Bill > HR6464

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to enhance financial assistance for water infrastructure projects, particularly for rural, small, and tribal publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). The bill allows states to use up to 50 percent of their federal capitalization grants for additional subsidization of water pollution control projects, with a mandatory minimum of 20 percent if sufficient qualifying applications exist. An additional 10 percent of the grant can be specifically allocated to assist rural, small, and tribal POTWs. The bill expands the definition of project subsidization to include assistance within a project's geographic service area and clarifies that subsidies should help ratepayers afford wastewater and stormwater services. Importantly, loans with zero or greater percent interest rates will not be considered additional subsidization. These changes aim to make water infrastructure improvements more financially accessible for smaller and underserved communities by providing more flexible and targeted funding mechanisms through state water pollution control revolving loan funds.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6464/all-info