H.R. 7889 would reauthorize the Water Resources Research Act Program through 2029 and authorize the appropriation of $16 million each year from 2026 through 2029 for those purposes. The program, which is managed by the U.S. Geological Survey, provides grants to 54 institutes hosted by colleges and universities to research issues related to water resources. In 2026, the Congress appropriated $16 million for those purposes.
Based on historical spending patterns for this and similar programs, and assuming appropriation of the specified amounts, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 7889 would cost $46 million over the 2026-2031 period. CBO does not attribute any outlays to the fiscal year 2026 authorization because that amount has already been appropriated under current law.
The estimated budgetary effects of the legislation are shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources).
Table 1.
Estimated Budgetary Effects of H.R. 7889
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2026-2031
Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation
Estimated Authorization
0
16
16
16
0
0
48
Estimated Outlays
0
8
13
16
7
2
46
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Emilia Oliva. The estimate was reviewed by Chad Chirico, Director of Budget Analysis.
