What does Preamble of WATER for Farmers Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'To ensure the reliable delivery of water to the United States under the 1944 Water Treaty, to provide a mechanism to compensate United States agricultural producers for economic losses resulting from delivery shortfalls, and for other purposes.' The bill aims to ensure reliable water delivery to the United States under the 1944 Water Treaty. It proposes a mechanism to compensate U.S. agricultural producers for economic losses due to water delivery shortfalls.

What does SHORT TITLE. of WATER for Farmers Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Water Assurance and Treaty Enforcement for Rio Grande Farmers Act, also known as the WATER for Farmers Act.

What does FINDINGS. of WATER for Farmers Act do?

This section establishes findings related to the Treaty relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande (the "1944 Water Treaty"). The 1944 Water Treaty intends for Mexico to deliver a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually to the United States, measured in 5-year cycles. Reliance on storm events and unpredictable deliveries under the Treaty have caused economic harm to U.S. agricultural producers and communities in South Texas. These economic harms impact interstate and international commerce and create unfair competition for U.S. agricultural producers. Current diplomatic agreements between the United States and Mexico lack sufficient enforcement mechanisms to guarantee reliable water delivery. The section concludes that new enforcement mechanisms are needed to fully realize the benefits of the 1944 Water Treaty for the United States.

What does DETERMINATION OF WATER DELIVERY SHORTFALLS. of WATER for Farmers Act do?

This section establishes a process for determining water delivery shortfalls from Mexico. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the United States Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission and the Secretary of Agriculture, must determine within 30 days of each year's end whether Mexico met its water delivery requirement. If Mexico fails to deliver the required amount of water, it is considered to be in a water delivery shortfall for that year. The minimum annual water delivery requirement from Mexico under the 1944 Water Treaty is 350,000 acre-feet. The Secretary of State is responsible for formalizing this water delivery requirement.

What does IMPOSITION OF DUTIES DURING PERIOD OF WATER DELIVERY of WATER for Farmers Act do?

This section outlines the imposition of duties on imports from Mexico during periods of water delivery shortfalls. The United States Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with other agencies, is responsible for imposing these duties. Duties begin 90 days after a determination of a water shortfall and end 30 days after Mexico remedies the shortfalls. The USTR determines which goods are subject to duties, prioritizing agricultural products and goods from areas reliant on the Rio Grande River. If Mexico experiences consecutive years of water shortfalls, the USTR must increase the duties by either raising rates or expanding the categories of goods subject to duties.

What does SOUTH TEXAS AGRICULTURAL COMPENSATION TRUST FUND. of WATER for Farmers Act do?

A South Texas Agricultural Compensation Trust Fund is established in the Treasury. The fund will consist of amounts transferred from the Treasury's general fund and any credited amounts. The Secretary of the Treasury will transfer an amount equivalent to duties collected under section 4 into the Trust Fund. The Secretary shall invest unused portions of the Trust Fund in interest-bearing U.S. obligations. Interest and proceeds from investments will be added to the Trust Fund. The Secretary of Agriculture can use funds from the Trust Fund to provide financial compensation to agricultural producers who have suffered economic losses, as determined under section 6, without further appropriation.

What does COMPENSATION OF UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS HARMED BY of WATER for Farmers Act do?

This section establishes a process for compensating United States agricultural producers in the Rio Grande Valley who experience economic losses due to water delivery shortfalls from Mexico. Within 90 days of a determination of a shortfall under section 3(a), the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the United States Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission, must calculate direct economic losses. The calculation of economic losses involves multiplying the shortfall volume in acre-feet by the economic value per acre-foot and an impact multiplier. The 'economic value per acre-foot' is determined by considering agricultural economics studies, including crop revenue losses, alternative water costs, and water rates. The 'impact multiplier' accounts for indirect economic impacts such as job losses and disruptions to downstream industries and agricultural processing businesses. The 'shortfall volume in acre-feet' is the difference between Mexico's required water delivery and the actual volume delivered.

What does DATA COLLECTION AND REVIEW. of WATER for Farmers Act do?

This section establishes a requirement for the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission to collect and report data. The data collection will be coordinated with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of State. Data will be reported monthly and will be publicly available. The reported data includes details on water delivery under the 1944 Water Treaty. Calculations of water delivery shortfalls will also be reported. The status of compensation payments made under section 6 will be included in the reports.

What does INTERACTION WITH TREATY AND OTHER LAWS. of WATER for Farmers Act do?

This Act is to be interpreted and applied in accordance with the obligations of the United States under the 1944 Water Treaty. This Act does not diminish or impair any existing rights or remedies available under federal or state law, except where required by this Act. This Act does not diminish or impair any existing rights or remedies available under any other international agreement.

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WATER for Farmers Act

Last updated: 5/29/2026 · Introduced: 5/29/2026

Author: Monica De La Cruz (R-TX)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a process for determining if Mexico has met its annual water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty.
If Mexico fails to deliver the required amount of water, the United States Trade Representative can impose duties on imports from Mexico, prioritizing agricultural products.
A South Texas Agricultural Compensation Trust Fund is created to provide financial assistance to agricultural producers impacted by water delivery shortfalls.
The Secretary of Agriculture will calculate and compensate agricultural producers for economic losses resulting from water delivery shortfalls, considering direct and indirect impacts.
The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission will collect and publicly report data related to water deliveries, shortfalls, and compensation payments.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4549(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 7 more.

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