Twenty-First Century Water Commission Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2728
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2008-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Droughts
Emergency Management
Environmental Protection
Environmental technology
Federal advisory bodies
Federal mandates
Government Operations and Politics
Infrastructure
Infrastructure (Economics)
Maintenance and repair
Science, Technology, Communications
Water conservation
Water pollution control
Water quality
Water rights
Water supply
Water use

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-06
text: 
Twenty-First Century Water Commission Act of 2008 - Establishes the Twenty-First Century Water Commission to: (1) 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 for a comprehensive water strategy. Requires that such strategy: (1) identify incentives intended to ensure an adequate and dependable water supply to meet U.S. needs for the next 50 years; (2) suggest strategies that avoid increased mandates on state and local governments, considering all available technologies; and (3) suggest financing options.

action_date: 2008-08-22
text: 
Twenty-First Century Water Commission Act of 2008 - Establishes the Twenty-First Century Water Commission to: (1) 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 for a comprehensive water strategy. 

Requires that such strategy: (1) identify incentives intended to ensure an adequate and dependable water supply to meet U.S. needs for the next 50 years; (2) consider all available technologies and other methods to optimize water supply reliability, availability, and quality, while safeguarding the environment; (3) recommend means of capturing excess water and flood water for conservation and use in the event of a drought; (4) suggest financing options; (5) suggest strategies to conserve existing water supplies, including recommendations for repairing aging infrastructure and promoting efficiency and conservation; and (6) include other objectives related to the effective management of the water supply to ensure reliability, availability, and quality.

Requires the Commission to submit interim and final reports to the President and to specified congressional committees. Terminates the Commission within 30 days after transmitting a final report. Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-08-22
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 941.
action_date: 2008-08-22
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/01/2008 with amendments. With written report No. 110-446.
action_date: 2008-08-22
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/01/2008 with amendments. With written report No. 110-446.
action_date: 2008-05-21
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2008-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2008-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate