to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and or-
dered to be printed 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 7, 2003] 
A BILL 
To establish the ‘‘Twenty-First Century Water Commission’’ 
to study and develop recommendations for a comprehen-
sive water strategy to address future water needs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Twenty-First Century 
Water Commission Act of 2003’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that—
(1) the Nation’s water resources will be under in-
creasing stress and pressure in the coming decades; 
(2) a thorough assessment of technological and 
economic advances that can be employed to increase 
water supplies or otherwise meet water needs in every 
region of the country is important and long overdue; 
and 
(3) a comprehensive strategy to increase water 
availability and ensure safe, adequate, reliable, and 
sustainable water supplies is vital to the economic 
and environmental future of the Nation.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established a commission to be known as the 
‘‘Twenty-First Century Water Commission’’ (in this Act re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
SEC. 4. DUTIES. 
The duties of the Commission shall be to—
(1) use existing water assessments and conduct 
such additional assessments as may be necessary to 
project future water supply and demand; 
(2) study current water management programs 
of Federal, Interstate, State, and local agencies, and 
private sector entities directed at increasing water 
supplies and improving the availability, reliability, 
and quality of freshwater resources; and 
(3) consult with representatives of such agencies 
and entities to develop recommendations consistent 
with laws, treaties, decrees, and interstate compacts 
for a comprehensive water strategy which—
(A) respects the primary role of States in 
adjudicating, administering, and regulating 
water rights and water uses; 
(B) identifies incentives intended to ensure 
an adequate and dependable supply of water to 
meet the needs of the United States for the next 
50 years;
(C) suggests strategies that avoid increased 
mandates on State and local governments; 
(D) eliminates duplication and conflict 
among Federal governmental programs; 
(E) considers all available technologies and 
other methods to optimize water supply reli-
ability, availability, and quality, while safe-
guarding the environment; 
(F) recommends means of capturing excess 
water and flood water for conservation and use 
in the event of a drought; 
(G) suggests financing options for com-
prehensive water management projects and for 
appropriate public works projects; 
(H) suggests strategies to conserve existing 
water supplies, including recommendations for 
repairing aging infrastructure; and 
(I) includes other objectives related to the ef-
fective management of the water supply to ensure 
reliability, availability, and quality, which the 
Commission shall consider appropriate. 
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission 
shall be composed of 9 members who shall be appointed not
later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
Member shall be appointed as follows: 
(1) 5 members appointed by the President; 
(2) 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, in consultation with the 
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and 
(3) 2 members appointed by the Majority Leader 
of the Senate, in consultation with the Minority 
Leader of the Senate.
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members shall be appointed to 
the Commission from among individuals who—
(1) are of recognized standing and distinction in 
water policy issues; and 
(2) while serving on the Commission, do not hold 
any other position as an officer or employee of the 
United States, except as a retired officer or retired ci-
vilian employee of the United States. 
(c) OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.—In appointing mem-
bers of the Commission, every effort shall be made to ensure 
that the members represent a broad cross section of regional 
and geographical perspectives in the United States. 
(d) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the Commis-
sion shall be designated by the President.
(e) TERMS.—Members of the Commission shall be ap-
pointed not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act and shall serve for the life of the Commission. 
(f) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Commission shall 
not affect its operation, and shall be filled in the same man-
ner as the original appointment provided under subsection 
(a). 
(g) COMPENSATION AND TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Mem-
bers of the Commission shall serve without compensation, 
except members shall receive travel expenses, including per 
diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable 
provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 6. MEETINGS AND QUORUM. 
(a) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall hold its first 
meeting not later than 60 days after the date on which all 
members have been appointed under section 5, and shall 
hold additional meetings at the call of the Chairperson or 
a majority of its members. 
(b) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the Com-
mission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of 
business. 
SEC. 7. DIRECTOR AND STAFF. 
A Director shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the
Senate, in consultation with the Minority Leader and 
chairmen of the Resources and Transportation and 
Infrustructure Committees of the House of Representatives, 
and the Minority Leader and chairmen of the Energy and 
Natural Resources and Environment and Public Works 
Committees of the Senate. The Director and any staff re-
porting to the Director shall be paid a rate of pay not to 
exceed the maximum rate of basic pay for GS–15 of the 
General Schedule. 
SEC. 8. POWERS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission shall hold no fewer 
than 10 hearings during the life of the Commission. Hear-
ings may be held in conjunction with meetings of the Com-
mission. The Commission may take such testimony and re-
ceive such evidence as the Commission considers appro-
priate to carry out this Act. At least 1 hearing shall be 
held in Washington, D.C., for the purpose of taking testi-
mony of representatives of Federal agencies, national orga-
nizations, and Members of Congress. Other hearings shall 
be scheduled in distinct geographical regions of the United 
States and should seek to ensure testimony from individuals 
with a diversity of experiences, including those who work 
on water issues at all levels of government and in the pri-
vate sector.