109TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 135
AN ACT
To establish the ‘‘Twenty-First Century Water
Commission’’ to study and develop recommenda-
tions for a comprehensive water strategy to ad-
dress future water needs.
109TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 135
AN ACT
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 2005’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that—
(1) the Nation’s water resources will be under
increasing stress and pressure in the coming dec-
ades;
(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
referred 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 agen-
cies and entities to develop recommendations con-
sistent 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 in-
creased mandates on State and local govern-
ments;
(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
effective management of the water supply to en-
sure 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 Lead-
er 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 re-
tired civilian employee of the United States.
(c) OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.—In appointing mem-
bers of the Commission, every effort shall be made to en-
sure that the members represent a broad cross section of
regional and geographical perspectives in the United
States.
(d) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the Com-
mission shall be designated by the President.
(e) TERMS.—Members of the Commission shall be
appointed not later than 90 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act and shall serve for the life of the Commis-
sion.
(f) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Commission shall
not affect its operation, and shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment provided under sub-
section (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 Chair-
person or a majority of its members.
(b) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the
Commission 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 Infra-
structure 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
receive 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 or-
ganizations, 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 private sector.
(b) INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FROM FEDERAL
AGENCIES.—Upon request of the Commission, any Fed-
eral agency shall—
(1) provide to the Commission, within 30 days
of its request, such information as the Commission
considers necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act; and
(2) detail to temporary duty with the Commis-
sion on a reimbursable basis such personnel as the
Commission considers necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act, in accordance with section
5(b)(5), Appendix, title 5, United States Code.
SEC. 9. REPORTS.
(a) INTERIM REPORTS.—Not later than 6 months
after the date of the first meeting of the Commission, and
every 6 months thereafter, the Commission shall transmit
an interim report containing a detailed summary of its
progress, including meetings and hearings conducted in
the interim period, to—
(1) the President;
(2) the Committee on Resources and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives; and
(3) the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources and the Committee on the Environment and
Public Works of the Senate.
(b) FINAL REPORT.—As soon as practicable, but not
later than 3 years after the date of the first meeting of
the Commission, the Commission shall transmit a final re-
port containing a detailed statement of the findings and
conclusions of the Commission, and recommendations for
legislation and other policies to implement such findings
and conclusions, to—
(1) the President;
(2) the Committee on Resources and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives; and
(3) the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources and the Committee on the Environment and
Public Works of the Senate.
SEC. 10. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate not later than 30
days after the date on which the Commission transmits
a final report under section 9(b).
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated $9,000,000
to carry out this Act.
Passed the House of Representatives April 12, 2005.
Attest:
Clerk.