[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)

[[Page S4943]]

     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

[[Page S4945]]

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.

                          ____________________