![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.895833333333333in"
height="1.117361111111111in"}

# 

# Legislative Bulletin....................................................December 6, 2006

**Contents:**

> **H.R. 4924 ---** Congressional Tribute to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Act
> of 2006
>
> **H.R. 6136 ---** Margaret Thatcher Congressional Gold Medal Act
>
> **H.R. 5280** --- Dextromethorphan Distribution Act of 2006
>
> **H.R. 5798** --- To amend the Public Health Service Act to modify the
> program for the sanctuary system for surplus chimpanzees by
> terminating the authority for the removal of chimpanzees from the
> system for research purposes
>
> **H.R. 1458** --- To require any Federal or State court to recognize
> any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other
> than the State where the court is located when such notarization
> occurs in or affects interstate commerce
>
> **H.R. 4997** --- Physicians for Underserved Areas Act
>
> **H.R.** **6342** --- To amend Title 38, United States Code, to extend
> certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary of
> Veterans Affairs, to expand eligibility for the Survivors' and
> Dependents' Educational Assistance program, and for other purposes
>
> **H.R. 5782 ---** Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2006
>
> **S. 895** --- Rural Water Supply Act of 2005

**H.R. 4924 ---** **Congressional Tribute to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Act
of 2006 --- *as introduced* (Latham, R-IA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill,

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 4924 would authorize the President Pro
Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to
make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of
Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design, to Dr. Norman E.
Borlaug, in recognition of his enduring contributions to the United
States and the world. The bill would authorize the Secretary of the
Treasury to strike and sell all duplicates in bronze.

The bill lists a number of findings, including the following:

-   "Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, was born in Iowa where he grew up on a
    family farm, and received his primary and secondary education;

-   "Dr. Borlaug attended the University of Minnesota where he received
    his B.A. and Ph.D. degrees and was also a star NCAA wrestler;

-   "For the past 20 years, Dr. Borlaug has lived in Texas where he is a
    member of the faculty of Texas A&M University;

-   "Dr. Borlaug's accomplishments in terms of bringing radical change
    to world agriculture and uplifting humanity are without parallel;

-   "With the active support of the governments involved, Dr. Borlaug's
    'green revolution' uplifted hundreds of thousands of the rural poor
    in Mexico and saved hundreds of millions from famine and outright
    starvation in India and Pakistan;

-   "In 1970, Dr. Borlaug received the Nobel Prize, the only person
    working in agriculture to ever be so honored. Since then he has
    received numerous honors and awards including the Presidential Medal
    of Freedom, the Public Service Medal, the National Academy of
    Sciences' highest honor, and the Rotary International Award for
    World Understanding and Peace; and

-   "At age 91, Dr. Borlaug continues to work to alleviate poverty and
    malnutrition. He currently serves as president of Sasakawa Global
    2000 Africa Project, which seeks to extend the benefits of
    agricultural development to the 800,000,000 people still mired in
    poverty and malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: The Congressional Gold Medal
of Honor is the nation's highest and most distinguished civilian award.
The medal is presented both for singular acts of exceptional service and
for lifetime achievement. Rule 3(f)(1)(c) of the Rules for the Committee
on Financial Services governs the award of Congressional Gold Medals.
This rule states, "the recipient shall have performed an achievement
that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be
recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after
the achievement."

As of September 11, 2006, gold's closing price was around \$590.40.
According to the Treasury, each Congressional Gold Medal contains 14.5
troy ounces or 16 regular ounces of gold. Thus, the gold in a medal
minted today is worth roughly \$9,446.40. As stated below, the CBO
estimates the cost of the bill to be \$35,000. Sales of most duplicate
medals are not strong enough to offset the cost of the gold medal.
(source: <http://goldprice.org/gold-price.html>)

For additional information on Congressional Gold Medals, please see this
RSC document:
<http://www.house.gov/pence/rsc/doc/GW_050906_Gold_Medal_2006.doc>.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 4924 was introduced on March 9,
2006, and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services, which
took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: As of press time, a cost estimate
for H.R. 4924 was unavailable. However, in the past, CBO has estimated
that gold medals cost roughly \$35,000 including \$10,000 for the gold
and \$25,000 to engrave, design, engrave, and manufacture the medal,
resulting in an insignificant impact on direct spending.

[]{.mark}

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** As of press time, a
Committee Report citing constitutional authority was not available for
H.R. 4924. House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee
reports contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to
Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or
joint resolution." *(emphasis added)*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

**H.R. 6136 ---** **Margaret Thatcher Congressional Gold Medal Act**

**--- *as introduced* (Kirk, R-IL)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 6136 would direct the Speaker of the
House and President of the Senate, on behalf of Congress, to present
Margaret Thatcher with a gold medal, "in recognition of her dedication
to the values of free markets and free minds." The bill directs the
Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike the gold medal. H.R. 6136
also allows the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze
duplicates of the medal.

H.R. 6136 authorizes the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to
use such funds as are necessary to design and strike the medals, and
directs proceeds from the sale of the bronze duplicates to be deposited
into United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The bill lists a number of findings, including the following:

-   "Margaret Thatcher was born in Grantham in Lincolnshire in eastern
    England on October 13, 1925;

-   "Margaret Thatcher graduated from the University of Oxford with
    degrees in both chemistry and law;

-   "At age 34, Margaret Thatcher's interest in politics drove her to
    enter into Parliament;

-   "In 1975, after serving several years as Education Minister,
    Margaret Thatcher was elected to lead the Conservative Party;

-   "Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister in 1979, a position she
    held until 1990, becoming the longest serving British Prime Minister
    in the 20th century; and

-   "Margaret Thatcher has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom
    and the Republican Senatorial Medal of Freedom."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: The Congressional Gold Medal
of Honor is the nation's highest and most distinguished civilian award.
The medal is presented both for singular acts of exceptional service and
for lifetime achievement. Rule 3(f)(1)(c) of the Rules for the Committee
on Financial Services governs the award of Congressional Gold Medals.
This rule states, "the recipient shall have performed an achievement
that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be
recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after
the achievement."

As of September 11, 2006, gold's closing price was around \$590.40.
According to the Treasury, each Congressional Gold Medal contains 14.5
troy ounces or 16 regular ounces of gold. Thus, the gold in a medal
minted today is worth roughly \$9,446.40. As stated below, the CBO
estimates the cost of the bill to be \$35,000. Sales of most duplicate
medals are not strong enough to offset the cost of the gold medal.
(source: <http://goldprice.org/gold-price.html>)

For additional information on Congressional Gold Medals, please see this
RSC document:
<http://www.house.gov/pence/rsc/doc/GW_050906_Gold_Medal_2006.doc>.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 6136 was introduced on
September 21, 2006, and referred to the House Committee on Financial
Services, which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: As of press time, a cost estimate
for H.R. 6136 was unavailable. However, in the past, CBO has estimated
that gold medals cost roughly \$35,000 including \$10,000 for the gold
and \$25,000 to engrave, design, engrave, and manufacture the medal,
resulting in an insignificant impact on direct spending.

[]{.mark}

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** As of press time, a
Committee Report citing constitutional authority was not available for
H.R. 6136. House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee
reports contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to
Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or
joint resolution." *(emphasis added)*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

**H.R. 5280 --- Dextromethorphan Distribution Act of 2006**

**--- *as introduced* (Upton, R-MI)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 5280 would allow the Secretary of Health
and Human Services (HHS), if he deemed it necessary in order to protect
public health, to prohibit the distribution of an unfinished active
ingredient to any person other than a registered producer of drugs and
devices. The bill defines "unfinished active ingredient as an active
ingredient that:

-   is one of the ingredients in a drug that is not in finished dosage
    form; or

-   is the sole ingredient of a drug that is not in finished dosage
    form.

H.R. 5280 would direct HHS to issue a final rule establishing
restrictions on the distribution of dextromethorphan (DMX).

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: Dextromethorphan is an
ingredient found in many cough medicines. However, according to the
sponsor's office, "Teenagers and young adults are purchasing the
unfinished, pure, powdered (bulk) form of dextromethorphan on the
Internet and ingesting it alone or with other drugs and alcohol, in
order to get high." The sponsor states that the legislation would allow
the FDA to promulgate regulations on the sale of DMX and would limit the
distribution of DMX to only those persons or entitles that are
registered with the FDA.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 5280 was introduced on May 3,
2006, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which
took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: As of press time, a cost estimate
for H.R. 5280 was unavailable.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** As of press time, a
Committee Report citing constitutional authority was not available for
H.R. 5280. House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee
reports contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to
Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or
joint resolution." *(emphasis added)*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

**H.R. 5798 ---** **To amend the Public Health Service Act to modify the
program for the sanctuary system for surplus chimpanzees by terminating
the authority for the removal of chimpanzees from the system for
research purposes**

**--- *as introduced* (McCrery, R-LA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 5798 would repeal provisions providing
for the removal of surplus chimpanzees from a sanctuary facility. The
bill prohibits use of these chimpanzees for research except for
noninvasive behavioral studies.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According to the sponsor's
office, "H.R. 5798 would remove a provision from the Chimpanzee Health,
Improvement, Maintenance and Protection Act of 2000 that leaves open the
possibility that retired research chimps could be recalled into medical
research if the need were to arise. The cost of letting the chimpanzees
live in the natural environment at the federal sanctuary, known as Chimp
Haven, is half of the cost of keeping them in the laboratory --
providing a tremendous savings of taxpayers' dollars. In addition, Chimp
Haven is responsible for matching 25 percent of the federal funding they
receive each year. But, the aforementioned provision in the 2000 law is
making private fundraising difficult for Chimp Haven. Without removing
this provision, the NIH, which provides the federal funding for Chimp
Haven, would be responsible for providing more government dollars to the
sanctuary system. In making changes to this bill, we will return to the
original intent of the CHIMP Act - to provide permanent retirement to
chimpanzees who have served Americans in medical research, while also
allowing Chimp Haven to raise their share of operating costs."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 5798 was introduced on July 13,
2006, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which
took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: As of press time, a cost estimate
for H.R. 5798 was unavailable.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** As of press time, a
Committee Report citing constitutional authority was not available for
H.R. 5798. House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee
reports contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to
Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or
joint resolution." *(emphasis added)*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

H.R. 1458 --- To require any Federal or State court to recognize any
notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the
State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or
affects interstate commerce --- *as amended* (Aderholt, R-AL)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, December 06, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 1458 would require federal courts to
recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed under the
laws of another states (other than the state where the court resides)
when the notarization affects interstate commerce. The bill would also
require state courts to recognize any notarization made by a notary
public licensed under the laws of another state when the notarization
affects interstate commerce.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}:** Under current law, each state
determines the laws and regulations regarding notary publics and
notarization, and what notarizations are acceptable. Often, a document
notarized by a licensed notary public of one state will not be accepted
in another state. For additional information on notary publics, please
visit: <http://www.nationalnotary.org/>.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 1458 was introduced on April 5,
2005, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary's Subcommittee on
Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property on May 10, 2005. The
bill was marked-up on May 24, 2006, and reported to the full committee
by voice vote. No other action was taken.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}:** A CBO score of H.R. 1458 is
unavailable, but the bill does not authorize new expenditures.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** A committee report citing
constitutional authority is unavailable.

House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports
contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint
resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}:** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

> **H.R. 4997 --- Physicians for Underserved Areas Act**
>
> **--- *as amended* (Moran, R-KS)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, December 06, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 4997 would extend the J-1 visa until
June 1, 2008 by amending the Immigration and Nationality Technical
Corrections Act of 1994. It expired on June 1, 2006. The J-1 visa allows
foreign medical graduates to pursue advanced medical training in the
U.S. for up to seven years. Upon completion of their training, they are
required to return to their home country for at least two years before
they are eligible to return to the U.S. (either on an immigrant green
card or as an H1-B visa).

**[Additional Information]{.underline}:** According to various websites,
one of the goals of the J-1 program is to improve health care in home
countries of these exchange visitor physicians.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 4997 was introduced on March
16, 2006, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary's Subcommittee
on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims on May 12, 2006. Hearings
were held, and the bill was marked-up and reported (amended) by
voice-vote on September 27, 2006 (House Report 109-715).

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}:** CBO estimates that implementing
H.R. 4997 "would result in no significant net cost to the federal
government. The bill would affect direct spending, but we estimate that
any effects would be insignificant."

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** A committee report citing
constitutional authority is unavailable.

House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports
contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint
resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}:** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

> **H.R. 6342 --- To amend Title 38, United States Code, to extend
> certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary of
> Veterans Affairs, to expand eligibility for the Survivors' and
> Dependents' Educational Assistance program, and for other purposes**
> --- ***as amended* (Buyer, R-IN)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill, as amended

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 6342 would make the following changes to
current law regarding veterans' policies and programs:

-   extends the availability of hospital care, medical services, and
    nursing home care to veterans exposed to a toxic substance,
    radiation, or other conditions from December 31, 2005, to December
    31, 2007;

-   extends the time that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) may
    make grants to homeless veterans for outreach, rehabilitative
    services, vocational counseling and training, and transitional
    housing assistance from September 30, 2005 to September 30, 2007;

-   extends the time that the VA Secretary may provide outreach services
    -- care, treatment, and rehabilitative services -- and therapeutic
    transitional housing assistance in conjunction with work therapy to
    veterans suffering from serious mental illness, including veterans
    who are homeless from December 31, 2006, to December 31, 2007;

-   extends the time that the VA Secretary may expand and improve the
    provision of benefits and services by the Department of Veterans
    Affairs to homeless veterans from December 31, 2006, to December 31,
    2007;

-   extends the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Homeless
    Veterans from December 31, 2006, to December 31, 2007;

-   extends the time that the VA Secretary may provide government
    markers for veterans' graves in private cemeteries from December 31,
    2006 to December 31, 2007;

-   extends the time that the VA Secretary may pay educational
    assistance allowance to veterans from December 27, 2006 to June 30,
    2007;

-   expands the eligibility for survivor and dependant educational
    expenses by making spouses and dependants of totally disabled
    veterans eligible for assistance;

-   reauthorizes the biennial report on Women Veterans until 2008; and

-   directs the VA to designate at least six VA health care facilities
    as the locations for centers of Parkinson's Disease research,
    education, and clinical activities, and at least two health care
    facilities as the locations for multiple sclerosis centers of
    excellence. Authorizes such sums as necessary for the support of
    research and education activities at the centers.

H.R. 6342 also authorizes the following local medical facility leases in
FY06 and FY07:

-   \$10.9 million for an outpatient clinic in Baltimore, Maryland

-   \$8.9 million for an outpatient clinic in Evansville, Indiana

-   \$5.1 million for an outpatient clinic in Smith County, Texas

-   \$6.2 million for an outpatient and specialty care clinic in Austin,
    Texas

-   \$2.5 million for an outpatient clinic in Lowell, Massachusetts

-   \$4.4 million for an outpatient clinic in Grand Rapids, Michigan

-   \$8.5 million for up to four outpatient clinics in Las Vegas, Nevada

-   \$5 million for an outpatient clinic in Parma, Ohio

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 6342 was introduced on December
5, 2006, and referred to the House Committee on Veteran's Affairs, which
took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: An unofficial CBO score estimates
that the bill would authorize \$129 million in FY07, and \$210 million
over five years. The unofficial estimate also assumes that direct
spending would be increased by \$1 million over five years.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: Yes, the bill expands the eligibility for
survivor and dependant educational expenses by making spouses and
dependants of totally disabled veterans eligible for assistance.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** As of press time, a
Committee Report citing constitutional authority was not available for
H.R. 6342. House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee
reports contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to
Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or
joint resolution." *(emphasis added)*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

**H.R.** **5782 --- Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2006**

**--- *as introduced* (Young, R-AK)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 5782 would reauthorize federal pipeline
safety programs operated by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration for FY07 through FY10.

H.R. 5782 would amend one-call notification system requirements,
subjecting the following actions to civil judicial action or assessment
of a civil penalty:

-   persons who excavate without using the one-call notification system
    to establish the location of underground pipelines or disregard
    location information or markings established by a pipeline operator;
    and

-   pipeline operators who fail to respond to a location request or fail
    to take steps, in response to such request, to ensure accurate
    marking of the pipeline location in order to prevent damage to the
    pipeline.

H.R. 5782 would authorize the Department of Transportation (DOT) to make
grants to assist states in improving the effectiveness of the state's
damage prevention program.

H.R. 5782 would direct DOT to make grants to any organization for the
development of technologies that will facilitate the prevention of
pipeline damage.

H.R. 5782 authorizes \$1 million for the DOT to make a grant to an
entity for promoting public education and awareness with respect to the
811 national excavation damage prevention phone number.

The bill would direct DOT to issue regulations requiring each operator
of a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline to develop, implement, and submit
to the Secretary, a human factors management plan designed to reduce
risks associated with human factors in each control center for the
pipeline.

H.R. 5782 would direct DOT to establish procedures requiring
certification of annual and semiannual pipeline integrity management
program performance reports by a senior executive officer of the company
operating a pipeline.

H.R. 5782 would direct DOT to establish minimum standards for integrity
management programs for distribution pipelines, which would include
criteria for requiring operators of natural gas distribution systems:

-   "to install excess flow valves on single-family residential service
    lines that are installed or replaced after the date of enactment of
    this subsection on the basis of feasibility and risk analysis; and

-   "to report to the Secretary annually on the number of excess flow
    valves installed on their systems."

H.R. 5782 would authorize at such sums as necessary, DOT to establish a
new collaborative program to award competitive grants to universities
with expertise in pipeline safety and security to establish

H.R. 5782 would reauthorize the federal pipeline safety programs at \$94
million in FY07, and \$410 million over five years. However, some of
these authorizations would be offset through fee collections mandated by
current law. CBO estimates that after fee collections, the bill would
authorize \$33 million in FY07, and \$129 million over five years.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 5782 was introduced on July 13,
2006, and was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, which considered it, held a mark-up, and reported the
bill, as amended, by voice vote on July 19, 2006. The Committee on
Energy and Commerce also considered the bill, held a mark-up, and
reported the bill, as amended, by voice vote on September 27, 2006.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: In an unofficial score, CBO
estimates that H.R. 5782 would authorize \$94 million in FY07, and \$410
million over five years. However, some of these authorizations would be
offset through fee collections mandated by current law. CBO estimates
that after fee collections, the bill would authorize \$33 million in
FY07, and \$129 million over five years.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: Yes, the bill creates two new programs.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** As of press time, a
Committee Report citing constitutional authority was not available for
H.R. 5782. House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee
reports contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to
Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or
joint resolution." *(emphasis added)*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

S. 895 --- Rural Water Supply Act of 2005

--- *as received* (Sen. Domenici, R-NM)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**:

*Title I-Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act of 2005*

S. 895 directs the Secretary of the Interior to investigate
opportunities to ensure water supply to rural areas of reclamation
states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska,
Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming), plan the design of water projects, and oversee
the construction of the water projects. Feasibility studies are to be
conducted to identify areas for the water projects.

The bill authorizes appropriations of \$20 million over the 2006-2015
period.

*Title II-Twenty-First Century Water Works Act*

The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to make loan guarantees
to states or conservancy districts, irrigation districts, canal
companies, water users' associations, Indian tribes, agencies created by
interstate compact, or any other entity that has the capacity to
contract with the United States under federal reclamation law for 90
percent of the cost of water projects. The interest rates on the loans
are to be set by the Secretary of the Interior, and the loans are to be
completely amortized in 40 years. S. 895 allows for prepayment on the
loans.

The bill authorizes such sums as are necessary to make the loan
guarantees, and the funds are to remain available until expended.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: S. 895 was received from the Senate
on November 17, 2005, and referred to the Committee on Resources'
Subcommittee on Water and Power. The subcommittee held a hearing on July
27, 2006, but took no further official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO estimates S. 895 would result
in authorizations of \$4 million in 2007, and \$13 million over the
2007-2010 period.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: The Senate Committee Report
109-148 has no citation of constitutional authority.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Marcus Kelley;
<marcus.kelley@mail.house.gov>; (202) 226-9717