110 HR 4571 IH: Household Water Conservation Challenge Act of U.S. House of Representatives 2007-12-13 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 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4571 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 13, 2007 Mr. Baca introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a credit against income tax for home water conservation.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Household Water Conservation Challenge Act of 2007.

2.

Findings

The Congress finds the following: (1)Water is indispensable for life, not only for drinking water, but also for raising crops and animals for food. (2)The world water crisis is one of the largest public health issues of our time. Nearly 1.1 billion people (roughly 20 percent of the world’s population) lack access to safe drinking water. (3)Americans use more water per day per person—nearly 1,300 gallons—than anyone else in the world. (4)Maximizing water efficiency efforts across the United States is a faster and cheaper approach than investing billions of dollars in water supply projects that will take years to build and come at a great cost to the environment and economy.

3.

Credit for home water conservation

(a)

In general

Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25D the following new section:

25E.

Home water conservation

(a)

Allowance of credit

In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter the amount of— (1)$150 for the first home water conservation year beginning after the date of the enactment of this section, and (2)$150 for the first taxable year thereafter if the requirements of subsection (b) would be met if second preceding calendar year were substituted for preceding calendar year in paragraph (1) thereof. (b)

Water conservation year

For purposes of this section, the term water conservation year means any taxable year if— (1)according to the metered water usage at the principal place of abode of the taxpayer, the amount of water consumed at such abode during the calendar year ending with or within such taxable year is not more than 60 percent of the water consumed at such abode during the preceding calendar year, and (2)it is established to the satisfaction of the Secretary that such water reduction is the result of water conservation efforts of the taxpayer and not the result of the weather, changes in the number or ages of individuals occupying the residence, governmental restrictions on water use, or other factors specified by the Secretary. (c)

Other conditions

This section shall apply only if— (1)the taxpayer has the same principal place of abode throughout each of the calendar years involved in determining the credit under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a), as the case may be, (2)such place of abode is located in the United States, (3)water is provided to such place of abode by a utility or governmental entity and is metered by such utility or entity for billing purposes, and (4)the bill for water use at such place of abode is billed directly to the taxpayer by such utility or entity.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for such subpart A is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25D the following new item: Sec. 25E. Home water conservation.. (c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to reductions in water usage in calendar years ending with or within taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.