Rep. Fedorchak introduces bill in U.S. House to fund water supply projects

The new bill authored by U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak in the U.S. House seeks to authorize funding for various water supply projects and address infrastructure needs, according to the U.S. Congress.

H.R.8006 was introduced on March 19, 2026 during the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress. The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends Public Law 89-108 to authorize appropriations for various water supply projects, including state, Tribal, municipal, rural, and industrial needs. It allocates specific amounts to complete significant projects such as the Northwest Area Water Supply Biota Water Treatment Plant and the McClusky Canal, among others, totaling approximately $1.25 billion. The bill allows for the transfer of funds among specific projects while imposing limits on increases for individual projects. It also mandates the completion of final engineering reports within two years following enactment to define the projects’ scopes. Additionally, it ensures that fund allocations are indexed to account for construction cost fluctuations post-enactment. The Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026 become effective upon passage.

The bill was introduced only by Rep. Julie Fedorchak (Republican-ND).

Since the beginning of the current session, Rep. Fedorchak has introduced another nine bills.

A related bill, S.4040, was also introduced in the Senate on March 10, 2026. Congressional records list it as an identical companion bill to H.R.8006.

Congressional bills can originate in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, except for revenue-related measures, which must begin in the House. After introduction, bills are assigned to committees for review, hearings, amendments and debate before they can advance to a vote in each chamber. If both chambers approve identical versions, the legislation is sent to the president, who may sign it into law or veto it. Congress operates in two-year terms, with each term numbered sequentially and divided into two annual sessions. The legislative process and official bill records are maintained by the U.S. Congress and published through Congress.gov.

Julie Fedorschak is a Representative from North Dakota, elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress. She has served as North Dakota public service commissioner from 2013 to 2025 and held various staff positions, including with Governor Ed Schaefer and Senator John Hoeven.

Fedorschak graduated from Century High School in 1986 and earned a B.A. from the University of North Dakota. Her professional background includes roles at the University of North Dakota Foundation and the University of Maryland.