I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7792 
To provide for a national water data framework, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 17, 2022 
Ms. STANSBURY (for herself, Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ, Mr. OWENS, Mrs. LEE 
of Nevada, Mr. CARSON, Ms. TITUS, Mrs. CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK, Mr. 
NEGUSE, Ms. TLAIB, Mr. GALLEGO, Mr. O’HALLERAN, Ms. BLUNT 
ROCHESTER, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, and Ms. HERRELL) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 
and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, Science, Space, and Technology, and 
Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide for a national water data framework, 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 ‘‘Water Data Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
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(1) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The term ‘‘Advi-
sory Committee’’ means the Advisory Committee on 
Water Information established by section 5(a). 
(2) COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Council’’ means the 
Water Data Council established under section 4(a). 
(3) DATA STANDARDS.—The term ‘‘data stand-
ards’’ means standards relating to the manner in 
which data are to be structured, populated, and en-
coded in machine-readable formats, and made inter-
operable for data exchange. 
(4) DEPARTMENTS.—The term ‘‘Departments’’ 
means each of the following: 
(A) The Department of Agriculture. 
(B) The Department of Commerce. 
(C) The Department of Defense. 
(D) The Department of Energy. 
(E) The Department of Health and 
Human Services. 
(F) The Department of Homeland Secu-
rity. 
(G) The Department of the Interior. 
(H) The Environmental Protection Agency. 
(I) The National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration. 
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(5) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
(6) NATIONAL
WATER
DATA
FRAMEWORK.— 
The term ‘‘National Water Data Framework’’ means 
the national water data framework developed under 
section 3. 
(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(8) WATER
DATA.—The term ‘‘water data’’ 
means measurements of basic properties relating to 
the planning and management of water resources, 
including streamflow, precipitation, groundwater, 
soil moisture, snow, evaporation, water quality, and 
water use in agriculture, industry, natural systems, 
and municipal uses. 
(9) WATER DATA GRANT PROGRAM.—The term 
‘‘Water Data Grant Program’’ means the water data 
grant program established under section 6(a). 
(10) WATER
DATA
INFRASTRUCTURE.—The 
term ‘‘water data infrastructure’’ means an inte-
grated system of information technologies that in-
cludes common standards, formats, and tools to 
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make water data easy to find, access, and share on-
line. 
SEC. 3. NATIONAL WATER DATA FRAMEWORK. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—For the purpose of improving 
water resources management and access across the United 
States, including addressing drought, floods, and other 
water management challenges, the heads of the Depart-
ments shall jointly develop and implement a national water 
data framework for integrating, sharing, and using water 
data. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In developing and imple-
menting the National Water Data Framework, the De-
partments shall— 
(1) identify and prioritize key water data need-
ed to support water resources management and 
planning, including— 
(A) water data sets, types, and associated 
metadata; and 
(B) 
water 
data 
infrastructure, 
tech-
nologies, and tools; 
(2) develop and adopt common national water 
data standards for collecting, sharing, and inte-
grating water data, infrastructure, technologies, and 
tools in consultation with States, Indian Tribes, local 
governments, and relevant bodies; 
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(3) ensure that Federal water data are made 
findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable in 
accordance with the standards developed and adopt-
ed pursuant to this Act; 
(4) integrate water data and tools through com-
mon approaches to data infrastructure, platforms, 
models, and tool development; 
(5) establish a common, national geospatial 
index for publishing and linking water data from 
Federal, State, Tribal, and other non-Federal 
sources for online discovery; 
(6) harmonize and align policies, programs, pro-
tocols, budgets, and funding programs relating to 
water data to achieve the purposes of this Act to the 
maximum extent practicable; 
(7) participate in and coordinate water data ac-
tivities with the Council; and 
(8) support the adoption of new technologies 
and the development of tools for water data collec-
tion, sharing, and standardization by Federal, State, 
Tribal, local, and other entities. 
SEC. 4. WATER DATA COUNCIL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The heads of the Departments 
shall establish an interagency Council, to be known as the 
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‘‘Water Data Council’’, to support the development and 
implementation of the National Water Data Framework. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) DUTIES
OF
SECRETARY.—The Secretary 
shall— 
(A) serve as the Chair of the Council; 
(B) in collaboration with the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy, convene the 
Council not less frequently than 4 times each 
year; and 
(C) provide staff support for the Council 
through the United States Geological Survey. 
(2) MEMBERS.—Council Members shall include 
the heads of the following entities: 
(A) The Departments. 
(B) Bureaus and offices of the Depart-
ments that have a significant role or interest in 
water data, including— 
(i) the Corps of Engineers; 
(ii) the Bureau of Indian Affairs; 
(iii) the Bureau of Reclamation; 
(iv) the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency; 
(v) the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission; 
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(vi) the United States Fish and Wild-
life Service; 
(vii) the Indian Health Service; 
(viii) the Forest Service; 
(ix) the National Laboratories; 
(x) the Natural Resources Conserva-
tion Service; 
(xi) the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration; 
(xii) the Rural Development program 
of the Department of Agriculture; and 
(xiii) the United States Geological 
Survey. 
(C) Offices of the Executive Office of the 
President, including— 
(i) the Council on Environmental 
Quality; 
(ii) the Office of Management and 
Budget; and 
(iii) the Office of Science and Tech-
nology Policy. 
(D) Other Federal entities that the Chair 
and a majority of the members of the Council 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) de-
termine to be appropriate. 
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(c) DUTIES.—The Council shall— 
(1) support the development and implementa-
tion of the National Water Data Framework; and 
(2) facilitate communication and collaboration 
among members of the Council— 
(A) to establish, adopt, and implement 
common national water data standards; 
(B) to promote water data sharing and in-
tegration across Federal departments and agen-
cies, including— 
(i) water data collection, documenta-
tion, maintenance, distribution, and preser-
vation strategies; and 
(ii) development and use of water data 
infrastructure, tools, and technologies to 
support water management and planning; 
(C) to align the policies, programs, proto-
cols, budgets, and funding programs relating to 
water data of the members of the Council; and 
(D) to promote partnerships across Fed-
eral entities and non-Federal entities— 
(i) to advance innovation and solu-
tions in water data, technology, tools, plan-
ning, and management; and 
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(ii) to develop guidelines for data 
sharing and protecting data privacy. 
(d) WATER DATA COUNCIL REPORTS.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
and annually thereafter, in conjunction with the annual 
budget submission of the President to Congress under sec-
tion 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, the Sec-
retary, acting on behalf of the Council, shall submit to 
members of the Council and the appropriate committees 
of Congress and make available publicly online a report 
that describes— 
(1) the National Water Data Framework; 
(2) the actions undertaken by the Departments 
to implement this Act pursuant to section 3; 
(3) key water data sets, types, and infrastruc-
ture needed to support water management and plan-
ning; 
(4) goals, targets, and actions to carry out the 
National Water Data Framework in the subsequent 
fiscal year; 
(5) a summary and evaluation of the progress 
of the Departments in achieving any prior goals, tar-
gets, and actions to carry out the National Water 
Data Framework; 
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(6) actions needed to align policies, programs, 
and budgetary resources to carry out the National 
Water Data Framework in the subsequent fiscal 
year; 
(7) grants and assistance provided to State, 
Tribal, and local entities toward the development 
and adoption of new technologies and tools; 
(8) opportunities to develop and incentivize the 
deployment of promising next-generation tech-
nologies, including new water data technologies and 
tools, in partnership with the private sector and oth-
ers to accomplish the purposes of this Act; and 
(9) metrics for achieving the National Water 
Data Framework. 
SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WATER INFORMATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 
the Department of the Interior an advisory committee, to 
be known as the ‘‘Advisory Committee on Water Informa-
tion’’, to advise the Secretary, Departments, and Council 
on the development and implementation of the National 
Water Data Framework. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Advisory Committee 
shall be composed of members, to be appointed by 
the Secretary in a manner that provides for— 
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(A) balanced representation among various 
entities involved in water-related activities; and 
(B) consideration for a geographic balance 
of individuals representing localities across the 
United States. 
(2) SELECTION.—Members of the Advisory 
Committee shall be selected by the Secretary from 
among entities involved in water-related activities, 
including— 
(A) States; 
(B) Indian Tribes; 
(C) local governments; 
(D) Federal entities; 
(E) water agencies, utilities, conservation 
districts, irrigation districts, acequias, and 
other water user associations; 
(F) organizations that facilitate collabora-
tion across States and multi-state instrumental-
ities; 
(G) educational institutions; 
(H) professional organizations; 
(I) water data and technology-related ex-
perts, professionals, and industries; 
(J) private sector entities; and 
(K) nonprofit organizations. 
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(3) TERM.—Members of the Advisory Com-
mittee shall be appointed by the Secretary for a 
term not to exceed 4 years. 
(c) CHAIR.—The Secretary shall serve as the Chair 
of the Advisory Committee. 
(d) STAFF SUPPORT.—The United States Geological 
Survey shall provide support services for the Advisory 
Committee. 
(e) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Committee shall meet 
at the call of the Chair, but not less frequently than 4 
times each year. 
(f) DUTIES.—The duties of the Advisory Committee 
are to advise the Secretary, Departments, and Council 
on— 
(1) the development and implementation of the 
National Water Data Framework; 
(2) efforts to operate a cost-effective national 
network of water data collection and analysis that 
meets the priority water information needs of the 
Federal Government and, to the extent practicable 
using available resources, the needs of the non-Fed-
eral community that are tied to national interests; 
(3) efforts to develop uniform standards, guide-
lines, and procedures for the collection, analysis, 
management, and dissemination of water informa-
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tion to improve quality, consistency, and accessibility 
nationwide; and 
(4) the effectiveness of existing water informa-
tion programs and recommended modifications need-
ed to respond to changes in legislation, technology, 
and other conditions. 
(g) APPLICABILITY OF FACA.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Advisory Committee. 
(2) NO TERMINATION.—Section 14(a)(2) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 
shall not apply to the Advisory Committee. 
SEC. 6. WATER DATA GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 
water data grant program under which the Secretary shall 
award grants— 
(1) to support non-Federal entities in making 
water data sets findable, accessible, interoperable, 
and reusable in accordance with the water data 
standards established under this Act; 
(2) to advance the development of water data 
infrastructure, tools, and technologies to facilitate 
the sharing and use of water data; 
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(3) to support programs and projects that fa-
cilitate water data sharing and use in water re-
sources management and the implementation of the 
National Water Data Framework; and 
(4) to provide a prize for accelerating innova-
tion and developing next-generation water data tools 
and technologies. 
(b) COORDINATION WITH THE COUNCIL.—The Sec-
retary shall consult and coordinate with the Council in cre-
ating and implementing the Water Data Grant Program 
to ensure that— 
(1) the Water Data Grant Program is aligned 
with and carries out the purposes of this Act; and 
(2) grants and programs are harmonized across 
the Departments and members of the Council to 
achieve the purposes of this Act. 
(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity eligible for a 
grant under the Water Data Grant Program— 
(1) shall demonstrate significant needs or capa-
bilities for advancing water data sharing and tools 
with a significant public benefit; and 
(2) may include— 
(A) a State, multistate instrumentality, In-
dian Tribe, or other unit of local government; 
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(B) a water agency, utility, conservation 
district, irrigation district, acequia, mutual do-
mestic association, or other entity organized 
pursuant to Federal, Tribal, or local laws for 
the purpose of water-related activities; 
(C) an educational institution or nonprofit 
organization; and 
(D) in the case of carrying out activities 
described in subsection (a)(4)— 
(i) an individual who is a citizen or 
legal resident of the United States; or 
(ii) an entity that is incorporated and 
maintains the primary place of business of 
the entity in the United States. 
(d) REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) DATA
SHARING
AND
STANDARDS.—Any 
project funded through the Water Data Grant Pro-
gram shall be implemented in accordance with the 
water data standards established under section 3. 
(2) USE
OF
EXISTING
WATER
DATA
INFRA-
STRUCTURE.—The recipient of a grant shall, to the 
extent practicable, leverage existing water data and 
water data infrastructure. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, in con-
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junction with the annual budget submission of the Presi-
dent to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31, United 
States Code, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a re-
port that describes the implementation of the Water Data 
Grant Program, including— 
(1) a description of the use and deployment of 
amounts made available under the Water Data 
Grant Program; 
(2) an accounting of all grants awarded under 
the Water Data Grant Program, including a descrip-
tion of— 
(A) each grant recipient; and 
(B) each project funded under the Water 
Data Grant Program; 
(3) an assessment of the success of the Water 
Data Grant Program in advancing the purposes of 
this Act; and 
(4) a plan for the subsequent fiscal year to 
achieve the purposes of this Act. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out the Water Data Grant Program $25,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2023 through 2027, to remain available 
until expended. 
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(g) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Of the funds author-
ized to be appropriated under subsection (f), not more 
than 3 percent may be used by the Secretary for adminis-
trative costs. 
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary to carry out sections 3 through 5 $15,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027, to remain avail-
able until expended. 
Æ 
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