S 3737

119th Congress

Environment

Agriculture

Government Operations

GROW SMART Act

Sponsor: Alex Padilla (Democratic-CA)January 29, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S380)

Funds water-saving projects for farmers and communities to fight drought

This bill would authorize the appropriation of money and expert help for farmers, communities, and states to find new ways to save water. It aims to support innovative projects and partnerships that keep farms productive and rural jobs secure, especially in areas hit by drought. This means more resources for creative solutions to water shortages.

What Would Change

Today, the current law doesn't specifically offer money or expert help for new, voluntary ways for different groups to share water or for individual farms to use water-saving crops and methods. After this bill, the Secretary of the Interior would be able to provide financial and technical assistance for planning and carrying out innovative water-saving projects, helping farmers and communities prepare for and respond to drought. This includes $5,000,000 authorized to be appropriated each fiscal year from fiscal year 2028 through 2034.

Key Provisions

Lets farmers and communities get money and expert help to plan new ways to save water during droughts.
Creates partnerships between farms, cities, businesses, and conservation groups to share water and resources.
Allows individual farms, states, or tribes facing severe water cuts (40% or more) to get help for water-saving projects on their own.
Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2028 to 2034 to pay for these water-saving projects.
Defines "innovative" water-saving methods to include new farming techniques like hydroponics or special irrigation, but not leaving land unplanted.
Requires the federal government to cover up to 75% of project costs, with a possible waiver for Tribal entities.

View on Congress.gov

S 3737 · 119th Congress · January 29, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 8/10

Lobbying Activity

8 filings mentioned this bill

Top Lobbying Clients

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION

$1M

2 filings

RANCHO CALIFORNIA WATER DISTRICT

$40K

2 filings

SANTA MARGARITA WATER DISTRICT

$20K

1 filing

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

1 filing

ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA WATER AGENCIES

2 filings

Top Lobbying Firms

1.ENS RESOURCES, INC.3 filings

2.WATER STRATEGIES, LLC2 filings

3.ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA WATER AGENCIES2 filings

4.DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE1 filing

Amounts reflect total quarterly lobbying spend reported to the Senate, not bill-specific spending. Source: Senate LDA filings.

8 filings mentioned this bill

Top Lobbying Clients

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION

$1M

2 filings

RANCHO CALIFORNIA WATER DISTRICT

$40K

2 filings

SANTA MARGARITA WATER DISTRICT

$20K

1 filing

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

1 filing

ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA WATER AGENCIES

2 filings

Top Lobbying Firms

1.ENS RESOURCES, INC.3 filings

2.WATER STRATEGIES, LLC2 filings

3.ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA WATER AGENCIES2 filings

4.DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE1 filing

Amounts reflect total quarterly lobbying spend reported to the Senate, not bill-specific spending. Source: Senate LDA filings.