[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 128 (Friday, October 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S10529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECLAMATION REFORM ACT OF 2000

  The Senate proceeded to consider a bill (S. 1697) to authorize the 
Secretary of the Interior to refund certain collections received 
pursuant to the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982, which had been reported 
from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, with an amendment, 
as follows:
  [Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in 
italic.]

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Reclamation Reform Refund 
     Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 2. REFUND OF CERTAIN AMOUNTS RECEIVED UNDER RECLAMATION 
                   REFORM ACT OF 1982.

       (a) Refund Required.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized 
     and directed to refund fully amounts received by the United 
     States as payments for charges assessed by the Secretary 
     before January 1, 1994, for failure to file or properly file 
     certain certification or reporting forms pursuant to sections 
     206 and 224(c) of the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (43 
     U.S.C. 390ff, 390ww(c)) prior to the receipt of irrigation 
     water. Such refunds shall be made regardless of whether such 
     payments were required by the United States, were made 
     pursuant to a compromise or settlement (whether court 
     approved or otherwise), or were otherwise received by the 
     United States. Any refund issued pursuant to this subsection 
     shall include the amount of associated interest assessed by 
     the Secretary and paid to the United States pursuant to 
     section 224(i) of that Act (43 U.S.C. 390ww(i)).
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as 
     necessary.

  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 1697), as amended, was read the third time and passed.

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