S. 4362

Referred to Committee

Emergency Water and Energy is a Human Right Act

Introduced 7/29/2020•116th Congress•Senate

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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

7/29/2020 • Senate

Summary

Emergency Water and Energy is a Human Right Act

This bill creates a grant program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, to provide funds to states and Indian tribes to assist low-income households that pay a high proportion of household income for drinking water and wastewater services.

Specifically, states and Indian tribes must provide payments to owners and operators of public water systems and wastewater treatment works to reduce rates charged to low-income households. Owners and operators must also conduct outreach activities to ensure that households are aware of the available rate reduction assistance.

Further, any entity receiving financial assistance under this grant program must ensure that no home energy service, public water system service, or wastewater treatment works is or remains disconnected or interrupted during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency because of nonpayment.

Introduced in Senate • 7/29/2020

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Topics & Subjects

Policy Area: Water Resources Development

Cardiovascular and respiratory healthCongressional oversightElectric power generation and transmissionEmergency medical services and trauma careEnergy assistance for the poor and agedIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesLow- and moderate-income housingPublic utilities and utility ratesRural conditions and developmentSolid waste and recyclingWater qualityWater resources fundingWater use and supply