A bill to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to authorize the use of funds for certain additional Carey Act projects, and for other purposes.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (17 Sep 2026): Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 631.
What this bill does
S. 1257 would amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand the types of dam projects eligible for certain federal funding. Specifically, it would allow money set aside under that law's aging infrastructure account to be used for the rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement of dams originally built under the 1894 Carey Act, a historic law that helped states develop irrigation projects on federal land. Funding for these additional projects would only become available after the Secretary of the Interior determines that dams already prioritized under existing criteria have received the funding needed to complete their work, and that money remains available for further projects.
The bill mainly affects operators and communities relying on Carey Act dams—many located in Western states such as Idaho, where irrigation infrastructure from that era is still in use. By broadening eligibility, it could allow additional dam repair or replacement projects to draw on existing federal infrastructure funds, potentially benefiting local water districts, irrigators, and downstream communities dependent on these aging structures.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on April 2, 2025, by Senator James Risch of Idaho, with Senator Mike Crapo as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. On July 29, 2026, the committee ordered the bill reported favorably without amendment. It would next need to be considered by the full Senate, and if passed, by the House of Representatives, before it could be sent to the President.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
17 Sep 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 631.
Common questions
- What does S. 1257 do?
- S. 1257 would amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand the types of dam projects eligible for certain federal funding. Specifically, it would allow money set aside under that law's aging infrastructure account to be used for the rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement of dams originally built under the 1894 Carey Act, a historic law that helped states develop irrigation projects on federal land. Funding for these additional projects would only become available after the Secretary of the Interior determines that dams already prioritized under existing criteria have received the funding needed to complete their work, and that money remains available for further projects. The bill mainly affects operators and communities relying on Carey Act dams—many located in Western states such as Idaho, where irrigation infrastructure from that era is still in use. By broadening eligibility, it could allow additional dam repair or replacement projects to draw on existing federal infrastructure funds, potentially benefiting local water districts, irrigators, and downstream communities dependent on these aging structures. The bill was introduced in the Senate on April 2, 2025, by Senator James Risch of Idaho, with Senator Mike Crapo as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. On July 29, 2026, the committee ordered the bill reported favorably without amendment. It would next need to be considered by the full Senate, and if passed, by the House of Representatives, before it could be sent to the President.
- Has S. 1257 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1257. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1257?
- S. 1257 was sponsored by Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] (R-ID), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 1257?
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 631. (17 Sep 2026).
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