[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7601-7609]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. DOMENICI (for himself, Mr. Bingaman, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. 
        Bennett, and Mr. Johnson):
  S. 895. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a 
rural water supply program in the Reclamation States to provide a 
clear, safe affordable, and reliable water supply to rural residents; 
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, in the 1746 Poor Richard's Almanac, 
Benjamin Franklin wrote, ``When the well is dry, we learn the worth of 
water.'' Nowhere is the bottom of the well approaching more quickly 
than in western United States. Nearly depleted aquifers and 
deteriorated infrastructure on which our small and rural communities 
rely coupled with their inability to raise large amounts of capital to 
afford water infrastructure has resulted in substantial want. When the 
water dries up, so will many of our communities. As such, the scarcity 
of water in rural western communities is a dire situation.
  An article appearing on April 15, 2005 in the Wall Street Journal 
elucidates the breadth of our Nation's water infrastructure need. The 
article states that most water infrastructure and water treatment 
plants in the U.S. are more than 50 years old and, in many cases, are 
more than 100 years old. The huge capital outlays needed to 
rehabilitate this aging and, in many cases, deteriorated infrastructure 
far exceeds the ability of many rural communities to pay. Neither can 
these communities accommodate the costs in their rate structures nor 
are the necessary capital outlays within their bonding capacity. 
Exacerbating this problem is that, in many western states such as my 
home state of New Mexico, ground water supplies for which many 
communities have relied on for water are nearly depleted. In many 
cases, the only practicable alternative for providing water to these 
communities is to build public works projects to transport water from 
other sources. This, too, requires large sums of money which rural and 
small communities can ill-afford.
  Today, I rise to introduce the Rural Water Supply Act of 2005. This 
bill would begin the process of providing for the essential water needs 
of rural

[[Page 7602]]

communities in the western United States. It establishes a federal loan 
guarantee program within the Bureau of Reclamation that would allow 
rural communities to obtain loans at interest rates far lower than had 
the loans not been guaranteed by the Federal Government. This allows 
rural communities access to the large sums of money required to 
construct water infrastructure while recognizing the significant demand 
on the Bureau's budget. The bill also expedites the appraisal and 
feasibility studies which allow these communities to assess how best to 
address their water supply needs and act accordingly. At present, rural 
communities have to wait for Congress to direct the Bureau of 
Reclamation to proceed with appraisal and feasibility studies. This 
bill expedites the appraisal and feasibility level process by requiring 
that, upon request of the community, the Bureau perform a study, 
provide funds to a rural water community to perform them, or accept and 
review studies undertaken independently by a community. This bill will 
provide much needed assistance to struggling communities.
  I would like to thank Senator Bingaman, the ranking member of the 
Committee of Energy and Natural Resources who I have had the great 
pleasure of serving with for over two decades for being an original co-
sponsor of this bill. In addition, I very much appreciate the 
willingness of the Bureau of Reclamation to work with my staff on this 
important matter.
  Preserving our rural communities in the west requires that we address 
this instantly and vigorously. The U.S. Congress cannot sit idly by as 
water shortages cause death to our rural communities. I assure you that 
this bill will receive prompt consideration in the Energy and Natural 
Resources Committee and it is my sincere hope that the Senate will give 
this legislation its every consideration.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 895

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Rural 
     Water Supply Act of 2005''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1 Short title; table of contents.

          TITLE I--RECLAMATION RURAL WATER SUPPLY ACT OF 2005

Sec. 101 Short title.
Sec. 102 Definitions.
Sec. 103 Rural water supply program.
Sec. 104 Rural water programs assessment.
Sec. 105 Appraisal investigations.
Sec. 106 Feasibility studies.
Sec. 107 Miscellaneous.
Sec. 108 Authorization of appropriations.

             TITLE II--TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WATER WORKS ACT

Sec. 201 Short title.
Sec. 202 Definitions.
Sec. 203 Project eligibility.
Sec. 204 Loan guarantees.
Sec. 205 Operations, maintenance, and replacement costs.
Sec. 206 Title to newly constructed facilities.
Sec. 207 Water rights.
Sec. 208 Interagency coordination and cooperation.
Sec. 209 Authorization of appropriations.

          TITLE I--RECLAMATION RURAL WATER SUPPLY ACT OF 2005

     SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Reclamation Rural Water 
     Supply Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Federal reclamation law.--The term ``Federal 
     reclamation law'' means the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 
     388, chapter 1093), and Acts supplemental to and amendatory 
     of that Act (43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.).
       (2) Indian.--The term ``Indian'' means an individual who is 
     a member of an Indian tribe.
       (3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
       (4) Non-federal project entity.--The term ``non-Federal 
     project entity'' means a State, regional, or local authority, 
     Indian tribe or tribal organization, or other qualifying 
     entity, such as a water conservation district, water 
     conservancy district, or rural water district or association.
       (5) Operations, maintenance, and replacement costs.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``operations, maintenance, and 
     replacement costs'' means all costs for the operation of a 
     rural water supply project that are necessary for the safe, 
     efficient, and continued functioning of the project to 
     produce the benefits described in a feasibility study.
       (B) Inclusions.--The term ``operations, maintenance, and 
     replacement costs'' includes--
       (i) repairs of a routine nature that maintain a rural water 
     supply project in a well kept condition;
       (ii) replacement of worn-out project elements; and
       (iii) rehabilitation activities necessary to bring a 
     deteriorated project back to the original condition of the 
     project.
       (C) Exclusion.--The term ``operations, maintenance, and 
     replacement costs'' does not include construction costs.
       (6) Program.--The term ``program'' means the rural water 
     supply program established under section 103.
       (7) Reclamation states.--The term ``reclamation States'' 
     means the States and areas referred to in the first section 
     of the Act of June 17, 1902 (43 U.S.C. 391).
       (8) Rural water supply project.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``rural water supply project'' 
     means a project that is designed to serve a group of 
     communities, which may include Indian tribes and tribal 
     organizations, dispersed homesites, or rural areas with 
     domestic, industrial, municipal, and residential water, each 
     of which has a population of not more than 50,000 
     inhabitants.
       (B) Inclusion.--The term ``rural water supply project'' 
     includes--
       (i) incidental noncommercial livestock watering and 
     noncommercial irrigation of vegetation and small gardens of 
     less than 1 acre; and
       (ii) a project to improve rural water infrastructure, 
     including--

       (I) pumps, pipes, wells, and other diversions;
       (II) storage tanks and small impoundments;
       (III) water treatment facilities for potable water 
     supplies;
       (IV) equipment and management tools for water conservation, 
     groundwater recovery, and water recycling; and
       (V) appurtenances.

       (C) Exclusion.--The term ``rural water supply project'' 
     does not include--
       (i) commercial irrigation; or
       (ii) major impoundment structures.
       (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (10) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal organization'' 
     means--
       (A) the recognized governing body of an Indian tribe; and
       (B) any legally established organization of Indians that is 
     controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by the governing body or 
     democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian 
     community to be served by the organization.

     SEC. 103. RURAL WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, in cooperation with non-
     Federal project entities and consistent with this title, 
     shall establish and carry out a rural water supply program in 
     reclamation States to--
       (1) investigate and identify opportunities to ensure safe 
     and adequate rural water supply projects for municipal and 
     industrial use in small communities and rural areas of the 
     reclamation States; and
       (2) plan the design and construction, through the conduct 
     of appraisal investigations and feasibility studies, of rural 
     water supply projects in reclamation States.
       (b) Non-Federal Project Entity.--Any activity carried out 
     under this title shall be carried out in cooperation with a 
     qualifying non-Federal project entity, consistent with this 
     title.
       (c) Eligibility Criteria.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, 
     consistent with this title, develop and publish in the 
     Federal Register criteria for--
       (1) determining the eligibility of a rural community for 
     assistance under the program; and
       (2) prioritizing requests for assistance under the program.
       (d) Factors.--The criteria developed under subsection (c) 
     shall take into account such factors as whether--
       (1) a rural water supply project--
       (A) serves--
       (i) rural areas and small communities; or
       (ii) Indian tribes; or
       (B) promotes and applies a regional or watershed 
     perspective to water resources management;
       (2) there is an urgent and compelling need for a rural 
     water supply project that would--
       (A) improve the health or aesthetic quality of water;
       (B) result in continuous, measurable, and significant water 
     quality benefits; or
       (C) address current or future water supply needs;
       (3) a rural water supply project helps meet applicable 
     requirements established by law; and
       (4) a rural water supply project is cost effective.
       (e) Inclusions.--The Secretary may include--

[[Page 7603]]

       (1) to the extent that connection provides a reliable water 
     supply, a connection to preexisting infrastructure (including 
     dams and conveyance channels) as part of a rural water supply 
     project; and
       (2) notwithstanding the limitation in section 102(8), a 
     town or community with a population in excess of 50,000 
     inhabitants in an area served by a rural water supply project 
     if, at the discretion of the Secretary, the town or community 
     is considered to be a critical partner in the rural supply 
     project.

     SEC. 104. RURAL WATER PROGRAMS ASSESSMENT.

       (a) In General.--In consultation with the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental 
     Protection Agency, and the Director of the Indian Health 
     Service, the Secretary shall develop an assessment of--
       (1) the status of all rural water supply projects under the 
     jurisdiction of the Secretary authorized but not completed 
     prior to the date of enactment of this Act, including 
     appropriation amounts, the phase of development, total 
     anticipated costs, and obstacles to completion;
       (2) the current plan (including projected financial and 
     workforce requirements) for the completion of the rural water 
     supply projects within the time frames established under the 
     provisions of law authorizing the projects or the final 
     engineering reports for the projects;
       (3) the demand for rural water supply projects;
       (4) programs within other agencies that can, and a 
     description of the extent to which the programs, provide 
     support for rural water supply projects and water treatment 
     programs in reclamation States, including an assessment of 
     the requirements, funding levels, and conditions for 
     eligibility for the programs assessed; and
       (5) the extent of the unmet needs that the Secretary can 
     meet with the program that complements activities undertaken 
     under the authorities already within the jurisdiction of the 
     Secretary and the heads of the agencies with whom the 
     Secretary consults.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and 
     the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a 
     detailed report on the assessment conducted under subsection 
     (a).

     SEC. 105. APPRAISAL INVESTIGATIONS.

       (a) In General.--On request of a non-Federal project entity 
     with respect to a proposed rural water supply project that 
     meets the eligibility criteria published under section 103(c) 
     and subject to the availability of appropriations, the 
     Secretary may--
       (1) receive and review an appraisal investigation that is--
       (A) developed by the non-Federal project entity independent 
     of support from the Secretary; and
       (B) submitted to the Secretary by the non-Federal project 
     entity;
       (2) conduct an appraisal investigation; or
       (3) provide a grant to, or enter into a cooperative 
     agreement with, the non-Federal project entity to conduct an 
     appraisal investigation, if the Secretary determines that--
       (A) the non-Federal project entity is qualified to complete 
     the appraisal investigation in accordance with the criteria 
     published under section 103(c); and
       (B) using the non-Federal project entity to conduct the 
     appraisal investigation is the lowest cost alternative for 
     completing the appraisal investigation.
       (b) Deadline.--An appraisal investigation conducted under 
     subsection (a) shall be scheduled for completion not later 
     than 2 years after the date on which the appraisal 
     investigation is initiated.
       (c) Appraisal Report.--As soon as practicable after an 
     appraisal investigation is submitted to the Secretary under 
     subsection (a)(1) or completed under paragraph (2) or (3) of 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall prepare an appraisal 
     report that--
       (1) considers--
       (A) whether the project meets--
       (i) the appraisal criteria developed under subsection (d); 
     and
       (ii) the eligibility criteria developed under section 
     103(c);
       (B) whether viable water supplies and water rights exist to 
     supply the project, including all practicable water sources 
     such as lower quality waters, nonpotable waters, and water 
     reuse-based water supplies;
       (C) whether the project has a positive effect on public 
     health and safety;
       (D) whether the project will meet water demand, including 
     projected future needs;
       (E) the extent to which the project provides environmental 
     benefits, including source water protection;
       (F) the ability of the project to supply water consistent 
     with Indian trust responsibilities, as appropriate;
       (G) whether the project applies a regional or watershed 
     perspective and promotes benefits in the region in which the 
     project is carried out;
       (H) whether the project--
       (i)(I) implements an integrated resources management 
     approach; or
       (II) enhances water management flexibility, including 
     providing for--

       (aa) local control to manage water supplies under varying 
     water supply conditions; and
       (bb) participation in water banking and markets for 
     domestic and environmental purposes; and

       (ii) promotes long-term protection of water supplies;
       (I) preliminary cost estimates for the project; and
       (J) whether the non-Federal project entity has the 
     capability to pay 100 percent of the costs associated with 
     the operations, maintenance, and replacement of the 
     facilities constructed or developed as part of the rural 
     water supply project; and
       (2) provides recommendations on whether a feasibility study 
     should be initiated under section 106(a).
       (d) Appraisal Criteria.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate 
     criteria (including appraisal factors listed under subsection 
     (c)) against which the appraisal investigations shall be 
     assessed for completeness and appropriateness for a 
     feasibility study.
       (2) Inclusions.--To minimize the cost of a rural water 
     supply project to a non-Federal project entity, the Secretary 
     shall include in the criteria methods to scale the level of 
     effort needed to complete the appraisal investigation 
     relative to the total size and cost of the proposed rural 
     water supply project.
       (e) Review of Appraisal Investigation.--Not later than 180 
     days after the date of submission of an appraisal 
     investigation under subsection (a)(1) or the completion of an 
     appraisal investigation under paragraph (2) or (3) of 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
       (1) with respect to an appraisal investigation conducted by 
     a non-Federal project entity under subsection (a)(1), provide 
     to the non-Federal entity an evaluation of whether the 
     appraisal investigation satisfies the criteria promulgated 
     under subsection (d);
       (2) make available to the public, on request, the results 
     of each appraisal investigation conducted under this title; 
     and
       (3) promptly publish in the Federal Register a notice of 
     the availability of the results.
       (f) Costs.--
       (1) Federal share.--The Federal share of an appraisal 
     investigation conducted under subsection (a) shall be 100 
     percent of the total cost of the appraisal investigation, up 
     to $200,000.
       (2) Non-federal share.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if 
     the cost of conducting an appraisal investigation is more 
     than $200,000, the non-Federal share of the costs in excess 
     of $200,000 shall be 50 percent.
       (B) Exception.--The Secretary may reduce the non-Federal 
     share required under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary 
     determines that there is an overwhelming Federal interest in 
     the appraisal investigation.
       (g) Consultation; Identification of Funding Sources.--In 
     conducting an appraisal investigation under subsection 
     (a)(2), the Secretary shall--
       (1) consult and cooperate with the non-Federal project 
     entity and appropriate State, tribal, regional, and local 
     authorities;
       (2) consult with the heads of appropriate Federal agencies 
     to--
       (A) ensure that the proposed rural water supply project 
     does not duplicate a project carried out under the authority 
     of the agency head; and
       (B) if a duplicate project is being carried out, identify 
     the authority under which the duplicate project is being 
     carried out; and
       (3) identify what funding sources are available for the 
     proposed rural water supply project.

     SEC. 106. FEASIBILITY STUDIES.

       (a) In General.--On completion of an appraisal report under 
     section 105(c) that recommends undertaking a feasibility 
     study and subject to the availability of appropriations, the 
     Secretary shall--
       (1) in cooperation with a non-Federal project entity, carry 
     out a study to determine the feasibility of the proposed 
     rural water supply project;
       (2) receive and review a feasibility study that is--
       (A) developed by the non-Federal project entity independent 
     of support from the Secretary; and
       (B) submitted to the Secretary by the non-Federal project 
     entity; or
       (3) provide a grant to, or enter into a cooperative 
     agreement with, a non-Federal project entity to conduct a 
     feasibility study, for submission to the Secretary, if the 
     Secretary determines that--
       (A) the non-Federal entity is qualified to complete the 
     feasibility study in accordance with the criteria promulgated 
     under subsection (d); and
       (B) using the non-Federal project entity to conduct the 
     feasibility study is the lowest cost alternative for 
     completing the appraisal investigation.
       (b) Review of Non-Federal Feasibility Studies.--
       (1) In general.--In conducting a review of a feasibility 
     study submitted under paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (a), 
     the Secretary shall--
       (A) in accordance with the feasibility factors described in 
     subsection (c) and the criteria promulgated under subsection 
     (d), assess the completeness of the feasibility study; and

[[Page 7604]]

       (B) if the Secretary determines that a feasibility study is 
     not complete, notify the non-Federal entity of the 
     determination.
       (2) Revisions.--If the Secretary determines under paragraph 
     (1)(B) that a feasibility study is not complete, the non-
     Federal entity shall pay any costs associated with revising 
     the feasibility study.
       (c) Feasibility Factors.--Feasibility studies authorized or 
     reviewed under this title shall include an assessment of--
       (1) near- and long-term water demand in the region to be 
     served by the rural water supply project;
       (2) advancement of public health and safety of any existing 
     rural water supply project and other benefits of the proposed 
     rural water supply project;
       (3) alternative new water supplies in the study area, 
     including any opportunities to treat and use low-quality 
     water, nonpotable water, water reuse-based supplies, and 
     brackish and saline waters through innovative and 
     economically viable treatment technologies;
       (4) environmental quality and source water protection 
     issues related to the rural water supply project;
       (5) innovative opportunities for water conservation in the 
     study area to reduce water use and water system costs, 
     including--
       (A) nonstructural approaches to reduce the need for the 
     project; and
       (B) demonstration technologies;
       (6) the extent to which the project and alternatives take 
     advantage of economic incentives and the use of market-based 
     mechanisms;
       (7)(A) the construction costs and projected operations, 
     maintenance, and replacement costs of all alternatives; and
       (B) the economic feasibility and lowest cost method of 
     obtaining the desired results of each alternative, taking 
     into account the Federal cost-share;
       (8) the availability of guaranteed loans for a proposed 
     rural water supply project;
       (9) the financial capability of the non-Federal project 
     entity to pay the non-Federal project entity's proportionate 
     share of the design and construction costs and 100 percent of 
     operations, maintenance, and replacement costs, including the 
     allocation of costs to each non-Federal project entity in the 
     case of multiple entities;
       (10) whether the non-Federal project entity has developed 
     an operations, management, and replacement plan to assist the 
     non-Federal project entity in establishing rates and fees for 
     beneficiaries of the rural water supply project;
       (11)(A) the non-Federal project entity administrative 
     organization that would implement construction, operations, 
     maintenance, and replacement activities; and
       (B) the fiscal, administrative, and operational controls to 
     be implemented to manage the project;
       (12) the extent to which the project addresses Indian trust 
     responsibilities, as appropriate;
       (13) the extent to which assistance for rural water supply 
     is available under other Federal authorities;
       (14) the engineering, environmental, and economic 
     activities to be undertaken to carry out the study;
       (15) the extent to which the project involves partnerships 
     with other State, local, or tribal governments or Federal 
     entities; and
       (16) in the case of a project intended for Indian tribes 
     and tribal organizations, the extent to which the project 
     addresses the goal of economic self-sufficiency.
       (d) Feasibility Study Criteria.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate 
     criteria (including the feasibility factors listed under 
     subsection (c)) under which the feasibility studies shall be 
     assessed for completeness and appropriateness.
       (2) Inclusions.--The Secretary shall include in the 
     criteria promulgated under paragraph (1) methods to scale the 
     level of effort needed to complete the feasibility assessment 
     relative to the total size and cost of the proposed rural 
     water supply project and reduce total costs to non-Federal 
     entities.
       (e) Feasibility Report.--
       (1) In general.--After completion of appropriate 
     feasibility studies for rural water supply projects that 
     address the factors described in subsection (c) and the 
     criteria promulgated under subsection (d), the Secretary 
     shall--
       (A) develop a feasibility report that includes--
       (i) a recommendation of the Secretary on--

       (I) whether the rural water supply project should be 
     authorized for construction; and
       (II) the appropriate non-Federal share of construction 
     costs, which shall be--

       (aa) at least 25 percent of the total construction costs; 
     and
       (bb) determined based on an analysis of the capability-to-
     pay information considered under subsections (c)(9) and (f); 
     and
       (ii) if the Secretary recommends that the project should be 
     authorized for construction--

       (I) what amount of grants, loan guarantees, or combination 
     of grants and loan guarantees should be used to provide the 
     Federal cost share;
       (II) a schedule that identifies the annual operations, 
     maintenance, and replacement costs that should be allocated 
     to each non-Federal entity participating in the rural water 
     supply project; and
       (III) an assessment of the financial capability of each 
     non-Federal entity participating in the rural water supply 
     project to pay the allocated annual operation, maintenance, 
     and replacement costs for the rural water supply project;

       (B) submit the report to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Resources of the House of Representatives;
       (C) make the report publicly available, along with 
     associated study documents; and
       (D) publish in the Federal Register a notice of the 
     availability of the results.
       (f) Capability-To-Pay.--
       (1) In general.--In evaluating a proposed rural water 
     supply project under this section, the Secretary shall--
       (A) consider the financial capability of any non-Federal 
     project entities participating in the rural water supply 
     project to pay the capital construction costs of the rural 
     water supply project; and
       (B) recommend an appropriate Federal share and non-Federal 
     share of the capital construction costs, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       (2) Factors.--In determining the financial capability of 
     non-Federal project entities to pay for a rural water supply 
     project under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall evaluate 
     factors for the project area, relative to the State and 
     county average, including--
       (A) per capita income;
       (B) median household income;
       (C) the poverty rate;
       (D) the ability of the non-Federal project entity to raise 
     tax revenues or assess fees;
       (E) the strength of the balance sheet of the non-Federal 
     project entity; and
       (F) the existing cost of water in the region.
       (3) Indian tribes.--In determining the capability-to-pay of 
     Indian tribe project beneficiaries, the Secretary may 
     consider deferring the collection of all or part of the non-
     Federal construction costs apportioned to Indian tribe 
     project beneficiaries unless or until the Secretary 
     determines that the Indian tribe project beneficiaries should 
     pay--
       (A) the costs allocated to the beneficiaries; or
       (B) an appropriate portion of the costs.
       (g) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--
       (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     subsection, the Federal share of the cost of a feasibility 
     study carried out under this section shall not exceed 50 
     percent of the study costs.
       (2) Form.--The non-Federal share under paragraph (1) may be 
     in the form of any in-kind services that the Secretary 
     determines would contribute substantially toward the conduct 
     and completion of the study.
       (3) Financial hardship.--The Secretary may increase the 
     Federal share of the costs of a feasibility study if the 
     Secretary determines, based on a demonstration of financial 
     hardship, that the non-Federal participant is unable to 
     contribute at least 50 percent of the costs of the study.
       (4) Larger communities.--In conducting a feasibility study 
     of a rural water supply system that includes a community with 
     a population in excess of 50,000 inhabitants, the Secretary 
     may require the community to pay a greater percentage of the 
     non-Federal share than that required for communities with 
     less than 50,000 inhabitants.
       (h) Consultation and Cooperation.--In addition to the non-
     Federal project entity, the Secretary shall consult and 
     cooperate with appropriate Federal, State, tribal, regional, 
     and local authorities during the conduct of each feasibility 
     assessment and development of the feasibility report 
     conducted under this title.

     SEC. 107. MISCELLANEOUS.

       (a) Authority of Secretary.--The Secretary may enter into 
     contracts, financial assistance agreements, and such other 
     agreements, and promulgate such regulations, as are necessary 
     to carry out this title.
       (b) Transfer of Projects.--Nothing in this title authorizes 
     the transfer of pre-existing facilities or pre-existing 
     components of any water system from Federal to private 
     ownership or from private to Federal ownership.
       (c) Federal Reclamation Law.--Nothing in this title 
     supersedes or amends any Federal law associated with a 
     project, or portion of a project, constructed under Federal 
     reclamation law.
       (d) Interagency Coordination.--The Secretary shall 
     coordinate the program carried out under this title with 
     existing Federal and State rural water and wastewater 
     programs to facilitate the most efficient and effective 
     solution to meeting the water needs of the non-Federal 
     project sponsors.
       (e) Multiple Indian Tribes.--In any case in which a 
     contract is entered into with, or a grant is made, to an 
     organization to perform services benefitting more than 1 
     Indian tribe under this title, the approval of each such 
     Indian tribe shall be a prerequisite to entering into the 
     contract or making the grant.
       (f) Ownership of Facilities.--Title to any facility 
     planned, designed, and recommended for construction under 
     this title is intended to be held by the non-Federal project 
     entity.

[[Page 7605]]

       (g) Effect on State Water Law.--
       (1) In general.--Nothing in this title preempts or affects 
     State water law or an interstate compact governing water.
       (2) Compliance required.--The Secretary shall comply with 
     State water laws in carrying out this title.
       (h) No Additional Requirements.--Nothing in this title 
     requires a feasibility study for, or imposes any other 
     additional requirements with respect to, rural water supply 
     projects or programs that are authorized before the date of 
     enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 108. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this title $20,000,000 for the period of fiscal 
     years 2006 through 2015, to remain available until expended.
       (b) Rural Water Programs Assessment.--Of the amounts made 
     available under subsection (a), not more than $1,000,000 may 
     be made available to carry out section 104 for each of fiscal 
     years 2006 and 2007.
       (c) Limitation.--No amounts made available under this 
     section shall be used to pay construction costs associated 
     with any rural water supply project.

             TITLE II--TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WATER WORKS ACT

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Twenty-First Century Water 
     Works Act''.

     SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
       (2) Lender.--The term ``lender'' means any non-Federal 
     qualified institutional buyer (as defined in section 
     230.144A(a) of title 17, Code of Federal Regulation (or any 
     successor regulation), known as Rule 144A(a) of the 
     Securities and Exchange Commission and issued under the 
     Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.)).
       (3) Loan guarantee.--The term ``loan guarantee'' means any 
     guarantee, insurance, or other pledge by the Secretary to pay 
     all or part of the principal of, and interest on, a loan or 
     other debt obligation of a non-Federal borrower to a lender.
       (4) Non-federal borrower.--The term ``non-Federal 
     borrower'' means--
       (A) a State (including a department, agency, or political 
     subdivision of a State); or
       (B) a conservancy district, irrigation district, canal 
     company, water users' association, Indian tribe, an agency 
     created by interstate compact, or any other entity that has 
     the capacity to contract with the United States under Federal 
     reclamation law.
       (5) Project.--The term ``project'' means--
       (A) a rural water supply project (as defined in section 
     102(8)); or
       (B) an extraordinary operation and maintenance activity 
     for, or the rehabilitation of, a facility--
       (i) that is authorized by Federal reclamation law and 
     constructed by the United States under such law; or
       (ii) in connection with which there is a repayment or water 
     service contract executed by the United States under Federal 
     reclamation law.
       (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 203. PROJECT ELIGIBILITY.

       (a) Eligibility Criteria.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and publish in 
     the Federal Register criteria for determining the eligibility 
     of a project for financial assistance under section 204.
       (2) Inclusions.--Eligibility criteria shall include--
       (A) submission of an application by the lender to the 
     Secretary;
       (B) demonstration of the creditworthiness of the project, 
     including a determination by the Secretary that any financing 
     for the project has appropriate security features to ensure 
     repayment;
       (C) demonstration by the non-Federal borrower, to the 
     satisfaction of the Secretary, of the ability of the non-
     Federal borrower to repay the project financing from user 
     fees or other dedicated revenue sources;
       (D) demonstration by the non-Federal borrower, to the 
     satisfaction of the Secretary, of the ability of the non-
     Federal borrower to pay all operations, maintenance, and 
     replacement costs of the project facilities; and
       (E) such other criteria as the Secretary determines to be 
     appropriate.
       (b) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive any of the criteria in 
     subsection (a)(2) that the Secretary determines to be 
     duplicative or rendered unnecessary because of an action 
     already taken by the United States.
       (c) Projects Previously Authorized.--A project that was 
     authorized for construction under Federal reclamation laws 
     prior to the date of enactment of this Act shall be eligible 
     for assistance under this title, subject to the criteria 
     established by the Secretary under subsection (a).
       (d) Criteria for Rural Water Supply Projects.--A rural 
     water supply project that is determined to be feasible under 
     section 106 is eligible for a loan guarantee under section 
     204.

     SEC. 204. LOAN GUARANTEES.

       (a) Authority.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Secretary may make available to lenders 
     for a project meeting the eligibility criteria established in 
     section 203 loan guarantees to supplement private-sector or 
     lender financing for the project.
       (b) Terms and Limitations.--
       (1) In general.--Loan guarantees under this section for a 
     project shall be on such terms and conditions and contain 
     such covenants, representations, warranties, and requirements 
     as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to protect the 
     financial interests of the United States.
       (2) Maximum amount.--The amount of a loan guarantee shall 
     not exceed 90 percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible 
     project costs.
       (3) Interest rate.--The interest rate on a loan guarantee 
     shall be negotiated between the non-Federal borrower and the 
     lender with the consent of the Secretary.
       (4) Amortization.--A loan guarantee under this section 
     shall provide for complete amortization of the loan guarantee 
     within not more than 40 years.
       (5) Non-subordination.--In case of bankruptcy, insolvency, 
     or liquidation of the non-Federal borrower, a loan guarantee 
     shall not be subordinated to the claims of any holder of 
     project obligations.
       (c) Prepayment and Refinancing.--Any prepayment or 
     refinancing terms on a loan guarantee shall be negotiated 
     between the non-Federal borrower and the lender with the 
     consent of the Secretary.

     SEC. 205. OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND REPLACEMENT COSTS.

       (a) In General.--The non-Federal share of operations, 
     maintenance, and replacement costs for a project receiving 
     Federal assistance under this title shall be 100 percent.
       (b) Plan.--On request of the non-Federal borrower, the 
     Secretary may assist in the development of an operation, 
     maintenance, and replacement plan to provide the necessary 
     framework to assist the non-Federal borrower in establishing 
     rates and fees for project beneficiaries.

     SEC. 206. TITLE TO NEWLY CONSTRUCTED FACILITIES.

       (a) New Projects and Facilities.--All new projects or 
     facilities constructed in accordance with this title shall 
     remain under the jurisdiction and control of the non-Federal 
     borrower subject to the terms of the repayment agreement.
       (b) Existing Projects and Facilities.--Nothing in this 
     title affects the title of--
       (1) reclamation projects authorized prior to the date of 
     enactment of this Act;
       (2) works supplemental to existing reclamation projects; or
       (3) works constructed to rehabilitate existing reclamation 
     projects.

     SEC. 207. WATER RIGHTS.

       (a) In General.--Nothing in this title preempts or affects 
     State water law or an interstate compact governing water.
       (b) Compliance Required.--The Secretary shall comply with 
     State water laws in carrying out this title. Nothing in this 
     title affects or preempts State water law or an interstate 
     compact governing water.

     SEC. 208. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION AND COOPERATION.

       The Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture shall enter 
     into a memorandum of agreement providing for Department of 
     Agriculture financial appraisal functions and loan guarantee 
     administration for activities carried out under this title.

     SEC. 209. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this title, to remain available until 
     expended.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. FEINGOLD:
  S. 896. A bill to modify the optional method of computing net 
earnings from self-employment; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to 
address an injustice in the Tax Code that is threatening family farmers 
and other self-employed individuals. Some of my constituents, primarily 
Wisconsin farmers, have requested Congress's assistance to correct the 
Tax Code so they can protect their families. The legislation I 
introduce today, the Farmer Tax Fairness Act of 2005, is similar to 
legislation I introduced last Congress and will solve the problem for 
today and into the future.
  Farming is vital to Wisconsin. Wisconsin's agricultural industry 
plays a large and important role in the growth and prosperity of the 
entire State. Wisconsin's status as ``America's Dairy-
land,'' is central to our State's agriculture industry. Wisconsin's 
dairy farmers produce approximately 23 billion pounds of milk and 25 
percent of the country's butter a year. But Wisconsin's farmers produce 
much more than milk; they also are national leaders in the production 
of cheese, potatoes, ginseng, cranberries, various processing 
vegetables, and many organic foods. So when the hard-working farmers of 
Wisconsin need help, I will do all I can to assist.

[[Page 7606]]

  One concern that I have heard from Wisconsin farmers is that the Tax 
Code can limit their eligibility for social safety net programs, 
including old age, survivors, and disability insurance, OASDI, under 
Social Security and the hospital insurance HI part of Medicare. These 
programs are paid for through payroll taxes on workers and through the 
self-employment tax on the income of self-employed individuals. To be 
eligible for OSADI and HI benefits an individual must be fully insured 
and must have earned a minimum amount of income in the years 
immediately preceding the need for coverage. Every year, the Social 
Security Administration, SSA, sets the amount of earned income that 
individuals must pay taxes on to earn quarters of coverage, QCs, and 
maintain their benefits. An individual's eligibility requirements 
depend upon the age at which death or disability occurs, but for 
workers over 31 years of age, they must have earned at least 20 QCs 
within the past 10 years.
  Self-employed individuals can have highly variable income, and, 
particularly for farmers who are at the whim of Mother Nature, not 
every year is a good year. During lean years, individuals may not earn 
enough income to maintain adequate coverage under OASDI and HI. 
Therefore, the Tax Code provides options to allow self-employed 
individuals to maintain eligibility for benefits. These options allow 
individuals to choose to pay taxes based on $1,600 of earned income, 
thus allowing self-employed entrepreneurs to maintain the same Federal 
protections even when their income varies.
  Unfortunately, both the options for farmers and nonfarmers--Social 
Security Act 211(a) and I.R.C. Sec. 1402(a)--have not kept pace with 
inflation, and they no longer provide security to families across the 
country. Decades ago, self-employment income of $1,600 earned an 
individual four QCs under SSA's calculations. In 2001, the amount 
needed to earn a QC rose to $830 of earned income, so individuals 
electing the optional methods were only able to earn one QC per year, 
making it much harder for them to remain eligible for benefits because 
they must average 2 QCs per year to be eligible.
  Congress's failure to address this problem threatens the ability of 
self-employed individuals to maintain eligibility for OASDI and HI. I 
have heard from several of my constituent who want these options to be 
fixed so they can make sure their families will be taken care of in the 
event that something unforeseen occurs.
  Therefore, I am introducing the Farmer Tax Fairness Act of 2005 in 
order to provide farmers and self-employed individuals with a fair 
choice. Under this bill, they will continue to be able to elect the 
optional method if they so choose. When individuals do elect the 
option, this legislation provides an update to the Tax Code so farmers 
and self-employed individuals can retain full eligibility for OASDI and 
HI benefits. It indexes the optional income levels to SSA's QC 
calculations, allowing these farmers and self-employed individuals to 
claim enough earned income to qualify for four OCs annually. In 
addition, by linking the earned income level to SSA's requirements for 
QCs, the bill will ensure that the amount of income deemed to be earned 
under the optional methods will not need to be adjusted by Congress 
again.
  Along with providing security to self-employed individuals and 
farmers across the country, this solution is fiscally responsible. It 
actually provides a short run increase in U.S. Treasury revenues while 
having negligible impact upon the Social Security trust fund in the 
long run.
  Let me take a moment to acknowledge the efforts of the Senator from 
Iowa, Mr. Grassley, to address this problem in the 107th Congress. As 
chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, he included similar 
legislative language in the chairman's mark for the Small Business and 
Farm Economic Recovery Act of 2002. The Senate Finance Committee held a 
markup on the legislation on September 19, 2002, but the changes to the 
optional methods did not become law.
  When incomes fall, the Tax Code provides optional methods for 
calculating net earnings to ensure that farmers and self-employed 
individuals maintain eligibility for social safety net programs. When 
these provisions were developed, Congress intended self-employed 
individuals to have the ability to pay enough to earn a full 4 QCs. 
Unfortunately the Tax Code has not kept up with the times and due to 
inflation many farmers are losing eligibility for some of Social 
Security's programs. Congress needs to provide security to farm 
families and other self-employed individuals. I urge my colleagues to 
support the Farmer Tax Fairness Act of 2005.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 896

       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 ``Farmer Tax Fairness Act of 
     2005''.

     SEC. 2. MODIFICATION TO OPTIONAL METHOD OF COMPUTING NET 
                   EARNINGS FROM SELF-EMPLOYMENT.

       (a) Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.--
       (1) In general.--The matter following paragraph (15) of 
     section 1402(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking ``$2,400'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``the upper limit'', and
       (B) by striking ``$1,600'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``the lower limit''.
       (2) Definitions.--Section 1402 of such Code is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(l) Upper and Lower Limits.--For purposes of subsection 
     (a)--
       ``(1) Lower limit.--The lower limit for any taxable year is 
     the sum of the amounts required under section 213(d) of the 
     Social Security Act for a quarter of coverage in effect with 
     respect to each calendar quarter ending with or within such 
     taxable year.
       ``(2) Upper limit.--The upper limit for any taxable year is 
     the amount equal to 150 percent of the lower limit for such 
     taxable year.''.
       (b) Amendments to the Social Security Act.--
       (1) In general.--The matter following paragraph (15) of 
     section 211(a) of the Social Security Act is amended--
       (A) by striking ``$2,400'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``the upper limit'', and
       (B) by striking ``$1,600'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``the lower limit''.
       (2) Definitions.--Section 211 of such Act is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:

                        ``Upper and Lower Limits

       ``(k) For purposes of subsection (a)--
       ``(1) The lower limit for any taxable year is the sum of 
     the amounts required under section 213(d) for a quarter of 
     coverage in effect with respect to each calendar quarter 
     ending with or within such taxable year.
       ``(2) The upper limit for any taxable year is the amount 
     equal to 150 percent of the lower limit for such taxable 
     year.''.
       (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 212 of such Act is 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (b), by striking ``For'' and inserting 
     ``Except as provided in subsection (c), for''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c) For the purpose of determining average indexed 
     monthly earnings, average monthly wage, and quarters of 
     coverage in the case of any individual who elects the option 
     described in clause (ii) or (iv) in the matter following 
     section 211(a)(15) for any taxable year that does not begin 
     with or during a particular calendar year and end with or 
     during such year, the self-employment income of such 
     individual deemed to be derived during such taxable year 
     shall be allocated to the two calendar years, portions of 
     which are included within such taxable year, in the same 
     proportion to the total of such deemed self-employment income 
     as the sum of the amounts applicable under section 213(d) for 
     the calendar quarters ending with or within each such 
     calendar year bears to the lower limit for such taxable year 
     specified in section 211(k)(1).''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. Grassley, and Mr. Baucus):
  S. 897. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify 
the calculation of the reserve allowance for medical benefits of plans 
sponsored by bona fide associations; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill to clarify 
the tax treatment of a narrow range of health plans sponsored by 
associations.

[[Page 7607]]

I am joined in this effort by my good friends and colleagues, the 
Chairman and the Ranking Democratic Member of the Finance Committee 
respectively, Senator Grassley and Senator Baucus.
  For many years, trade associations of small businesses have sponsored 
plans for their member companies to provide health care coverage to 
their employees. These plans have helped thousands of small businesses 
across the country control rising health care costs and keep 
administrative costs to a minimum.
  Unfortunately, final regulations issued by the Internal Revenue 
Service in 2003 concerning ``10-or-more'' employer health benefit plans 
that use the experience-rating method threaten to shut down the health 
plans of many associations. Essentially, these regulations state that 
health plans that utilize experience rating are not allowed to 
accumulate reserves, forcing them into the untenable position of either 
operating on a break-even basis or losing money.
  These regulations were not aimed directly at association health 
plans, but at certain other employer-provided benefits, such as life 
and disability insurance, where the IRS has found a pattern of abuse 
among some companies. However, the proposed implementation of the 
regulations make it impossible for an association to continue operating 
a health plan for the group's small business members, even where no 
abuse of the rules has occurred.
  For example, in my home State of Utah, at least one association of 
small businesses has already been negatively affected by these 
regulations. This association has dozens of small business members that 
are dependent upon the health plan the association has had in place for 
decades. Compliance with the regulations will very likely lead to 
increased costs for health coverage for the 1,300 employees and their 
2,200 dependents of these small businesses. If the trust is not able to 
properly reserve funds for the future, some of these businesses could 
be forced to drop out as premiums rise higher and higher and the plan 
is unable to offset those increases with the reserves.
  The legislation we are introducing today would correct this problem 
by providing that medical benefit plans of bona fide associations may 
have a reserve of up to 35 percent. This amount is designed to give 
association health plans the flexibility they need without raising the 
potential for abuse.
  In the face of rising health care costs, employers that offer health 
coverage to their employees are struggling to maintain these benefits, 
and those who do not offer coverage find the cost of providing this 
important advantage increasingly out of reach. With the recent 59 
percent spike in health care costs over the past five years, employers 
have had to resort to various cost-cutting moves in order to keep 
providing health care benefits. The IRS regulations affecting 10-or-
more employer health benefit plans could strike a devastating blow to 
many small businesses, forcing them to stop providing health care 
benefits altogether, or at least making the coverage more expensive 
and/or less available to employees.
  This legislation was developed with bipartisan support. It is 
noncontroversial. It corrects a problem created by a well-meaning 
regulation that inadvertently overreached its target. I urge all of my 
colleagues to help us correct this error and not allow medical benefit 
health plans offered by small business associations to be forced to 
shut down, leaving thousands of employees facing higher costs for 
medical coverage, or worse, no coverage at all.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 897

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. ALLOWANCE OF RESERVE FOR MEDICAL BENEFITS OF PLANS 
                   SPONSORED BY BONA FIDE ASSOCIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 419A(c) of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986 (relating to account limit) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) Additional reserve for medical benefits of bona fide 
     association plans.--
       ``(A) In general.--An applicable account limit for any 
     taxable year may include a reserve in an amount not to exceed 
     35 percent of the sum of--
       ``(i) the qualified direct costs, and
       ``(ii) the change in claims incurred, but unpaid, for such 
     taxable year with respect to medical benefits (other than 
     post-retirement medical benefits).
       ``(B) Applicable account limit.--For purposes of this 
     subsection, the term `applicable account limit' means an 
     account limit for a qualified asset account with respect to 
     medical benefits provided through a plan maintained by a bona 
     fide association (as defined in section 2791(d)(3) of the 
     Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-91(d)(3))''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section 
     shall apply to taxable years ending after December 31, 2004.

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleagues, 
Senators Hatch and Grassley, in introducing legislation that will allow 
associations to make health insurance available to employers without 
either wondering if the full premium is deductible, or holding minimal 
reserves.
  Across this country, many associations sponsor health insurance plans 
for member employers--plans that provide health coverage for thousands 
of working Americans. These arrangements allow smaller employers to get 
a better deal on insurance than they could on their own. As we struggle 
to improve the number of Americans who have health insurance coverage, 
we surely want to encourage an arrangement that provides cost-effective 
health benefits.
  In order to smooth the cost of these medical benefits, these plans 
often hold reserves that are more than is necessary to cover unpaid 
claims that have been incurred at the end of the year. We should 
encourage that practice. But current law discourages these plans from 
holding more than the bare minimum in reserve.
  The problem is that these plans use welfare trusts as a vehicle to 
fund the benefits. Under current law, if a state trade association 
sponsors a health welfare trust, and that trust does not charge every 
participant the same premium, then that plan may have to go back to 
employers after the end of the year and say ``Sorry. You can't deduct 
all of that premium we asked you to pay last year.'' Either that, or 
the association has to keep premiums low enough to avoid non-deductible 
contributions, and risk under-funding the benefits. That is not a good 
outcome.
  So we have a simple solution here. This bill allows these association 
health plans to maintain reserves of thirty-five percent of annual 
costs without jeopardizing the deductibility of employer contributions 
to the trust. With current technology, claims are usually processed in 
a matter of days, not months, so thirty-five percent of annual costs is 
more than is normally needed to cover unpaid claims at the end of the 
year. That will leave a cushion to cover adverse experience, and help 
smooth future premium fluctuations.
  This simple change will allow bona fide associations all over this 
country to not only continue providing health benefits, but to secure 
those benefits with adequate reserves. Plans like the State Bankers 
Association Group Benefits Trust that has been operating out of my home 
town of Helena, Montana, since 1978. This Trust provides health 
insurance to employees of banks in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. Forty-
nine Montana banks provide coverage for nearly 3,000 Montanans through 
this program.
  This bill is important to the employers and employees who get health 
insurance coverage through the State Bankers' trust, and the many other 
association health trusts in Montana and around the country. We 
encourage our colleagues to join us in helping associations continue to 
provide health benefits to tens of thousands of American workers and 
their families.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mrs. HUTCHISON (for herself, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Brownback, Mr. 
        Kennedy, and Mr. Cochran):
  S. 898. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a 
demonstration grant program to provide

[[Page 7608]]

patient navigator services to reduce barriers and improve health care 
outcomes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text 
of the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 898

       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 ``Patient Navigator Outreach 
     and Chronic Disease Prevention Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. PATIENT NAVIGATOR GRANTS.

       Subpart V of part D of title III of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 340A. PATIENT NAVIGATOR GRANTS.

       ``(a) Grants.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Administrator of the Health Resources and Services 
     Administration, may make grants to eligible entities for the 
     development and operation of demonstration programs to 
     provide patient navigator services to improve health care 
     outcomes. The Secretary shall coordinate with, and ensure the 
     participation of, the Indian Health Service, the National 
     Cancer Institute, the Office of Rural Health Policy, and such 
     other offices and agencies as deemed appropriate by the 
     Secretary, regarding the design and evaluation of the 
     demonstration programs.
       ``(b) Use of Funds.--The Secretary shall require each 
     recipient of a grant under this section to use the grant to 
     recruit, assign, train, and employ patient navigators who 
     have direct knowledge of the communities they serve to 
     facilitate the care of individuals, including by performing 
     each of the following duties:
       ``(1) Acting as contacts, including by assisting in the 
     coordination of health care services and provider referrals, 
     for individuals who are seeking prevention or early detection 
     services for, or who following a screening or early detection 
     service are found to have a symptom, abnormal finding, or 
     diagnosis of, cancer or other chronic disease.
       ``(2) Facilitating the involvement of community 
     organizations in assisting individuals who are at risk for or 
     who have cancer or other chronic diseases to receive better 
     access to high-quality health care services (such as by 
     creating partnerships with patient advocacy groups, 
     charities, health care centers, community hospice centers, 
     other health care providers, or other organizations in the 
     targeted community).
       ``(3) Notifying individuals of clinical trials and, on 
     request, facilitating enrollment of eligible individuals in 
     these trials.
       ``(4) Anticipating, identifying, and helping patients to 
     overcome barriers within the health care system to ensure 
     prompt diagnostic and treatment resolution of an abnormal 
     finding of cancer or other chronic disease.
       ``(5) Coordinating with the relevant health insurance 
     ombudsman programs to provide information to individuals who 
     are at risk for or who have cancer or other chronic diseases 
     about health coverage, including private insurance, health 
     care savings accounts, and other publicly funded programs 
     (such as Medicare, Medicaid, health programs operated by the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense, 
     the State children's health insurance program, and any 
     private or governmental prescription assistance programs).
       ``(6) Conducting ongoing outreach to health disparity 
     populations, including the uninsured, rural populations, and 
     other medically underserved populations, in addition to 
     assisting other individuals who are at risk for or who have 
     cancer or other chronic diseases to seek preventative care.
       ``(c) Prohibitions.--
       ``(1) Referral fees.--The Secretary shall require each 
     recipient of a grant under this section to prohibit any 
     patient navigator providing services under the grant from 
     accepting any referral fee, kickback, or other thing of value 
     in return for referring an individual to a particular health 
     care provider.
       ``(2) Legal fees and costs.--The Secretary shall prohibit 
     the use of any grant funds received under this section to pay 
     any fees or costs resulting from any litigation, arbitration, 
     mediation, or other proceeding to resolve a legal dispute.
       ``(d) Grant Period.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the 
     Secretary may award grants under this section for periods of 
     not more than 3 years.
       ``(2) Extensions.--Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary 
     may extend the period of a grant under this section. Each 
     such extension shall be for a period of not more than 1 year.
       ``(3) Limitations on grant period.--In carrying out this 
     section, the Secretary--
       ``(A) shall ensure that the total period of a grant does 
     not exceed 4 years; and
       ``(B) may not authorize any grant period ending after 
     September 30, 2010.
       ``(e) Application.--
       ``(1) In general.--To seek a grant under this section, an 
     eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary 
     in such form, in such manner, and containing such information 
     as the Secretary may require.
       ``(2) Contents.--At a minimum, the Secretary shall require 
     each such application to outline how the eligible entity will 
     establish baseline measures and benchmarks that meet the 
     Secretary's requirements to evaluate program outcomes.
       ``(f) Uniform Baseline Measures.--The Secretary shall 
     establish uniform baseline measures in order to properly 
     evaluate the impact of the demonstration projects under this 
     section.
       ``(g) Preference.--In making grants under this section, the 
     Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities that 
     demonstrate in their applications plans to utilize patient 
     navigator services to overcome significant barriers in order 
     to improve health care outcomes in their respective 
     communities.
       ``(h) Duplication of Services.--An eligible entity that is 
     receiving Federal funds for activities described in 
     subsection (b) on the date on which the entity submits an 
     application under subsection (e), may not receive a grant 
     under this section unless the entity can demonstrate that 
     amounts received under the grant will be utilized to expand 
     services or provide new services to individuals who would not 
     otherwise be served.
       ``(i) Coordination With Other Programs.--The Secretary 
     shall ensure coordination of the demonstration grant program 
     under this section with existing authorized programs in order 
     to facilitate access to high-quality health care services.
       ``(j) Study; Reports.--
       ``(1) Final report by secretary.--Not later than 6 months 
     after the completion of the demonstration grant program under 
     this section, the Secretary shall conduct a study of the 
     results of the program and submit to the Congress a report on 
     such results that includes the following:
       ``(A) An evaluation of the program outcomes, including--
       ``(i) quantitative analysis of baseline and benchmark 
     measures; and
       ``(ii) aggregate information about the patients served and 
     program activities.
       ``(B) Recommendations on whether patient navigator programs 
     could be used to improve patient outcomes in other public 
     health areas.
       ``(2) Reports by secretary.--The Secretary may provide 
     interim reports to the Congress on the demonstration grant 
     program under this section at such intervals as the Secretary 
     determines to be appropriate.
       ``(3) Interim reports by grantees.--The Secretary may 
     require grant recipients under this section to submit interim 
     and final reports on grant program outcomes.
       ``(k) Rule of Construction.--This section shall not be 
     construed to authorize funding for the delivery of health 
     care services (other than the patient navigator duties listed 
     in subsection (b)).
       ``(l) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `eligible entity' means a public or 
     nonprofit private health center (including a Federally 
     qualified health center (as that term is defined in section 
     1861(aa)(4) of the Social Security Act)), a health facility 
     operated by or pursuant to a contract with the Indian Health 
     Service, a hospital, a cancer center, a rural health clinic, 
     an academic health center, or a nonprofit entity that enters 
     into a partnership or coordinates referrals with such a 
     center, clinic, facility, or hospital to provide patient 
     navigator services.
       ``(2) The term `health disparity population' means a 
     population that, as determined by the Secretary, has a 
     significant disparity in the overall rate of disease 
     incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, or survival 
     rates as compared to the health status of the general 
     population.
       ``(3) The term `patient navigator' means an individual who 
     has completed a training program approved by the Secretary to 
     perform the duties listed in subsection (b).
       ``(m) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       ``(1) In general.--To carry out this section, there are 
     authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 
     2006, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $8,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2008, $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2009, and $3,500,000 
     for fiscal year 2010.
       ``(2) Availability.--The amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     paragraph (1) shall remain available for obligation through 
     the end of fiscal year 2010.''.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. BURNS:
  S. 899. A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey 
certain land in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Kootenai National Forests, 
Montana, to Jefferson County and Sanders County, Montana, for use as 
cemeteries and other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, this bill conveys 3.4 acres on the 
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest to Jefferson County, MT and 10 
acres on the Kootenai National Forest to Sanders County, MT for 
continued use as cemeteries.

[[Page 7609]]

  The Elkhorn Cemetery in Jefferson County has been used as a cemetery 
since the 1860's. Due to surveying errors and limited information when 
the National Forest boundaries were surveyed in the early 1900's, the 
cemetery was included as National Forest lands. The cemetery is still 
in use by local families who homesteaded and worked the mines in the 
area. However, Forest Service manual direction strongly discourages 
burials on National Forest lands, placing both the families and Forest 
Service in an awkward position.
  The Noxon Cemetery is part of a Kootenai National Forest 
administrative site that is currently for sale. The cemetery has been 
used since at least 1910 and contains over 300 graves. Sanders County 
wants to protect the cemetery from potential damage, and the Forest 
Service wants to remove the encumbrance of the cemetery from the 
administrative site sale or future Federal ownership.
  In both locations, it is clear the cemeteries should not have been 
included as part of the National Forest. The County Commissioners and 
the local public strongly support the conveyance.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 899

       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 ``Montana Cemetery Act of 
     2005''.

     SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE TO JEFFERSON COUNTY AND SANDERS COUNTY, 
                   MONTANA.

       (a) Conveyance.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act and subject to valid existing rights, 
     the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this Act as the 
     ``Secretary''), acting through the Chief of the Forest 
     Service, shall convey to Jefferson County, Montana, the 
     Elkhorn Cemetery and to Sanders County, Montana, the Noxon 
     Cemetery, for no consideration, all right, title, and 
     interest of the United States in and to the parcels of land 
     as described in subsection (b).
       (b) Description of Land.--The parcels of land referred to 
     in subsection (a) are the parcels of National Forest System 
     land (including any improvements on the land) known as--
       (1) the Elkhorn Cemetery, which consists of 10 acres in 
     Jefferson County located in SW1/4 Sec. 14, T. 6 N., R. 3 W.; 
     and
       (2) the Noxon Cemetery, which consists of 3.4 acres in 
     Sanders County located in SE1/4, Sec. 24, T. 26 N., R. 33 W.
       (c) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     require such additional terms and conditions for the 
     conveyance under subsection (a) as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.

                          ____________________