Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act
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Would direct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive review of the EPA's clean water technical assistance programs, including the WaterTA initiative, and require the EPA to report annually to Congress on steps taken to address the GAO's recommendations.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would require the Comptroller General (head of the GAO) to initiate a comprehensive review of all EPA technical assistance programs related to clean water infrastructure within one year of enactment. The review would examine how the EPA's WaterTA initiative selects and deploys technical assistance providers, whether assistance programs duplicate each other, how well they serve economically distressed communities, and whether they help communities adopt cost-effective water treatment technologies. GAO would submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations upon completing the review.
The bill would not itself change how the EPA runs its clean water programs — it would establish an oversight and accountability loop. The EPA would be required to submit a compliance plan within 90 days of receiving the GAO report and annually for five years after that, detailing what actions it has taken in response to GAO's recommendations. No funding is appropriated by the bill itself.
Key provisions
- 1Would require the Comptroller General to initiate a comprehensive review of all EPA clean water technical assistance authorities, initiatives, and programs within one year of enactment.
- 2Would require the review to include a detailed examination of how the EPA's WaterTA initiative selects, partners with, and deploys technical assistance providers, including contracting criteria and community outcomes.
- 3Would require GAO to assess unmet needs of economically distressed communities eligible for EPA clean water infrastructure assistance but not currently served by covered technical assistance.
- 4Would require GAO to analyze duplication across multiple EPA technical assistance programs and evaluate coordination with other federal agencies.
- 5Would require GAO to submit a report to Congress containing its findings and any recommendations to improve covered technical assistance.
- 6Would require the EPA Administrator to submit an annual compliance plan to Congress for five years, detailing actions taken to implement GAO's recommendations.
Who would be affected
The EPA, which would be subject to GAO scrutiny and must submit annual compliance plans. States, tribes, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations that receive — or are eligible for — EPA clean water technical assistance, particularly economically distressed communities. Technical assistance providers selected through the WaterTA initiative would also be covered by the review.
Why it matters
Communities that depend on EPA technical assistance to access clean water infrastructure programs could see program improvements if GAO identifies gaps or inefficiencies — especially economically distressed communities whose needs are currently unmet. The five-year compliance reporting requirement would create an ongoing accountability mechanism, giving Congress visibility into whether EPA acts on the recommendations.
What would change
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- GAO must initiate the comprehensive review of EPA clean water technical assistance
- EPA Administrator must submit first annual compliance plan to Congress
- EPA must submit subsequent annual compliance plans for five years
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates H.R. 3427 would cost approximately $2 million over the 2025–2030 period, with no effect on direct spending, revenues, or the deficit.
H.R. 3427 would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on EPA's technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments on clean water infrastructure, and would require EPA to report annually for five years on its compliance with GAO's recommendations. CBO estimates these reporting activities would cost a total of $2 million over the 2025–2030 period; that spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds (discretionary spending), meaning Congress would need to provide the money each year. The bill has no effect on direct (mandatory) spending or revenues, and would not increase the deficit. CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates in the bill.
How implementation would work
The Comptroller General would initiate the review no later than one year after enactment and, upon completion, transmit a report to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The EPA Administrator would then have 90 days to submit a first compliance plan, followed by annual plans for five more years, each detailing actions taken in response to GAO's recommendations. No rulemaking is required; the bill is self-executing through reporting obligations on GAO and EPA.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Official CRS summary
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This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the technical assistance authority, initiatives, and programs of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are related to clean water infrastructure.
Among other things, the review must include
- a description of the covered technical assistance available to states, tribes, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations, including activities and actions carried out during the previous five years;
- a comprehensive review of how the EPA Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) initiative identifies, selects, and partners with technical assistance providers to support communities; and
- an assessment of the needs of economically distressed communities eligible to receive assistance under an EPA clean water infrastructure program that are not addressed through covered technical assistance.
GAO must submit a report to Congress on the review, which must include any recommendations to improve covered technical assistance. Further, the EPA must submit a compliance plan to Congress annually for five years on any actions taken by the EPA to comply with GAO's recommendations.
Legislative subjects
Congressional oversight; Environmental Protection; Government studies and investigations; Public contracts and procurement; State and local government operations; Water quality; Water use and supply
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-275