AWE Legislative Watch

The Alliance for Water Efficiency is pleased to monitor U.S. federal legislation and inform its members of bills relating to water conservation and efficiency. 

The 115th Congress began on January 3, 2017. That means all bills from the 114th Congress are cleared and everything starts over. Bills of interest will be posted as the new Congress begins to take action. Check back often for updates.

Jump to 115th U.S. Senate  |  111th Congress Archive  |  112th Congress Archive  |  113th Congress Archive  |
114th Congress Archive | Jump to Parliament of Canada

U.S. House of Representatives

115th Congress

• H.R. 448 - Water Conservation Tax Parity Act (Tentative Title) 

H.R. 448 - Water Conservation Tax Parity Act (Tentative Title) 

Status: Introduced January 11, 2017 in the House and referred to committee.

Purpose: To make rebates for water conservation and storm water runoff measures tax exempt.

Sponsor: Reps. Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)

Summary: This bill would amend Section 136 of the Internal Revenue Code, which makes energy conservation rebates provide by utilities exempt from federal income taxes, to include rebates provided by water utilities for water conservation and storm-water management. Currently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) insists that rebates for homeowners who replace water-thirsty lawns, install “gray water” capture systems or purchase new water-efficient appliances are considered income to the recipient and subject to federal taxes. The IRS and Treasury Department have stated that they cannot grant administrative relief from taxing such rebates and that Congress must act to amend the Internal Revenue Code. (Full Text to come)

History: This bill was introduced on January 11, 2017 and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. It is similar to a bill introduced by Reps. Huffman and Rohrabacher in the 114th Congress. That measure was not acted on by the committee.