Rep. Pettersen leads House effort to launch water navigator program

U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen has introduced legislation in the House that would enable eligible entities to plan and implement multi-benefit water projects with access to technical assistance and grant funding, the U.S. Congress reports.

Identified as H.R.7408, the bill was put forward on Feb. 5, 2026, during the 2026 session of the 119th Congress. The following summary draws from the official bill text and offers explanations to help clarify its intent.

The measure would establish a Water Project Navigators Program to assist the development and delivery of multi-benefit water projects in qualifying states. The proposal would provide grants or cooperative agreements to groups such as state governments, Indian Tribes and conservation nonprofits in order to support navigator positions. These navigators would help with project planning, grant applications and technical support. As drafted, the legislation covers up to 75% of the associated costs for projects, with potential waivers available for groups with financial barriers. The Department of the Interior would develop eligibility criteria, giving preference to applicants from disadvantaged or rural communities. After five years, an evaluation of the program’s outcomes would be mandated. The bill would allocate $15 million per year from 2027 through 2032 for these efforts.

Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-7th District) sponsored the bill, while Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-CO-6th District) is listed as a co-sponsor.

This session, Rep. Pettersen has put forward another 15 bills as well.

An identical measure, S.3792, was introduced in the Senate on Feb. 5, 2026. Congressional documentation notes that it is an identical companion to H.R.7408.

Congressional bills can be introduced in either chamber, with the exception of revenue legislation, which must start in the House. Bills are referred to committees for meetings, debate, modifications and public hearings, and must be approved by both the House and Senate—each passing identical texts—before being considered by the president for signature or veto. Congressional terms last two years and are sequentially numbered, with official legislative activity recorded on Congress.gov.

Brittany Pettersen is a Colorado representative, born Dec. 6, 1981. She earned her bachelor’s from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2006 and previously served in the Colorado House of Representatives (2013 to 2018) and Colorado Senate (2019 to 2022) prior to joining the 118th Congress in January 2023.

Reporting for this article relied on records from the U.S. Congress, which can be accessed here.