Expands federal water storage funding in Western states by letting the Interior Department back storage projects in any Reclamation State, extending a small-storage grant program, and capping federal grants for natural water retention projects at 50 percent of cost.

• Allows Interior to provide financial assistance for storage projects in any Reclamation State and to conduct or join feasibility studies of federal and state-led storage projects.
• Revises eligibility for the small storage grant program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, sets storage capacity ranges of 200 to 30,000 acre-feet and 200 to 150,000 acre-feet, and extends the program's termination date from 5 to 10 years.
• Authorizes Interior to award grants for natural water retention and release projects, requires an independent Interior determination for projects costing more than $20 million, and caps the federal share at 50 percent.
• States that the bill does not override state or federal water law, interstate compacts, treaty obligations, or existing water rights, and does not authorize federal acquisition of water.

• Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Senate)
• Water and Power Subcommittee

Water Resources Development