[House Report 119-275]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 119-275
======================================================================
WATER RESOURCES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REVIEW ACT
_______
September 15, 2025.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Graves, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 3427]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the bill (H.R. 3427) to require the Comptroller
General of the United States to review all clean water-related
technical assistance authorities of the Environmental
Protection Agency, and for other purposes, having considered
the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and
recommends that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose of Legislation........................................... 3
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 3
Hearings......................................................... 3
Legislative History and Consideration............................ 3
Committee Votes.................................................. 4
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations................. 5
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures........................ 5
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................ 5
Performance Goals and Objectives................................. 6
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 6
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff
Benefits....................................................... 6
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 6
Preemption Clarification......................................... 6
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 6
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 6
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 7
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 7
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Water Resources Technical Assistance
Review Act''.
SEC. 2. GAO REPORT ON CLEAN WATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall initiate a
comprehensive review of all covered technical assistance.
(b) Requirements.--The Comptroller General shall include in the
review required under subsection (a) the following:
(1) A description of all covered technical assistance
available to States, Tribes, local governments, and non-
governmental organizations, including--
(A) the regions and populations that are served
through the provision of technical assistance; and
(B) a summary of the activities and actions carried
out through covered technical assistance during the 5-
year period preceding this Act.
(2) A comprehensive review of how the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency, through the Water Technical
Assistance initiative (known as ``WaterTA initiative''),
identifies, selects, and partners with technical assistance
providers to support communities, including--
(A) a description of the criteria, evaluation
process, and contracting mechanisms used for selecting
such providers;
(B) a description of the extent of coordination with
State, Tribal, and regional partners in the selection
and deployment of such providers;
(C) a description of how such providers are matched
to meet the needs of local communities, including any
pre-engagement scoping activities or community
consultations;
(D) a description of how such providers identify
communities in need of technical assistance, including
economically distressed communities, and conduct
outreach to such communities;
(E) a description of the scope and types of
assistance delivered through such initiative; and
(F) a list of communities that received technical
assistance support through such initiative, including
the type and cost of assistance received by each such
community and a summary of the outcomes associated with
the provision of such assistance.
(3) An analysis of any duplication of covered technical
assistance available through multiple programs of the
Environmental Protection Agency.
(4) An evaluation of how the provision of covered technical
assistance builds capacity in communities to access other water
infrastructure programs carried out by the Administrator.
(5) An assessment of the needs of economically distressed
communities eligible to receive assistance under a clean water
infrastructure program carried out by the Administrator that
are not addressed through covered technical assistance.
(6) An evaluation of how the Administrator carries out
covered technical assistance in coordination with other Federal
agencies providing technical assistance related to water
infrastructure.
(7) An evaluation of how covered technical assistance
supports communities in understanding, identifying, and
implementing alternative and cost-effective technologies and
features of treatment works that achieve long-term savings and
improved outcomes in addressing water quality challenges.
(c) Report.--Upon the completion of the review conducted under
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a
report containing--
(1) the findings of such review; and
(2) any recommendations to improve covered technical
assistance.
(d) Plan for Compliance.--Not later than 90 days after the
Comptroller General submits the report required under subsection (c),
and annually thereafter for a period of 5 years, the Administrator
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate a plan detailing any actions the
Administrator has taken to comply with the recommendations contained in
such a report.
(e) Covered Technical Assistance Defined.--In this section, the term
``covered technical assistance'' means a technical assistance
authority, initiative, or program of the Environmental Protection
Agency that is related to clean water infrastructure.
PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION
The purpose of H.R. 3427 is to require the Comptroller
General of the United States to review all clean water-related
technical assistance authorities of the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), and for other purposes.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
Through the EPA, technical assistance for water
infrastructure is intended to assist communities, water
utilities, and other partners in assessing water infrastructure
needs, identifying and accessing available EPA funding
resources, and complying with Clean Water Act requirements.
These programs are typically tailored to support small, rural,
and economically distressed communities who may not have the
capacity to access EPA resources otherwise.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\EPA, Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA), available at https://
www.epa.gov/water-
infrastructure/water-technical-assistance-waterta.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R. 3427 directs the Government Accountability Office
(GAO) to evaluate EPA's clean water technical assistance
authorities, initiatives, and programs over the last five
years, with a specific focus on the WaterTA initiative. The
WaterTA initiative was established in March 2023 in an effort
to connect more communities with available water infrastructure
resources at the EPA.\2\ The study would attempt to confirm if
this initiative is properly reaching these communities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R. 3427 requires the GAO to submit a report to the House
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate
Environment and Public Works Committee outlining their
findings, as well as their recommendations to improve EPA's
clean water technical assistance programs.
This legislation also requires the EPA to develop and
submit to Congress a compliance plan based on GAO's
recommendations.
HEARINGS
For the purposes of rule XIII, clause 3(c)(6)(A) of the
119th Congress--
The following hearing was used to develop or consider H.R.
3427: The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held
a hearing on March 11, 2025 entitled, ``Water Infrastructure
Financing: WIFIA and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.''
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND CONSIDERATION
H.R. 3427, the ``Water Resources Technical Assistance
Review Act'' was introduced in the United States House of
Representatives of May 15, 2025, by Representative David Taylor
and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. Within the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, H.R. 3427 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Water Resources and Environment. The Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment was discharged from further
consideration of H.R. 3427 on June 11, 2025.
The Committee considered H.R. 3427 on June 11, 2025, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, with amendment, by recorded vote of
61 yeas to 3 nays.
The following amendments were offered:
An Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 3427,
offered by Mr. Taylor of Ohio; was AGREED TO by voice vote.
An Amendment to the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute
to H.R. 3427, offered by Mr. Perry of Pennsylvania (Perry 037):
Page 3, strike lines 16 through 20 (and redesignate
accordingly).; was NOT AGREED TO by voice vote.
COMMITTEE VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires each committee report to include the
total number of votes cast for and against on each record vote
on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the
measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for
and against.
The vote was as follows:
Measure: H.R. 3427.
On: final passage, as amended.
Yea 61; Nay 3.
Present 0; Not Voting 3.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Vote Member Vote
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Graves of MO................................ Y Mr. Larsen of WA.................. Y
Mr. Crawford.................................... Y Ms. Norton........................ Y
Mr. Webster of FL............................... Y Mr. Nadler........................ Y
Mr. Massie...................................... N Mr. Cohen......................... Y
Mr. Perry....................................... N Mr. Garamendi..................... Y
Mr. Babin....................................... Y Mr. Johnson of GA................. Y
Mr. Rouzer...................................... Y Mr. Carson........................ Y
Mr. Bost........................................ Y Ms. Titus......................... Y
Mr. LaMalfa..................................... Y Mr. Huffman....................... ............
Mr. Westerman................................... Y Ms. Brownley...................... Y
Mr. Mast........................................ Y Ms. Wilson of FL.................. Y
Mr. Stauber..................................... Y Mr. DeSaulnier.................... Y
Mr. Burchett.................................... N Mr. Carbajal...................... Y
Mr. Johnson of SD............................... Y Mr. Stanton....................... Y
Mr. Van Drew.................................... Y Ms. Davids of KS.................. Y
Mr. Nehls....................................... ............ Mr. Garcia of IL.................. Y
Mr. Mann........................................ ............ Mr. Pappas........................ Y
Mr. Owens....................................... Y Mr. Moulton....................... Y
Mr. Burlison.................................... Y Ms. Strickland.................... Y
Mr. Collins..................................... Y Mr. Ryan.......................... Y
Mr. Ezell....................................... Y Ms. Hoyle of OR................... Y
Mr. Kiley....................................... Y Mrs. Sykes........................ Y
Mr. Fong........................................ Y Ms. Scholten...................... Y
Mr. Wied........................................ Y Mrs. Foushee...................... Y
Mr. Barrett..................................... Y Mr. Deluzio....................... Y
Mr. Begich...................................... Y Mr. Garcia of CA.................. Y
Mr. Bresnahan................................... Y Ms. Pou........................... Y
Mr. Hurd........................................ Y Ms. McDonald Rivet................ Y
Mr. Shreve...................................... Y Ms. Friedman...................... Y
Mr. McDowell.................................... Y Ms. Gillen........................ Y
Mr. Taylor...................................... Y Mr. Figures....................... Y
Mr. Knott....................................... Y
Ms. King-Hinds.................................. Y
Mr. Kennedy..................................... Y
Mr. Onder....................................... Y
Mr. Patronis.................................... Y
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY AND TAX EXPENDITURES
Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 has been timely submitted prior to the filing of the
report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is
included in this report.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has
received the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 3427 from the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
H.R. 3427 would require the Government Accountability
Office (GAO) to report to the Congress on technical assistance
provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to state,
local, and tribal governments on clean water infrastructure.
The bill also would require EPA to report to the Congress
annually for five years on actions taken by the agency to
comply with GAO's recommendations.
Using information about the timeframe and cost of similar
activities, CBO expects the reports would be completed within
five years and cost a total of $2 million over the 2025-2030
period. Any related spending would be subject to the
availability of appropriated funds.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Matthew
Pickford. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss,
Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
performance goal and objective of this legislation is to direct
the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) clean water-related
technical assistance authorities.
DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision
of H.R. 3427 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the
Federal government known to be duplicative of another Federal
program, a program that was included in any report from the
Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance.
CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS,
AND LIMITED TARIFF BENEFITS
In compliance with clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the rule
XXI.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act (Public Law 104-4).
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local,
or tribal law. The Committee finds that H.R. 3427 does not
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the definition of Section
5(b) of the appendix to Title 5, United States Code, are
created by this legislation.
APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION
Section 1. Short title
This section provides that this bill may be cited as the
``Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act.''
Section 2. GAO Report on clean water technical assistance
This section directs the Comptroller General of the
Government Accountability Office to initiate a comprehensive
review of all covered technical assistance programs.
The review is to specifically address the availability of
the EPA Water Technical Assistance initiative to States,
Tribes, local governments, and non-governmental organizations.
This review must be completed within one year of the enactment
of this Act and sent to the House Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and
Public Works.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
As reported by the Committee, H.R. 3427 makes no changes in
existing law.
[all]