reintroducing the Rural Decentralized Water Systems Reauthorization Act, legislation that would expand and strengthen the USDA Rural Decentralized Water Systems Program to provide support for low- and moderate-income households to install or upgrade their water well and wastewater systems.
Expand and strengthen the USDA Rural Decentralized Water Systems Program to provide support for low- and moderate-income households to install or upgrade their water well and wastewater systems.
Occurrences
This legislation will improve home water systems in our state and reauthorize the Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program, a program that has delivered real results for West Virginians. This legislation is also included in my Farm Bill priorities this year, and I look forward to continuing my work to move it forward.
Evidence
Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Reps. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) and Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) reintroduced the Rural Decentralized Water Systems Reauthorization Act (S.4096/H.R.7921). The bill would expand and strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Decentralized Water Systems Program, which helps low- and middle-income households install or upgrade wellwater and wastewater systems.
On March 12, 2026, Senator Booker, for himself and Senator Capito, introduced S. 4096, a bill to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to modify provisions relating to rural decentralized water systems grants. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).
On April 20, 2023, Senators Cory Booker and Shelley Moore Capito introduced S.1233, a bill to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to modify provisions relating to rural decentralized water systems grants. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito was an original cosponsor of S.1233, introduced on April 20, 2023.
As of April 20, 2023, no amendments have been submitted for S.1233.
On July 19, 2023, the Senate Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy held a hearing titled 'Rural Water: Modernizing Our Community Water Systems' to discuss issues related to rural water infrastructure.
On June 4, 2024, Senator Mike Rounds introduced S.4458, the Rural Water Supply Program Reauthorization Act, which was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
As of June 4, 2024, no amendments have been submitted for S.4458.
On October 25, 2023, the Senate agreed to Amendment SA 1175, proposed by Senator Murray, which aimed to increase funding for rural decentralized water systems.
On September 20, 2023, the Senate Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife held a hearing titled 'Accessing Clean Water Infrastructure Assistance: Small, Rural, Disadvantaged, and Underserved Communities' to discuss challenges and solutions for these communities.
Assessments
Senator Shelley Moore Capito repeatedly introduced and co-sponsored legislation specifically designed to expand and strengthen the USDA Rural Decentralized Water Systems Program as promised. Bills such as S.1233 and S.4096 were introduced, and related amendments to increase funding were attempted; however, none of these bills advanced into law or were enacted, and there are no substantive programmatic changes recorded as outcomes. Therefore, the effort was significant and directly targeted the promise, but the intended results were not delivered.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito made a serious bipartisan legislative attempt by introducing and reintroducing bills (S.4096 and companion legislation) to expand and strengthen the USDA Rural Decentralized Water Systems Program. However, the available evidence shows only that the bills were introduced and referred to committee, with no indication that the promised expansion and strengthening of the program occurred (i.e., there is no evidence the legislation was passed or implemented). Therefore, while significant effort was made, the promise was not delivered.
Senator Capito co-sponsored and helped to introduce legislation (S. 4096) to expand and strengthen the USDA Rural Decentralized Water Systems Program during the relevant term. However, there is no evidence that the legislation was enacted or that the program was expanded as promised. The evidence confirms a serious legislative attempt, but not completion of the goal.