Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act
Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act
Plain Language Summary
# Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act (S 228) **What the Bill Does** This bill aims to support farmers and communities in the Southwest who use acequias—traditional community-operated irrigation systems, particularly common in New Mexico and Colorado. The legislation would make farmers relying on these water systems eligible for federal disaster assistance when they suffer losses from droughts, floods, or other natural disasters. It would also remove bureaucratic obstacles by eliminating requirements for special permits when acequias are used or maintained on federal lands managed by the USDA or Department of the Interior. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects agricultural communities in the Southwest that depend on acequia systems for irrigation.
Beyond disaster assistance eligibility, it would allow communities to maintain and make minor improvements to their acequias without obtaining special permits from the federal government. Additionally, the USDA would be required to study and report to Congress on agricultural producers who rely on these systems, potentially informing future policy decisions. **Current Status** S 228 was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and is currently under committee review. The bill has not yet been voted on or passed by either chamber of Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure ActThis bill specifies that agricultural producers who rely on acequia systems are eligible to receive assistance under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for all losses suffered as a result of drought, flood, or other natural disasters. Acequias, or community ditches, are community-operated and -organized water irrigation systems.The bill also provides that a special use permit shall not be required on Department of Agriculture (USDA) or Department of the Interior land for the (1) presence or use of an acequia or the use of the acequia's water, or (2) routine maintenance and minor improvements conducted by a community user or governing body of an acequia.Further, USDA must submit a report to Congress on agricultural producers who rely on acequia systems.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.