[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 139 (Wednesday, August 5, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4942-S4945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Mr. Rounds):
S. 4444. A bill to require installation of a network of soil moisture
and snowpack monitoring in the Upper Missouri River Basin and to
establish a pilot program for the acquisition and use of data generated
by that network, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 4444
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 ``Missouri River Basin Drought
and Snowpack Monitoring Act''.
SEC. 2. SOIL MOISTURE AND SNOWPACK MONITORING.
(a) Installation of Network.--
(1) In general.--In accordance with the activities required
under section 4003(a) of the Water Resources Reform and
Development Act of 2014 (128 Stat. 1311; 130 Stat. 1677), and
to support the goals of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-25; 131 Stat. 91) and
the National Integrated Drought Information System
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-423; 132 Stat.
5454), the Secretary of the Army (referred to in this section
as the ``Secretary''), in coordination with the Administrator
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(referred to in this section as the ``Administrator''), the
Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the
Director of the United States Geological Survey, and the
Commissioner of Reclamation, shall continue installation of a
network of soil moisture and plains snowpack monitoring
stations and modification of existing stations in the Upper
Missouri River Basin.
(2) Requirements.--In carrying out installation and
modification activities under paragraph (1), the Secretary--
(A) may continue to enter into agreements, including
cooperative agreements, with State mesonet programs for
purposes of installing new stations or modifying existing
stations;
(B) shall transfer ownership and all responsibilities for
operation and maintenance of new stations to the respective
State mesonet program for the State in which the monitoring
station is located on completion of installation of the
station; and
(C) shall establish, in consultation with the
Administrator, requirements and standards for the
installation of new stations and modification of existing
stations to ensure seamless data integration into--
(i) the National Mesonet Program;
(ii) the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Network; and
(iii) other relevant networks.
(b) Soil Moisture and Snowpack Monitoring Pilot Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish
a pilot program for the acquisition and use of data generated
by the network described in subsection (a).
(2) Requirements.--In establishing the pilot program under
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall--
(A) enter into agreements with State mesonet programs in
the Upper Missouri River Basin to acquire data generated by
the network described in subsection (a) that--
(i) are similar to the agreements in effect as of the date
of the enactment of this Act with States under the National
Mesonet Program; and
(ii) allow for sharing of data with other Federal agencies
and with institutions engaged in federally supported
research, including the United States Drought Monitor, as
appropriate and feasible;
(B) in coordination with the Secretary, the Chief of the
Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Director of the
United States Geological Survey, and the Commissioner of
Reclamation, gather data from the operation of the network to
inform ongoing efforts of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration in support of--
(i) the National Integrated Drought Information System,
including the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring
Network;
(ii) the United States Drought Monitor;
(iii) the National Water Model and other relevant national
modeling efforts;
(iv) validation, verification, and calibration of
satellite-based, in situ, and other remote sensing activities
and output products;
(v) flood risk and water resources monitoring initiatives
by the Secretary and the Commissioner; and
(vi) any other programs or initiatives the Administrator
considers appropriate; and
(C) at the request of State mesonet programs, or as the
Administrator considers appropriate, provide technical
assistance to such programs under the pilot program under
paragraph (1) to ensure proper data requirements; and
(D) ensure an appropriate mechanism for quality control and
quality assurance is employed for the data acquired under the
pilot program, such as the Meteorological Assimilation Data
Ingest System.
(3) Study required.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall initiate a
study of the pilot program required by paragraph (1)
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to evaluate the data generated by the network described in
subsection (a) and the applications of that data to programs
and initiatives described in paragraph (2)(B).
(B) Elements.--The study required by subparagraph (A) shall
include an assessment of--
(i) the contribution of the soil moisture, snowpack, and
other relevant data generated by the network described in
subsection (a) to weather, subseasonal and seasonal, and
climate forecasting products on the local, regional, and
national levels;
(ii) the enhancements made to the National Integrated
Drought Information System, the National Water Model, and the
United States Drought Monitor, and other relevant national
modeling efforts, using data and derived data products
generated by the network;
(iii) the contribution of data generated by the network to
remote sensing products and approaches;
(iv) the viability of the ownership and operational
structure of the network; and
(v) any other matters the Administrator considers
appropriate, in coordination with the Secretary, the Chief of
the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Director of
the United States Geological Survey, and the Commissioner of
Reclamation.
(4) Report required.--Not later than 4 years after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit
to Congress a report--
(A) setting forth the findings of the study required by
paragraph (3); and
(B) making recommendations based on those findings to
improve weather, subseasonal, seasonal, and climate
monitoring nationally.
(5) Government accountability office audit.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the report
required by paragraph (4) is submitted, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall conduct an audit to
evaluate that report and determine whether--
(i) the Administrator, in conducting the pilot program
under paragraph (1), has utilized the relevant data generated
by the network described in subsection (a) in the manner most
beneficial to the programs and initiatives described in
paragraph (2)(B);
(ii) the acquisition agreements entered into under
paragraph (2)(A) with State mesonet programs fully comply
with the requirements of that paragraph; and
(iii) the heads of other agencies, including the Secretary,
the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the
Director of the United States Geological Survey, and the
Commissioner of Reclamation, are utilizing the data generated
by the network to better inform and improve the missions of
those agencies.
(B) Report required.--Not later than 270 days after
initiating the audit required by subparagraph (A), the
Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report setting
forth the findings of the audit.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated--
(A) to supplement funds already authorized for installation
of a network of new monitoring stations and modification of
existing monitoring stations in the Upper Missouri River
Basin under subsection (a), $7,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2021 through 2025; and
(B) to the Administrator to acquire under subsection (b)
data collected by the network described in subsection (a)--
(i) $500,000 for fiscal year 2021;
(ii) $2,300,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(iii) $4,100,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(iv) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
(v) $7,900,000 for fiscal year 2025.
(2) Limitation on administrative expenses.--Not more than 2
percent of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under
paragraph (1)(B) may be used by the Administrator for
administrative expenses.
______
By Mr. DURBIN:
S. 4450. A bill to establish the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis
National Heritage Area in the State of Illinois, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 4450
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 ``Bronzeville-Black Metropolis
National Heritage Area Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the
Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area
established by section 3(a).
(2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local
coordinating entity'' means the local coordinating entity for
the Heritage Area designated by section 4(a).
(3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means
the plan developed by the local coordinating entity under
section 5(a).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Illinois.
SEC. 3. BRONZEVILLE-BLACK METROPOLIS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Bronzeville-
Black Metropolis National Heritage Area in the State.
(b) Boundaries.--The Heritage Area shall consist of the
region in the city of Chicago, Illinois, bounded as follows:
(1) 18th Street on the North to 22nd Street on the South,
from Lake Michigan on the East to Wentworth Avenue on the
West.
(2) 22nd Street on the North to 35th Street on the South,
from Lake Michigan on the East to the Dan Ryan Expressway on
the West.
(3) 35th Street on the North to 47th Street on the South,
from Lake Michigan on the East to the B&O Railroad (Stewart
Avenue) on the West.
(4) 47th Street on the North to 55th Street on the South,
from Cottage Grove Avenue on the East to the Dan Ryan
Expressway on the West.
(5) 55th Street on the North to 67th Street on the South,
from State Street on the West to Cottage Grove Avenue/South
Chicago Avenue on the East.
(6) 67th Street on the North to 71st Street on the South,
from Cottage Grove Avenue/South Chicago Avenue on the West to
the Metra Railroad tracks on the East.
SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.
(a) Local Coordinating Entity.--The Black Metropolis
National Heritage Area Commission shall be the local
coordinating entity for the Heritage Area.
(b) Authorities of Local Coordinating Entity.--The local
coordinating entity may, for purposes of preparing and
implementing the management plan, use Federal funds made
available under this Act--
(1) to prepare reports, studies, interpretive exhibits and
programs, historic preservation projects, and other
activities recommended in the management plan for the
Heritage Area;
(2) to make grants to the State, political subdivisions of
the State, nonprofit organizations, and other persons;
(3) to enter into cooperative agreements with the State,
political subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations,
and other organizations;
(4) to hire and compensate staff;
(5) to obtain funds or services from any source, including
funds and services provided under any other Federal program
or law; and
(6) to contract for goods and services.
(c) Duties of Local Coordinating Entity.--To further the
purposes of the Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity
shall--
(1) prepare a management plan for the Heritage Area in
accordance with section 5;
(2) give priority to the implementation of actions, goals,
and strategies set forth in the management plan, including
assisting units of government and other persons in--
(A) carrying out programs and projects that recognize and
protect important resource values in the Heritage Area;
(B) encouraging economic viability in the Heritage Area in
accordance with the goals of the management plan;
(C) establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits in
the Heritage Area;
(D) developing heritage-based recreational and educational
opportunities for residents and visitors in the Heritage
Area;
(E) increasing public awareness of and appreciation for the
natural, historic, and cultural resources of the Heritage
Area;
(F) restoring historic buildings that are--
(i) located in the Heritage Area; and
(ii) related to the themes of the Heritage Area; and
(G) installing throughout the Heritage Area clear,
consistent, and appropriate signs identifying public access
points and sites of interest;
(3) consider the interests of diverse units of government,
businesses, tourism officials, private property owners, and
nonprofit groups within the Heritage Area in developing and
implementing the management plan;
(4) conduct public meetings at least semiannually regarding
the development and implementation of the management plan;
and
(5) for any fiscal year for which Federal funds are
received under this Act--
(A) submit to the Secretary an annual report that
describes--
(i) the accomplishments of the local coordinating entity;
(ii) the expenses and income of the local coordinating
entity; and
(iii) the entities to which the local coordinating entity
made any grants;
(B) make available for audit all records relating to the
expenditure of the Federal funds and any matching funds; and
(C) require, with respect to all agreements authorizing the
expenditure of Federal funds by other organizations, that the
receiving organizations make available for audit all records
relating to the expenditure of the Federal funds.
SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date on
which funds are first made available to carry out this Act,
the local coordinating entity shall prepare and submit to the
Secretary a management plan for the Heritage Area.
(b) Contents.--The management plan for the Heritage Area
shall--
[[Page S4944]]
(1) include comprehensive policies, strategies, and
recommendations for the conservation, funding, management,
and development of the Heritage Area;
(2) take into consideration existing State and local plans;
(3) specify the existing and potential sources of funding
to protect, manage, and develop the Heritage Area;
(4) include an inventory of the natural, historic,
cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of
the Heritage Area relating to the themes of the Heritage Area
that should be preserved, restored, managed, developed, or
maintained; and
(5) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, ways
in which Federal, State, and local programs, may best be
coordinated to further the purposes of this Act, including
recommendations for the role of the National Park Service in
the Heritage Area.
(c) Disqualification From Funding.--If a proposed
management plan is not submitted to the Secretary by the date
that is 3 years after the date on which funds are first made
available to carry out this Act, the local coordinating
entity may not receive additional funding under this Act
until the date on which the Secretary receives the proposed
management plan.
(d) Approval and Disapproval of Management Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the local coordinating entity submits the management
plan to the Secretary, the Secretary shall approve or
disapprove the proposed management plan.
(2) Considerations.--In determining whether to approve or
disapprove the management plan, the Secretary shall consider
whether--
(A) the local coordinating entity is representative of the
diverse interests of the Heritage Area, including
governments, natural and historic resource protection
organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and
recreational organizations;
(B) the local coordinating entity has provided adequate
opportunities (including public meetings) for public and
governmental involvement in the preparation of the management
plan;
(C) the resource protection and interpretation strategies
contained in the management plan, if implemented, would
adequately protect the natural, historic, and cultural
resources of the Heritage Area; and
(D) the management plan is supported by the appropriate
State and local officials, the cooperation of which is needed
to ensure the effective implementation of the State and local
aspects of the management plan.
(3) Disapproval and revisions.--
(A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves a proposed
management plan, the Secretary shall--
(i) advise the local coordinating entity, in writing, of
the reasons for the disapproval; and
(ii) make recommendations for revision of the proposed
management plan.
(B) Approval or disapproval.--The Secretary shall approve
or disapprove a revised management plan not later than 180
days after the date on which the revised management plan is
submitted.
(e) Approval of Amendments.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall review and approve or
disapprove substantial amendments to the management plan in
accordance with subsection (d).
(2) Funding.--Funds appropriated under this Act may not be
expended to implement any changes made by an amendment to the
management plan until the Secretary approves the amendment.
SEC. 6. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.
(a) In General.--Nothing in this Act affects the authority
of a Federal agency to provide technical or financial
assistance under any other law.
(b) Consultation and Coordination.--The head of any Federal
agency planning to conduct activities that may have an impact
on the Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and coordinate
the activities with the Secretary and the local coordinating
entity to the extent practicable.
(c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this Act--
(1) modifies, alters, or amends any law or regulation
authorizing a Federal agency to manage Federal land under the
jurisdiction of the Federal agency;
(2) limits the discretion of a Federal land manager to
implement an approved land use plan within the boundaries of
the Heritage Area; or
(3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of
Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.
SEC. 7. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.
Nothing in this Act--
(1) abridges the rights of any property owner (whether
public or private), including the right to refrain from
participating in any plan, project, program, or activity
conducted within the Heritage Area;
(2) requires any property owner to permit public access
(including access by Federal, State, or local agencies) to
the property of the property owner, or to modify public
access or use of property of the property owner under any
other Federal, State, or local law;
(3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved
land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal,
State, or local agency, or conveys any land use or other
regulatory authority to the local coordinating entity;
(4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation
of water or water rights;
(5) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish
and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting
within the Heritage Area; or
(6) creates any liability, or affects any liability under
any other law, of any private property owner with respect to
any person injured on the private property.
SEC. 8. EVALUATION; REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years before the date on
which authority for Federal funding terminates for the
Heritage Area, the Secretary shall--
(1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the
Heritage Area; and
(2) prepare a report in accordance with subsection (c).
(b) Evaluation.--An evaluation conducted under subsection
(a)(1) shall--
(1) assess the progress of the local coordinating entity
with respect to--
(A) accomplishing the purposes of this Act for the Heritage
Area; and
(B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved
management plan for the Heritage Area;
(2) analyze the Federal, State, local, and private
investments in the Heritage Area to determine the leverage
and impact of the investments; and
(3) review the management structure, partnership
relationships, and funding of the Heritage Area for purposes
of identifying the critical components for sustainability of
the Heritage Area.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Based on the evaluation conducted under
subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall prepare a report that
includes recommendations for the future role of the National
Park Service, if any, with respect to the Heritage Area.
(2) Required analysis.--If the report prepared under
paragraph (1) recommends that Federal funding for the
Heritage Area be reauthorized, the report shall include an
analysis of--
(A) ways in which Federal funding for the Heritage Area may
be reduced or eliminated; and
(B) the appropriate time period necessary to achieve the
recommended reduction or elimination.
(3) Submission to congress.--On completion of the report,
the Secretary shall submit the report to--
(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this Act $10,000,000, of which not more than
$1,000,000 may be authorized to be appropriated for any
fiscal year.
(b) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--The Federal share of the
cost of any activity carried out using funds made available
under this Act shall be not more than 50 percent.
SEC. 10. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.
The authority of the Secretary to provide financial
assistance under this Act terminates on the date that is 15
years after the date of enactment of this Act.
______
By Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. King, and Mr. Sullivan):
S. 4460. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
waive certain eligibility requirements for a veteran to receive per
diem payments for domiciliary care at a State home, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the State
Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act. This bill would
address a current gap in care for veterans in Maine living with early-
stage dementia. Specifically, it would ensure that the VA can waive
certain eligibility requirements to allow veterans with early-stage
dementia to be cared for in State veterans' homes when it is in the
best interest of the veteran.
In Maine, we lead the way in caring for our veterans. For more than
40 years, Maine Veterans' Homes has been a vital part of our State's
commitment to our heroes. My father, Donald Collins, a decorated World
War II veteran, was cared for by the Veterans' Home in Caribou at the
end of his life, so I know firsthand the compassion and care that Maine
Veterans' Homes provide. In the land of the free, Maine Veterans' Homes
help ensure that there will always be a home for the brave when they
need care.
As chairman of the Senate Aging Committee and representing the oldest
State by median age in the country, I have championed policies to help
individuals living with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, as well
as America's hidden heroes--our military and veteran caregivers. I
cofounded the Senate Alzheimer's Task Force in recognition of the
devastating impact
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that disease has on individuals and families.
Our Nation owes America's veterans our deepest gratitude. We must
honor our commitment to veterans by continuing to support their needs,
including the needs of veterans who are living with early-stage
dementia.
The State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act would
require VA to implement a waiver authority, allowing the VA to grant
domiciliary care per diem payments for veterans who meet at least half
of the VA's current eligibility requirements and if such a waiver would
be in that veterans' best interest. This will provide the flexibility
to ensure this vulnerable group of veterans do not fall through the
cracks and that VA can help address the growing needs for assistance
for these patients.
Mr. President, this legislation has the support of Melissa Jackson,
the president of the National Association of State Veterans Homes, as
well as Kelley Kash, CEO of Maine Veterans' Homes, and I urge all of my
colleagues to join me in honoring and supporting some of our Nation's
most vulnerable veterans by supporting its passage.
____________________