H.R. 3809 – Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act of 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 8:24 AM UTC

The Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act of 2023 adds cybersecurity help to the USDA’s national rural water and wastewater circuit‑rider program. It targets small rural water systems that serve fewer than 10,000 people, aiming to improve their ability to detect and defend against cyber attacks. The bill also raises the program’s annual funding and sets aside money specifically for these cybersecurity services.

Key Provisions

Amends the program to include cybersecurity technical assistance for rural water systems serving under 10,000 residents, covering assessment of current protections and implementation of security plans, procedures, and technologies.
Increases the program’s annual budget to $32.5 million for fiscal years 2024‑2028, with $7.5 million each year dedicated to providing the new cybersecurity assistance.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.

Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee

July 10, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 5, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Agriculture Committee

June 5, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.

Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee

July 10, 2023

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 3809 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Donald G. DavisD-NC-1 · Mar 22, 2024

Mr. Speaker, there are increasing national security threats to America's critical infrastructure. A warning went out nationwide that China and Iran are targeting our critical infrastructure systems,…

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 5, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3809

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 5, 2023

Mr. Davis of North Carolina (for himself, Mr. Nunn of Iowa, Ms. Craig, and Ms. Spanberger) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL

To include cybersecurity technical assistance in the national rural water and wastewater circuit rider program of Department of Agriculture.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act of 2023.

2.

Inclusion of cybersecurity technical assistance in the national rural water and wastewater circuit rider program

(a)

In general

Section 306(a)(22)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(22)(A)) is amended—

(1)

by striking and at the end of clause (i); and

(2)

by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii) and inserting after clause (i) the following:

(ii)

shall include cybersecurity technical assistance for rural water systems serving fewer than 10,000 persons, to—

(I)

assess system efficacy in protecting against cyber threats; and

(II)

implement cybersecurity plans, procedures, and technologies to protect against cyber threats; and

.

(b)

Extension of program

Section 306(a)(22)(B) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(22)(B)) is amended by striking $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 and inserting $32,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, of which $7,500,000 for each of the fiscal years shall be used to provide cybersecurity technical assistance in accordance with subparagraph (A)(ii).