Bill Text: HTML Version, PDF Version
Bill Summary and Status
Rules Committee Meeting: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 3:00p.m. in H-313 the Capitol, Special Announcement, Meeting Time: 3:00pm Wednesday 4/22 , Amendment Deadline: 3:00 p.m. Tuesday 4/21, Text of the Bill as Ordered Reported
Committee: Committee on Science and Technology
Committee Staff Contact: 5-6375
Bill Summary & Key Issues:
Key Issues:
- Coordinates national research and development efforts on water
- Establishes the National Water Research and Development Initiative
- Ensures that we have an effective national water strategy that uses federal research and development dollars efficiently and eliminates redundant programs.
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Summary of H.R. 1145:
The National Water Research and Development Initiative Act
Thirty-six states expect to experience significant water shortages by 2013. Diminished supplies of water and intense competition for limited resources are forcing local water agencies to make tough decisions on water allocations and limiting access to needed water by businesses and families. Over twenty federal agencies carry out research and development on some aspect of water supply, water quality or water management. Despite spending millions of dollars on research at each of these agencies, an increase in the number of water shortages and emerging conflicts over water supplies suggest that we are still inadequately prepared to address the nation’s water management issues.
H.R. 1145 coordinates national research and development efforts on water and provides a clear path forward to ensure adequate water supplies for generations to come. This bill will ensure that we have an effective national water strategy that uses federal research and development dollars efficiently and eliminates redundant programs.
The bill requires the President to establish or designate an interagency committee with representation from all Federal agencies dealing with water to implement a National Water Research and Development Initiative to improve Federal activities on water, including research, development, demonstration, data collection and dissemination, education, and technology transfer.
The interagency committee would be charged with developing a Plan to accomplish the following research outcomes: the implementation of a national water census, the development of new water technologies and techniques, the development of tools to facilitate water resource conflicts, the development of information technology systems to enhance water quality and supply, the improvement of hydrologic prediction models, an enhanced understanding related to ecosystem services, and an analyses of the energy-water nexus. To ensure that water related climate change concerns are addressed, the bill requires the interagency committee to coordinate the activities of the Initiative with the United States Global Change Research Program.
In an effort to provide technical and administrative support, the bill creates a National Water Initiative Coordination Office. The Office would disseminate information to the public and serve as a point of contact for the Initiative. The bill authorizes $2 million per year to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for coordination and outreach activities undertaken by the National Water Initiative Coordination Office.
H.R. 1145 directs the President to provide guidance to each Federal agency in the Initiative with respect to the President’s annual request. The President is required to describe and list the items in the request that are elements of the Plan or help to achieve the outcomes of the Plan.
There is currently no Senate companion to H.R. 1145. The legislation has been endorsed by the National Beverage Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Water Innovations Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council, Water Environment Research Foundation, Council of Scientific Society Presidents, Food & Water Watch, Water Research Foundation, Alliance Environmental, and Clean Water Action.
Committee on Science & Technology Markup:
Markup of H.R. 1580 and H.R. 1145: Full Committee on Science and Technology, March 25, 2009
- National Journal Report: Technology Committee Votes To Improve Water Research, Project Coordination (03/25/2009)
- Opening Statement: Chairman Bart Gordon
- Text of Amendments
Summary of Committee Votes:
Rep. B. Gordon, D-Tenn., National Water Research and Development/Coordination and Authorization of Funds Amendment —Would authorize $2 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for each of fiscal 2010-2012 to coordinate activities under the bill. The amendment also would add tribal governments to the list of entities involved in technology, communication and information exchange. It also would include in a list of
water research outcomes an analyses of the social, behavioral, and economic barriers to sustainable use of water resources. The amendment would add a new section to the bill that would require an interagency committee to coordinate the activities of the water research initiative with the U.S. Global Change Research Program. It also would expand the industrial technologies program to include research to develop water efficient technologies focused on utilization of impaired water sources in production. Adopted by Voice Vote.
- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., National Water Research and Development/Coordination of Governments Amendment—Would include state, local and tribal governments in the coordination of a National Water Research Assessment Plan and discussions of other water-related research, development and technological innovation. Adopted by Voice Vote.
- Rep. E. Johnson, D-Texas National Water Research and Development/Minority Outreach Amendment —Would require the interagency water research committee to contact minority-serving institutions and encourage those institutions to apply for applicable grants. Adopted by Voice Vote.
- Rep. D. Edwards, D-Md., National Water Research and Development/Data Collection Methods Amendment —Would encourage cooperation between federal agencies, state and local governments and tribal governments in developing standard methods for collecting data on water. Adopted by Voice Vote.
- Rep. R. Hall, R-Texas, National Water Research and Development/Research Barriers Amendment —Would require the interagency water research committee to identify statutory or regulatory barriers to technologies and techniques related to water resource research. Adopted by Voice Vote.
- Rep. Matheson, D-Utah, National Water Research and Development/Quality, Availability and Use Amendment —Would direct the interagency committee to assess the state of national and regional water quality, availability, and use. Adopted by Voice Vote.
- Rep. Giffords, D-Ariz., National Water Research and Development/Water Treatment and Purification Amendment —Would direct the interagency committee to research technologies that would enhance reliable water supply, water reuse and pollution prevention, including advanced water treatment and purification technologies. Adopted by Voice Vote.
- Rep. Tonko, D-N.Y., National Water Research and Development/Information Technology Amendment —Would direct the interagency committee to develop information technology systems that would enhance water quality and supply. The amendment also would direct the comptroller general to complete a study that would examine the feasibility of creating a national water pilot testing facility. Adopted by Voice Vote.
- Vote to Report: Favorably Reported to the Full House, as Amended, by Voice Vote.
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CBO Cost Estimate: Ordered Reported by the House Committee on Science and Technology
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