113 HR 5656 : Global Food Security Act of 2014
U.S. House of Representatives

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Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5656
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		December 11, 2014ReceivedAN ACT
		To authorize a comprehensive strategic approach for United States foreign assistance to developing
			 countries to reduce global poverty and hunger, achieve food security and
			 improved nutrition, promote sustainable agricultural-led economic growth,
			 improve nutritional outcomes, especially for women and children, build
			 resilience among vulnerable populations, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Global Food Security Act of 2014.
		2.Statement of policy objectives; sense of Congress
			(a)Statement of policy objectivesIt is in the national security interest of the United States to promote global food security and
			 nutrition, consistent with national food security investment plans, which
			 is reinforced through programs, activities, and initiatives that—
				(1)accelerate inclusive, agricultural-led economic growth that reduces global poverty, hunger, and
			 malnutrition, particularly among women and children;
				(2)increase the productivity, incomes, and livelihoods of small-scale producers, especially women, by
			 working across agricultural value chains and expanding producer access to
			 local and international markets;
				(3)build resilience to food shocks among vulnerable populations and households while reducing reliance
			 upon emergency food assistance;
				(4)create an enabling environment for agricultural growth and investment, including through the
			 promotion of secure and transparent property rights;
				(5)improve the nutritional status of women and children, with a focus on reducing child stunting,
			 including through the promotion of highly nutritious foods, diet
			 diversification, and nutritional behaviors that improve maternal and child
			 health;
				(6)align with and leverage broader United States investments in trade, economic growth, science and
			 technology, maternal and child health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene;
			 and
				(7)ensure the effective use of United States taxpayer dollars to further these objectives.
				(b)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of the Congress that the President, in providing assistance to implement the Global
			 Food Security Strategy, should—
				(1)coordinate, through a whole-of-government approach, the efforts of relevant Federal departments and
			 agencies to implement the Global Food Security Strategy;
				(2)utilize, to the extent possible, open and streamlined solicitations to allow for the participation
			 of a wide range of implementing partners via the most appropriate
			 contracting mechanism; and
				(3)continue to strengthen existing partnerships between developing country institutions of
			 agricultural sciences with universities in the United States, with a focus
			 on building the capacities of developing nation universities in
			 agriculture.
				3.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)AgricultureThe term agriculture means crops, livestock, fisheries, and forestries.
			(2)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means—
				(A)the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
				(B)the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;
				(C)the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
				(D)the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives;
				(E)the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and
				(F)the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
				(3)Feed the future innovation labsThe term Feed the Future Innovation Labs means research partnerships led by United States universities that advance solutions to reduce
			 global hunger, poverty, and malnutrition.
			(4)Global Food Security StrategyThe term Global Food Security Strategy means the strategy developed and implemented pursuant to section 4(a).
			(5)Food and nutrition securityThe term food and nutrition security means access to, and availability, utilization, and stability of, sufficient food to meet caloric
			 and nutritional needs for an active and healthy life.
			(6)MalnutritionThe term malnutrition means poor nutritional status caused by nutritional deficiency or excess.
			(7)ResilienceThe term resilience means the ability of people, households, communities, countries, and systems to mitigate, adapt
			 to, and recover from shocks and stresses to food security in a manner that
			 reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth.
			(8)Relevant Federal departments and agenciesThe term relevant Federal departments and agencies means the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Agriculture, the
			 Department of Commerce, the Department of State, the Department of the
			 Treasury, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Overseas Private
			 Investment Corporation, the Peace Corps, the Office of the United States
			 Trade Representative, the United States African Development Foundation,
			 the United States Geological Survey, and any other department or agency
			 specified by the President for purposes of this section.
			(9)Small-scale producerThe term small-scale producer means farmers, pastoralists, foresters, and fishers that have a low-asset base and limited
			 resources, including land, capital, skills and labor, and, in the case of
			 farmers, typically farm on fewer than 5 hectares of land.
			4.Comprehensive global food security strategy
			(a)StrategyThe President shall coordinate the development and implementation of a United States
			 whole-of-government strategy to accomplish the policy objectives set forth
			 in section 2(a), which shall—
				(1)support and be aligned with country-owned agriculture, nutrition, and food security policy and
			 investment plans developed with input from relevant governmental and
			 nongovernmental sectors within partner countries and regional bodies,
			 including representatives of the private sector, agricultural producers,
			 including women and small-scale producers, international and local civil
			 society organizations, faith-based organizations, research institutions,
			 and farmers as reasonable and appropriate;
				(2)support inclusive agricultural value chain development, with small-scale producers, especially
			 women, gaining greater access to the inputs, skills, networking,
			 bargaining power, financing, and market linkages needed to sustain their
			 long-term economic prosperity;
				(3)seek to improve the nutritional status of women and children, particularly during the critical
			 first 1,000-day window until a child reaches 2 years of age, with a focus
			 on reducing child stunting;
				(4)seek to ensure the long-term success of programs by building the capacity of local organizations
			 and institutions;
				(5)integrate resilience strategies into food security programs, such that chronically vulnerable
			 populations are better able to build safety nets, secure livelihoods,
			 access markets, and access opportunities from longer-term economic growth;
				(6)develop community and producer resiliency to natural disasters, emergencies, and natural
			 occurrences that adversely impact agricultural yield;
				(7)harness science, technology, and innovation, including the research conducted at Feed the Future
			 Innovation Labs, or any successor entities, throughout the United States;
				(8)support integrating agricultural development activities among food insecure populations living in
			 proximity to designated national parks or wildlife areas to support
			 wildlife conservation efforts;
				(9)leverage resources and expertise through partnerships with the private sector, farm organizations,
			 cooperatives, civil society, faith-based organizations, research entities,
			 and academic institutions;
				(10)support collaboration, as appropriate, between United States universities and public and private
			 institutions in developing countries to promote agricultural development
			 and innovation;
				(11)set clear and transparent selection criteria for target countries, regions, and intended
			 beneficiaries of assistance to implement the Global Food Security
			 Strategy;
				(12)set specific and measurable goals, targets, and time frames, and a plan of action consistent with
			 the policy objectives described in section 2(a);
				(13)seek to ensure that target countries respect and promote the lawful land tenure rights of local
			 communities, particularly those of women and small-scale producers; and
				(14)include criteria and methodology for graduating countries from assistance to implement the Global
			 Food Security Strategy once the countries have achieved certain
			 benchmarks.
				(b)CoordinationThe President shall coordinate, through a whole-of-government approach, the efforts of relevant
			 Federal departments and agencies in the implementation of the Global Food
			 Security Strategy by—
				(1)establishing monitoring and evaluation systems, coherence, and coordination across relevant Federal
			 departments and agencies; and
				(2)establishing platforms for regular consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders, including—
					(A)multilateral institutions;
					(B)private voluntary organizations;
					(C)cooperatives;
					(D)the private sector;
					(E)local nongovernmental and civil society organizations;
					(F)faith-based organizations;
					(G)congressional committees; and
					(H)other stakeholders, as appropriate.
					5.Assistance to implement the Global Food Security Strategy
			(a)In generalThe President is authorized to provide assistance to implement the Global Food Security Strategy
			 pursuant to the authorities of section 103, section 103A, title XII of
			 chapter 2 of part I, and chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance
			 Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151a, 2151a–1, 2220a et seq., and 2346 et seq.)
			 notwithstanding any other provision of law.
			(b)Monitoring and evaluationThe President should seek to ensure that assistance to implement the Global Food Security Strategy
			 is provided under established parameters for a rigorous accountability
			 system to monitor and evaluate progress and impact of the strategy,
			 including by reporting to the appropriate congressional committees and the
			 public on an annual basis.
			(c)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the President $1,000,600,000 for fiscal year 2015 to
			 carry out this section.
			6.Report
			(a)In generalNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to
			 the appropriate congressional committees a report that describes the
			 status of the implementation of the Global Food Security Strategy.
			(b)ContentThe report required under subsection (a) shall—
				(1)contain a summary of the Global Food Security Strategy as an appendix;
				(2)identify any substantial changes made in the Global Food Security Strategy during the preceding
			 calendar year;
				(3)identify the indicators that will be used to measure results, set benchmarks for progress over
			 time, and establish mechanisms for reporting results in an open and
			 transparent manner;
				(4)describe the progress made in implementing the Global Food Security Strategy;
				(5)assess the progress and results of implementing international food and nutrition security
			 programming;
				(6)contain a transparent, open, and detailed accounting of spending by relevant Federal departments
			 and agencies to implement the Global Food Security Strategy, including by
			 listing all recipients of funding or partner organizations and, to the
			 extent possible, describing their activities;
				(7)identify any United States legal or regulatory impediments that could obstruct the effective
			 implementation of the programming referred to in paragraph (5);
				(8)contain a clear gender analysis of programming that includes established disaggregated gender
			 indicators to better analyze outcomes for food productivity, income
			 growth, equity in access to inputs, jobs and markets, and nutrition;
				(9)describe the strategies and benchmarks for graduating target countries and monitoring any graduated
			 target countries;
				(10)assess efforts to coordinate United States international food security and nutrition programs,
			 activities, and initiatives with—
					(A)other bilateral donors;
					(B)international and multilateral organizations;
					(C)international financial institutions;
					(D)host country governments;
					(E)international and local private voluntary, nongovernmental, faith-based organizations, and civil
			 society organizations; and
					(F)other stakeholders;
					(11)assess United States Government-facilitated private investment in related sectors and the impact of
			 private sector investment in target countries;
				(12)include consultation with relevant United States Government agencies in the preparation of the
			 report; and
				(13)incorporate a plan for regularly reviewing and updating strategies, partnerships, and programs and
			 sharing lessons learned with a wide range of stakeholders.
				(c)Public availability of informationThe information referred to in subsection (b) shall be made publicly accessible in a timely manner
			 on a consolidated website.

	Passed the House of Representatives December 10, 2014.Karen L. Haas,Clerk


116 S2212 IS: Coast Guard Shore Infrastructure Improvement Act
U.S. Senate
2019-07-23
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II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2212IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 23, 2019Mr. Rubio (for himself and Mr. Sullivan) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo require the Commandant of the Coast Guard to take certain steps to improve Coast Guard shore
			 infrastructure, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Coast Guard Shore Infrastructure Improvement Act. 2.Shore infrastructure (a)In generalNot later than December 31, 2020, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall—
 (1)develop a plan to standardize Coast Guard facility condition assessments; (2)establish shore infrastructure performance goals, measures, and baselines to track the effectiveness of maintenance and repair investments and provide feedback on progress made;
 (3)develop a process to routinely align the Coast Guard shore infrastructure portfolio with mission needs, including disposing of unneeded assets;
 (4)establish guidance for planning boards to document inputs, deliberations, and project prioritization decisions for infrastructure maintenance projects;
 (5)employ models for Coast Guard infrastructure asset lines for— (A)predicting the outcome of investments in shore infrastructure;
 (B)analyzing tradeoffs; and (C)optimizing decisions among competing investments;
 (6)include in congressional budget requests and related reports supporting details on competing project alternatives and report tradeoffs; and
 (7)explore the development of real property management expertise in the Coast Guard workforce, including members of the Senior Executive Service.
 (b)BriefingNot later than January 31, 2021, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with respect to the status of the actions required under subsection (a).


116 HR 7991 IH: Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-08-07
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Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 7991IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESAugust 7, 2020Mr. Vargas (for himself, Mrs. Davis of California, Mr. Peters, Mr. Levin of California, and Mr. Ruiz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, Foreign Affairs, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo provide for the water quality restoration of the Tijuana River and the New River, and for other purposes.1.Short title; table of contents(a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2020.(b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Definitions.TITLE I—Tijuana River Public Health and Water Quality RestorationSec. 101. Findings; purpose.Sec. 102. Definitions.Sec. 103. Tijuana River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program.Sec. 104. Water quality plan.Sec. 105. Grants, agreements, and assistance.Sec. 106. Annual budget plan.Sec. 107. Reports.TITLE II—New River Public Health and Water Quality RestorationSec. 201. Findings; purpose.Sec. 202. Definitions.Sec. 203. California New River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program.Sec. 204. Water quality plan.Sec. 205. Grants, agreements, and assistance.Sec. 206. Annual budget plan.Sec. 207. Reports.TITLE III—Border Water Infrastructure ImprovementSec. 301. United States-Mexico border water infrastructure program.TITLE IV—MiscellaneousSec. 401. Role of the Commissioner and international agreements.2.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.(2)CommissionerThe term Commissioner means the Commissioner of the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission. (3)MexicanThe term Mexican means, as applicable, the Federal, State, and local governments of Mexico. (4)New RiverThe term New River means the river that starts in Mexicali, Mexico, flows north into the United States through Calexico, passes through the Imperial Valley, and drains into the Salton Sea. (5)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of State.(6)Tijuana RiverThe term Tijuana River means the river that rises in the Sierra de Juarez in Mexico, flows through the City of Tijuana and then north into the United States, passes through the Tijuana River estuary, and drains into the Pacific Ocean. (7)Water reuseThe term water reuse has the meaning given the term in the document of the Environmental Protection Agency entitled National Water Reuse Action Plan Collaborative Implementation (Version 1) and dated February 2020. ITijuana River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration101.Findings; purpose(a)FindingsCongress finds that—(1)the Tijuana River flows across the United States-Mexico border, through the southern United States, and into the Pacific Ocean; (2)3/4 of the 1,750 square mile watershed of the Tijuana River lies in Mexico, and the remaining 1/4 includes the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve in the United States;(3)the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve is a partnership of Federal and State agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, California State Parks, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;(4)the Tijuana River is a significant estuary and watershed, providing—(A)economic and health benefits to the citizens of the United States and Mexico; and(B)environmental benefits as critical habitat to shore birds;(5)the economy of communities in southern California, including smaller communities, such as the City of Imperial Beach, and larger municipalities, such as the City of San Diego, may be significantly affected if the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the Tijuana River are degraded;(6)the Tijuana River watershed is in the midst of an environmental crisis, as stormwater flows from the upper watershed, originating in Tijuana, Mexico, carrying pollutants such as bacteria, trash, and sediment that severely affect water quality;(7)coastal communities in and near the Tijuana River watershed are also affected, during certain tidal events, by a combination of treated wastewater and chlorinated-only wastewater discharged from the San Antonio de los Buenos wastewater treatment plant located 5 miles south of the United States-Mexico border in Tijuana;(8)as reported by the Government Accountability Office in February 2020, transboundary flows of untreated sewage, combined with unmanaged stormwater, bring bacteria and other contaminants into the Tijuana River Valley watershed and beaches in the United States;(9)sediment flows into the Tijuana River National Wildlife Refuge and blocks the flow of ocean water and creating an imbalance in water salinity, necessary for marsh plants, fish, and birds;(10)the City of Imperial Beach has closed beach access 1/3 of each year for several years before the date of enactment of this Act due to risk to human health;(11)flows of untreated sewage, chemicals, and pollution from Mexico jeopardize the health of Border Patrol agents and limiting the ability of those agents to operate in areas affected by these flows;(12)in the 2 years before the date of enactment of this Act, local Border Patrol union officials have reported that over 100 officers have suffered from contamination, rashes, infections, chemical burns, and lung irritation due to toxic cross-border flows;(13)a March 2020 report of the Environmental Financial Advisory Board of the Environmental Protection Agency—(A)found that—(i)stormwater knows no jurisdictional boundaries … and is a principal cause of water quality issues nationwide; and(ii)adequate funding to manage stormwater pollution lags behind the investments made in wastewater management and the delivery of safe drinking water by decades; and(B)concluded that Federal investment will be required to address—(i)the lack of State and local funding; and(ii)multi-jurisdictional stormwater management needs;(14)during the 10-year period before the date of enactment of this Act, Federal, State, and local governments and others have identified the benefits of using natural and green infrastructure to control and manage stormwater runoff, including wetlands, coastal dunes, and retention structures;(15)during the 20-year period before the date of enactment of this Act, the United States and Mexico, through the International Boundary and Water Commission, have agreed to resolve the pollution problems in the Tijuana River;(16)the International Boundary and Water Commission has negotiated 8 minutes to resolve water quality problems in the Tijuana River, among other subjects;(17)1 of the most recent minutes authorized the construction of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Ysidro to treat, on average, 25,000,000 gallons of sewage from Tijuana per day, which has reduced the sewage coming into the United States;(18)the sewer system of Tijuana is—(A)aging and deteriorating; and(B)insufficient to meet the needs of a quickly growing population;(19)in February 2017, 1 of the main sewer collectors of Tijuana broke, sending an estimated 143,000,000 gallons of raw sewage into the United States, which was not the only time such a break occurred;(20)from February to July of 2019, an estimated 4,500,000,000 gallons of wastewater, treated water, and stormwater flowed from Mexico to the United States;(21)in June and July 2019, there were 3 sewer collector breaks, resulting in a total discharge of raw sewage of almost 2,000,000 gallons;(22)a 2019 study entitled Tijuana River Diversion Study: Flow Estimates, Infrastructure Diagnostic, and Alternatives Development estimated that from 2009 through 2016, transboundary flows occurred on average 138 days each year;(23)those transboundary flows contain treated wastewater, raw sewage, and urban runoff, with most of those flows associated with wet weather and stormwater;(24)the study described in paragraph (22)—(A)found that improving the operational reliability of the existing diversion system of the South Bay could reduce the number of days that transboundary flows occurred; but(B)estimated that there would still be on average 90 days of transboundary flows each year;(25)the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) has established a stormwater permit program under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, under which municipalities have the responsibility to manage and treat stormwater;(26)because of the international border and different treatment systems and standards, discharges in Mexico to the Tijuana River are not treated to the same standards as the standards to which discharges would be treated in the United States;(27)the International Boundary and Water Commission negotiated Minute 320 to find solutions for water quality, trash, and sediment in the Tijuana River;(28)the United States has—(A)invested at least $250,000,000 for secondary wastewater treatment in the Tijuana River Valley by the International Boundary and Water Commission; and(B)paid $18,000,000 to operate and maintain the plant in fiscal year 2018; (29)the United States has also helped fund water and wastewater infrastructure along the border through the Border Water Infrastructure Program and the North American Development Bank;(30)however, as the Government Accountability Office found in the report described in paragraph (8), the long-standing environmental and health problems associated with transboundary stormwater flows continue, while the International Boundary and Water Commission has not taken actions to resolve existing problems by proposing and analyzing alternatives, analyzing costs, identifying solutions, or establishing time frames; and(31)significant additional investment from Federal, State, local, and Mexican resources is needed to improve the water quality of the Tijuana River watershed.(b)PurposesThe purposes of this title are—(1)to establish a program to plan and implement water quality restoration and protection activities;(2)to ensure the coordination of restoration and protection activities among Mexican, Federal, State, local, and regional entities and conservation partners relating to water quality and stormwater management in the Mexican Tijuana River watershed and the American Tijuana River watershed; and(3)to provide funding for water quality restoration and protection activities in the Mexican Tijuana River watershed and the American Tijuana River watershed. 102.DefinitionsIn this title:(1)American Tijuana River watershedThe term American Tijuana River watershed means the portion of the Tijuana River watershed that lies in the United States. (2)Mexican Tijuana River watershedThe term Mexican Tijuana River watershed means the portion of the Tijuana River watershed that lies in Mexico. (3)ProgramThe term program means the Tijuana River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program established under section 103(a).(4)Water quality restoration and protectionThe term water quality restoration and protection, with respect to the Tijuana River watershed, means—(A)the enhancement of water quality and stormwater management; and(B)the use of natural and green infrastructure to enhance the ability of the watershed to capture pollutants and reduce runoff to prevent flooding. 103.Tijuana River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program(a)EstablishmentNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a program, to be known as the Tijuana River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program.(b)DutiesIn carrying out the program, the Administrator shall—(1)carry out projects, plans, and initiatives for the Tijuana River and work in consultation with applicable management entities, including representatives of the Federal Government, State and local governments, and regional and nonprofit organizations, to carry out public health and water quality restoration and protection activities relating to the Tijuana River;(2)carry out activities that—(A)develop, using monitoring, data collection, and assessment, a shared set of science-based water quality restoration and protection activities identified in accordance with paragraph (1);(B)support the implementation of a shared set of science-based water quality restoration and protection activities identified in accordance with paragraph (1), including water reuse projects, water recycling projects, and natural and green infrastructure projects;(C)target cost-effective projects with measurable results; and(D)maximize public health and water quality conservation outcomes; (3)coordinate the development of consistent Federal policies, strategies, projects, and priorities for addressing the public health and water quality restoration and protection of the Tijuana River;(4)coordinate a funding strategy among available funding sources in the region; and(5)provide grants, agreements, and technical assistance in accordance with section 105.(c)CoordinationIn establishing the program, the Administrator shall consult, as appropriate, with—(1)the heads of Federal agencies, including—(A)the Secretary;(B)the Commissioner;(C)the Secretary of Agriculture;(D)the Secretary of Homeland Security;(E)the Administrator of General Services;(F)the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection;(G)the Secretary of the Interior;(H)the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers;(I)the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;(J)the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and(K)the head of any other applicable agency, as determined by the Administrator;(2)the heads of State agencies, including—(A)the Governor of California;(B)the California Environmental Protection Agency;(C)the California State Water Resources Control Board;(D)the California Department of Water Resources; and(E)the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board; (3)2 representatives of affected units of local government in the State, chosen on a rotating 3-year cycle by the Governor of California, including representatives from the City of Imperial Beach, the City of San Diego, the City of Chula Vista, the City of Coronado, the Port of San Diego, and the County of San Diego;(4)2 representatives of relevant nonprofit groups, chosen on a rotating 3-year cycle by the Governor of California;(5)other public agencies and organizations with authority for the planning and implementation of conservation strategies relating to the Tijuana River in the United States and Mexico, as determined by the Administrator; and(6)representatives of the North American Development Bank.(d)Cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding(1)In generalTo achieve the purposes of this title and to ensure effective coordination of Federal and non-Federal water quality restoration and protection activities, the Administrator shall use amounts made available for the border water infrastructure program under section 301 and payments received pursuant to paragraph (4)(A) to enter into cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding with, and provide technical assistance to—(A)the heads of other Federal agencies, States, State agencies, units of local government, regional governmental bodies, and private entities; and(B)in cooperation with the Secretary, the Government of Mexico.(2)Use of agreementsThe Administrator shall enter into the cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding described in paragraph (1)—(A)to carry out the activities described in this section, including studies, plans, construction, and completion of projects to improve the water quality of, environment of, and public health around the Tijuana River; and(B)to carry out a pilot project under which the Administrator shall, for projects selected by the Administrator that would otherwise not be successful in improving the water quality of, environment of, and public health of people residing in areas surrounding the Tijuana River—(i)identify the parties responsible for the projects; and(ii)provide funds to those parties for the operations and maintenance of the projects.(3)TermThe cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding described in paragraph (1) shall be limited to a specified period of time, as determined by the Administrator.(4)Financial arrangements(A)In generalIf the Administrator enters into a cooperative agreement or memorandum of understanding described in paragraph (1), the Administrator may require the other party to the agreement or memorandum to provide payment to the Administrator.(B)DepositAny amounts received as a payment under subparagraph (A) shall be deposited into the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account of the Environmental Protection Agency and shall remain available, without further appropriation, to carry out the purposes of this title.(5)Personnel; services; technical assistanceThe Administrator may provide or accept personnel, services, and technical assistance pursuant to a cooperative agreement or memorandum of understanding described in paragraph (1), with or without reimbursement, for the purposes of carrying out the agreement or memorandum.104.Water quality plan(a)Development(1)In generalThe Administrator, in consultation with the entities described in section 103(c), shall develop a plan for the purpose of improving and protecting the water quality of the Tijuana River watershed.(2)RequirementsThe plan under paragraph (1) shall—(A)build on and incorporate any existing efforts and plans to improve and protect the water quality of the Tijuana River watershed, including ongoing and completed efforts and plans; and(B)include—(i)such features as are needed to improve and protect the quality of wastewater, stormwater runoff, and other untreated flows; (ii)criteria for selecting—(I)water quality restoration and protection projects; and (II)projects on the priority list under subsection (c)(1);(iii)the amounts necessary for the operations and maintenance of infrastructure existing on and constructed after the date of enactment of this Act; and(iv)potential sources of funding to help pay the costs described in clause (iii).(3)Operations and maintenance funding(A)In generalThe Administrator, working with the entities described in section 103(c), shall assess and identify potential alternative sources and approaches for financing infrastructure projects, including financing the operations and maintenance of those infrastructure projects.(B)RequirementIn carrying out subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall assess the approaches identified in the report of the Environmental Financial Advisory Board entitled Evaluating Stormwater Infrastructure Funding and Financing and dated March 2020.(b)Issuance; updatesThe Administrator shall—(1)not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, issue the plan under subsection (a)(1); and(2)every 5 years after the date on which the plan is issued under paragraph (1), update the plan.(c)Priority list(1)In generalThe plan under subsection (a)(1) shall include a priority list of potential or proposed water quality restoration and protection projects for the Tijuana River watershed that—(A)provides for the management of wastewater or stormwater or the removal of debris, sediment, chemicals, bacteria, and other contaminants from the water flowing north into the United States;(B)estimates the costs and identifies the entities that will fund the construction, operation, and maintenance of each project on the priority list;(C)is developed in coordination with the entities described in section 103(c);(D)assists agencies to coordinate funding; and(E)identifies projects—(i)in the Mexican Tijuana River watershed;(ii)in the American Tijuana River watershed; and(iii)that address transboundary flows that affect coastal communities in and near the Tijuana River watershed.(2)DevelopmentIn developing the priority list under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall—(A)use the best available science, including any relevant findings and recommendations of a watershed assessment conducted by Federal, State, and local agencies;(B)carry out and fund science development, monitoring, or modeling as needed to inform project development and assessment; and(C)include, in order of priority, potential or proposed water quality or stormwater projects for the restoration and protection of the Tijuana River that—(i)would help—(I)to achieve and maintain the water quality standards for—(aa)public health;(bb)recreational opportunities;(cc)scenic resources; and(dd)wildlife and habitat; and(II)to address water needs in the Tijuana River watershed, including through water reuse and water recycling; and(ii)would identify responsible agencies and funding sources through coordinated efforts by the entities described in section 103(c).105.Grants, agreements, and assistance(a)In generalIn order to carry out the purposes of the program as described in section 101(b), the Administrator may—(1)provide grants and technical assistance to the Commissioner, State and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education, in both the United States and Mexico; and(2)enter into interagency agreements with other Federal agencies.(b)CriteriaThe Administrator, in consultation with the entities described in section 103(c), shall develop criteria for providing grants and technical assistance and entering into interagency agreements under subsection (a) to ensure that activities carried out under an interagency agreement or using those grants or technical assistance—(1)accomplish 1 or more of the purposes identified in section 101(b); and(2)advance the implementation of priority projects identified under section 104(c).(c)Cost sharingThe Administrator may establish a Federal share requirement for any project carried out using any assistance proved under this section on an individual project basis.(d)Administration(1)In generalThe Administrator may enter into an agreement to manage the implementation of this section with the North American Development Bank or a similar organization that offers grant management services.(2)FundingIf the Administrator enters into an agreement under paragraph (1), the organization selected shall—(A)for each fiscal year, receive amounts to carry out this section in an advance payment of the entire amount on the date of enactment of an appropriations Act making appropriations to the Administrator for a fiscal year, or as soon as practicable thereafter; and(B)otherwise administer the implementation of this section to support partnerships between the public and private sectors in accordance with this title.(e)Construction, operation, and maintenanceThe Commissioner may construct, operate, and maintain any project carried out using funds made available to carry out this section.106.Annual budget planThe President, as part of the annual budget submission of the President to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, shall submit estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for projects under this title for the current year, the budget year, and 5 outyears (as those terms are defined in section 250(c) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900(c))), including for projects included in the priority list under section 104(c), for each Federal agency described in section 103(c)(1).107.ReportsNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of this title, including—(1)a description of—(A)each project that has received funding pursuant to this title; and(B)the status of all projects that have received funding pursuant to this title that are in progress on the date of submission of the report; and(2)an assessment of the effectiveness of the operation and maintenance of each project that has been carried out pursuant to this title.IINew River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration201.Findings; purpose(a)FindingsCongress finds that—(1)the New River was born out of—(A)occasional flows of the Colorado River into the Salton Sink; and(B)the erosion of the New River channel, which formed the deep river canyon between 1905 and 1907;(2)the New River—(A)starts in Mexicali, Mexico;(B)flows north into the United States through Calexico;(C)passes through the Imperial Valley; and(D)drains into the Salton Sea approximately 66 miles north of the international boundary;(3)the sub-watershed of the New River covers approximately 750 square miles, of which 63 percent is in Mexico and 37 percent is in the United States;(4)the New River has been widely recognized for significant water pollution problems, primarily because of agricultural runoff, raw sewage, pesticides, and discharges of wastes from domestic, agricultural, and industrial sources in Mexico and the Imperial Valley;(5)by the 1980s, the New River acquired the reputation of being 1 of the most polluted rivers in the United States, with many pollutants in the New River posing serious human health hazards to local populations, particularly in Calexico and Mexicali;(6)in 1992, Minute 288 of the International Boundary and Water Commission—(A)established a sanitation strategy for the water quality problems of the New River at the international border; and(B)divided sanitation projects into 2 immediate repair projects, the Mexicali I and Mexicali II, that—(i)totaled approximately $50,000,000; and(ii)were funded by both the United States and Mexico through the North American Development Bank;(7)in 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency provided funds to the California Regional Water Quality Control Board to monitor and document the water quality at the international boundary on a monthly basis;(8)in the late 1990s—(A)the United States and Mexico spent $100,000,000 (of which 45 percent was paid by Mexico and 55 percent was paid by the United States) to build the Las Arenitas and Zaragoza wastewater treatment plants; and(B)after the construction of those plants, untreated water from the New River was passed through 4 microbial treatment cells at the Las Arenitas wastewater treatment plant, which was then chlorinated and fed into a reforestation project along the desiccated Rio Hardy, which stretches to the Sea of Cortez;(9)a 10-year effort by community groups, lawyers, regulatory agencies, and politicians addressed the problem of water quality in the New River at the source by—(A)federally funding a new sewage treatment plant in Mexicali; and(B)developing a site plan for the portion of the New River in the United States;(10)in 2009, the State of California required the California-Mexico Border Relations Council—(A)to create a water quality plan to study, monitor, remediate, and enhance the water quality of the New River to protect human health; and(B)to develop a river parkway suitable for public use;(11)in 2012, the California-Mexico Border Relations Council approved the strategic plan for the New River Improvement Project that was prepared by the New River Improvement Project Technical Advisory Committee;(12)in 2016, the New River Improvement Project Technical Advisory Committee revised the recommended infrastructure of the New River Improvement Project, and the State of California appropriated $1,400,000 to provide grants or contracts to carry out the necessary planning, design, environmental review, and permitting work;(13)the revised New River Improvement Project includes the installation of a large trash screen, a conveyance system, aeration devices, a new pump station, and managed wetlands; and(14)the existing and ongoing voluntary conservation efforts at the New River necessitate improved efficiency and cost effectiveness, increased private sector investments, and coordination of Federal and non-Federal resources.(b)PurposesThe purposes of this title include—(1)coordinating water quality restoration and protection activities relating to the New River among Mexican, Federal, State, local, and regional entities and conservation partners; and(2)carrying out coordinated restoration and protection activities relating to the New River and providing technical assistance for those activities—(A)to sustain and enhance fish and wildlife habitat restoration and protection activities;(B)to improve and maintain water quality to support fish and wildlife, as well as the habitats of fish and wildlife;(C)to sustain and enhance water management for volume and flood damage mitigation improvements to benefit fish and wildlife habitat;(D)to improve opportunities for public access to, and recreation in and along, the New River consistent with the ecological needs of fish and wildlife habitat;(E)to maximize the resilience of natural systems and habitats under changing watershed conditions;(F)to engage the public through outreach, education, and citizen involvement to increase capacity and support for coordinated water quality restoration and protection activities relating to the New River;(G)to increase scientific capacity to support the planning, monitoring, and research activities necessary to carry out coordinated water quality restoration and protection activities relating to the New River; and(H)to provide technical assistance to carry out water quality restoration and protection activities relating to the New River. 202.DefinitionsIn this title:(1)ProgramThe term program means the California New River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program established under section 203(a).(2)Water quality restoration and protectionThe term water quality restoration and protection, with respect to the New River watershed, means—(A)the enhancement of water quality and stormwater management; and(B)the use of natural and green infrastructure to enhance the ability of the watershed to capture pollutants and reduce runoff to prevent flooding. 203.California New River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program(a)EstablishmentNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a program, to be known as the California New River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program.(b)DutiesIn carrying out the program, the Administrator shall—(1)carry out projects, plans, and initiatives for the New River that are supported by the California-Mexico Border Relations Council, and work in consultation with applicable management entities, including representatives of the Calexico New River Committee, the California-Mexico Border Relations Council, the New River Improvement Project Technical Advisory Committee, the Federal Government, State and local governments, and regional and nonprofit organizations, to carry out water quality restoration and protection activities relating to the New River;(2)carry out activities that—(A)develop, using monitoring, data collection, and assessment, a shared set of science-based water quality restoration and protection activities identified in accordance with paragraph (1);(B)support the implementation of a shared set of science-based water quality restoration and protection activities identified in accordance with paragraph (1), including water reuse projects, water recycling projects, and natural and green infrastructure projects; (C)target cost-effective projects with measurable results; and(D)maximize public health and water quality conservation outcomes; and(3)provide grants, agreements, and technical assistance in accordance with section 205.(c)CoordinationIn establishing the program, the Administrator shall consult, as appropriate, with—(1)the heads of Federal agencies, including—(A)the Secretary of the Interior;(B)the Secretary of Agriculture;(C)the Secretary of Homeland Security;(D)the Administrator of General Services;(E)the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection;(F)the Commissioner;(G)the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers;(H)the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;(I)the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and (J)the head of any other applicable agency, as determined by the Administrator;(2)the Governor of California;(3)the California Environmental Protection Agency;(4)the California State Water Resources Control Board;(5)the California Department of Water Resources;(6)the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board;(7)the Imperial Irrigation District;(8)the Salton Sea Authority;(9)other public agencies and organizations with authority for the planning and implementation of conservation strategies relating to the New River in the United States and Mexico, as determined by the Administrator; and(10)representatives of the North American Development Bank.(d)Cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding(1)In generalTo achieve the purposes of this title and to ensure effective coordination of Federal and non-Federal water quality restoration and protection activities, the Administrator shall use amounts made available for the border water infrastructure program under section 301 and payments received pursuant to paragraph (4)(A) to enter into cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding with, and provide technical assistance to—(A)the heads of other Federal agencies, States, State agencies, units of local government, regional governmental bodies, and private entities; and(B)in cooperation with the Secretary, the Government of Mexico.(2)Use of agreementsThe Administrator shall enter into the cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding described in paragraph (1)—(A)to carry out the activities described in this section, including studies, plans, construction, and completion of projects to improve the water quality of, environment of, and public health around the New River; and(B)to carry out a pilot project under which the Administrator shall, for projects selected by the Administrator that would otherwise not be successful in improving the water quality of, environment of, and public health of people residing in areas surrounding the New River—(i)identify the parties responsible for the projects; and(ii)provide funds to those parties for the operations and maintenance of the projects.(3)TermThe cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding described in paragraph (1) shall be limited to a specified period of time, as determined by the Administrator.(4)Financial arrangements(A)In generalIf the Administrator enters into a cooperative agreement or memorandum of understanding described in paragraph (1), the Administrator may require the other party to the agreement or memorandum to provide payment to the Administrator.(B)DepositAny amounts received as a payment under subparagraph (A) shall be deposited into the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account of the Environmental Protection Agency and shall remain available, without further appropriation, to carry out the purposes of this title.(5)Personnel; services; technical assistanceThe Administrator may provide or accept personnel, services, and technical assistance pursuant to a cooperative agreement or memorandum of understanding described in paragraph (1), with or without reimbursement, for the purposes of carrying out the agreement or memorandum. 204.Water quality plan(a)Development(1)In generalThe Administrator, in consultation with the entities described in section 203(c), shall develop a plan for the purpose of improving and protecting the water quality of the New River watershed.(2)RequirementsThe plan under paragraph (1) shall—(A)build on and incorporate any existing efforts and plans to improve and protect the water quality of the New River, whether ongoing or completed; and(B)include—(i)such features as are needed to improve and protect the quality of wastewater, stormwater runoff, and other untreated flows; (ii)criteria for selecting—(I)water quality restoration and protection projects; and (II)projects on the priority list under subsection (c)(1);(iii)the amounts necessary for the operations and maintenance of infrastructure existing on and constructed after the date of enactment of this Act; and(iv)potential sources of funding to help pay the costs described in clause (iii).(3)Operations and maintenance funding(A)In generalThe Administrator, working with the entities described in section 203(c), shall assess and identify potential alternative sources and approaches for financing infrastructure projects, including financing the operations and maintenance of those infrastructure projects.(B)RequirementIn carrying out subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall assess the approaches identified in the report of the Environmental Financial Advisory Board entitled Evaluating Stormwater Infrastructure Funding and Financing and dated March 2020.(b)Issuance; updatesThe Administrator shall—(1)not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, issue the plan under subsection (a)(1); and(2)every 5 years after the date on which the plan is issued under paragraph (1), update the plan.(c)Priority list(1)In generalThe plan under subsection (a)(1) shall include a priority list of potential or proposed water quality restoration and protection projects for the New River watershed that—(A)provides for the management of wastewater or stormwater or the removal of debris, sediment, chemicals, bacteria, and other contaminants from the water flowing north into the United States;(B)estimates the costs and identifies the entities that will fund the construction, operation, and maintenance of each project on the priority list;(C)is developed in coordination with the entities described in section 203(c);(D)assists agencies to coordinate funding; and(E)identifies projects—(i)in the New River watershed; and(ii)that address transboundary flows that affect coastal communities in and near the New River watershed. (2)DevelopmentIn developing the priority list under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall—(A)use the best available science, including any relevant findings and recommendations of a watershed assessment conducted by Federal, State, and local agencies;(B)carry out and fund science development, monitoring, or modeling as needed to inform project development and assessment; and (C)include, in order of priority, potential or proposed water quality or stormwater projects for the restoration and protection of the New River that—(i)would help—(I)to achieve and maintain the water quality standards for—(aa)public health;(bb)recreational opportunities;(cc)scenic resources; and(dd)wildlife and habitat; and(II)to address water needs in the New River watershed, including through water reuse and water recycling; and (ii)would identify responsible agencies and funding sources through coordinated efforts by the entities described in section 203(c). 205.Grants, agreements, and assistance(a)In generalIn order to carry out the purposes of the program as described in section 201(b), the Administrator may—(1)provide grants and technical assistance to the Commissioner, State and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education, in both the United States and Mexico; and(2)enter into interagency agreements with other Federal agencies. (b)CriteriaThe Administrator, in consultation with the entities described in section 203(c), shall develop criteria for providing grants and technical assistance and entering into interagency agreements under subsection (a) to ensure that activities carried out under an interagency agreement or using those grants or technical assistance—(1)accomplish 1 or more of the purposes identified in section 201(b); and(2)advance the implementation of priority projects identified under section 204(c).(c)Cost sharingThe Administrator may establish a Federal share requirement for any project carried out using any assistance proved under this section on an individual project basis. (d)Administration(1)In generalThe Administrator may enter into an agreement to manage the implementation of this section with the North American Development Bank or a similar organization that offers grant management services.(2)FundingIf the Administrator enters into an agreement under paragraph (1), the organization selected shall—(A)for each fiscal year, receive amounts to carry out this section in an advance payment of the entire amount on the date of enactment of an appropriations Act making appropriations to the Administrator for a fiscal year, or as soon as practicable thereafter; and(B)otherwise administer the implementation of this section to support partnerships between the public and private sectors in accordance with this title.(e)Construction, operation, and maintenanceThe Commissioner may construct, operate, and maintain any project carried out using funds made available to carry out this section. 206.Annual budget planThe President, as part of the annual budget submission of the President to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, shall submit estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for projects under this title for the current year, budget year, and 5 outyears (as those terms are defined in section 250(c) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900(c))), including for projects included in the priority list under section 204(c), for each Federal agency described in section 203(c)(1).207.ReportsNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of this title, including—(1)a description of—(A)each project that has received funding pursuant to this title; and(B)the status of all projects that have received funding pursuant to this title that are in progress on the date of submission of the report; and(2)an assessment of the effectiveness of the operation and maintenance of each project that has been carried out pursuant to this title. IIIBorder Water Infrastructure Improvement301.United States-Mexico border water infrastructure program(a)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Eligible entityThe term eligible entity means the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, a State, a local government, an Indian Tribe, or a water or wastewater district with jurisdiction over any area in the United States or Mexico that is located within 100 kilometers of the United States-Mexico border.(2)Eligible project(A)In generalThe term eligible project means a project for the construction of infrastructure for drinking water treatment or distribution, wastewater management, or stormwater management, including natural and green infrastructure and infrastructure for water reuse and water recycling, that—(i)addresses an existing human health or ecological issue;(ii)has an effect in the United States;(iii)with respect to wastewater management infrastructure the water discharged from which will flow, directly or indirectly, into the United States, is designed to meet, to the maximum extent practicable, all relevant water quality standards of the country in which the project is located, including, for projects located in the United States, any applicable standards established under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);(iv)is proposed by an eligible entity with legal authority—(I)to develop the project; (II)to provide the proposed drinking water or wastewater services; and(III)to obtain necessary financing, including operations and maintenance funding;(v)will comply with relevant State and local environmental and other laws (including regulations), including with respect to—(I)obtaining any necessary operating permits and licenses; and(II)complying with any other regulatory requirements related to land acquisition and rights-of-way; and(vi)has the support of appropriate Mexican Federal and State agencies, including the Comision Nacional de Agua (commonly known as CONAGUA or the Mexican National Water Commission) and any appropriate State or municipal water utility, if the project is located in Mexico.(B)ExclusionsThe term eligible project does not include a project—(i)for new water supply;(ii)that threatens an ecosystem located in the United States, or that is located in both the United States and Mexico, if the project causes a reduction in the flow of water; or(iii)to provide drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater services to enable new development.(3)ProgramThe term program means the program established under subsection (b).(b)EstablishmentThe Administrator shall carry out a program to provide assistance to eligible entities for activities related to eligible projects, including feasibility studies, planning studies, environmental assessments, financial analyses, community participation efforts, and architectural, engineering, planning, design, construction, and operations and maintenance activities.(c)ConsultationIn carrying out the program, the Administrator shall consult with the North American Development Bank.(d)CoordinationIn carrying out the program, the Administrator shall coordinate with Federal, State, local, and Tribal entities in the border region, including the Department of Homeland Security, the International Boundary and Water Commission, and relevant State agencies.(e)Project selection(1)In generalIn selecting projects for which to provide assistance under the program, the Administrator shall select projects in accordance with—(A)paragraph (2); and(B)any other criteria determined appropriate by the Administrator.(2)PrioritizationIn carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall prioritize projects that—(A)are identified in a plan developed pursuant to section 104 or 204; or(B)(i)are likely to have the greatest positive effects relating to the environment and public health;(ii)will result in benefits on the United States side of the United States-Mexico border;(iii)address the most urgent public health and environmental needs, as determined by the heads of the Regional offices for Regions 6 and 9 of the Environmental Protection Agency; and(iv)maximize sustainable practices, such as water reuse and water recycling, natural and green infrastructure, water efficiency, and conservation.(f)Terms and conditionsThe Administrator may establish such terms and conditions on assistance provided under the program as the Administrator determines appropriate.(g)Cost shareThe Administrator may establish a Federal share requirement for any project carried out using any assistance proved under this section on an individual project basis. (h)Regional allocationsThe amounts made available to carry out this section shall be made available in equal amounts for use by the Regional offices for Regions 6 and 9 of the Environmental Protection Agency. IVMiscellaneous401.Role of the Commissioner and international agreements(a)Wastewater and stormwater authorityThe Commissioner may study, design, construct, operate, and maintain projects to manage, improve, and protect the quality of wastewater, stormwater runoff, and other untreated flows in the Tijuana River watershed and the New River watershed.(b)Tijuana and New River projects within the United StatesThe Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, shall—(1)construct, operate, and maintain projects that—(A)are on a priority list developed under section 104(c) or 204(c);(B)are within the United States; and(C)improve the water quality of the Tijuana River watershed or the New River watershed, as applicable; and(2)use available funds, including funds received under this Act, to construct, operate, and maintain the projects described in paragraph (1).(c)Agreements with MexicoThe Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, may execute an agreement with the appropriate official or officials of the Government of Mexico for—(1)the joint study and design of stormwater control and water quality projects; and(2)on approval of the necessary plans and specifications of the projects described in paragraph (1), the construction, operation, and maintenance of those projects by the United States and Mexico, in accordance with the treaty relating to the utilization of the waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers, and of the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo) from Fort Quitman, Texas, to the Gulf of Mexico, and supplementary protocol, signed at Washington February 3, 1944 (59 Stat. 1219), between the United States and Mexico. (d)FundingA project located wholly or partially within Mexico shall be eligible for funding under the program established under section 301(b) if the project is—(1)identified under and consistent with the results of the study under subsection (c)(1); and(2)approved pursuant to subsection (c)(2).(e)Savings provisionNothing in this section limits the authority of the International Boundary and Water Commission under this Act or any other provision of law.


114 SRES 176 IS: Designating September 2015 as “National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month”.
U.S. Senate
2015-05-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. RES. 176IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 11, 2015Mr. Markey (for himself, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryRESOLUTIONDesignating September 2015 as National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month.

 Whereas a brain aneurysm is an abnormal saccular or fusiform bulging of an artery in the brain; Whereas an estimated 1 out of every 50 people in the United States has a brain aneurysm;
 Whereas brain aneurysms are most likely to occur in people between the ages of 35 and 60, and there are typically no warning signs;
 Whereas brain aneurysms are more likely to occur in women than in men by a 3-to-2 ratio; Whereas young and middle-aged African-Americans have a higher risk of brain aneurysm rupture compared to Caucasian Americans;
 Whereas, based on a 2004 study, the most recent year with readily available data, the combined lost wages of survivors of a brain aneurysm rupture and their caretakers for 1 year were $138,000,000;
 Whereas various risk factors can contribute to the formation of a brain aneurysm, including smoking, hypertension, and a family history of brain aneurysms;
 Whereas approximately 6,000,000 people in the United States have a brain aneurysm; Whereas an unruptured brain aneurysm can lead to double vision, vision loss, loss of sensation, weakness, loss of balance, incoordination, and speech problems;
 Whereas a brain aneurysm is often discovered when it ruptures and causes a subarachnoid hemorrhage; Whereas a subarachnoid hemorrhage can lead to brain damage, hydrocephalus, stroke, and death;
 Whereas, each year, more than 30,000 people in the United States suffer from ruptured brain aneurysms, 50 percent of whom die as a result;
 Whereas, annually, between 3,000 and 4,500 people in the United States with ruptured brain aneurysms die before reaching the hospital;
 Whereas a number of advancements have been made in recent years regarding the detection of aneurysms, including the computerized tomography scan, the magnetic resonance imaging test, and the cerebral arteriogram, and early detection can save lives;
 Whereas various research studies are currently being conducted in the United States in order to better understand, prevent, and treat brain aneurysms;
 Whereas the United States spends only $1.30 per person for research each year on the approximately 6,000,000 people of the United States who suffer from brain aneurysms; and
 Whereas the month of September would be an appropriate month to designate as National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it  That the Senate—
 (1)designates September 2015 as National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month; and (2)continues to support research to prevent, detect, and treat brain aneurysms.


113 HR 981 RH: Resource Assessment of Rare Earths Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-04-01
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IB
Union Calendar No. 288
113th CONGRESS 2d Session
H. R. 981
[Report No. 113–389]
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 6, 2013
Mr. Johnson of Georgia (for himself and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

April 1, 2014
Additional sponsors: Mr. Holt, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Mr. Garamendi, and Mr. Cicilline

April 1, 2014
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

A BILL
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a global rare earth element assessment, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Resource Assessment of Rare Earths Act of 2013 or the RARE Act of 2013.
2.Global rare earth element resource assessment
(a)In GeneralNot later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey and in coordination with the heads of national geological surveys where available, shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a comprehensive report on global rare earth element resources and potential future global supply. Such report shall use the best available data and include—
(1)the identity and quantity of individual rare earth elements in known deposits;
(2)models demonstrating the geologic conditions necessary for the formation, and the variability in composition, of the most significant deposits of rare earth elements;
(3)regional assessments of the likelihood of occurrence of undiscovered deposits and an estimate of the quantity of rare earth elements thought to be present;
(4)recommendations, developed in consultation with other appropriate agencies, on areas of need for future geologic research related to—
(A)rare earth elements; and
(B)other minerals that are critical based on the impact of a potential supply restriction and the likelihood of a supply restriction; and
(5)analysis, developed with participation by the National Minerals Information Center and in consultation with appropriate agencies, of the rare earth elements supply chain and associated processes and products, including mining, processing, separation, metal production, alloy production, and manufacturing of products sold to end users.
(b)Rare earth elementIn this section the term rare earth element means—
(1)any element in the lanthanides group of elements, which consists of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium;
(2)yttrium; and
(3)scandium.
(c)Authorization of AppropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out this section $10,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2014 through 2016.

April 1, 2014
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed


109 HR 3732 IH: Minimum Wage Fairness Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-09-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3732
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 13, 2005
Mr. Issa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

A BILL
To provide for a credit for employers of tipped employees in determining the minimum wage required in States that require employers to pay a minimum wage at a rate higher than the Federal rate.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Minimum Wage Fairness Act of 2005.
2.Minimum Wage Tip CreditSection 3(m) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(m)) is amended—
(1)in paragraph (2), by inserting before the period the following: Provided, That the tips shall not be included as part of the wage paid to an employee to the extent they are excluded therefrom under the terms of a bona fide collective bargaining agreement applicable to the particular employee;
(2)by striking (m) Wage and inserting (m)(1) Wage;
(3)by striking (1) the cash and inserting (A) the cash;
(4)by striking (2) an additional and inserting (B) an additional; and
(5)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any State or political subdivision of a State which, on and after the date of enactment of the Minimum Wage Fairness Act of 2005 prohibits any portion of a tipped employee’s tips from being considered as wages in determining if such tipped employee has been paid the minimum wage rate, may not establish or enforce any such law, ordinance, regulation, or order with respect to tipped employees unless such law, ordinance, regulation, or order permits a tip credit in an amount not less than an amount equal to—
(A)the cash wage paid such employee which is required under such law, ordinance, regulation, or order on the date of enactment of such Act; and
(B)an additional amount on account of tips received by such employee which amount is equal to the difference between such cash wage and the minimum wage rate in effect under such law, ordinance, regulation, or order or the minimum wage rate in effect under section 6, whichever is higher..


115 HJ 6 IH: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve.
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-01-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IA115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. J. RES. 6IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 3, 2017Mr. DeSantis (for himself, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Sanford, and Mr. Blum) submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryJOINT RESOLUTIONProposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms that a
			 Member of Congress may serve.

 That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:

				 —
 1.No person who has served 3 terms as a Representative shall be eligible for election to the House of Representatives. For purposes of this section, the election of a person to fill a vacancy in the House of Representatives shall be included as 1 term in determining the number of terms that such person has served as a Representative if the person fills the vacancy for more than 1 year.
 2.No person who has served 2 terms as a Senator shall be eligible for election or appointment to the Senate. For purposes of this section, the election or appointment of a person to fill a vacancy in the Senate shall be included as 1 term in determining the number of terms that such person has served as a Senator if the person fills the vacancy for more than 3 years.
 3.No term beginning before the date of the ratification of this article shall be taken into account in determining eligibility for election or appointment under this article.
					.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2339
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 29, 2009
			Mr. Vitter introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on
		  2-Nitrophenol.

		1.2-Nitrophenol
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter II of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff
			 Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the
			 following new heading:

								9902.01.002-Nitrophenol (Ortho-Nitro-Phenol) (CAS No. 88–75–5) (provided
						for in subheading 2908.99.25)FreeNo changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2011

					.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies to goods
			 entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 679
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 11, 2011
			Mr. Kissell (for
			 himself, Mr. Michaud,
			 Mr. Ross of Arkansas,
			 Ms. Sutton,
			 Mr. Lipinski,
			 Mr. Jones,
			 Ms. Woolsey,
			 Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California,
			 Mr. McCotter,
			 Mr. Filner,
			 Mr. Duncan of Tennessee,
			 Ms. Foxx, Mr. McIntyre, Mr.
			 Grijalva, Mr. Manzullo,
			 Mr. Coble,
			 Mr. Thompson of Mississippi,
			 Mr. DeFazio,
			 Mr. Aderholt,
			 Mr. Ryan of Ohio,
			 Mr. Shuler,
			 Mr. Kildee,
			 Mr. Pascrell,
			 Mr. Boswell,
			 Mr. Holden,
			 Mr. Braley of Iowa, and
			 Mrs. Myrick) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Homeland Security

		A BILL
		To prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from
		  procuring certain items directly related to the national security unless the
		  items are grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States, and for
		  other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Berry Amendment Extension
			 Act.
		2.Buy American
			 requirement imposed on department of homeland security; exceptions
			(a)In
			 GeneralSubtitle H of title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of
			 2002 (6 U.S.C. 451 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 section:

					890.Buy American
				requirement; exceptions
						(a)RequirementExcept
				as provided in subsections (c) through (e), the Secretary may not procure an
				item described in subsection (b) if the item is not grown, reprocessed, reused,
				or produced in the United States.
						(b)Covered
				Items
							(1)In
				generalAn item referred to in subsection (a) is any item
				described in paragraph (2), if the item is directly related to the national
				security interests of the United States.
							(2)Items
				describedAn item described in this paragraph is any article or
				item of—
								(A)clothing and the
				materials and components thereof, other than sensors, electronics, or other
				items added to, and not normally associated with, clothing (and the materials
				and components thereof);
								(B)tents, tarpaulins,
				or covers;
								(C)cotton and other
				natural fiber products, woven silk or woven silk blends, spun silk yarn for
				cartridge cloth, synthetic fabric or coated synthetic fabric (including all
				textile fibers and yarns that are for use in such fabrics), canvas products, or
				wool (whether in the form of fiber or yarn or contained in fabrics, materials,
				or manufactured articles); or
								(D)any item of
				individual equipment manufactured from or containing such fibers, yarns,
				fabrics, or materials.
								(c)Availability
				ExceptionSubsection (a) does not apply to the extent that the
				Secretary determines that satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity of any
				such article or item described in subsection (b)(2) grown, reprocessed, reused,
				or produced in the United States cannot be procured as and when needed.
						(d)Exception for
				Certain Procurements Outside the United StatesSubsection (a)
				does not apply to the following:
							(1)Procurements by
				vessels in foreign waters.
							(2)Emergency
				procurements.
							(e)Exception for
				Small PurchasesSubsection (a) does not apply to purchases for
				amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold referred to in
				section 2304(g) of title 10, United States Code.
						(f)Applicability to
				Contracts and Subcontracts for Procurement of Commercial
				ItemsThis section is applicable to contracts and subcontracts
				for the procurement of commercial items notwithstanding section 34 of the
				Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 430).
						(g)Geographic
				CoverageIn this section, the term United States
				includes the possessions of the United States.
						(h)Notification
				Required Within 7 Days After Contract Award if Certain Exceptions
				AppliedIn the case of any contract for the procurement of an
				item described in subsection (b)(2), if the Secretary applies an exception set
				forth in subsection (c) with respect to that contract, the Secretary shall, not
				later than 7 days after the award of the contract, post a notification that the
				exception has been applied.
						(i)Training
							(1)In
				generalThe Secretary shall ensure that each member of the
				acquisition workforce who participates personally and substantially in the
				acquisition of textiles on a regular basis receives training on the
				requirements of this section and the regulations implementing this
				section.
							(2)Inclusion of
				information in new training programsThe Secretary shall ensure
				that any training program for the acquisition workforce developed or
				implemented after the date of the enactment of this section includes
				comprehensive information on the requirements described in paragraph
				(1).
							(j)Consistency With
				International AgreementsThis
				section shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations
				under international
				agreements.
						.
			(b)Effective
			 DateSection 890 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added
			 by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to contracts entered into by the
			 Department of Homeland Security on and after the date occurring 180 days after
			 the date of the enactment of this Act.


114 HR 973 IH: Social Security Fairness Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-02-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 973
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 13, 2015
			Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois (for himself, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Bost, Mr. Farr, Mr. Massie, Ms. Titus, Mrs. Bustos, Mr. Cummings, Ms. Frankel of Florida, Mr. Takano, Mr. Young of Alaska, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Brownley of California, Ms. Tsongas, Mr. Kennedy, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Yarmuth, Mr. Lowenthal, Ms. Speier, Mr. Keating, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Hanna, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Lieu of California, Mr. Pallone, Ms. Norton, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Courtney, Ms. Pingree, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Schock, Mr. Costa, Mr. Wittman, Mr. Sires, Mr. Valadao, Mr. Cárdenas, Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, Mr. Honda, Mr. Sherman, Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California, Mr. Higgins, Ms. Chu of California, Mr. Loebsack, Mr. Swalwell of California, Mr. McNerney, Mr. Ruppersberger, and Mr. Burgess) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

		A BILL
		To amend title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the Government pension offset and windfall
			 elimination provisions.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Social Security Fairness Act of 2015. 2.Repeal of government pension offset provision (a)In generalSection 202(k) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402(k)) is amended by striking paragraph (5).
			(b)Conforming amendments
 (1)Section 202(b)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402(b)(2)) is amended by striking subsections (k)(5) and (q) and inserting subsection (q). (2)Section 202(c)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(c)(2)) is amended by striking subsections (k)(5) and (q) and inserting subsection (q).
 (3)Section 202(e)(2)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(e)(2)(A)) is amended by striking subsection (k)(5), subsection (q), and inserting subsection (q). (4)Section 202(f)(2)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(f)(2)(A)) is amended by striking subsection (k)(5), subsection (q) and inserting subsection (q).
				3.Repeal of windfall elimination provisions
 (a)In generalSection 215 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415) is amended— (1)in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (7);
 (2)in subsection (d), by striking paragraph (3); and (3)in subsection (f), by striking paragraph (9).
 (b)Conforming amendmentsSubsections (e)(2) and (f)(2) of section 202 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402) are each amended by striking section 215(f)(5), 215(f)(6), or 215(f)(9)(B) in subparagraphs (C) and (D)(i) and inserting paragraph (5) or (6) of section 215(f).
 4.Effective dateThe amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to monthly insurance benefits payable under title II of the Social Security Act for months after December 2015. Notwithstanding section 215(f) of the Social Security Act, the Commissioner of Social Security shall adjust primary insurance amounts to the extent necessary to take into account the amendments made by section 3.


115 HR 1118 IH: Innocent Sellers Fairness Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-02-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1118IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 16, 2017Mr. Farenthold (for himself, Mr. Duncan of Tennessee, and Mr. Smith of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo prevent undue disruption of interstate commerce by limiting civil actions brought against
			 persons whose only role with regard to a product in the stream of commerce
			 is as a lawful seller of the product.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Innocent Sellers Fairness Act. 2.FindingsCongress finds that—
 (1)an innocent seller should not be held responsible under the doctrine of product liability for damages that the seller did not cause;
 (2)as a result of product liability, sellers are often brought into litigation despite the fact that they had no control or input in the design, production, or any other aspect of an allegedly defective product, and may therefore face increased costs due to the possibility or result of disproportionate damage awards;
 (3)due to high liability costs and unwarranted litigation costs, sellers face higher costs in purchasing insurance through interstate insurance markets to cover their activities;
 (4)liability reform for sellers will promote the free flow of goods and services, lessen burdens on interstate commerce, decrease litigiousness, and lower prices to consumers; and
 (5)legislation to address these concerns is an appropriate exercise of the powers of Congress under clauses 3, 9, and 18 of section 8 of article I of the Constitution of the United States, and the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
			3.Limitation on liability of product sellers
 (a)In generalNo seller of any product shall be liable for personal injury, monetary loss, or damage to property arising out of an accident or transaction involving such product, unless the claimant proves one or more of the following activities by the seller:
 (1)The seller was the manufacturer of the product. (2)The seller participated in the design of the product.
 (3)The seller participated in the installation of the product. (4)The seller altered, modified, or expressly warranted the product in a manner not authorized by the manufacturer.
 (5)The seller had actual knowledge of the defect in the product as a result of a recall from the manufacturer or governmental entity authorized to make such recall or actual inspection at the time the seller sold the product to the claimant.
 (6)The seller had actual knowledge of the defect in the product at the time the seller supplied the product.
 (7)The seller intentionally altered or modified a product warranty, warning or instruction from the manufacturer in a way not authorized by the manufacturer.
 (8)The seller knowingly made a false representation about an aspect of the product not authorized by the manufacturer.
 (b)Liability of seller in cases of negligenceIf the claimant proves one or more of the activities described in subsection (a) and such activity was negligent, the seller’s liability is limited to the personal injury, monetary loss, or damage to property, directly caused by such activity.
 (c)DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)ManufacturerThe term manufacturer means a person who is lawfully engaged in the business of manufacturing a product in interstate or foreign commerce during such person’s regular course of trade or business.
 (2)PersonThe term person means any individual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company, or any other entity, including any governmental entity.
 (3)SellerThe term seller means a person who is lawfully engaged in the business of marketing, distributing, advertising, or selling a product in interstate or foreign commerce during such person’s regular course of trade or business.
 (d)Effective dateThis Act applies to any civil action involving a product that was sold to the claimant on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HRES 280 IH: Taxpayer Bill of Rights Resolution
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-06-27
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 280
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 27, 2013
			Mr. Roskam submitted
			 the following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing the sense of the House of
		  Representatives regarding a taxpayer bill of rights.

		1.Short titleThis resolution may be cited as the
			 Taxpayer Bill of Rights
			 Resolution.
		2.Sense of the
			 House of Representatives regarding a taxpayer bill of rightsIt is the sense of the House of
			 Representatives that each taxpayer has—
			(1)the right to be informed;
			(2)the right to be
			 assisted;
			(3)the right to be
			 heard;
			(4)the right to pay
			 no more than the correct amount of tax;
			(5)the right of
			 appeal;
			(6)the right to
			 certainty;
			(7)the right to
			 privacy;
			(8)the right to
			 confidentiality;
			(9)the right to
			 representation; and
			(10)the right to a
			 fair and just tax system.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1924
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			November 30, 2011
			Mr. Roberts (for himself
			 and Mr. Moran) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Commerce, Science, and
			 Transportation

		A BILL
		To authorize States to enforce pipeline safety
		  requirements related to wellbores at interstate storage
		  facilities.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Underground Gas Storage Facility
			 Safety Act of 2011.
		2.DefinitionsSection 60101(a) of title 49, United States
			 Code, is amended—
			(1)by redesignating
			 paragraphs (20), (21), (22), (23), (24), and (25) as paragraphs (23), (24),
			 (25), (20), (21), and (22), respectively;
			(2)in paragraph
			 (21), as redesignated, by striking and at the end;
			(3)in paragraph
			 (22), as redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting a
			 semicolon; and
			(4)by adding at the
			 end the following:

					(26)underground
				gas storage wellbore means the piping and hole drilled connecting the
				surface of the earth with the underground gas storage reservoir; and
					(27)underground
				hazardous liquid storage wellbore means the piping and hole drilled
				connecting the surface of the earth with the underground hazardous liquid
				storage
				reservoir.
					.
			3.State
			 enforcement of pipeline safety requirementsSection 60104(c) of title 49, United States
			 Code, is amended—
			(1)by striking
			 A State authority that and inserting the following:

					(1)A State authority
				that
					;
			(2)by striking
			 A State authority may not and inserting the following:

					(2)A State authority
				may
				not
					;
			(3)by striking
			 Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, a State authority may enforce a
			 requirement and inserting the following:

					(3)Notwithstanding
				the limitation set forth in paragraph (2), a State authority may—
						(A)enforce a
				requirement
						;
			(4)by striking
			 chapter 61. and inserting chapter 61; and;
			 and
			(5)by adding at the
			 end the following:

					(B)enforce a State
				requirement for the safe construction and operation of underground gas storage
				wellbores and underground hazardous liquid storage wellbores if—
						(i)the State
				requirement has been approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
				(referred to in this subparagraph as the Commission); or
						(ii)the Commission
				fails to make a decision with respect to the State requirement during the
				30-day period beginning on the date on which the State submits the State
				requirement to the
				Commission.
						.