REAUTHORIZATION
An authorization (or reauthorization) establishes, continues or modifies a program to make it eligible for federal funding. An appropriation actually funds the program.
U.S. Senate
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (H.R. 3684) included The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (S. 914) which passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 89 - 2 on April 29, 2021. Read CIFA's letter of support.
The law amends the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act by:
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Reauthorizing the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs (each):
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2022: $2.4 billion
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2023: $2.75 billion
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2024: $3 billion
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2025 and 2026: $3.25 billion
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Reauthorizing SWIFIA: $5 million annually for 2022 through 2026
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Redefining and Mandating Additional Subsidy:
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Defines additional subsidization as “forgiveness of principal, grants, negative interest loans, other loan forgiveness, and through buying, refinancing, or restructuring debt” for both SRFs and excludes loans with 0% or higher interest are not additional from being considered additional subsidy.
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Clean Water SRFs: Requires 10% of the capitalization grant to be used for additional subsidy for communities that meet the state affordability criteria as long as there are eligible applications.
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Drinking Water SRFs: Requires 12% of the capitalization grant to be used for additional subsidy for disadvantaged communities as long as there are eligible applications.
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Providing an Option to Fund Technical Assistance:
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Allows States to use 2% of the capitalization grant for the Clean Water SRF for technical assistance.
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U.S. House of Representatives
The reauthorization legislation started in the U.S. House of Representatives but was replaced by the Senate version which became law.
On Thursday, July 1, 2021 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the INVEST in America Act (H.R. 3684), also known as Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act by a vote of 221-201 (13 not voting). The legislation includes the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021 (H.R. 1915) and the Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021 (H.R. 3291).