To waive certain requirements under section 306018 of title 54, United States Code, with respect to undertakings to upgrade public water systems and treatment works.

This bill aims to speed up improvements to public water infrastructure by exempting certain projects from federal historic preservation reviews. Specifically, it would waive requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (codified as 54 U.S.C. 306108) for undertakings that involve the structural rehabilitation or upgrading of public water systems and treatment works. Currently, these federal reviews require agencies to assess how a project might affect historic properties, often involving lengthy consultations with state and tribal officials before work can begin.

If enacted, the bill would allow local municipalities and water districts to request an exclusion from these reviews for projects primarily focused on upgrading existing water infrastructure. By removing these procedural steps, the legislation seeks to reduce bureaucratic delays and lower costs for critical water safety and wastewater management projects. The bill uses standard federal definitions for "public water system" and "treatment works" to ensure the waiver applies specifically to essential utility infrastructure.