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: H.R.1939 | Sponsor: Rep. O'Halleran, Tom (D-AZ)
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award additional 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 report will--
                    (A) result in investments in necessary water 
                infrastructure; and
                    (B) improve health outcomes.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Report.--The term ``report'' means the fiscal year 2019 
        report of the Division of Sanitation Facilities and 
        Construction of the Indian Health Service entitled ``Annual 
        Report to the Congress of the United States on Sanitation 
        Deficiency Levels for Indian Homes 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 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.).
            (2) Priority for funding.--In awarding funding to 
        sanitation facilities under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
        prioritize sanitation facilities with the highest deficiency 
        level, as established in the report.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Secretary to carry out this section $2,600,000,000.
            (2) 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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