H.R. 1939House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award additional funding through the Sanitation Facilities Construction Program of the Indian Health Service, and for other purposes.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 12:28 AM UTC

The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Indian Health Service, to provide additional funding for the Sanitation Facilities Construction Program. It aims to improve water, sewer and solid‑waste infrastructure in Native American communities, especially those identified as having the greatest deficiencies. The law authorizes $2.6 billion in new funds, on top of any existing allocations.

Key Provisions

Congress finds that the COVID‑19 pandemic highlighted sanitation gaps in Native communities and that fixing these gaps will improve health outcomes.
The Secretary must award extra funds for planning, designing, building, modernizing, improving, or renovating water, sewer, and solid‑waste facilities that are funded wholly or partially by the Indian Health Service or under related contracts.
Funding must be prioritized for facilities with the highest deficiency levels as listed in the 2019 IHS sanitation deficiency report.
An additional $2.6 billion is authorized for these purposes, separate from any other existing appropriations.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.

Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee

May 17, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 16, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Natural Resources Committee

March 16, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

March 17, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.

Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee

May 17, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 16, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1939

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 16, 2021

Mr. O'Halleran (for himself and Mr. Young) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award additional funding through the Sanitation Facilities Construction Program of the Indian Health Service, and for other purposes.

Indian Health Service Sanitation Facilities Construction Program funding

(a)

Findings

Congress finds that—

(1)

the COVID–19 crisis has highlighted the lack of infrastructure and sanitation available in Native communities; and

(2)

addressing the Sanitation Facilities Deficiency List of the Division of Sanitation Facilities and Construction of the Indian Health Service included in the report will—

(A)

result in investments in necessary water infrastructure; and

(B)

improve health outcomes.

(b)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Report

The term report means the fiscal year 2019 report of the Division of Sanitation Facilities and Construction of the Indian Health Service entitled Annual Report to the Congress of the United States on Sanitation Deficiency Levels for Indian Homes and Communities.

(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Indian Health Service.

(c)

Additional funding for sanitation facilities

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall award additional funding under the Sanitation Facilities Construction Program for the planning, design, construction, modernization, improvement, and renovation of water, sewer, and solid waste sanitation facilities that are funded, in whole or part, by the Indian Health Service through, or provided for in, a contract or compact with the Indian Health Service under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).

(2)

Priority for funding

In awarding funding to sanitation facilities under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize sanitation facilities with the highest deficiency level, as established in the report.

(d)

Authorization of appropriations

(1)

In general

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $2,600,000,000.

(2)

Requirement

Amounts made available under paragraph (1) shall be in addition to any amounts made available to carry out the purposes described in subsection (c)(1) under any other provision of law.