H.R. 4018House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

NEED Water Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 4:33 AM UTC

The NEED Water Act is designed to give California drought relief by directing the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior to prioritize water deliveries from the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, speed up emergency water projects, protect third‑party water rights, and extend existing water‑infrastructure funding.

Key Provisions

Directs the Secretaries to operate the Central Valley Project and allow State Water Project operations to deliver the maximum water possible to agricultural, municipal, industrial, and refuge users, including opening Delta Cross Channel Gates and managing reverse‑flow rates.
Authorizes rapid approval of any project that can add water supplies, fast‑tracks permits for temporary barriers or gates in the Delta, and streamlines water‑transfer requests for fallowed lands, with decisions required within 30 days.
Requires the Secretaries to issue progress reports every 90 days on implementation and a one‑year report on surface‑storage feasibility studies.
Protects third‑party water rights by having the Central Valley Project offset any State Water Project restrictions and by honoring senior California water‑right priorities in all diversions.
Prohibits actions that would involuntarily reduce water supplies or cause fiscal harm to existing water service, repayment, or settlement contracts, and bars any costs from falling on California entities unless voluntarily incurred.
Extends the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act authorizations to 2031 (project start) and 2036 (completion) and sets Title I and II to expire on September 30, 2023 or when California ends its drought emergency, whichever is later.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee

July 21, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 17, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

June 17, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3093)

June 24, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee

July 21, 2021

Floor Debate

3 members

What members said about H.R. 4018 on the floor

2 Republicans1 Democrat

Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.D-NJ-6 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4081) to require the disclosure of a camera or recording capability in certain internet-connected devices, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I…

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4081) to require the disclosure of a camera or recording capability in certain internet-connected devices, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4081.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4081, the Informing Consumers About Smart Devices Act.

For consumers, the benefits of technological progress are all around us. Perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than in our homes. The growing array of smart devices and household appliances with voice, video, and internet connectivity and technology make our lives easier, more entertaining, and more comfortable.

So, while there is no question that smart refrigerators, home assistants like Amazon's Alexa, and the countless other internet- connected devices that have microphones or cameras benefit consumers, there is also no question that these devices should not be able to listen to or watch us without our knowledge or consent. Unfortunately, studies confirm that many devices do not disclose these capabilities. Some are easily tricked into recording when people do not want them to do so.

So H.R. 4081 addresses this straightforward problem with a straightforward solution. The bill requires manufacturers of internet- connected devices that are equipped with a camera or microphone to disclose to consumers that a camera or microphone is part of the device. The bill does not apply to mobile phones, laptops, or other devices that a consumer would already reasonably expect to include a camera or microphone.

Now, the Federal Trade Commission must issue guidance to help businesses comply with these new requirements and may seek penalties, including civil penalties, for violations.

This bill will protect consumers; and I commend Representatives Curtis and Moulton for their bipartisan work on this legislation.

This bill is commonsense, balanced, and bipartisan. It is a solution to an issue that touches all Americans. It unanimously passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee in July by a vote of 53-to-0 and is yet another example of the work the committee is doing to protect consumers. I hope that trend continues today here on the House floor because there is no reason why consumers should ever be spied on by their own household devices without their knowledge and consent.

So, Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this important consumer protection legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to take this opportunity to talk about one of our key staff people who is leaving in the next few days. The person, of course, is Jerry Leverich, who is right behind me here.

Jerry has played an instrumental role in the committee's work, not only with consumer protection but on so many issues. Shortly after I became the top Democrat on the committee, more than 7 years ago, he started. He is currently the staff director for both our Subcommittee on Communications and Technology and our Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

Over these last 7 years since he has been here, he has played a critical role in our efforts to expand access to broadband nationwide, make internet service more affordable, and protect consumers from annoying robocalls.

I have to also say that if it wasn't for him, I don't know that I would be able to deal with a lot of technological issues in the committee or even explain a lot of what we are doing on the issues.

He led our efforts this summer, on the Democratic side, on passing out of committee for the first time the bicameral and bipartisan consumer data privacy bill, which we consider on both sides of the aisle a significant achievement. We are still working, obviously, to bring that to the House floor before the end of this session of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank him for his counsel. I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors. Obviously, we don't want him to leave. I also want to say that not only is Jerry such an expert and so intelligent and wise on so many issues, but he is also a great individual and someone you can always rely on to be straightforward and tell us when we are doing good things, tell us when we are not, telling us when we can do things that are achievable and when they are not. Generally, overall, he has been a great staff member, so I thank him.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that we all support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Brett GuthrieR-KY-2 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4081, the Informing Consumers About Smart Devices Act, introduced by Representative Curtis. In the…

Rep. Thomas P. TiffanyR-WI-7 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 17, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4018

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 17, 2021

Mr. Valadao (for himself, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Garcia of California, Mr. Issa, Mrs. Kim of California, Mr. LaMalfa, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Nunes, and Mrs. Steel) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To provide drought relief in the State of California, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Necessary to Ensure Expeditious Delivery of Water Act or the NEED Water Act.

Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.

Sec. 2. Table of contents.

Title I—RESPONDING TO CALIFORNIA’S DROUGHT EMERGENCY

Sec. 101. Definitions.

Sec. 102. Emergency projects.

Sec. 103. Progress report.

Sec. 104. Status of surface storage studies.

Title II—PROTECTION OF THIRD-PARTY WATER RIGHTS

Sec. 201. Offset for State Water Project.

Sec. 202. Area of origin protections.

Sec. 203. No redirected adverse impacts.

Title III—RENEW WIIN ACT

Sec. 301. Short title.

Sec. 302. Extension of authority.

Title IV—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 401. Effect on existing obligations.

Sec. 402. Termination of authorities.

RESPONDING TO CALIFORNIA’S DROUGHT EMERGENCY

101.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Central valley project

The term Central Valley Project has the meaning given the term in section 3403 of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (106 Stat. 4707).

(2)

Delta

The term Delta means the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Suisun Marsh, as defined in sections 12220 and 29101 of the California Public Resources Code.

(3)

Negative impact on the long-term survival

The term negative impact on the long-term survival means to reduce appreciably the likelihood of both the survival and recovery of a listed species in the wild by reducing the reproduction, numbers, or distribution of that species.

(4)

Salmonid biological opinion

The term salmonid biological opinion means the biological opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service for long-term operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project on October 21, 2019.

(5)

Secretaries

The term Secretaries means—

(A)

the Secretary of Commerce; and

(B)

the Secretary of the Interior.

(6)

Smelt biological opinion

The term smelt biological opinion means the biological opinion issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for long-term operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project on October 21, 2019.

(7)

State

The term State means the State of California.

(8)

State water project

The term State Water Project means the water project described by California Water Code section 11550 et seq. and operated by the California Department of Water Resources.

102.

Emergency projects

(a)

In general

Subject to the priority of individuals or entities, including those with Sacramento River Settlement Contracts, that have priority to the diversion and use of water over water rights held by the United States for operations of the Central Valley Project and over rights held by the State for operations of the State Water Project and the United States obligation to make a substitute supply of water available to the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors, the Secretaries shall direct the operations of the Central Valley Project and allow operations of the State Water Project to provide the maximum quantity of water supplies possible to Central Valley Project agricultural, municipal and industrial, and refuge service and repayment contractors, and State Water Project contractors, by approving, consistent with applicable laws (including regulations)—

(1)

any project or operations to provide additional water supplies if there is any possible way whatsoever that the Secretaries can do so unless the project or operations constitute a highly inefficient way of providing additional water supplies; and

(2)

any projects or operations as quickly as possible based on available information to address the emergency conditions.

(b)

Mandate

In carrying out subsection (a), the applicable Secretary shall—

(1)

operate the Central Valley Project to meet the United States contractual obligations under Sacramento River Settlement Contracts and to make a substitute supply of water available to the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors;

(2)

except as provided by this subsection, operate the Central Valley Project in a manner consistent with the salmonid biological opinion and the smelt biological opinion;

(3)

authorize and implement actions to ensure that the Delta Cross Channel Gates remain open to the maximum extent practicable;

(4)

(A)

operate the Central Valley Project and allow operations of the State Water Project within the ranges provided for in the smelt biological opinion and the salmonid biological opinion to minimize water supply reductions for the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project, manage reverse flow in Old and Middle Rivers at −5000 cubic feet per second (cfs) unless current scientific data indicate a less negative Old and Middle River flow is necessary to avoid a significant negative impact on the long-term survival of a listed species; and

(B)

show in writing that any determination to manage OMR reverse flow at rates less negative than −5000 cubic feet per second is necessary to avoid a significant negative impact on the long-term survival of the Delta smelt, including an explanation of the data examined and the connection between those data and the choice made prior to reducing pumping to a rate less negative than −5000 cfs;

(5)

adopt a 1:1 inflow to export ratio for the increment of increased flow of the San Joaquin River, as measured as a 3-day running average at Vernalis during the period from April 1 through May 31, resulting from voluntary sale, transfers, or exchanges of water from agencies with rights to divert water from the San Joaquin River or its tributaries consistent with the Central Valley Project’s and the State Water Project’s permitted water rights;

(6)

issue all necessary permit decisions under the authority of the Secretaries within 30 days of receiving a completed application by the State to place and use temporary barriers or operable gates in Delta channels to improve water quantity and quality for Central Valley Project and State Water Project contractors and other water users, which barriers or gates should provide benefits for species protection and in-Delta water user water quality and shall be designed such that formal consultations under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536) would not be necessary;

(7)

(A)

complete all requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) necessary to make final permit decisions on water transfer requests associated with voluntarily fallowing nonpermanent crops in the State, within 30 days of receiving such a request; and

(B)

allow any water transfer request associated with fallowing to maximize the quantity of water supplies available for nonhabitat uses as long as the fallowing and associated water transfer are in compliance with applicable Federal laws (including regulations);

(8)

allow any North of Delta agricultural water service or repayment contractor with unused Central Valley Project water to take delivery of such unused water through April 15 of the contract year immediately following the contract year in which such water was allocated, if—

(A)

the contractor requests the extension; and

(B)

the requesting contractor certifies that, without the extension, the contractor would have insufficient supplies to adequately meet requests for water deliveries within the contractor’s service area;

(9)

to the maximum extent possible based on the availability and quality of groundwater and without causing land subsidence—

(A)

meet the Level 2 and Level 4 water supply needs of units of the National Wildlife Refuge System in the Central Valley of California, the Gray Lodge, Los Banos, Volta, North Grasslands, and Mendota State wildlife management areas, and the Grasslands Resources Conservation District in the Central Valley of California through the improvement or installation of wells to use groundwater resources and the purchase of water from willing sellers; and

(B)

make a quantity of Central Valley Project water obtained from the measures implemented under subparagraph (A) available to Central Valley Project water service or repayment contractors; and

(10)

implement instream and offsite projects in the Delta and upstream in the Sacramento River and San Joaquin basins, in coordination with the California Department of Water Resources and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, that offset the effects on species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) due to actions taken under this Act.

(c)

Other agencies

To the extent that a Federal agency other than agencies headed by the Secretaries has a role in approving projects described in subsections (a) and (b), the provisions of this section shall apply to those Federal agencies.

(d)

Accelerated project decision and elevation

(1)

In general

Upon the request of the State, the heads of Federal agencies shall use the expedited procedures under this subsection to make final decisions relating to a Federal project or operation to provide additional water supplies or address emergency drought conditions pursuant to subsections (a) and (b).

(2)

Request for resolution

(A)

In general

Upon the request of the State, the head of an agency referred to in subsection (a), or the head of another Federal agency responsible for carrying out a review of a project, as applicable, the Secretary of the Interior shall convene a final project decision meeting with the heads of all relevant Federal agencies to decide whether to approve a project to provide emergency water supplies.

(B)

Meeting

The Secretary of the Interior shall convene a meeting requested under subparagraph (A) not later than 7 days after receiving the meeting request.

(3)

Notification

Upon receipt of a request for a meeting under this subsection, the Secretary of the Interior shall notify the heads of all relevant Federal agencies of the request, including the project to be reviewed and the date for the meeting.

(4)

Decision

Not later than 10 days after the date on which a meeting is requested under paragraph (2), the head of the relevant Federal agency shall issue a final decision on the project in writing.

(5)

Meeting convened by secretary

The Secretary of the Interior may convene a final project decision meeting under this subsection at any time, at the discretion of the Secretary, regardless of whether a meeting is requested under paragraph (2).

103.

Progress report

Ninety days after the date of the enactment of this Act and every 90 days thereafter, the Secretaries shall provide a progress report describing the implementation of sections 101 and 102 to the Committee on Natural Resources in the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in the Senate.

104.

Status of surface storage studies

One year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall provide a progress report on the status of feasibility studies undertaken pursuant to section 102(d)(1) to the Committee on Natural Resources in the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in the Senate. The report shall include timelines for study completion, draft environmental impact statements, final environmental impact statements, and Records of Decision.

PROTECTION OF THIRD-PARTY WATER RIGHTS

201.

Offset for State Water Project

(a)

Implementation impacts

In the event operations of the State Water Project are restricted under an incidental take permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for operations of the State Water Project beyond restrictions imposed by the salmonid biological opinion or smelt biological opinion, the Secretary of the Interior shall operate the Central Valley Project, to the extent excess capacity in Central Valley Project facilities exists, to divert water that otherwise would have been diverted by the State Water Project. Additional water diverted by the Central Valley Project pursuant to this subsection shall be made available to the State Water Project for delivery to State Water Project contractors to offset losses resulting from the restrictions imposed by the incidental take permit.

(b)

Notification related to water availability

The Secretary of the Interior shall immediately notify the Director of the California Department of Water Resources in writing if the Secretary of the Interior determines that additional water will be made available to the Stater Water Project as a result of the implementation of subsection (a).

202.

Area of origin protections

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Interior is directed, in the operation of the Central Valley Project, to adhere to California’s water rights laws governing water rights priorities and to honor water rights senior to those held by the United States for operation of the Central Valley Project, regardless of the source of priority, including any appropriative water rights initiated prior to December 19, 1914, as well as water rights and other priorities perfected or to be perfected pursuant to California Water Code Part 2 of Division 2. Article 1.7 (commencing with section 1215 of chapter 1 of part 2 of division 2, sections 10505, 10505.5, 11128, 11460, 11461, 11462, and 11463, and sections 12200 to 12220, inclusive).

(b)

Diversions

Any action undertaken by the Secretaries pursuant to both this Act and section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) that requires that diversions from the Sacramento River or the San Joaquin River watersheds upstream of the Delta be bypassed shall not be undertaken in a manner that alters the water rights priorities established by California law.

(c)

Endangered species act

Nothing in this title alters the existing authorities provided to and obligations placed upon the Federal Government under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

(d)

Contracts

With respect to individuals and entities with water rights on the Sacramento River, the mandates of this section may be met, in whole or in part, through a contract with the Secretary executed pursuant to section 14 of Public Law 76–260; 53 Stat. 1187 (43 U.S.C. 389) that is in conformance with the Sacramento River Settlement Contracts renewed by the Secretary in 2005.

203.

No redirected adverse impacts

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that, except as otherwise provided for in a water service or repayment contract, actions taken in compliance with legal obligations imposed pursuant to or as a result of this Act, including such actions under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and other applicable Federal and State laws, shall not directly or indirectly—

(1)

result in the involuntary reduction of water supply or fiscal impacts to individuals or districts who receive water from either the State Water Project or the United States under water rights settlement contracts, exchange contracts, water service contracts, repayment contracts, or water supply contracts; or

(2)

cause redirected adverse water supply or fiscal impacts to those within the Sacramento River watershed, the San Joaquin River watershed or the State Water Project service area.

(b)

Costs

To the extent that costs are incurred solely pursuant to or as a result of this Act and would not otherwise have been incurred by any entity or public or local agency or subdivision of the State of California, such costs shall not be borne by any such entity, agency, or subdivision of the State of California, unless such costs are incurred on a voluntary basis.

(c)

Rights and obligations not modified or amended

Nothing in this Act shall modify or amend the rights and obligations of the parties to any existing—

(1)

water service, repayment, settlement, purchase, or exchange contract with the United States, including the obligation to satisfy exchange contracts and settlement contracts prior to the allocation of any other Central Valley Project water; or

(2)

State Water Project water supply or settlement contract with the State.

III

RENEW WIIN ACT

301.

Short title

This title may be cited as the Responsible, No-Cost Extension of Western Water Infrastructure Improvements Act or the RENEW WIIN Act.

302.

Extension of authority

Subtitle J of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law 114–322) is amended—

(1)

in section 4007 (43 U.S.C. 390(b) note), in subsection (i), by striking January 1, 2021 and inserting January 1, 2031; and

(2)

in section 4013 (43 U.S.C. 390(b) note)—

(A)

in the first sentence, by striking the date that is 5 years after the date of its enactment and inserting December 31, 2031; and

(B)

in paragraph (1), by striking 10 years after the date of its enactment and inserting on December 31, 2036.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

401.

Effect on existing obligations

Nothing in this Act modifies any existing obligation of the United States under Federal reclamation law to operate the Central Valley Project in conformity with State law relating to the control, appropriation, use, or distribution of water, including established water rights priorities.

402.

Termination of authorities

Title I and title II of this Act shall expire on September 30, 2023, or the date on which the Governor of the State suspends the state of drought emergency declaration, whichever is later.