To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide for the assessment and management of the risk of algal toxins in drinking water, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-212
Sponsor: Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5]
Introduced: 2015-01-08 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health information and medical records
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-08
text: 

Drinking Water Protection Act 

 
This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan for assessing and managing risks associated with cyanotoxins in drinking water provided by public water systems. (Cyanotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.)
 
The plan must include steps and time lines to:
 
 
evaluate the risk to human health from drinking water contaminated with cyanotoxins;
 
 establish, publish, and update a comprehensive list of cyanotoxins that are harmful to human health;
 
 summarize the known adverse human health effects of cyanotoxins and the factors that cause cyanobacteria to grow rapidly and make toxins; 
 
determine whether to publish health advisories for harmful cyanotoxins and establish relevant guidance; 
 
recommend feasible treatment options; and 
 
enter into cooperative agreements with, and provide technical assistance to, affected states and public water systems to manage risks associated with cyanotoxins. 
 
 
 

action_date: 2015-02-24
text: 

Drinking Water Protection Act 

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan for assessing and managing risks associated with algal toxins in drinking water provided by public water systems. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, have the ability to produce cyanotoxins, or algal toxins. When certain conditions are favorable, algae can rapidly multiply causing blooms, or dense surface scums, that may be toxic.
 
The plan must include steps and time lines to:
 
 
evaluate the risk to human health from drinking water contaminated with algal toxins;
 
 establish, publish, and update a comprehensive list of algal toxins that may have an adverse effect on human health, taking into account likely exposure levels;
 
 summarize the known adverse human health effects of algal toxins and the factors that cause toxin-producing cyanobacteria and algae to grow rapidly and make toxins; 
 
determine whether to publish health advisories for algal toxins and establish guidance regarding feasible analytical methods to quantify the presence of algal toxins and guidance regarding the frequency of monitoring necessary to determine if the algal toxins are present; 
 
recommend feasible treatment options, including procedures, equipment, and source water protection practices; and 
 
enter into cooperative agreements with, and provide technical assistance to, affected states and public water systems to manage risks associated with algal toxins. 
 
 
 The EPA must update and resubmit the plan as appropriate. 
 
The EPA must identify gaps in its understanding of algal toxins. It must also assemble and publish information from each agency that has examined or analyzed cyanobacteria or algal toxins or addressed public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms. 
The Government Accountability Office must submit to Congress an inventory of funds expended by the United States for each of FY2010 through 2014 to examine or analyze toxin-producing cyanobacteria and algae or address public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms. The inventory must include the specific purpose for which the funds were made available, the law under which the funds were authorized, and the agency that received or spent the funds. 

action_date: 2015-08-05
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 24, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Drinking Water Protection Act 

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan for assessing and managing risks associated with algal toxins in drinking water provided by public water systems. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, have the ability to produce cyanotoxins, or algal toxins. When certain conditions are favorable, algae can rapidly multiply causing blooms, or dense surface scums, that may be toxic.
 
The plan must include steps and time lines to:
 
 
evaluate the risk to human health from drinking water contaminated with algal toxins;
 
 establish, publish, and update a comprehensive list of algal toxins that may have an adverse effect on human health, taking into account likely exposure levels;
 
 summarize the known adverse human health effects of algal toxins and the factors that cause toxin-producing cyanobacteria and algae to grow rapidly and make toxins; 
 
determine whether to publish health advisories for algal toxins and establish guidance regarding feasible analytical methods to quantify the presence of algal toxins and guidance regarding the frequency of monitoring necessary to determine if the algal toxins are present; 
 
recommend feasible treatment options, including procedures, equipment, and source water protection practices; and 
 
enter into cooperative agreements with, and provide technical assistance to, affected states and public water systems to manage risks associated with algal toxins. 
 
 
 The EPA must update and resubmit the plan as appropriate. 
 
The EPA must identify gaps in its understanding of algal toxins. It must also assemble and publish information from each agency that has examined or analyzed cyanobacteria or algal toxins or addressed public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms. 
The Government Accountability Office must submit to Congress an inventory of funds expended by the United States for each of FY2010 through 2014 to examine or analyze toxin-producing cyanobacteria and algae or address public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms. The inventory must include the specific purpose for which the funds were made available, the law under which the funds were authorized, and the agency that received or spent the funds. 

action_date: 2015-08-07
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 24, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Drinking Water Protection Act 

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan for assessing and managing risks associated with algal toxins in drinking water provided by public water systems. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, have the ability to produce cyanotoxins, or algal toxins. When certain conditions are favorable, algae can rapidly multiply causing blooms, or dense surface scums, that may be toxic.
 
The plan must include steps and time lines to:
 
 
evaluate the risk to human health from drinking water contaminated with algal toxins;
 
 establish, publish, and update a comprehensive list of algal toxins that may have an adverse effect on human health, taking into account likely exposure levels;
 
 summarize the known adverse human health effects of algal toxins and the factors that cause toxin-producing cyanobacteria and algae to grow rapidly and make toxins; 
 
determine whether to publish health advisories for algal toxins and establish guidance regarding feasible analytical methods to quantify the presence of algal toxins and guidance regarding the frequency of monitoring necessary to determine if the algal toxins are present; 
 
recommend feasible treatment options, including procedures, equipment, and source water protection practices; and 
 
enter into cooperative agreements with, and provide technical assistance to, affected states and public water systems to manage risks associated with algal toxins. 
 
 
 The EPA must update and resubmit the plan as appropriate. 
 
The EPA must identify gaps in its understanding of algal toxins. It must also assemble and publish information from each agency that has examined or analyzed cyanobacteria or algal toxins or addressed public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms. 
The Government Accountability Office must submit to Congress an inventory of funds expended by the United States for each of FY2010 through 2014 to examine or analyze toxin-producing cyanobacteria and algae or address public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms. The inventory must include the specific purpose for which the funds were made available, the law under which the funds were authorized, and the agency that received or spent the funds. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-07
text: Became Public Law No: 114-45.
action_date: 2015-08-07
text: Became Public Law No: 114-45.
action_date: 2015-08-07
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2015-08-07
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2015-08-06
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2015-08-06
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2015-08-06
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2015-08-05
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S6348-6349)
action_date: 2015-08-05
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S6348-6349)
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 375 - 37 (Roll no. 84). (text: CR H1094)
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 375 - 37 (Roll no. 84).(text: CR H1094)
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1100-1101)
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 212.
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1094-1095)
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 18.
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-26.
action_date: 2015-02-24
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-26.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.
action_date: 2015-01-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2015-01-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-08
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 114-45