Support reauthorizing Bureau of Reclamation grant programs for desalination projects and new desalination technology research to help build ocean and brackish-water desalination facilities and improve long-term water supply.

U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Desalination Reauthorization Act, which would support desalination efforts by reauthorizing the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority to provide grants for desalination projects and new technology research ahead of its expiration on Dec. 16, 2026.

Cornyn introduced legislation to reauthorize federal desalination grants and research authority before it expires, with the stated goal of supporting desalination facilities and long-term water supply.

Cornyn, Padilla Introduce Bill to Support Desalination and Safe Drinking Water
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.5

verified · Source version 63917 · locator 4613

S. 5352, a bill to amend the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act and the Water Desalination Act of 1996 to reauthorize certain desalination programs, and for other purposes. (Mr. Padilla)

Fetched verbatim passage. AI summary (separate from source): Within the lookback window, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing that included S. 5352, the Desalination Reauthorization Act. This is concrete legislative movement but not enactment.

unresolved same_term A for effort

Full Committee Hearing to Receive Testimony on Pending Legislation – U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 95%

unverified · Source version 63919 · locator unknown

S. 5352 would extend the Federal desalination authorities established under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (P.L. 114-322) and the Water Desalination Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-298) for a period of 15 years after the date of enactment. The bill would establish a Federal cost share of not more than 25 percent with no per-project funding cap, make both ocean- and brackish-water projects eligible, and authorize pilot grants to test new desalination technologies and estimate the cost of producing water at full scale.

Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): Interior's hearing statement confirms the bill matches the promise: reauthorizing desalination authorities, ocean and brackish-water eligibility, and pilot grants for new technology. It remains a bill after hearing.

unresolved same_term A for effort

U.S. Department of the Interior Statement for the Record, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Legislative Hearing
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 96%

unverified · Source version 63921 · locator unknown

2026-09-17 | Title: Desalination Reauthorization Act Sponsored by: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] Latest Action: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): The committee's legislation tracker lists the latest action as hearings held, indicating the reauthorization had advanced procedurally but had not been enacted as of the latest update found.

unresolved same_term A for effort

Legislation - U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 93%

verified · Source version 63923 · locator 1249

Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mr. Cornyn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Fetched verbatim passage. AI summary (separate from source): GovInfo confirms Cornyn was included in the formal introduction of S. 5352 and that the bill was referred to committee, documenting support but not enactment.

unresolved same_term A for effort

S. 5352 (IS) - Desalination Reauthorization Act - BILLS-119s5352is | Content Details | GovInfo
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 96%

unverified · Source version 47718 · locator unknown

I’m proud to join Senator Padilla in introducing the Desalination Reauthorization Act, which would authorize desalination grant programs to help construct more ocean and brackish-water desalination facilities to ensure long-term water supply.

Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): Cornyn's office states he joined the bill to authorize desalination grant programs for ocean and brackish-water facilities, directly matching the commitment. The release frames this as support, not final enactment.

unresolved same_term A for effort

Cornyn, Padilla Introduce Bill to Support Desalination and Safe Drinking Water
primary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 94%