HR 2109119th CongressIn Committee

Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act

Introduced: Mar 14, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill, titled the Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act, would add cybersecurity technical assistance to the USDA’s national rural water and wastewater circuit rider program. Specifically, it requires that circuit riders serve rural water systems with fewer than 10,000 people by helping them assess their protection against cyber threats and to implement cybersecurity plans, procedures, and technologies. The bill also increases the program’s authorized funding through 2030, dedicating a portion specifically to cybersecurity assistance. In short, it aims to bolster the cyber resilience of small, rural water utilities by embedding cybersecurity support within existing USDA technical assistance and providing targeted funding to do so.

Key Points

1Inclusion of cybersecurity technical assistance: The circuit rider program must include cybersecurity assistance for small rural water systems (under 10,000 residents) to assess protection against cyber threats and to implement cybersecurity measures.
2Scope of assistance: Assistance covers both assessment (evaluating current protections) and implementation (deploying plans, procedures, and technologies to protect against cyber threats).
3Funding extension and allocation: The program’s funding is extended and increased to $32.5 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030.
4Cybersecurity funding minimum: Of the $32.5 million per year, $7.5 million must be used to provide cybersecurity technical assistance in accordance with the new cybersecurity provisions.
5Legislative status and sponsors: Introduced in the House on March 14, 2025, by Mr. Davis (NC) and Mr. Nunn (IA), referred to the Committee on Agriculture; not yet enacted.

Impact Areas

Primary: Rural water systems serving fewer than 10,000 people that rely on the USDA circuit rider program for technical assistance; these systems would receive targeted cybersecurity assessments and help implementing protective measures.Secondary: Local water utilities, state rural development offices, and rural communities that depend on small water systems for safe drinking water; potential demand for cybersecurity expertise and services within the circuit rider program.Additional impacts: Increased federal focus and funding for cybersecurity in small water infrastructure; potential alignment with existing water safety and cybersecurity standards and guidance; possible expansion of USDA training and contracting opportunities to provide cybersecurity services; considerations for measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of cybersecurity assistance.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Nov 18, 2025