[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 1393. Ms. SINEMA submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2657, to support innovation in advanced geothermal 
research and development, and for other purposes; which was ordered to 
lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end, add the following:

                        TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS

     SEC. 4001. NONNATIVE PLANT SPECIES REMOVAL GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
     partnership between 2 or more entities that--
       (A) shall include--
       (i) at least 1 flood control district; and
       (ii) at least 1 city, county, township, town, borough, 
     parish, village, or other general purpose political 
     subdivision of a State or Indian tribe (as defined in section 
     4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
     Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); and
       (B) may include any other entity (such as a nonprofit 
     organization or institution of higher education), as 
     determined by the Secretary.
       (2) Nonnative plant species.--The term ``nonnative plant 
     species'' means a plant species that--
       (A) is nonnative or alien to an ecosystem; and
       (B) if introduced to that ecosystem, will cause, or is 
     likely to cause, economic harm, environmental harm, or harm 
     to human health.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.
       (b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a grant 
     program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible 
     entities--
       (1) to remove nonnative plant species in riparian areas 
     that contribute to drought conditions;
       (2) to replace those nonnative plant species with native 
     plant species; and
       (3) to maintain and monitor riparian areas in which 
     nonnative plant species have been removed and replaced.
       (c) Applications.--
       (1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the 
     Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
     containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
     including--
       (A) a plan for how the eligible entity will use grant funds 
     to carry out the activities described in paragraphs (1) 
     through (3) of subsection (b);
       (B) a description of the manner in which the eligible 
     entity has carried out the consultation required under 
     paragraph (2); and
       (C) information demonstrating that each native plant 
     species described in subsection (b)(2) will--
       (i)(I) reduce flood risk;
       (II) improve hydrology and water storage capacities; or
       (III) reduce fire hazard; and
       (ii) protect and restore rivers and streams and associated 
     riparian habitats, including fish and wildlife resources that 
     are dependent on those habitats.
       (2) Consultation.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under 
     this section shall consult with local stakeholders, including 
     conservation groups, to create the plan described in 
     paragraph (1)(A).
       (d) Report.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under 
     this section shall submit to the Secretary a report at such 
     time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
     Secretary may require, including information on methodology 
     and outcomes of nonnative plant species removal and 
     replacement efforts.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter.
                                 ______