HR 7889: AWRC Act of 2025

HR 7889 in plain English: This bill reauthorizes the Water Resources Research Act Program, run by the U.S. Geological Survey, through fiscal year 2029 and makes modifications to the program. The program funds Water Resources Research Institutes in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam to conduct research on water supply and water-related problems.

Stated purpose

To reauthorize federal funding through 2029 for Water Resources Research Institutes across the states and territories, which conduct research to improve water supply reliability and address water problems.

Key points

• Reauthorizes the USGS Water Resources Research Act Program through FY2029
• Authorizes $16,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2029
• Funds Water Resources Research Institutes in all 50 states and U.S. territories
• Institutes research water supply reliability and address water problems

Arguments supporters make

• Water is a critical resource, and consistent federal funding helps states and territories research solutions to supply and quality problems before they become crises.
• Expanding the program's focus to include the AI industry acknowledges that rapidly growing data centers and tech infrastructure place real and increasing demands on water supplies.
• Directing a share of funds toward interstate water issues encourages cooperation across state lines on problems no single state can solve alone.

Arguments opponents make

• Adding the artificial intelligence industry to the program's purpose could shift research priorities toward serving large corporations rather than everyday water users or environmental needs.
• Reauthorizing the same funding level without adjustment may not keep pace with inflation or the growing scale of water challenges facing communities.
• Federal grants to research institutes may not translate quickly enough into on-the-ground solutions, making this a less efficient use of public funds compared to direct infrastructure investment.

Tradeoffs

Directing up to 20 percent of funds toward interstate and regional research may benefit areas with shared water problems but could reduce money available to individual states with urgent local needs. Including the AI industry in the program's purpose broadens who the research serves, but may shift focus away from traditional public water supply and environmental priorities.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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