June 11, 2025
Mr. Padilla introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. International Boundary and Water Commission Authority
(a) Authorization
The Commission is authorized to accept funds from a Federal or non-Federal entity, including through a grant or funding agreement, to study, design, construct, operate, or maintain wastewater treatment works, water conservation projects, or flood control works, and related structures, consistent with the functions of the Commission.
(b) Deposit
Any funds accepted by the Commission under this section shall be deposited into the account in the Treasury of the United States entitled International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico
and shall be available until expended to carry out the activities described in subsection (a).
(c) Limitations
(1) Limit on reimbursement
The Commission may not provide credit towards the non-Federal share of the cost of a project, or reimbursement, to non-Federal entities for funds accepted under this section in an amount that exceeds a total of $5,000,000 in any fiscal year.
(2) Source of funds
The Commission may not accept funds under this section from any non-Federal entity—
(A)
that is domiciled in, headquartered in, or organized under the laws of, or the principal place of business of which is located in, a foreign country of concern; or
(B)
that has in place any agreement with a foreign country of concern.
(d) Report
Not later than the last day of each fiscal year, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report on the funds accepted under this section that includes a description of—
(1)
the activities carried out with such funds; and
(2)
costs associated with such activities.
(e) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Commission
The term Commission means the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico.
(2) Foreign country of concern
The term foreign country of concern has the meaning given that term in section 10638 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19237).