[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16929-16930]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TULE RIVER TRIBE WATER DEVELOPMENT ACT

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1945) to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
study on the feasibility and suitability of constructing a storage 
reservoir, outlet works, and a delivery system for the Tule River 
Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation in the State of California 
to provide a water supply for domestic, municipal, industrial, and 
agricultural purposes, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1945

       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 ``Tule River Tribe Water 
     Development Act''.

     SEC. 2. WATER SUPPLY FOR TRIBE.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of 
     Reclamation.
       (2) Tribe.--The term ``Tribe'' means the Tule River Indian 
     Tribe of the Tule River Reservation in the State of 
     California.
       (b) Study and Report on Alternatives.--
       (1) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which 
     funds are made available under paragraph (3), the Secretary 
     shall complete a feasibility study to evaluate alternatives 
     (including alternatives for phase I reservoir storage of a 
     quantity of water of not more than 5,000 acre-feet) for the 
     provision of a domestic, commercial, municipal, industrial, 
     and irrigation water supply for the Tribe.
       (2) Report.--On completion of the study under subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 
     Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committees 
     on Energy and Natural Resources and Indian Affairs of the 
     Senate a report describing the results of the study.
       (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary $3,000,000 to carry out 
     this subsection.
       (c) Conditions for Future Projects.--
       (1) In general.--No project constructed relating to the 
     feasibility study under subsection (b) shall provide any 
     water supply for--
       (A) the casino of the Tule River Tribe, as in existence on 
     the date of enactment of this Act;
       (B) any expansion of that casino;
       (C) any other tribal casino; or
       (D) any current or future lodging, dining, entertainment, 
     meeting space, parking, or other similar facility in support 
     of a gaming activity.
       (2) Availability of water supplies.--A water supply 
     provided by a project constructed relating to the feasibility 
     study under subsection (b) shall be available to serve--
       (A) the domestic, municipal, and governmental (including 
     firefighting) needs of the Tribe and members of the Tribe; 
     and
       (B) other commercial, agricultural, and industrial needs 
     not related to a gaming activity.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from

[[Page 16930]]

Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, the Tule River Water Development Act, 
sponsored by our colleague from California, Representative Devin Nunes, 
would authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the 
Bureau of Reclamation, to complete a feasibility study that would 
evaluate alternatives for a water supply for the Tule River Tribe of 
the Tule River Tribal Reservation.
  The tribe views this study as a very important first step in settling 
their water right claims. Similar legislation passed the House in the 
last Congress, and I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 
1945 today.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I 
may consume.
  This important legislation, introduced by our California colleagues, 
Devin Nunes and Jim Costa, is the first step towards improving the 
water supply situation on the Tule River Indian Reservation. This bill 
authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct a feasibility study to 
capture more surface water on the reservation.
  Many areas throughout the West, including California, need new water 
storage to help meet water supply needs for humans, fish and wildlife. 
This legislation will help the tribe move one step closer to utilizing 
its water rights. This legislation enjoys universal support from the 
tribe and nearby communities and is an excellent example of where 
neighbors have come together for the common good.
  I urge my colleagues to support this very bipartisan piece of 
legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill. 
I have no further speakers.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1945.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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