,i #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cbic ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #ah1 #bjba,ms4 ,blunt ,rochester 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,katko1 ,mrs4 ,dingell1 and ,ms4 ,tlaib7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,energy and ,commerce1 and ,ways and ,means1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,safe ,drinking ,water ,act and the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act to establish programs to assist low-income households in maintaining access to drinking water and wastewater services1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,low-,income ,water ,customer ,assistance ,programs ,act of #bjba4 #b4 ,low-income drinking water assistance program ,part ,e of the ,safe ,drinking ,water ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;j et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #adei;,e4 ,low-income drinking water assistance program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a community water system that is owned or operated by a municipality1 other than a small community-serving water system2 or 7,b7 a ,state1 with respect to a small community-serving water system located in the ,state4 7#b7 ,household ,the term household means any individual or group of individuals who are living together as #a economic unit4 7#c7 ,local drinking water access program ,the term local drinking water access program means a program developed or implemented by an eligible entity using a grant awarded under this section4 7#d7 ,low-income household ,the term low-income household means a household-- 7,a7 in which #a or more individuals are receiving-- 7i7 assistance under a ,state program funded under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq472 7ii7 supplemental security income payments under title ,,xvi of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acha et seq472 7iii7 supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq472 or 7iv7 payments under-- 7,i7 section #acae1 #aeba1 #aeda1 or #aedb of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code2 or 7,,ii7 section #cjf of the ,veterans' and ,survivors' ,pension ,improvement ,act of #aigh 7#ch ,u4,s4,c4 #aeba note2 ,public ,law #ie-ehh72 or 7,b7 that has an income that-- 7i7 as determined by the ,state in which the household is located1 does not exceed the greater of-- 7,i7 an amount equal to #aej percent of the poverty level2 and 7,,ii7 an amount equal to #fj percent of the ,state median income for that ,state2 or 7ii7 does not exceed an amount1 determined by an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section1 that-- 7,i7 is lower that the amount described in clause 7i72 and 7,,ii7 is greater than or equal to #aaj percent of the poverty level4 7#e7 ,poverty level ,the term poverty level means1 with respect to a household in a ,state1 the income described in the poverty guidelines issued by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services pursuant to section #fgc of the ,community ,services ,block ,grant ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb71 as applicable to the household4 7#f7 ,small community-serving water system ,the term small community-serving water system means a community water system that provides drinking water services to a municipality with a population of fewer than #aj1jjj residents1 at least #bj percent of whom are at or below the poverty level4 7#g7 ,state median income ,the term ,state median income has the meaning given that term in section #bfjc of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbb74 7b7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall establish a ,federal low-income drinking water assistance program to award grants to eligible entities to develop and implement local drinking water access programs to assist low-income households in maintaining access to affordable drinking water4 7#b7 ,requirements for small community-serving water systems ,in order for a ,state to be eligible to receive a grant under this section for a small community-serving water system1 the ,state and the small community-serving water system shall enter into a memorandum of understanding1 under which the ,state shall-- 7,a7 submit to the ,administrator an application under paragraph 7#f7 for the small community-serving water system2 and 7,b7 on receipt of a grant under this section1 develop and implement a local drinking water access program for the small community-serving water system4 7#c7 ,limitations ,a grant awarded under this subsection-- 7,a7 shall not be used to replace funds for any existing similar local program to assist low-income households in maintaining access to affordable drinking water2 but 7,b7 may be used to supplement or enhance such a local program4 7#d7 ,term ,the term of a grant awarded under this subsection shall be one year4 7#e7 ,minimum local program requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,administrator shall develop1 in consultation with relevant stakeholders1 the minimum requirements for a local drinking water access program4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,the local drinking water access program requirements developed under subparagraph 7,a7 may include-- 7i7 direct financial assistance2 7ii7 a lifeline rate2 7iii7 bill discounting2 7iv7 special hardship provisions2 7v7 a percentage-of-income payment plan2 7vi7 water efficiency assistance1 including subsidizing the cost of the installation of water efficient fixtures or leak repair work that is carried out or contracted by a homeowner2 or 7vii7 any other form of assistance identified by the ,administrator4 7#f7 ,application ,to receive a grant under this subsection-- 7,a7 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,administrator an application that demonstrates that-- 7i7 the proposed local drinking water access program meets the requirements developed under paragraph 7#e72 and 7ii7 the proposed local drinking water access program will treat households that live in owner-occupied homes and households that live in rental housing equitably2 and 7,b7 in the case of an eligible entity described in subsection 7a77#a77;,a71 the eligible entity shall submit to the ,administrator an application that demonstrates that-- 7i7 the eligible entity has-- 7,i7 a long-term financial plan based on an analysis of the rates the applicable community water system charges for drinking water services2 7,,ii7 an asset management plan2 7,,iii7 a capital improvement plan with a period of not less than #bj years2 7,,iv7 a fiscal management plan2 or 7,v7 another plan similar to the plans described in clauses 7i7 through 7iv72 7ii7 a grant awarded under this subsection would support the efforts of the eligible entity to generate the necessary funds to achieve or maintain compliance with this ,act while mitigating the cost to low-income households2 and 7iii7 the eligible entity has the capacity to create and implement an effective community outreach plan to inform low-income households of the local drinking water access program and assist with enrollment4 7#g7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this subsection1 the ,administrator shall give priority to applications for local drinking water access programs with respect to which-- 7,a7 the owner or operator of the applicable community water system-- 7i7 owns or operates a-- 7,i7 treatment works 7as defined in section #bab of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abib77 for municipal waste2 or 7,,ii7 a municipal separate storm sewer system 7as such term is used in the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act72 and 7ii7 is subject to a consent decree relating to compliance with the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea et seq47 with respect to a treatment works or system described in clause 7i72 7,b7 the residential customers of the applicable community water system have experienced rate or fee increases for drinking water services or wastewater services 7including stormwater services7 of #cj percent or more during the #c-year period ending on the date of enactment of this section2 or 7,c7 the eligible entity will provide matching funds in an amount equal to or greater than the amount of the grant4 7#h7 ,reporting requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,as a condition of receiving a grant under this subsection1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,administrator1 in a manner determined by the ,administrator1 information regarding the applicable local drinking water access program1 including-- 7i7 key features1 including rate structures1 rebates1 discounts1 and related initiatives that assist low-income households1 including-- 7,i7 billing methods that average rates over the course of a year1 known as budget billing2 7,,ii7 bill timing2 and 7,,iii7 pretermination protections2 7ii7 sources of funding2 7iii7 eligibility criteria2 7iv7 participation rates by households2 7v7 the average amount of assistance provided to participating households2 7vi7 program costs2 7vii7 the demonstrable impacts of the program on arrearage and service disconnection for households1 based on data from before and after the implementation of the program1 to the maximum extent practicable2 and 7viii7 other relevant information required by the ,administrator4 7,b7 ,publication ,the ,administrator shall publish a report that compiles and summarizes the information submitted under subparagraph 7,a74 7#i7 ,assistance exempt from taxation ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 assistance provided to a low-income household under a local drinking water access program shall not be includible in the gross income of the recipient of such assistance for purposes of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7c7 ,technical assistance ,the ,administrator shall provide technical assistance to each eligible entity that receives a grant under this section to ensure-- 7#a7 full implementation of the applicable local drinking water access program2 and 7#b7 maximum enrollment of low-income households in the applicable local drinking water access program1 including through-- 7,a7 community outreach campaigns2 or 7,b7 coordination with local health departments to determine the eligibility of households for assistance4 7d7 ,report ,not later than #b years after the date on which grant funds are first disbursed to an eligible entity under this section1 and annually thereafter1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report on the results of the ,federal program established under this section4 4 #c4 ,low-income wastewater assistance program ,title ,i of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #abd4 ,low-income wastewater assistance program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,covered facility ,the term covered facility means-- 7,a7 a treatment works for municipal waste2 or 7,b7 a municipal separate storm sewer system4 7#b7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a municipality that owns or operates a covered facility1 other than a small community-serving wastewater facility2 7,b7 #b or more municipalities described in subparagraph 7,a7 that have entered into a partnership agreement or a cooperative agreement2 or 7,c7 a ,state1 with respect to a small community-serving wastewater facility located in the ,state4 7#c7 ,household ,the term household means any individual or group of individuals who are living together as #a economic unit4 7#d7 ,local wastewater services access program ,the term local wastewater services access program means a program developed or implemented by an eligible entity using a grant awarded under this section4 7#e7 ,low-income household ,the term low-income household means a household-- 7,a7 in which #a or more individuals are receiving-- 7i7 assistance under a ,state program funded under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq472 7ii7 supplemental security income payments under title ,,xvi of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acha et seq472 7iii7 supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq472 or 7iv7 payments under-- 7,i7 section #acae1 #aeba1 #aeda1 or #aedb of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code2 or 7,,ii7 section #cjf of the ,veterans' and ,survivors' ,pension ,improvement ,act of #aigh 7#ch ,u4,s4,c4 #aeba note2 ,public ,law #ie-ehh72 or 7,b7 that has an income that-- 7i7 as determined by the ,state in which the household is located1 does not exceed the greater of-- 7,i7 an amount equal to #aej percent of the poverty level2 and 7,,ii7 an amount equal to #fj percent of the ,state median income for that ,state2 or 7ii7 does not exceed an amount1 determined by an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section1 that-- 7,i7 is lower that the amount described in clause 7i72 and 7,,ii7 is greater than or equal to #aaj percent of the poverty level4 7#f7 ,poverty level ,the term poverty level means1 with respect to a household in a ,state1 the income described in the poverty guidelines issued by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services pursuant to section #fgc of the ,community ,services ,block ,grant ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb71 as applicable to the household4 7#g7 ,small community-serving wastewater facility ,the term small community-serving wastewater facility means a covered facility that provides services to municipality with a population of fewer than #aj1jjj residents1 at least #bj percent of whom are at or below the poverty level4 7#h7 ,state median income ,the term ,state median income has the meaning given that term in section #bfjc of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbb74 7b7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall establish a ,federal low-income wastewater assistance program to award grants to eligible entities to develop and implement local wastewater access programs to assist low-income households in maintaining access to affordable wastewater services1 including municipal stormwater services4 7#b7 ,requirements for small community-serving wastewater facilities ,in order for a ,state to be eligible to receive a grant under this section for a small community-serving wastewater facility1 the ,state and the small community-serving wastewater facility shall enter into a memorandum of understanding1 under which the ,state shall-- 7,a7 submit to the ,administrator an application under paragraph 7#f7 for the small community-serving wastewater facility2 and 7,b7 on receipt of a grant under this section1 develop and implement a local wastewater access program for the small community-serving wastewater facility4 7#c7 ,limitations ,a grant awarded under this subsection-- 7,a7 shall not be used to replace funds for any existing similar local program to assist low-income households in maintaining access to affordable wastewater services1 including municipal stormwater services2 but 7,b7 may be used to supplement or enhance such a local program4 7#d7 ,term ,the term of a grant awarded under this subsection shall be one year4 7#e7 ,minimum local program requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,administrator shall develop1 in consultation with relevant stakeholders1 the minimum requirements for a local wastewater access program4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,the local wastewater access program requirements developed under subparagraph 7,a7 may include-- 7i7 direct financial assistance2 7ii7 a lifeline rate2 7iii7 bill discounting2 7iv7 special hardship provisions2 7v7 a percentage-of-income payment plan2 7vi7 water efficiency assistance1 including subsidizing the cost of the installation of water efficient fixtures or leak repair work that is carried out or contracted by a homeowner2 or 7vii7 any other form of assistance identified by the ,administrator4 7#f7 ,application ,to receive a grant under this subsection-- 7,a7 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,administrator an application that demonstrates that-- 7i7 the proposed local wastewater access program meets the requirements developed under paragraph 7#e72 and 7ii7 the proposed local wastewater access program will treat households that live in owner-occupied homes and households that live in rental housing equitably2 and 7,b7 in the case of an eligible entity described in subsection 7a77#a77;,a71 the eligible entity shall submit to the ,administrator an application that demonstrates that-- 7i7 the eligible entity has-- 7,i7 a long-term financial plan based on an analysis of the rates the applicable covered facility charges for services2 7,,ii7 an asset management plan2 7,,iii7 a capital improvement plan with a period of not less than #bj years2 7,,iv7 a fiscal management plan2 or 7,v7 another plan similar to the plans described in clauses 7i7 through 7iv72 7ii7 a grant awarded under this subsection would support the efforts of the eligible entity to generate the necessary funds to achieve or maintain compliance with this ,act while mitigating the cost to low-income households2 and 7iii7 the eligible entity has the capacity to create and implement an effective community outreach plan to inform low-income households of the local wastewater access program and assist with enrollment4 7#g7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this subsection1 the ,administrator shall give priority to applications for local wastewater access programs with respect to which-- 7,a7 the applicable covered facility is subject to a consent decree relating to compliance with this ,act2 7,b7 the residential customers of the applicable covered facility have experienced rate or fee increases for drinking water services or wastewater services 7including stormwater services7 of #cj percent or more during the #c-year period ending on the date of enactment of this section2 7,c7 the eligible entity develops an equivalent program1 as determined by the ,administrator1 that is administered separately by the eligible entity2 7,d7 matching funds will be provided in an amount equal to or greater than the amount of the grant2 or 7,e7 the eligible entity is described in subsection 7a77#b77;,b74 7#h7 ,reporting requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,as a condition of receiving a grant under this subsection1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,administrator1 in a manner determined by the ,administrator1 information regarding the applicable local wastewater access program1 including-- 7i7 key features1 including rate structures1 rebates1 discounts1 and related initiatives that assist low-income households1 including-- 7,i7 billing methods that average rates over the course of a year1 known as budget billing2 7,,ii7 bill timing2 and 7,,iii7 pretermination protections2 7ii7 sources of funding2 7iii7 eligibility criteria2 7iv7 participation rates by households2 7v7 the average amount of assistance provided to households2 7vi7 program costs2 7vii7 the demonstrable impacts of the program on arrearage and service disconnection for households1 based on data from before and after the implementation of the program1 to the maximum extent practicable2 and 7viii7 other relevant information required by the ,administrator4 7,b7 ,publication ,the ,administrator shall publish a report that compiles and summarizes the information submitted under subparagraph 7,a74 7#i7 ,assistance exempt from taxation ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 assistance provided to a low-income household under a local wastewater access program shall not be includible in the gross income of the recipient of such assistance for purposes of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7c7 ,technical assistance ,the ,administrator shall provide technical assistance to each eligible entity that receives a grant under this section to ensure-- 7#a7 full implementation of the applicable local wastewater access program2 and 7#b7 maximum enrollment of low-income households in the applicable local wastewater access program1 including through-- 7,a7 community outreach campaigns2 or 7,b7 coordination with local health departments to determine the eligibility of households for assistance4 7d7 ,report ,not later than #b years after the date on which grant funds are first disbursed to an eligible entity under this section1 and annually thereafter1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report on the results of the ,federal program established under this section4 4 #d4 ,needs assessment for nationwide rural and urban low-income community water assistance program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7#b7 ,household ,the term household means any individual or group of individuals who are living together as #a economic unit4 7#c7 ,low-income household ,the term low-income household means a household-- 7,a7 in which #a or more individuals are receiving-- 7i7 assistance under a ,state program funded under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq472 7ii7 supplemental security income payments under title ,,xvi of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acha et seq472 7iii7 supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq472 or 7iv7 payments under-- 7,i7 section #acae1 #aeba1 #aeda1 or #aedb of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code2 or 7,,ii7 section #cjf of the ,veterans' and ,survivors' ,pension ,improvement ,act of #aigh 7#ch ,u4,s4,c4 #aeba note2 ,public ,law #ie-ehh72 or 7,b7 that has an income that1 as determined by the ,state in which the household is located1 does not exceed the greater of-- 7i7 an amount equal to #aej percent of the poverty level2 and 7ii7 an amount equal to #fj percent of the ,state median income for that ,state4 7#d7 ,poverty level ,the term poverty level means1 with respect to a household in a ,state1 the income described in the poverty guidelines issued by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services pursuant to section #fgc of the ,community ,services ,block ,grant ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb71 as applicable to the household4 7#e7 ,state median income ,the term ,state median income has the meaning given that term in section #bfjc of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbb74 7b7 ,study2 report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall conduct1 and submit to ,congress a report describing the results of1 a study regarding the prevalence throughout the ,united ,states of low-income households that do not have access to-- 7,a7 affordable and functional centralized or onsite wastewater services that protect the health of individuals in the households2 7,b7 affordable municipal stormwater services2 or 7,c7 affordable public drinking water services to meet household needs4 7#b7 ,inclusions ,the report under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 recommendations of the ,administrator regarding the best methods to increase access to the services described in paragraph 7#a72 7,b7 a description of the cost of each method described in subparagraph 7,a72 7,c7 a description of all consultation with relevant stakeholders carried out in developing the report2 and 7,d7 a description of the results of the study with respect to low-income households that live in rental housing and do not receive bills for such services1 but pay for the services indirectly through rent payments4 7#c7 ,agreements ,the ,administrator may enter into an agreement with another ,federal agency to carry out the study under paragraph 7#a74