Water Project Navigators Act

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Bill ID: 119/s/3792
Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

ID: H000273

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

March 17, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of bureaucratic doublespeak, courtesy of Senators Hickenlooper and Moran. Let's dissect this mess, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Water Project Navigators Act aims to establish a program that will supposedly help develop and implement "multi-benefit water projects" in eligible states. Because, you know, the current system isn't convoluted enough already. The bill's primary objective is to create a new layer of bureaucratic red tape, cleverly disguised as a "navigator" program.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill defines an array of terms, including "disadvantaged community," "eligible entity," and "multi-benefit water project." These definitions are about as clear as mud, but they'll likely be used to justify funneling money to the usual suspects. The Secretary of the Interior will establish a program to award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities, because who doesn't love a good grant?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The bill claims to benefit "disadvantaged communities," "rural communities," and "Indian Tribes." How quaint. In reality, it'll likely enrich the same old special interest groups, consultants, and contractors who always seem to find ways to profit from these types of programs.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "solution in search of a problem." It's a thinly veiled attempt to create more bureaucratic jobs, justify increased spending, and line the pockets of favored stakeholders. The "multi-benefit water projects" it aims to support will likely be nothing more than boondoggles, designed to benefit a select few at the expense of taxpayers.

In medical terms, this bill is suffering from a severe case of "Bureaucratic Enlargement Syndrome" (BES). Symptoms include an excessive growth of administrative layers, a propensity for vague definitions, and a complete disregard for the well-being of actual constituents. Treatment involves a healthy dose of skepticism, a strong stomach, and a willingness to call out the obvious nonsense.

In short, this bill is a textbook example of how to create more problems while pretending to solve them. Bravo, Senators Hickenlooper and Moran. You've managed to craft a masterpiece of legislative obfuscation. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go treat some actual patients – not just the ones suffering from BES.

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$69,400
16 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$3,400
Committees
$0
Individuals
$66,000

No PAC contributions found

1
THE CHICKASAW NATION
3 transactions
$3,400

No committee contributions found

1
SANKAR, SHYAM
2 transactions
$6,600
2
CARSON, RUSSELL
2 transactions
$6,600
3
GATES, WILLIAM H. III
2 transactions
$6,600
4
JAIN, AKASH
2 transactions
$6,600
5
BROWN, SAM WINFRED
2 transactions
$6,600
6
ALLHASSANI, MEHDI
1 transaction
$3,300
7
KELLEY, JIM
1 transaction
$3,300
8
KARP, ALEXANDER
1 transaction
$3,300
9
DODSON, DEWEY
1 transaction
$3,300
10
WARNER, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300
11
LOGAN, HAROLD R.
1 transaction
$3,300
12
LENZMEIER, CHARLES
1 transaction
$3,300
13
LOGAN, ANN M.
1 transaction
$3,300
14
GOLDBERG, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300
15
ARSENAULT, MARCEL
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

ID: M000934

Top Contributors

10

1
BORCK, LEON H.
INNOVATIVE LIVESTOCK SERVICES EXECUTIVE
Individual MANHATTAN, KS
$6,600
Mar 11, 2024
2
MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE
DMM PROPRIETA MANAGEMENT MANAGER
Individual ASPEN, CO
$6,600
Sep 26, 2024
3
MANDELBLATT, ERIC
SOROBAN CAPITAL PARTNERS LP MANAGING PARTNER
Individual ASPEN, CO
$6,600
Sep 26, 2024
4
CATZ, SAFRA
ORACLE CORPORATION CEO
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$5,000
May 5, 2023
5
MISSION INDIANS, MORONGO BAND OF
INDIAN TRIBE INDIAN TRIBE
Individual BANNING, CA
$5,000
Aug 13, 2024
6
WILLIS, THOMAS M
CONESTOGA ENERGY PARTNERS CEO
Individual LIBERAL, KS
$5,000
Aug 26, 2024
7
WEILERT, STANLEY R
S&B MOTELS, INC. HOTELIER
Individual WICHITA, KS
$3,500
Jun 26, 2023
8
BORCK, JACKIE
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Individual MANHATTAN, KS
$3,300
Mar 11, 2024
9
BORCK, JACKIE
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Individual MANHATTAN, KS
$3,300
Mar 11, 2024
10
THOMAS, ROBERT
SENIOR STAR CO-OWNER
Individual TULSA, OK
$3,300
Feb 22, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 21 nodes and 26 connections

Total contributions: $89,200

Top Donors - Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount

1 Org15 Individuals