[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.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                                  
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