Review - HR 10151 Introduced – Water System Assistance

Last month, Rep Deluzio (D,PA) introduced HR 10151, the Water Authority Cybersecurity Protection Act. The bill would amend 42 USC 300i-2(g), Technical assistance and grants, increasing the amounts available to the EPA for grants under subsections (4) and (5), increasing the amounts authorized for the Drinking Water Infrastructure Risk and Resilience Program, and extend the authorization for that program through 2029. 

This bill is essentially the same as HR 10389, the Water Authority Cybersecurity Protection Act, that was introduced by Deluzio in December 2024. That bill was introduced even later in the 118th Congress, and no action was taken. According to a press release from Deluzio’s office: 

“Any attack on our nation’s critical infrastructure is unacceptable, and the 2023 Iranian hack in Western Pennsylvania should have been a major wake-up call for our federal government,” said Congressman Deluzio. “Especially while the Iran War continues, we need to make sure our local water authorities have the resources and training they need to defend against cyber threats from the Iranians and others. Residents should be able to trust that their drinking water is safe from attacks. I am proud to reintroduce the Water Authority Cybersecurity Protection Act to help local leaders better secure our water system.” 

Moving Forward  

Neither Deluzio nor his sole cosponsor, Rep Finstad (R,MN), are members of the Energy and Commerce Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there will probably not be sufficient influence to see the bill considered by that Committee. While the increased funding would typically be considered an anathema to many Republicans, the recent spate of purported Iranian attacks on public water systems in this country, might outweigh the spending concerns in some members. While I would expect some level of bipartisan support if this bill was considered, I do not think that there would be enough support to allow the bill to be successfully considered under the suspension of the rules process. 

For more information on the provisions of this bill, as well as commentary on EPA grants for water system cybersecurity, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-10151-introduced-water-system - subscription required. 

Review – Bills Introduced – 8-27-26

Yesterday, with both the House and Senate meeting in pro forma session (the House returns to Washington next week), there were 42 bills introduced. One of those bills may receive additional coverage in this blog: 

HR 10151 To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to adjust the limits for technical assistance, grants for small systems, and the authorization of appropriations for the Drinking Water Infrastructure Risk and Resilience Program. Deluzio, Christopher R. [Rep.-D-PA-17]    

For more information on these bills, including legislative history for similar bills in the 118th Congress, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/bills-introduced-8-27-26 - subscription required.