H.R. 4385 would extend through 2028 the authority of the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to assist states, tribes, and local governments with conservation management and construction activities to mitigate the effects of drought. Over the 2005-2023 period, a total of $130 million was authorized to be appropriated for the program. Before that authority expired at the end of fiscal year 2023, the agency had allocated $121 million for that program, including $3 million in 2023.
Because CBO cannot predict when the amounts authorized to be appropriated would be provided, we assume that the remaining $9 million would be provided in roughly equal amounts over the 2024-2028 period. Using historical spending patterns and subject to the availability of appropriated funds, CBO estimates implementing the bill would cost $8 million over the 2024-2028 period and $1 million after 2028.
The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).
