(Updated September 25, 2006)

H.R. 4588
Water Resources Research Act Amendments of 2006   

Floor Situation

The House is scheduled to consider H.R. 4588, under suspension of the rules, on Monday, September 25, 2006.  The bill is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.

Summary

H.R. 4588 amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to require each water resources research and technology institute to plan, conduct, or otherwise arrange for competent applied and peer reviewed research that fosters specified goals, including creating new water supplies and solving water supply problems.

The bill directs the Secretary to evaluate each institute at least once every three (currently, five) years to determine, among other things, the effectiveness of its water resources research.

The measure reauthorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2010, including additional appropriations for research focused on interstate water problems.

H.R. 4588 requires the Secretary, as part of the annual budget submission to Congress, to provide a crosscut budget detailing expenditures on institute activities and a report on the annual increase in water supplies, annual water yields, advances in water infrastructure improvements, and the level of applied research.

The bill limits amounts utilized for administrative costs to 5% (currently, 15%) of appropriated sums.

Legislative History

H.R. 4588 was introduced by Rep. Doolittle (CA) on December 16, 2005. The bill was ordered to be reported, in the nature of a substitute, by unanimous consent, on July 19, 2006. House Report 109-630 was filed on September 6, 2006.

For additional information or questions, please contact the Resources Committee at 5-2761.