[House Report 109-630]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
109th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 109-630
======================================================================
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT AMENDMENTS OF 2006
_______
September 6, 2006.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Pombo, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 4588]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the bill
(H.R. 4588) to reauthorize grants for and require applied water
supply research regarding the water resources research and
technology institutes established under the Water Resources
Research Act of 1984, having considered the same, report
favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill
as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Water Resources Research Act
Amendments of 2006''.
SEC. 2. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT AMENDMENTS.
(a) Scope of Research; Other Activities; Cooperation and
Coordination.--Section 104(b)(1) of the Water Resources Research Act of
1984 (42 U.S.C. 10303(b)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
``(1) plan, conduct, or otherwise arrange for competent
applied and peer reviewed research that fosters--
``(A) improvements in water supply reliability;
``(B) resolutions of other water problems;
``(C) the entry of new research scientists,
engineers, and technicians into water resources fields;
and
``(D) the dissemination of research results to water
managers and the public.''.
(b) Evaluation of Water Resources Research Program.--Section 104(e)
of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10303 (e)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``5'' and inserting ``3''; and
(2) by inserting ``at producing measured results and applied
water supply research'' after ``effectiveness''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 104(f)(1) of the Water
Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10303(f)(1)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(1) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
section, to remain available until expended, $12,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2007 through 2011.''.
(d) Additional Appropriations Where Research Focused on Water
Problems of Interstate Nature.--Section 104(g)(1) of the Water
Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10303 (g)(1)) is amended by
striking ``$3,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $4,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2002 and 2003, and $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2004 and 2005'' and inserting the following: ``$6,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2007 through 2011''.
(e) Coordination.--Section 104(h)(2) of the Water Resources Research
Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10303(h)(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(2) Report'' and inserting ``(2) Reports'';
and
(2) by inserting after the first sentence the following: ``As
part of the annual budget submission to Congress, the Secretary
shall also provide a crosscut budget detailing the expenditures
on activities listed under subsection (a)(1) and a report which
details the level of applied research and the results of the
activities authorized by this Act, including potential and
actual--
``(A) increases in annual water supplies;
``(B) increases in annual water yields; and
``(C) advances in water infrastructure
improvements.''.
(f) Administrative Costs.--Section 107 of the Water Resources
Research Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10306) is amended by striking ``15''
and inserting ``5''.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of H.R. 4588 is to reauthorize grants for and
require applied water supply research regarding the water
resources research and technology institutes established under
the Water Resources Research Act of 1984.
Background and Need for Legislation
The Water Resources Research Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-
379) originally authorized the establishment of a water
resources research and technology institute at each of the 54
land grant colleges in all 50 States, and in the Virgin
Islands, Guam, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The
Institutes were charged with: (1) arranging for competent
research that addresses water problems or expands understanding
of water and water-related phenomena; (2) aiding the entry of
new research scientists into the water resources fields; (3)
helping to train future water scientists and engineers; and (4)
getting results of sponsored research to water managers and the
public.
The program is under the general guidance of the Secretary
of the Interior, through the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In
administering the water resources research program, the USGS
distributes appropriated funds equally among the Institutes.
The Institutes, in turn, award research funds through a
competitive, peer review process.
The Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-
242) reauthorized appropriations for the program, and it has
since been reauthorized in the 101st, 104th, and 106th
Congresses. The current authorization for appropriations
expired in fiscal year 2005. Along with reauthorizing the
program for an additional five years, at $12 million per year.
In addition, H.R. 4588 requires more focus on applied research
and more oversight to ensure that the research has practical
applications, improves water supply reliability, and helps
resolve water issues.
Committee Action
H.R. 4588 was introduced on December 16, 2005, by
Congressman John Doolittle (R-CA). The bill was referred to the
Committee on Resources, and within the Committee to the
Subcommittee on Water and Power. On May 10, 2006, the
Subcommittee held a hearing on the bill. On July 19, 2006, the
Full Resources Committee met to consider the bill. The
Subcommittee on Water and Power was discharged from further
consideration of the bill by unanimous consent. Congressman
George Radanovich (R-CA) offered an amendment in the nature of
a substitute to clarify research and report provisions and
extend the authorization of appropriations until fiscal year
2011. The amendment was adopted by unanimous consent. The bill,
as amended, was then ordered favorably reported to the House of
Representatives by unanimous consent.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
This section cites the bill as the ``Water Resources
Research Act Amendments of 2006.''
Section 2. Water Resources Research Act amendments
This section amends the Water Resources Research Act of
1984. The scope of research is changed so each institute shall
plan, conduct, or otherwise arrange for competent applied and
peer-reviewed research focusing on water supply reliability,
resolutions of water problems, entry of new professionals into
water resources fields, and dissemination of information to the
public. The program will be evaluated every three years,
instead of every five years. In addition to extending the
authorization of appropriations until fiscal year 2011, it
places a five percent cap on administrative costs. This section
also requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide a
crosscut budget detailing expenditures and a report that
details the level of applied research and results of activities
authorized under this bill.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations
are reflected in the body of this report.
Constitutional Authority Statement
Article I, section 8, clause 3 of the Constitution of the
United States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill.
Compliance With House Rule XIII
1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be
incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B)
of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when
the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted
cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2)
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this
bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures.
3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to reauthorize grants for and require
applied water supply research regarding the water resources
research and technology institutes established under the Water
Resources Research Act of 1984.
4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives and section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate
for this bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office:
H.R. 4588--Water Resources Research Act Amendments of 2006
Summary: H.R. 4588 would authorize the appropriation of $90
million over the 2007-2011 period to carry out the Water
Resources Research Act of 1984. Under that act, the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) provides grants to research and
technology institutes at American colleges and universities for
research and education on water resources. The authorization of
appropriations for those grants expired at the end of fiscal
year 2005; $6 million was appropriated for this purpose in
2006. The bill also would lower the amount available for
administrative costs associated with these grants from 15
percent of the total appropriation to 5 percent.
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO
estimates that implementing H.R. 4588 would cost $85 million
over the 2007-2011 period and an additional $5 million after
that period. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending
or revenues. H.R. 4588 contains no intergovernmental or
private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (UMRA). The bill would benefit institutions of
higher education, and any costs they incur would result from
complying with conditions of federal assistance.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: For this
estimate, CBO assumes that the authorized amounts will be
appropriated for each year and that outlays will follow the
historical spending patterns for these grant programs. The
estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 4588 is shown in the
following table. The costs of this legislation fall within
budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
-----------------------------------------------------
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Spending for Research Institutes Under Current Law:
Budget Authority \1\.................................. 6 0 0 0 0 0
Estimated Outlays..................................... 6 1 0 0 0 0
Proposed Changes:
Authorization Level................................... 0 18 18 18 18 18
Estimated Outlays..................................... 0 14 16 18 18 18
Spending for Research Institutes Under H.R. 4588:
Authorization Level \1\............................... 6 18 18 18 18 18
Estimated Outlays..................................... 6 15 16 18 18 18
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2006 level is the amount appropriated for that year for USGS grants under the Water Resources Research
Act.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 4588
contained no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA. Grant funds reauthorized in the bill would
benefit institutions of higher education that participate as
research and technology institutes under the Water Resources
Act of 1984. The costs of any requirements tied to those
grants, including matching funds, would be incurred
voluntarily.
Previous CBO estimate: On June 20, 2005, CBO transmitted a
cost estimate for S. 1017, the Water Resources Research Act
Amendments of 2005, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee
on Environment and Public Works on June 8, 2005. The cost
estimates for these two bills differ because they authorize
different amounts of funding. (S. 1017 authorizes $94 million
over the 2006-2010 period.)
Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Deborah Reis and Julie
Middleton; Intergovernmental impact: Lisa Ramirez-Branum;
Impact on the private sector: Craig Cammarata.
Estimate approved by: Robert A. Sunshine, Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Compliance With Public Law 104-4
This bill contains no unfunded mandates.
Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law
This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or
tribal law.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT OF 1984
TITLE I
* * * * * * *
Sec. 104. (a) * * *
(b) Each institute shall--
[(1) plan, conduct, or otherwise arrange for
competent research that fosters (A) the entry of new
research scientists into the water resources fields,
(B) the training and education of future water
scientists, engineers, and technicians, (C) the
preliminary exploration of new ideas that address water
problems or expand understanding of water and water-
related phenomena, and (D) the dissemination of
research results to water managers and the public, and]
(1) plan, conduct, or otherwise arrange for competent
applied and peer reviewed research that fosters--
(A) improvements in water supply reliability;
(B) resolutions of other water problems;
(C) the entry of new research scientists,
engineers, and technicians into water resources
fields; and
(D) the dissemination of research results to
water managers and the public.
* * * * * * *
(e) The Secretary shall conduct a careful and detailed
evaluation of each institute at least once every [5] 3 years to
determine that the quality and relevance of its water resources
research and its effectiveness at producing measured results
and applied water supply research as an institution for
planning, conducting, and arranging for research warrants its
continued support under this section. If, as a result of any
such evaluation, the Secretary determines that an institute
does not qualify for further support under this section, then
no further grants to the institute may be made until the
institute's qualifications are reestablished to the
satisfaction of the Secretary.
(f)[(1) For the purpose of carrying out this section, there
is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary the sum of
$9,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2002 and 2003, and $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2004 and 2005, such sums to remain available until expended.]
(1) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
section, to remain available until expended, $12,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.
* * * * * * *
(g)(1) There is further authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of the Interior the sum of [$3,000,000 for fiscal
year 2001, $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003,
and $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 and 2005]
$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 only for
reimbursement of the direct cost expenses of additional
research or synthesis of the results of research by institutes
which focuses on water problems and issues of a regional or
interstate nature beyond those of concern only to a single
State and which relate to specific program priorities
identified jointly by the Secretary and the institutes. Such
funds when appropriated shall be matched on a not less than
dollar-for-dollar basis by funds made available to institutes
or groups of institutes, by States or other non-Federal
sources. Funds made available under this subsection shall
remain available until expended.
* * * * * * *
(h) Coordination.--
(1) * * *
[(2) Report] (2) Reports.--The Secretary shall report
to Congress annually on coordination efforts with other
Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities
under paragraph (1). As part of the annual budget
submission to Congress, the Secretary shall also
provide a crosscut budget detailing the expenditures on
activities listed under subsection (a)(1) and a report
which details the level of applied research and the
results of the activities authorized by this Act,
including potential and actual--
(A) increases in annual water supplies;
(B) increases in annual water yields; and
(C) advances in water infrastructure
improvements.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 107. From the sums appropriated pursuant to this Act,
not more than [15] 5 per centum shall be utilized for
administrative costs.
* * * * * * *