Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act
Summary
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act aims to create a program providing grants to states and Indian tribes. These grants would then be used to assist low-income households with paying their water and wastewater bills. The program is to be administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the EPA Administrator.
The bill also authorizes grants to qualified nonprofit organizations to help public water systems and treatment works in rural, underserved areas, or within Indian tribe jurisdictions access the program's funds. The Act authorizes appropriations of $500 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to carry out the program.
Eligibility for assistance is based on income or participation in other assistance programs like SNAP or SSI.
Expected Effects
This act, if enacted, would establish a federal program to help low-income households afford water and wastewater services. It would provide financial relief to eligible households struggling to pay their water bills. It would also support water systems by ensuring more consistent payments.
It could also lead to increased administrative burdens for states, tribes, and nonprofit organizations. The long-term effectiveness of the program will depend on the actual appropriations and the efficiency of its implementation.
Potential Benefits
- Provides direct financial assistance to low-income households for water and wastewater services.
- Helps prevent water shutoffs for vulnerable populations.
- Supports the financial stability of public water systems and treatment works.
- Focuses on rural and underserved areas, including Indian tribes.
- Streamlines eligibility requirements through data sharing agreements.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for administrative overhead and bureaucratic delays.
- Limited funding may not meet the full demand for assistance.
- Risk of fraud or misuse of funds.
- The program's effectiveness depends on the states' and tribes' ability to implement it efficiently.
- May create dependency on government assistance.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause (Article I, Section 8) of the Constitution, which allows Congress to collect taxes and provide for the general welfare of the United States. The establishment of a program to assist low-income households with water and wastewater services could be argued as promoting the general welfare.
There are no apparent infringements on individual rights or liberties as defined in the Bill of Rights. The program operates within the framework of existing federal and state programs, respecting the balance of power between the federal government and the states.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).