This bill amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to make it easier for Native American tribes to access federal water conservation and efficiency grants through the WaterSMART program. Currently, grant recipients are typically required to contribute a share of project costs, known as the non-federal share. Under this legislation, the Secretary of the Interior would gain the authority to reduce or completely waive this cost-sharing requirement for tribes if paying it would create a financial hardship. This change aims to remove a significant barrier that has historically limited tribal participation in water infrastructure improvement projects, such as those addressing drought resilience, water efficiency, and conservation. The bill does not specify new funding amounts or set a timeline, as it focuses on adjusting eligibility and cost-sharing rules within the existing grant program.
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