[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3561 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3561

     To establish the Twenty-First Century Water Policy Commission.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 20, 2001

    Mr. Linder (for himself, Mr. Deal of Georgia, and Mr. Calvert) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
   Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and 
   Infrastructure, 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 concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To establish the Twenty-First Century Water Policy Commission.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Twenty-First Century Water Policy 
Commission Establishment Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a commission to be known as the Twenty-First 
Century Water Policy Commission (in this Act referred to as the 
``Commission'').

SEC. 3. DUTIES.

    The duties of the Commission shall be to--
            (1) study all aspects of water management by Federal, 
        State, and local agencies and by private sector entities; and
            (2) develop recommendations for a comprehensive water 
        policy which--
                    (A) ensures an adequate and dependable supply of 
                fresh water to meet the needs of the United States for 
                the next 50 years;
                    (B) does not place increased mandates on State and 
                local governments;
                    (C) eliminates duplication and conflict among 
                governmental agencies;
                    (D) considers all available technologies for 
                increasing water supply efficiently, while safeguarding 
                the environment;
                    (E) recommends means of capturing excess water and 
                flood water for use in the event of a drought;
                    (F) suggests financing options for public works 
                projects, including the implementation of user fees; 
                and
                    (G) includes other objectives which the Commission 
                shall consider appropriate.

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 17 members 
appointed by the President, and shall include--
            (1) 8 representatives from Federal agencies involved in 
        water management, conservation, or resource issues;
            (2) 5 representatives from non-governmental organizations 
        with an interest in water management, conservation, or resource 
        issues;
            (3) 2 representatives of local government; and
            (4) 2 representatives of State government or Indian tribes.
    (b) Chairperson.--The members of the Commission shall elect 1 
member to serve as chairperson.
    (c) Terms.--Members of the Commission shall be appointed not later 
than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Appointments 
shall be for the life of the Commission.
    (d) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its 
powers, and shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
appointment.
    (e) Compensation and Travel Expenses.--Members of the Commission 
shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable 
provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57, United State Code.

SEC. 5 MEETINGS AND QUORUM.

    (a) Meetings.--The Commission shall hold its first meeting not 
later than 30 days after the date on which all members of the 
Commission have been appointed, and shall hold additional meetings at 
the call of the chairperson or a majority of its members.
    (b) Quorum.--A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum 
for the transaction of business.

SEC. 6. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings and receive 
such evidence as the Commission may find advisable to fulfill the 
requirements of this Act.
    (b) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure 
directly from any Federal agency such information as the Commission 
considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. REPORT.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of the first meeting of the 
Commission, the Commission shall transmit to the Congress a report 
containing a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the 
Commission, and recommendations for legislation to implement a 
comprehensive water policy.

SEC. 8. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the date on which the 
Commission transmits a report under section 6.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this Act.
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