To amend the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to extend the authorizations of appropriations through fiscal year 2000, and for other purposes.
PL 104-147 (H.R.1743), enacted 05/24/1996

PUBLIC LAW 104-147—MAY 24, 1996 
110 STAT. 1375 
Public Law 104-147 
104th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to extend the authorizations 
May 24, 1996 
of appropriations through fiscal year 2000, and for other purposes. 
[H.R. 1743] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
Section 102 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 
U.S.C. 10301) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ", productivity of natural 
resources and agricultural systems," after "environmental qual-
ity"; 
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking "and" at the end; 
(3) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting "; and"; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
"(8) long-term planning and policy development are essen-
tial to ensure the availability of an abundant supply of high 
quality water for domestic and other uses; and 
"(9) the States must have the research and problem-solving 
capacity necessary to effectively manage their water resources.". 
SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
Section 103 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 
U.S.C. 10302) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (5)— 
(A) by striking "to"; and 
(B) by striking "and" at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting "; and"; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
"(7) encourage long-term planning and research to meet 
future water management, quality, and supply challenges.". 
110 STAT. 1376 
PUBLIC LAW 104-147—MAY 24, 1996 
SEC. 
3
. 
GRANTS; 
MATCHING 
FUNDS. 
Section 104(c) of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 
(42 U.S.C. 10303(c)) is amended by striking "one non-Federal dollar" 
and all that follows through "thereafter" and inserting "2 non-
Federal dollars for every 1 Federal dollar". 
SEC. 4. GENERAL AUTHORIZATIONS 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 "of $10,000,000 for 
each of the fiscal years ending September 30, 1989, through Septem-
ber 30, 1995," and inserting "of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, 
$7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1997 and 1998, and $9,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 1999 and 2000". 
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION 
OF APPROPRIATIONS 
FOR 
RESEARCH 
FOCUSED 
ON 
WATER 
PROBLEMS 
OF 
INTERSTATE 
NATURE. 
The first sentence of section 104(g)(1) of the Water Resources 
Research Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10303(g)(1)) is amended by striking 
"of $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 
and 1995" and inserting "of $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
1996 through 2000". 
SEC. 6. COORDINATION. 
Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 
U.S.C. 10303) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
"(h) COORDINATION.— 
"(1) IN GENERAL.—^To carry out this Act, the Secretary— 
"(A) shall encourage other Federal departments, agen-
cies (including agencies within the Department of the 
Interior), and instrumentalities to use and take advantage 
of the expertise and capabilities that are available through 
the institutes established by this section, on a cooperative 
or other basis; 
"(B) shall encourage cooperation and coordination with 
other Federal programs concerned with water resources 
problems and issues; 
"(C) may enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, 
and other transactions without regard to section 3709 of 
the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5); 
"(D) may accept funds from other Federal departments, 
agencies (including agencies within the Department of the 
Interior), and instrumentalities to pay for and add to grants 
made, and contracts entered into, by the Secretary; 
"(E) may promulgate such regulations as the Secretary 
considers appropriate; and 
"(F) may support a program of internships for qualified 
individuals at the undergraduate and graduate levels to 
carry out the educational and training objectives of this 
Act. 
PUBLIC LAW 104-147—MAY 24, 1996 
110 STAT. 1377 
"(2) REPORT.—The Secretary shall report to Congress 
annually on coordination efforts with other Federal depart-
ments, agencies, and instrumentalities under paragraph (1). 
"(3) RELATIONSHIP TO STATE RIGHTS.—Nothing in this Act 
shall preempt the rights and authorities of any State with 
respect to its water resources or management of those 
resources.". 
Approved May 24, 1996. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1743: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 104-242 (Comm. on Resources). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 104-252 (Comm. on Environment and Public Works). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 141 (1995): Oct. 17, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 142 (1996): May 3, considered and passed Senate. 
May 14, House concurred in Senate amendment.