What does Preamble of WATER for Farmers Act do?

This bill aims to ensure reliable water delivery to the US under the 1944 Water Treaty It provides a mechanism to compensate US agricultural producers for economic losses due to delivery shortfalls The bill has other purposes beyond water delivery and compensation

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?

Congress makes findings regarding the 1944 Water Treaty between the US and Mexico. The Treaty requires Mexico to deliver a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water from the Rio Grande basin annually. Unpredictable water deliveries have caused economic harm to US agricultural producers and communities in South Texas. Recent diplomatic agreements lack sufficient enforcement mechanisms for reliable water delivery. New enforcement mechanisms are necessary to ensure the Treaty's benefits are fully realized by the US.

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. Mexico is considered to be in a water delivery shortfall if the required quantity of water is not delivered. 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 delivery requirement.

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

The United States Trade Representative imposes duties on Mexican imports during water delivery shortfalls. Duties are imposed 90 days after a shortfall determination and end 30 days after Mexico remedies the shortfalls. The Trade Representative prioritizes duties on agricultural products and goods using Rio Grande River water.

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

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

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' considers indirect economic impacts such as job losses and reduced supplies to downstream industries.

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

The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission collects water data. Data collection includes water delivery, shortfalls, and compensation payments. Data is reported publicly on a monthly basis.

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 intend to reduce or negatively impact any rights or remedies available under other federal or state laws, unless required by this Act. This Act also does not intend to diminish or impair rights or remedies available under any other international agreement.

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WATER for Farmers Act

Last updated: 5/14/2026 · Introduced: 5/14/2026

Author: John Cornyn (R-TX)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill imposes duties on Mexican imports during water delivery shortfalls from Mexico under the 1944 Water Treaty, with a focus on agricultural products and goods using Rio Grande River water.
A South Texas Agricultural Compensation Trust Fund is established to provide financial compensation to agricultural producers in the Rio Grande Valley who experience economic losses due to water delivery shortfalls from Mexico.
The Secretary of Agriculture calculates and provides compensation to affected agricultural producers based on direct economic losses, which are determined by multiplying the shortfall volume by the economic value per acre-foot and an impact multiplier.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 9053(In Committee)Official page

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

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