water Resources Reform and Development Act 
of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3907(a)(1)(D)) or sub-
section (b)(3). 
(B) LIMITATION.—Assistance provided to 
a project sponsor under subparagraph (A) may 
not exceed an amount equal to 75 percent of 
the total administrative costs incurred by the 
project sponsor in securing financial assistance 
under this section. 
(g) LIMITATION.—No project that receives financial 
assistance under this section may be financed (directly or 
indirectly), in whole or in part, with proceeds of any obli-
gation the interest on which is exempt from the tax im-
posed under chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986. 
(h) ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) 
ELIGIBLE
PROJECTS.—The 
following 
projects may be carried out using assistance made 
available under this section: 
(A) A project for the reclamation and 
reuse of municipal, industrial, domestic, and ag-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
ricultural wastewater, and naturally impaired 
ground water, which the Secretary, acting 
through the Commissioner of Reclamation, is 
authorized to undertake. 
(B) Any water infrastructure project not 
specifically authorized by law that— 
(i) the Secretary determines, through 
the completion of an appraisal investiga-
tion and feasibility study, would contribute 
to a safe, adequate water supply for do-
mestic, agricultural, environmental, or mu-
nicipal and industrial use; and 
(ii) is otherwise eligible for assistance 
under this section. 
(C) A new water infrastructure facility 
project, including— 
(i) a water conduit, pipeline, or canal; 
and 
(ii) pumping, power, and associated 
facilities. 
(D) A project for enhanced energy effi-
ciency in the operation of a water system. 
(E) A project for accelerated repair and re-
placement of all, or a portion, of an aging water 
distribution facility. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(F) A brackish or sea water desalination 
project. 
(G) Acquisition of real property or an in-
terest in real property for water storage, re-
claimed or recycled water, or wastewater, if the 
acquisition is integral to a project described in 
subparagraphs (A) through (F). 
(H) A project to deliver water to wildlife 
refuges. 
(I) A combination of projects, each of 
which is eligible under subparagraphs (A) 
through (H), for which an eligible entity sub-
mits a single application. 
(2) ACTIVITIES ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE.— 
For the purposes of this section, an eligible activity 
with respect to an eligible project under subsection 
(a) includes the cost of— 
(A) development-phase activities, including 
planning, feasibility analysis, revenue fore-
casting, 
environmental 
review, 
permitting, 
transaction costs, preliminary engineering and 
design work, and other preconstruction activi-
ties; 
(B) construction, reconstruction, rehabili-
tation, and replacement activities; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(C) the acquisition of real property (includ-
ing water rights, land relating to the project, 
and improvements to land), environmental miti-
gation, construction contingencies, and acquisi-
tion of equipment; 
(D) capitalized interest necessary to meet 
market requirements, reasonably required re-
serve funds, capital issuance expenses, and 
other carrying costs during construction; 
(E) refinancing interim construction fund-
ing, long-term project obligations, or a secured 
loan, loan guarantee, or other credit enhance-
ment made under this section; 
(F) refinancing long-term project obliga-
tions or Federal credit instruments, if that refi-
nancing provides additional funding capacity for 
the completion, enhancement, or expansion of 
any project selected for assistance under this 
Act; 
(G) reimbursement or success payments to 
any public or private entity that achieves pre-
determined outcomes on a pay-for-performance 
or pay-for-success basis; and 
(H) grants, loans, or credit enhancement 
for community development financial institu-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
tions, green banks, and other financial inter-
mediaries providing ongoing finance for projects 
that meet the purposes of this section. 
SEC. 5. FEASIBILITY STUDIES. 
As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, in compliance with all environmental and other 
applicable laws, the Secretary of the Interior shall com-
plete all remaining feasibility studies associated with the 
following projects: 
(1) Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir, located in the 
foothills of the Coast Range mountains west of Pat-
terson, California. 
(2) San Luis Reservoir in the San Joaquin Val-
ley, California. 
SEC. 6. RURAL WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM REAUTHORIZA-
TION. 
The Rural Water Supply Act of 2006 (Public Law 
109–451) is amended— 
(1) in section 109(a) (43 U.S.C. 2408(a)), by 
striking ‘‘2016’’ and inserting ‘‘2026’’; and 
(2) in section 110 (43 U.S.C. 2409), by striking 
‘‘2016’’ and inserting ‘‘2026’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 7. COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE FUNDING 
OF 
WATER 
RECYCLING 
AND 
REUSE 
PROJECTS. 
(a) COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE FUND-
ING OF WATER RECYCLING AND REUSE PROJECTS.—Sec-
tion 1602(f) of the Reclamation Wastewater and Ground-
water Study and Facilities Act (title XVI of Public Law 
102–575; 43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.) is amended by striking 
paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—When funding projects under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give funding pri-
ority to projects that meet one or more of the fol-
lowing criteria: 
‘‘(A) Projects that are likely to provide a 
more reliable water supply for States and local 
governments. 
‘‘(B) Projects that are likely to increase 
the water management flexibility and reduce 
impacts 
on 
environmental 
resources 
from 
projects operated by Federal and State agen-
cies. 
‘‘(C) Projects that are regional in nature. 
‘‘(D) Projects with multiple stakeholders. 
‘‘(E) Projects that provide multiple bene-
fits, including water supply reliability, eco-sys-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
tem benefits, groundwater management and en-
hancements, and water quality improvements.’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
1602(g) of the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater 
Study and Facilities Act (title XVI of Public Law 102– 
575; 43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘$50,000,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$500,000,000 through fiscal year 2025’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘if enacted appropriations legis-
lation designates funding to them by name,’’. 
(c) DURATION.—Section 4013 of the WIIN Act (Pub-
lic Law 114–332; 43 U.S.C. 390b note) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘4007, 
4009(a), and 4009(c).’’ and inserting ‘‘4007 and 
4009(a); and’’ 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) section 4009(c).’’. 
(d) LIMITATION ON FUNDING.—Section 1631(d) of 
the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and 
Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h–13(d)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘$20,000,000 (October 1996 prices)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘$30,000,000 (January 2019 prices)’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 8. WATER TECHNOLOGY AWARD PROGRAM AND IN-
VESTMENT PROGRAMS. 
(a) AWARD PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.—The Secretary 
of the Interior, working through the Bureau of Reclama-
tion, shall establish a program to award prizes to eligible 
persons described in subsection (b) for achievement in 1 
or more of the following applications of water technology: 
(1) Demonstration of desalination of brackish 
or sea water with significantly less energy than com-
mercially available reverse osmosis technology. 
(2) Demonstration of portable or modular de-
salination units that can process 1 to 5,000,000 gal-
lons per day that could be deployed for temporary 
emergency uses in coastal communities or commu-
nities with brackish ground water supplies. 
(3) Demonstration of significant advantages 
over commercially available reverse osmosis tech-
nology as determined by the board established under 
subsection (c). 
(4) Reducing open water evaporation. 
(5) Improving methods to treat and reuse agri-
cultural drainage waters. 
(6) Reducing the loss of threatened and endan-
gered fish due to fish predation. 
(7) Reducing the entrainment of fish larvae on 
screens and intakes. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(b) ELIGIBLE PERSON.—An eligible person described 
in this subsection is— 
(1) an individual who is— 
(A) a citizen or legal resident of the 
United States; or 
(B) a member of a group that includes 
citizens or legal residents of the United States; 
(2) an entity that is incorporated and maintains 
its primary place of business in the United States; 
or 
(3) a public water agency. 
(c) ESTABLISHMENT OF BOARD.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Inte-
rior shall establish a board to administer the pro-
gram established under subsection (a). 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The board shall be com-
posed of not less than 15 and not more than 21 
members appointed by the President, of whom— 
(A) not less than 1 shall— 
(i) be a representative of the interests 
of academic, business, and nonprofit orga-
nizations; and 
(ii) have expertise in— 
(I) the field of water technology; 
or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(II) administering award com-
petitions; and 
(B) not less than 1 shall be— 
(i) a representative of agricultural 
water users; 
(ii) a representative of municipal and 
industrial water users; 
(iii) a representative of the Bureau of 
Reclamation of the Department of the In-
terior; and 
(iv) a representative of the National 
Science Foundation. 
(d) AWARDS.—Subject to the availability of appro-
priations, the board established under subsection (c) may 
make awards under the program established under sub-
section (a) as follows: 
(1) FINANCIAL PRIZE.—The board may hold a 
financial award competition and award a financial 
award in an amount determined before the com-
mencement of the competition to the first competitor 
to meet such criteria as the board shall establish. 
(2) RECOGNITION PRIZE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The board may recog-
nize an eligible person for superlative achieve-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
ment in 1 or more applications described in 
subsection (a). 
(B) NO FINANCIAL REMUNERATION.—An 
award under this paragraph shall not include 
any financial remuneration. 
(C) NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVA-
TION
MEDAL
RECOMMENDATIONS.—For each 
eligible person recognized under this paragraph, 
the board shall recommend to the Secretary of 
Commerce that the Secretary recommend to the 
President under section 16(b) of the Stevenson- 
Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
U.S.C. 3711(b)) that the President award the 
National Technology and Innovation Medal es-
tablished under section 16(a) of such Act to 
such eligible person. 
(e) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) 
CONTRACTING.—The 
board 
established 
under subsection (c) may contract with a private or-
ganization to administer a financial award competi-
tion described in subsection (d)(1). 
(2) SOLICITATION OF FUNDS.—A member of 
the board or any administering organization with 
which the board has a contract under paragraph (1) 
may solicit gifts from private and public entities to 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
be used for a financial award under subsection 
(d)(1). 
(3) LIMITATION
ON
PARTICIPATION
OF
DO-
NORS.—The board may allow a donor who is a pri-
vate person described in paragraph (2) to participate 
in the determination of criteria for an award under 
subsection (d), but such donor may not solely deter-
mine the criteria for such award. 
(4) NO ADVANTAGE FOR DONATION.—A donor 
who is a private person described in paragraph (3) 
shall not be entitled to any special consideration or 
advantage with respect to participation in a financial 
award competition under subsection (d)(1). 
(f) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.—The Federal Gov-
ernment may not acquire an intellectual property right in 
any product or idea by virtue of the submission of such 
product or idea in any competition under subsection 
(d)(1). 
(g) LIABILITY.—The board established under sub-
section (c) may require a competitor in a financial award 
competition under subsection (d)(1) to waive liability 
against the Federal Government for injuries and damages 
that result from participation in such competition. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(h) ANNUAL REPORT.—Each year, the board estab-
lished under subsection (c) shall submit to Congress a re-
port on the program established under subsection (a). 
(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated sums for the program established 
under subsection (a) as follows: 
(A) For administration of prize competi-
tions under subsection (d), $750,000 for each 
fiscal year. 
(B) For the awarding of a financial prize 
award under subsection (d)(1), in addition to 
any amounts received under subsection (e)(2), 
$2,000,000 for each fiscal year. 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pur-
suant to the authorization of appropriations under 
paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended. 
(j) WATER TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT PROGRAM 
ESTABLISHED.—The Secretary of the Interior, working 
through the Bureau of Reclamation, shall establish a pro-
gram, pursuant to the Reclamation Wastewater and 
Groundwater Study and Facilities Act (title XVI of Public 
Law 102–575), the Water Desalination Act of 1996 (Pub-
lic Law 104–298), and other applicable laws, to promote 
the expanded use of technology for improving availability 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
and resiliency of water supplies and power deliveries, 
which shall include— 
(1) investments to enable expanded and acceler-
ated deployment of desalination technology; 
(2) investments to enable expanded and acceler-
ated use of recycled water; and 
(3) investments that improve water manage-
ment, using best available science, and include real- 
time monitoring of wildlife and water deliveries. 
(k) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each fis-
cal year for the Secretary to carry out the purposes and 
provisions of subsection (j). Funds made available under 
this subsection shall be considered a nonreimbursable Fed-
eral expenditure and shall remain available until expended. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:08 Oct 28, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H5716.IH
H5716
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS