[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 8, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H2071-H2072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               AMENDMENTS

  Under clause 8 of rule XVIII, proposed amendments were submitted as 
follows:

                               H.R. 2537

                        Offered by: Mr. Bilbray

       Amendment No. 1: At the end of the bill, add the following:

     SEC. 11. USE OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS FOR MONITORING AND 
                   ASSESSING COASTAL RECREATION WATERS.

       (a) Study.--The Administrator of the Environmental 
     Protection Agency shall conduct a study to assess the 
     benefits of using molecular diagnostics for monitoring and 
     assessing the quality of coastal recreation waters adjacent 
     to beaches and similar points of access that are used by the 
     public.
       (b) Contents.--In conducting the study, the Administrator 
     shall--
       (1) to the extent practicable, evaluate the full range of 
     available rapid indicator technologies and methods that meet 
     prescribed performance standards, including--
       (A) the amplified nucleic acid assay method; and
       (B) the indicator organism enterococci; and
       (2) compare the use of molecular diagnostics to culture 
     testing of same source

[[Page H2072]]

     water, including the time for obtaining results, accuracy of 
     results, and future applicability.
       (c) Partnerships.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, 
     United States Code, the Administrator may award a grant or 
     cooperative agreement to a public or private organization to 
     assist the Administrator in carrying out the study.
       (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
     transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     this section.

                               H.R. 2537

             Offered by: Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas

       Amendment No. 2: Page 2, line 5, strike ``2007'' and insert 
     ``2008''.
       Page 2, line 8, strike ``1346'' and insert ``1346(b)''.
       Page 4, line 1, strike ``304(a)(9)'' and insert 
     ``304(a)(9)(A)''.
       Page 4, line 2, strike ``1314(a)(9)'' and insert 
     ``1314(a)(9)(A)''.
       Page 4, strike lines 4 through 16 and insert the following:
       (c) Validation and Use of Rapid Testing Methods.--
       (1) Validation of rapid testing methods.--Not later than 
     October 1, 2010, the Administrator of the Environmental 
     Protection Agency shall complete an evaluation and validation 
     of a rapid testing method for the water quality criteria and 
     standards for pathogens and pathogen indicators described in 
     section 303(i)(1)(A).
       (2) Guidance for use of rapid testing methods.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after completion 
     of the validation under paragraph (1), and after providing 
     notice and an opportunity for public comment, the 
     Administrator shall publish guidance for the use at coastal 
     recreation waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of 
     access that are used by the public of rapid testing methods 
     that will enhance the protection of public health and safety 
     through rapid public notification of any exceeding of 
     applicable water quality standards for pathogens and pathogen 
     indicators.
       (B) Prioritization.--In developing such guidance, the 
     Administrator shall prioritize the use of rapid testing 
     methods at those beaches or similar points of access that are 
     the most used by the public.
       Page 6, strike lines 13 through 19 and insert the 
     following:
       ``(9) the availability of a geographic information system 
     database that such State or local government program shall 
     use to inform the public about coastal recreation waters and 
     that--
       ``(A) is publicly accessible and searchable on the 
     Internet;
       ``(B) is organized by beach or similar point of access;
       ``(C) identifies applicable water quality standards, 
     monitoring protocols, sampling plans and results, and the 
     number and cause of coastal recreation water closures and 
     advisory days; and
       ``(D) is updated within 24 hours of the availability of 
     revised information;
       Page 7, line 6, strike ``meeting'' and insert ``meeting or 
     are not expected to meet''.
       Page 8, line 8, strike ``on'' and insert ``on the Internet 
     on''.
       Page 8, strike lines 10 through 24 and insert the 
     following:
       ``(3) Corrective action.--If a State or local government 
     that the Administrator notifies under paragraph (2) is not in 
     compliance with any requirement or grant condition described 
     in paragraph (2) fails to take such action as may be 
     necessary to comply with such requirement or condition within 
     one year of the date of notification, any grants made under 
     subsection (b) to the State or local government, after the 
     last day of such one-year period and while the State or local 
     government is not in compliance with all requirements and 
     grant conditions described in paragraph (2), shall have a 
     Federal share of not to exceed 50 percent.''
       At the end of the bill, add the following:

     SEC. 11. ADOPTION OF NEW OR REVISED CRITERIA AND STANDARDS.

       Section 303(i)(2)(A) of the Federal Water Pollution Control 
     Act (33 U.S.C. 1313(i)(2)(A)) is amended by striking 
     ``paragraph (1)(A)'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``paragraph (1)''.