{"id":"a9954914-2fb2-49c5-8736-f51ea774e966","feedVisibility":"normal","congress":119,"billType":"hr","billNumber":6279,"title":"Urban Canal Modernization Act","displayTitle":"Urban Canal Modernization Act","abstract":"Urban Canal Modernization Act This bill expands the Bureau of Reclamation's responsibility under the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to address aging irrigation and water resources infrastructure in western states to include additional work for urban canals of concern. Specifically, the bill directs Reclamation or the operating entity of a transferred work (i.e., infrastructure owned by Reclamation, but maintained by a nonfederal entity) to carry out any necessary extraordinary operation and maintenance work for urban canals of concern, which are certain transferred works the failure of which would result in loss of life and property in the vicinity of the canal. Reclamation must also provide federal funds to transferred works on a nonreimbursable basis sufficient to cover 35% of the cost of extraordinary operation and maintenance work for (1) urban canals of concern, and (2) certain project facilities which are in proximity to urbanized areas and which could pose a risk to public safety or property if the facilities failed. The bill further specifies that any reimbursable funds provided under the bill must be considered a nonfederal source of funds for purposes of federal grant cost-sharing requirements.","displaySummary":"<p><strong>YVN Summary</strong></p>\n\n<p>Older irrigation canals that run through urban and suburban areas — called \"urban canals of concern\" — pose flood and safety risks if they fail, including potential property damage over $5 million or risk to more than 100 people. The Urban Canal Modernization Act would authorize the federal Bureau of Reclamation to fund major repair and upgrade work on these canals on a nonreimbursable basis for 35 percent of the local operator's share of project costs, meaning that portion would not have to be paid back. The remaining federal share would still be repaid over time under existing rules. Any repaid funds would count as non-federal matching funds for other federal grant purposes, making it easier for local water districts to qualify for additional infrastructure support.</p>","status":"COMMITTEE_CONSIDERATION","topics":["TRANSPORTATION"],"introducedAt":"2025-11-21T00:00:00+00:00","latestActionAt":"2025-11-21T00:00:00+00:00","congressGovUrl":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6279","accountabilityFlags":{},"tldr":"Funds 35% of repair costs for aging urban irrigation canals at risk of failure, without requiring local operators to pay it back.","summaryStandard":null,"flagExplainers":{},"flagValence":{},"needsResummary":false,"displaySummaryHtml":null,"rawStatusText":"Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.","chamber":"HOUSE","policyArea":"Transportation and Public Works","legislativeSubjects":[],"lawStatus":null,"lawNumber":null,"latestActionText":"Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.","latestTextVersion":"Introduced in House","textVersionUsed":"Introduced in House","dateAdded":"2026-04-10T00:00:00+00:00","summarizedAt":"2026-04-10T00:00:00+00:00","recordId":"a9954914-2fb2-49c5-8736-f51ea774e966","feedIdentityKey":"119/hr/6279","websiteBillId":"HR-6279","yourvoiceSummary":"Older irrigation canals that run through urban and suburban areas — called \"urban canals of concern\" — pose flood and safety risks if they fail, including potential property damage over $5 million or risk to more than 100 people. The Urban Canal Modernization Act would authorize the federal Bureau of Reclamation to fund major repair and upgrade work on these canals on a nonreimbursable basis for 35 percent of the local operator's share of project costs, meaning that portion would not have to be paid back. The remaining federal share would still be repaid over time under existing rules. Any repaid funds would count as non-federal matching funds for other federal grant purposes, making it easier for local water districts to qualify for additional infrastructure support.","updatedAt":"2026-10-25T02:02:07.994716+00:00"}