To authorize the President of the United States to agree to certain amendments to the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States concerning the establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-hr-254
Sponsor: Rep. Bereuter, Doug [R-NE-1]
Introduced: 2003-01-08 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Air pollution control
Arizona
Bank capital
Boundaries
California
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Development credit institutions
Environmental Protection
Finance and Financial Sector
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign loans
Groundwater
Gulf of Mexico
Infrastructure
International agencies
International environmental cooperation
Irrigation
Latin America
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Mexico
Negotiations
New Mexico
North America
Pacific Ocean
Reservoirs
Saline waters
Texas
Treaties
Waste water treatment
Water Resources Development
Water conservation
Water pollution control
Water storage
Water supply

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-08
text: Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to authorize the President to agree to amendments to the Border Environment Cooperation Agreement (the November 1993 Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the Establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank) that: (1) enable the North American Development Bank to make grants and non-market rate loans out of its paid-in capital resources with the approval of its Board of Directors for qualified water conservation projects; and (2) amend the definition of "border region" as it relates to such projects to include specified areas in the United States and Mexico that are within a certain distance of the international boundary between the two countries.
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) water conservation projects are eligible for funding from the Bank under the Cooperation Agreement; and (2) the Board of Directors of the Bank should support qualified water conservation projects which can assist Texas irrigators and agricultural producers in the lower Rio Grande River Valley, including irrigators and agricultural producers in the border States of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, and the financing of projects which address coastal and pollution issues on both sides of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico, including along the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico shores of both countries.
action_date: 2003-02-25
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced to the House on January 8, 2003. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to authorize the President to agree to amendments to the Border Environment Cooperation Agreement (the November 1993 Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the Establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank) that: (1) enable the North American Development Bank to make grants and non-market rate loans out of its paid-in capital resources with the approval of its Board of Directors for qualified water conservation projects; and (2) amend the definition of "border region" as it relates to such projects to include specified areas in the United States and Mexico that are within 300 kilometers of the international boundary between the two countries.
(Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to certain congressional committees on the North American Development Bank, addressing specified issues.
(Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) water conservation projects are eligible for funding from the Bank under the Cooperation Agreement; and (2) the Board of Directors of the Bank should support qualified water conservation projects which can assist Texas irrigators and agricultural producers in the lower Rio Grande River Valley.
(Sec. 4) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bank should support: (1) the development of qualified water conservation projects in southern California and other eligible areas in the four U.S. border States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas), including the conjunctive use and storage of surface and ground water, delivery system conservation, the re-regulation of reservoirs, improved irrigation practices, wastewater reclamation, regional water management modeling, operational and optimization studies to improve water conservation, and cross-border water exchanges consistent with treaties; and (2) new water supply research and projects along the Mexico border in southern California and other eligible areas in the four U.S. border States to desalinate ocean seawater and brackish surface and groundwater, and dispose of or manage the brines resulting from desalination.
(Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Bank Board should: (1) take into consideration the needs of all of the border states before approving funding for water conservation projects; and (2) strive to fund such projects in each of such states.
(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Bank Board should support the financing of projects, on both sides of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico, which address: (1) coastal issues and the problem of pollution in both countries having an environmental impact along their Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico shores; and (2) air pollution.
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)
 
(Sec. 1) Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to authorize the President to agree to amendments to the Border Environment Cooperation Agreement (the November 1993 Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the Establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank) that: (1) enable the North American Development Bank to make grants and non-market rate loans out of its paid-in capital resources with the approval of its Board of Directors for qualified water conservation projects; and (2) amend the definition of "border region" as it relates to such projects to include specified areas in the United States and Mexico that are within 300 kilometers of the international boundary between the two countries.
(Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to certain congressional committees on the North American Development Bank, addressing specified issues.
(Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) water conservation projects are eligible for funding from the Bank under the Cooperation Agreement; and (2) the Board of Directors of the Bank should support qualified water conservation projects which can assist Texas irrigators and agricultural producers in the lower Rio Grande River Valley.
(Sec. 4) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bank should support: (1) the development of qualified water conservation projects in southern California and other eligible areas in the four U.S. border States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas), including the conjunctive use and storage of surface and groundwater, delivery system conservation, the re-regulation of reservoirs, improved irrigation practices, wastewater reclamation, regional water management modeling, operational and optimization studies to improve water conservation, and cross-border water exchanges consistent with treaties; and (2) new water supply research and projects along the Mexico border in southern California and other eligible areas in the four U.S. border States to desalinate ocean seawater and brackish surface and groundwater, and dispose of or manage the brines resulting from desalination.
(Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bank Board should: (1) take into consideration the needs of all of the border States before approving funding for water conservation projects; and (2) strive to fund such projects in each of such States.
(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bank Board should support the financing of projects, on both sides of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico, which address: (1) coastal issues and the problem of pollution in both countries having an environmental impact along their Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico shores; and (2) air pollution.
action_date: 2004-03-12
text: 
(Sec. 1) Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to authorize the President to agree to amendments to the Border Environment Cooperation Agreement (the November 1993 Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the Establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank) that: (1) enable the North American Development Bank to make grants and non-market rate loans out of its paid-in capital resources with the approval of its Board of Directors for qualified water conservation projects; and (2) amend the definition of "border region" as it relates to such projects to include specified areas in the United States and Mexico that are within 300 kilometers of the international boundary between the two countries. 
 
(Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to certain congressional committees on the North American Development Bank, addressing specified issues. 
Directs the President to instruct the U.S. representative on the Board of Directors of the North American Development Bank to oppose, with exceptions, any proposal where grants out of paid-in capital resources would: (1) be made to a project that is not being financed, in part, by loans; or (2) account for more than 50 percent of any individual project. 
(Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) water conservation projects are eligible for funding from the Bank under the Cooperation Agreement; and (2) the Board of Directors of the Bank should support qualified water conservation projects which can assist Texas irrigators and agricultural producers in the lower Rio Grande River Valley. 
(Sec. 4) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bank should support: (1) the development of qualified water conservation projects in southern California and other eligible areas in the four U.S. border States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas), including the conjunctive use and storage of surface water and groundwater, delivery system conservation, the re-regulation of reservoirs, improved irrigation practices, wastewater reclamation, regional water management modeling, operational and optimization studies to improve water conservation, and cross-border water exchanges consistent with treaties; and (2) new water supply research and projects along the Mexico border in southern California and other eligible areas in the four U.S. border States to desalinate ocean seawater and brackish surface water and groundwater, and dispose of or manage the brines resulting from desalination. 
(Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bank Board should: (1) take into consideration the needs of all of the border states before approving funding for water conservation projects; and (2) strive to fund such projects in each of such states. 
(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bank Board should support the financing of projects, on both sides of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico, which address: (1) coastal issues and the problem of pollution in both countries having an environmental impact along their Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico shores; and (2) air pollution.
action_date: 2004-04-05
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on March 12, 2004. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
(Sec. 1) Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to authorize the President to agree to amendments to the Border Environment Cooperation Agreement (the November 1993 Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the Establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank) that: (1) enable the North American Development Bank to make grants and non-market rate loans out of its paid-in capital resources with the approval of its Board of Directors for qualified water conservation projects; and (2) amend the definition of "border region" as it relates to such projects to include specified areas in the United States and Mexico that are within 300 kilometers of the international boundary between the two countries. 
 
(Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to certain congressional committees on the North American Development Bank, addressing specified issues. 
Directs the President to instruct the U.S. representative on the Board of Directors of the North American Development Bank to oppose, with exceptions, any proposal where grants out of paid-in capital resources would: (1) be made to a project that is not being financed, in part, by loans; or (2) account for more than 50 percent of any individual project. 
(Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) water conservation projects are eligible for funding from the Bank under the Cooperation Agreement; and (2) the Board of Directors of the Bank should support qualified water conservation projects which can assist Texas irrigators and agricultural producers in the lower Rio Grande River Valley. 
(Sec. 4) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bank should support: (1) the development of qualified water conservation projects in southern California and other eligible areas in the four U.S. border States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas), including the conjunctive use and storage of surface water and groundwater, delivery system conservation, the re-regulation of reservoirs, improved irrigation practices, wastewater reclamation, regional water management modeling, operational and optimization studies to improve water conservation, and cross-border water exchanges consistent with treaties; and (2) new water supply research and projects along the Mexico border in southern California and other eligible areas in the four U.S. border States to desalinate ocean seawater and brackish surface water and groundwater, and dispose of or manage the brines resulting from desalination. 
(Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bank Board should: (1) take into consideration the needs of all of the border states before approving funding for water conservation projects; and (2) strive to fund such projects in each of such states. 
(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bank Board should support the financing of projects, on both sides of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico, which address: (1) coastal issues and the problem of pollution in both countries having an environmental impact along their Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico shores; and (2) air pollution.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-05
text: Became Public Law No: 108-215.
action_date: 2004-04-05
text: Became Public Law No: 108-215.
action_date: 2004-04-05
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2004-04-05
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2004-03-30
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2004-03-30
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2004-03-25
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-03-25
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 377 - 48 (Roll no. 87). (consideration: CR H1494-1495; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR 3/24/2004 H1388-1389)
action_date: 2004-03-25
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 377 - 48 (Roll no. 87).(consideration: CR H1494-1495; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR 3/24/2004 H1388-1389)
action_date: 2004-03-24
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2004-03-24
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 254.
action_date: 2004-03-24
text: Mr. Bereuter moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H1388-1393)
action_date: 2004-03-12
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2004-03-12
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-03-12
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-03-12
text: Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S2755-2756)
action_date: 2004-03-12
text: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-03-12
text: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2003-02-27
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text of measure as passed House: CR H1343-1344)
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text of measure as passed House: CR H1343-1344)
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 254.
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1343-1351)
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: Mrs. Biggert moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2003-02-25
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 11.
action_date: 2003-02-25
text: Reported by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 108-17.
action_date: 2003-02-25
text: Reported by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 108-17.
action_date: 2003-02-13
text: Ordered to be Reported.
action_date: 2003-02-13
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-01-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2003-01-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-01-08
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 108-215