This legislation, known as the MORE WATER Act, aims to enhance water resilience and infrastructure across the United States. It reauthorizes and expands the existing large-scale water recycling and reuse program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, establishing a competitive grant program for feasibility studies, planning, design, and construction of such projects in Reclamation States. The bill extends the program's authority and authorizes an appropriation of $450,000,000 for fiscal years 2028 through 2032.

A significant new provision is the establishment of a Water Conveyance Improvement Program within the Bureau of Reclamation. This program will provide grants and authority for the Secretary of the Interior to participate in projects that involve new, improved, or restored water conveyance facilities. It specifically prioritizes "multi-benefit projects" that deliver safe drinking water benefits to low-income communities or provide environmental benefits.

The Federal share for conveyance projects is capped at 50% of the total cost for studies, planning, design, and construction. However, multi-benefit projects can receive an additional 20% Federal share, specifically for quantified safe drinking water benefits for low-income communities or environmental benefits. The bill mandates that projects costing over $800,000,000 must be multi-benefit, and at least 50% of smaller projects must also be multi-benefit. Federal funds provided under this program are nonreimbursable.

The bill also reauthorizes other critical water programs, including $550,000,000 for new water recycling and reuse projects and $250,000,000 for environmental restoration actions. These environmental funds are specifically directed towards benefiting endangered species, important habitats, and water bodies, with explicit mention of the Great Salt Lake and the Sacramento River. The ceiling on the Federal share for certain projects is increased to $50,000,000 (in 2025 prices, adjusted for inflation).

Finally, the legislation establishes a process for the deauthorization of inactive Reclamation projects. This involves creating an interim and final list of projects that have not received funding for at least seven years, with provisions for exclusions based on Congressional action, non-Federal funding, or the Secretary's determination of vital importance. This mechanism aims to streamline resource allocation and ensure that active projects can move forward efficiently.