Water Resources Research Amendments Act

Bill: 116-s-2164
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-07-18
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Energy efficiency and conservation

Government studies and investigations

Research administration and funding

Water quality

Water resources funding

Water use and supply
Latest action: action_date: 2019-07-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-07-18
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Water Resources Research Amendments Act</b></p> <p>This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 the water resources research program and otherwise revises the program, including by increasing the federal share of grant funding under the program for water resources research and technology institutes. </p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2164 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 18, 2019 Mr. Cardin (for himself and Mr. Boozman ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to reauthorize grants for and require applied water supply research regarding the water resources research and technology institutes established under that Act.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Water Resources Research Amendments Act . 2. Water Resources Research Act amendments (a) Clarification of research activities Section 104(b)(1) of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 ( 42 U.S.C. 10303(b)(1) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking water-related phenomena and inserting water resources ; and (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and . (b) Compliance report Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 ( 42 U.S.C. 10303 ) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: (c) Grants (1) In general From the sums appropriated pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, the Secretary shall make grants to each institute to be matched on a basis of no less than 1 non-Federal dollar for every 1 Federal dollar. (2) Report Not later than December 31 of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, the Committee on the Budget of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives a report regarding the compliance of each funding recipient with this subsection for the immediately preceding fiscal year. . (c) Evaluation of water resources research program Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 ( 42 U.S.C. 10303 ) is amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: (e) Evaluation of water resources research program (1) In general The Secretary shall conduct a careful and detailed evaluation of each institute at least once every 5 years to determine— (A) the quality and relevance of the water resources research of the institute; (B) the effectiveness of the institute at producing measured results and applied water supply research; and (C) whether the effectiveness of the institute as an institution for planning, conducting, and arranging for research warrants continued support under this section. (2) Prohibition on further support If, as a result of an evaluation under paragraph (1), the Secretary determines that an institute does not qualify for further support under this section, no further grants to the institute may be provided until the qualifications of the institute are reestablished to the satisfaction of the Secretary. . (d) Authorization of appropriations Section 104(f)(1) of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 ( 42 U.S.C. 10303(f)(1) ) is amended by striking $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 and inserting $8,250,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023 . (e) Additional appropriations where research focused on water problems of interstate nature Section 104(g)(1) of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 ( 42 U.S.C. 10303(g)(1) ) is amended in the first sentence by striking $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 and inserting $1,750,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023 .