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S 1257119th CongressIn Committee

A bill to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to authorize the use of funds for certain additional Carey Act projects, and for other purposes.

Introduced: Apr 2, 2025
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill would expand the use of funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to cover additional Carey Act-era dam projects. Specifically, it authorizes the Secretary to fund the rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement of dams that were developed under the Carey Act of 1894 and that continue to operate as dams, using amounts available under IIJA section 40901(2)(B). The Secretary would make affirmative determinations that (1) the eligible Carey Act dams meet certain criteria and (2) funds remain available, after which those funds can be used for the specified rehabilitation activities. In short, the bill broadens the pool of aging dam infrastructure eligible for IIJA rehabilitation funding, focusing on historic Carey Act projects.

Key Points

  • 1Expanded eligibility: Adds rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement of Carey Act dams (from the 1894 Carey Act) to the list of projects that can be funded with IIJA resources.
  • 2Funding source: Requires use of amounts available under IIJA section 40901(2)(B) to finance these Carey Act dam projects.
  • 3Conditional approvals: Funding is contingent on affirmative determinations by the Secretary that (A) the dams meet the described criteria and (B) the relevant IIJA funds remain available.
  • 4Specific scope: Applies specifically to dams developed under, and still operating as, the Carey Act (43 U.S.C. 641; 28 Stat. 422, chapter 301).
  • 5Process and form: The bill reorganizes the eligibility text into an “In general” framework and an “Additional projects” framework, outlining how determinations trigger funding.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Rural water users, irrigation districts, and communities that rely on Carey Act-era dams for irrigation and water supply, who could benefit from rehabilitated or upgraded dam infrastructure.Secondary group/area affected: State and federal agencies overseeing water resources, dam safety, and infrastructure funding; potential environmental and downstream stakeholders concerned with dam operations and water management.Additional impacts: Potential fiscal effects for federal budget and debt or appropriations depending on funding availability; increased oversight requirements to ensure eligible projects meet criteria and that funds remain available for these activities.
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