Proposed Amendment to Expand Drinking Water Grant Eligibility

The Frame

What this does

This amendment changes the eligibility criteria for federal water contamination grants, potentially allowing more small communities and private well owners to receive financial assistance for water safety projects.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Disadvantaged communities

These communities may become eligible for federal grants to address water contamination under the new affordability criteria.

Small community water systems (under 10,000 people)

Systems serving fewer than 10,000 people that lack debt-incurring capacity may now qualify for federal grant assistance.

Private drinking water well owners

Owners of wells not connected to public water systems may now be beneficiaries of state-requested federal grants.

What changed

Last recorded activity June 24, 2026.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Background

S. 4784 is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027, a major annual legislative vehicle used to set policy and funding for the Department of Defense. context

Summary

Senate Amendment 6020 proposes technical changes to the to broaden the types of communities and well owners eligible for federal water contamination grants. The amendment specifically targets disadvantaged communities and small systems that lack the financial capacity to take on debt for water projects.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who would be newly eligible for grants under this proposal?

The proposal expands eligibility to disadvantaged communities, communities with fewer than 10,000 people that cannot afford to take on debt, and owners of private drinking water wells not connected to public systems.

What is the purpose of this amendment?

It provides a 'technical fix' to the to clarify and broaden the criteria states can use to request federal grants for water contamination response.

Why It Matters

This amendment changes the eligibility criteria for federal water contamination grants, potentially allowing more small communities and private well owners to receive financial assistance for water safety projects.

News Coverage

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Related Legislation

congressional_record

Senate Scheduling Update for S. 4784

The Senate has agreed to delay the vote on a cloture motion for S. 4784 until after the confirmation vote for the Schwartz nomination. This procedural

Connected Entities

otherSafe Drinking Water Act“The federal law being amended.”Map →

organizationGovernment Publishing Office“Publisher of the Congressional Record.”Map →

personMrs. Shaheen“Lead sponsor of the amendment.”Map →

personMs. Collins“Cosponsor of the amendment.”Map →

personMr. Kelly“Cosponsor of the amendment.”Map →

personMr. King“Cosponsor of the amendment.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level