IIB 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 135
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
APRIL 13, 2005
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works 
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,
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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;
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(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-
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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
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(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
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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