While negotiations continue to craft a California drought relief bill that both the House and Senate can support, House Democrats have reintroduced last year’s bill to increase water supplies by funding efficiency, conservation, and recycling projects. The “Water in the 21st Century Act” (H.R. 291) would increase funding for existing programs, create a loan program for large-scale regional projects, and establish guidelines for State and local agencies to address drought conditions. Californians who have sponsored the legislation include Grace Napolitano, John Garamendi, Lois Capps, Jared Huffman, Judy Chu, Anna Eshoo, Janice Hahn, Mike Honda, Barbara Lee, Alan Lowenthal, Scott Peters, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Raul Ruiz, Brad Sherman, Norma Torres, and Juan Vargas. Senator Boxer has introduced S 176 on the Senate side which mirrors H.R. 291.
