A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award additional funding through the Sanitation Facilities Construction Program of the Indian Health Service, and for other purposes.
Bill: S.1895 | Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray (D-NM)
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award additional FY2022 funds to the Indian Health Service Sanitation Facilities Construction Program. This program provides American Indian and Alaska Native homes and communities with water supply, sewage disposal, and solid waste disposal facilities.

To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award 
   additional funding through the Sanitation Facilities Construction 
     Program of the Indian Health Service, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE SANITATION FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION 
              PROGRAM FUNDING.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the lack of 
        infrastructure and sanitation available in Native communities; 
        and
            (2) addressing the Sanitation Facilities Deficiency List of 
        the Division of Sanitation Facilities and Construction of the 
        Indian Health Service included in the Sanitation Deficiency 
        System will--
                    (A) result in investments in necessary water 
                infrastructure; and
                    (B) improve health outcomes.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Sanitation deficiency system.--The term ``Sanitation 
        Deficiency System'' means the system established by the 
        Secretary under section 302(g) of the Indian Health Care 
        Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1632(g)) to identify, report, and 
        prioritize the sanitation deficiencies of Indian Tribes and 
        communities.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of 
        the Indian Health Service.
    (c) Additional Funding for Sanitation Facilities.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall award additional 
        funding under the Sanitation Facilities Construction Program 
        for the planning, design, construction, modernization, 
        improvement, and renovation of water, sewer, and solid waste 
        sanitation facilities that are funded, in whole or part, by the 
        Indian Health Service--
                    (A) through, or provided for in, a contract or 
                compact with the Indian Health Service under the Indian 
                Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
                U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
                    (B) pursuant to section 7 of the Act of August 5, 
                1954 (68 Stat. 674, chapter 658; 73 Stat. 267; 42 
                U.S.C. 2004a); and
                    (C) pursuant to section 302 of the Indian Health 
                Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1632).
            (2) Priority for funding.--In awarding funding to 
        sanitation facilities under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
        prioritize sanitation facilities in accordance with the 
        Sanitation Deficiency System.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Secretary to carry out this section $3,000,000,000 for 
        fiscal year 2022, to remain available until expended.
            (2) Additional support.-- Of the funds appropriated under 
        paragraph (1), $350,000,000 shall be for additional staffing 
        support to carry out this section.
            (3) Requirement.--Amounts made available under paragraph 
        (1) shall be in addition to any amounts made available to carry 
        out the purposes described in subsection (c)(1) under any other 
        provision of law.
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