IB
Union Calendar No. 320
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3035
[Report No. 105–554, Part I]
To establish an advisory commission to provide advice and recommendations
on the creation of an integrated, coordinated Federal policy designed
to prepare for and respond to serious drought emergencies.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOVEMBER 12, 1997
Mr. SKEEN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees
on Agriculture, and Resources, for a period to be subsequently deter-
mined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
MAY 22, 1998
Reported from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with an
amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]
MAY 22, 1998
The Committee on Resources discharged
MAY 22, 1998
Referral to the Committee on Agriculture extended for a period ending not
later than June 3, 1998
JUNE 3, 1998
Referral to the Committee on Agriculture extended for a period ending not
later than June 5, 1998
JUNE 5, 1998
Additional sponsors: Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska and Mr. BONILLA
JUNE 5, 1998
Committee on Agriculture discharged; committed to the Committee of the
Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
A BILL
To establish an advisory commission to provide advice and
recommendations on the creation of an integrated, co-
ordinated Federal policy designed to prepare for and
respond to serious drought emergencies.
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 ‘‘National Drought Policy
Act of 1998’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that—
(1) the United States often suffers serious eco-
nomic and environmental losses from severe regional
droughts and there is no coordinated Federal strategy
to respond to such emergencies;
(2) at the Federal level, even though historically
there have been frequent, significant droughts of na-
tional consequences, drought is addressed mainly
through special legislation and ad hoc action rather
than through a systematic and permanent process as
occurs with other natural disasters;
(3) there is an increasing need, particularly at
the Federal level, to emphasize preparedness, mitiga-
tion, and risk management (rather than simply crisis
management) when addressing drought and other nat-
ural disasters or emergencies;
(4) several Federal agencies have a role in
drought from predicting, forecasting, and monitoring
of drought conditions to the provision of planning,
technical, and financial assistance;
(5) there is no single Federal agency in a lead
or coordinating role with regard to drought;
(6) State, local, and tribal governments have had
to deal individually and separately with each Federal
agency involved in drought assistance; and
(7) the President should appoint an advisory
commission to provide advice and recommendations
on the creation of an integrated, coordinated Federal
policy designed to prepare for, mitigate the impacts
of, respond to, and recover from serious drought emer-
gencies.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a commis-
sion to be known as the National Drought Policy Commis-
sion (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commis-
sion’’).
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be
composed of 16 members. The members of the Com-
mission shall include—
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, or the des-
ignee of the Secretary, who shall chair the Com-
mission;
(B) the Secretary of the Interior, or the des-
ignee of the Secretary;
(C) the Secretary of the Army, or the des-
ignee of the Secretary;
(D) the Secretary of Commerce, or the des-
ignee of the Secretary;
(E) the Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, or the designee of the Di-
rector;
(F) the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration, or the designee of the Adminis-
trator;
(G) two persons nominated by the National
Governors’ Association and appointed by the
President, of whom—
(i) one shall be the governor of a State
east of the Mississippi River; and
(ii) one shall be a governor of a State
west of the Mississippi River;
(H) a person nominated by the National
Association of Counties and appointed by the
President;
(I) a person nominated by the United
States Conference of Mayors and appointed by
the President; and
(J) six persons, appointed by the Secretary
of Agriculture in coordination with the Secretary
of the Interior and the Secretary of the Army,
who shall be representative of groups acutely af-
fected by drought emergencies, such as the agri-
cultural production community, the credit com-
munity, rural and urban water associations, Na-
tive Americans, and fishing and environmental
interests.
(2) DATE.—The appointments of the members of
the Commission shall be made no later than 60 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.—Members
shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any va-
cancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appoint-
ment.
(d) INITIAL MEETING.—No later than 30 days after
the date on which all members of the Commission have been
appointed, the Commission shall hold its first meeting.
(e) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the call
of the chair.
(f) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the Com-
mission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of
members may hold hearings.
(g) VICE CHAIR.—The Commission shall select a vice
chair from among the members who are not Federal officers
or employees.
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) STUDY AND REPORT.—The Commission shall con-
duct a thorough study and submit a report on national
drought policy in accordance with this section.
(b) CONTENT OF STUDY AND REPORT.—In conducting
the study and report, the Commission shall—
(1) determine, in consultation with the National
Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, and
other appropriate entities, what needs exist on the
Federal, State, local, and tribal levels to prepare for
and respond to drought emergencies;
(2) review all existing Federal laws and pro-
grams relating to drought;
(3) review State, local, and tribal laws and pro-
grams relating to drought that the Commission finds
pertinent;
(4) determine what differences exist between the
needs of those affected by drought and the Federal
laws and programs designed to mitigate the impacts
of and respond to drought;
(5) collaborate with the Western Drought Coordi-
nation Council and other appropriate entities in
order to consider regional drought initiatives and the
application of such initiatives at the national level;
(6) make recommendations on how Federal
drought laws and programs can be better integrated
with ongoing State, local, and tribal programs into a
comprehensive national policy to mitigate the impacts
of and respond to drought emergencies without dimin-
ishing the rights of States to control water through
State law and considering the need for protection of
the environment;
(7) make recommendations on improving public
awareness of the need for drought mitigation, preven-
tion, and response and on developing a coordinated
approach to drought mitigation, prevention, and re-
sponse by governmental and nongovernmental enti-
ties, including academic, private, and nonprofit in-
terests; and
(8) include a recommendation on whether all
Federal drought preparation and response programs
should be consolidated under one existing Federal
agency and, if so, identify such agency.
(c) SUBMISSION OF REPORT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—No later than 18 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission
shall submit a report to the President and Congress
which shall contain a detailed statement of the find-
ings and conclusions of the Commission, together with
its recommendations for such legislation and admin-
istrative actions as it considers appropriate.
(2) APPROVAL OF REPORT.—Before submission
of the report, the contents of the report shall be ap-
proved by unanimous consent or majority vote. If the
report is approved by majority vote, members voting
not to approve the contents shall be given the oppor-
tunity to submit dissenting views with the report.
SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold such hear-
ings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testi-
mony, and receive such evidence as the Commission consid-
ers necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(b) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The
Commission may secure directly from any Federal depart-
ment or agency such information as the Commission con-
siders necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Upon request of the chair of the Commission, the head of
such department or agency shall furnish such information
to the Commission.
(c) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use the
United States mails in the same manner and under the
same conditions as other departments and agencies of the
Federal Government.
(d) GIFTS.—The Commission may accept, use, and
dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.
SEC. 6. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Each member of
the Commission who is not an officer or employee of the
Federal Government shall not be compensated for service
on the Commission, except as provided under subsection (b).
All members of the Commission who are officers or employ-
ees of the United States shall serve without compensation
in addition to that received for their services as officers or
employees of the United States.
(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the Commis-
sion shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem
in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of
agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United
States Code, while away from their homes or regular places
of business in the performance of services for the Commis-
sion.
(c) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.—Any Fed-
eral Government employee may be detailed to the Commis-
sion without reimbursement, and such detail shall be with-
out interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.
(d) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.—The Secretary of Ag-
riculture shall provide all financial, administrative, and
staff support services for the Commission.
SEC. 7. TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION.
The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date
on which the Commission submits its report under section
4.
Union Calendar No. 320
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3035
[Report No. 105–554, Part I]
A BILL
To establish an advisory commission to provide ad-
vice and recommendations on the creation of an
integrated, coordinated Federal policy designed
to prepare for and respond to serious drought
emergencies.
JUNE 5, 1998
Committee on Agriculture discharged; committed to the
Committee of the Whole House on the State of the
Union and ordered to be printed