S. 3737 · In committee · Water Resources Development

GROW SMART Act

What it does

Amends the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to authorize the Secretary to provide technical and financial assistance to qualified applicants for planning and implementation of innovative voluntary water-sharing and water-conserving agricultural projects.
Establishes eligibility criteria requiring applicants to propose voluntary partnerships between agricultural entities and municipal, industrial, state, or nonprofit water entities, with joint applications from at least one party of each type.
Defines innovative approaches as new or locally untested methods including water-storage agreements, water-thrifty crops, hydroponics, agrovoltaics, high-efficiency irrigation, and regenerative agricultural practices, while excluding widespread land fallowing or conventional crops.
Directs the Secretary to prioritize applications based on water savings dedicated to district or community members, innovation level, estimated water-use reduction, employment support, implementation likelihood, partnership duration of at least 10 years, and long-term sustainability without federal funding.

Mar 17, 2026: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

Committee: Senate Water and Power Subcommittee