Although there is little time left in this Congress, I want to take advantage of the time that does remain by looking at a few bills that fit into the long-term authorization process. As you may know, at the full Committee level I have initiated an oversight effort into EPA's budget that will ultimately lead to an EPA Authorization bill in a future Congress. We have held hearings on that subject already, and I expect that we will hold additional ones in the future. In fact, we have another one scheduled for next week. This hearing is a step in that process.
Although the bills before us today address separate problems, I would characterize them as an attempt to help the "little guy" deal with issues related to the environment. Small businesses and small communities are especially burdened by the onslaught of far-reaching, complex, and sometimes unnecessary federal laws. In addition, the large number of complex regulations places as especially weighty burden on small businesses and communities. Large businesses and large governments have greater resources than small businesses and small communities to deal with the never-ending growth of the federal code. Bearing witness to that fact is that no large business was interested in testifying before the committee today.
I would like to speak briefly about the four bills on today's agenda. S. 1763 is the Ombudsman Reauthorization Act of 1999, introduced by Senator Allard. It would reauthorize, for ten years, the Office of the Ombudsman within the EPA Office of Solid Waste. This Ombudsman's office has provided communities across the country with an opportunity to voice their concerns. In my home State, issues surrounding the incineration of waste and landfill space in Claremont and Newport as well as Bethlehem are the sort of issues that small communities could raise with the Ombudsman's Office.
S. 1915 is the Small Community Assistance Act of 1999, introduced by Senator Jeffords and other Members. It would direct the EPA to establish a Small Community Advisory Committee and within each Region, a Small Community Ombudsman. This bill would help small communities to be heard in the regulatory process and provide a contact in each Region as an advocate for small community issues.
S. 2296 is the Project SEARCH Act of 2000 introduced by Senator Crapo. It would authorize the EPA to fund environmental projects in small communities in each State through an independent citizens' council. The State of Idaho has had some experience with a program like this one, and, from what I understand, the results have been positive.
S. 2800 is the Streamlined Environmental Reporting and Pollution Prevention Act of 2000 introduced by Senator Lautenberg, Senator Crapo, and others Members. It directs EPA to integrate and streamline environmental reporting requirements to ensure simplicity and consistency in reporting.
Before I turn to my colleague, the distinguished Ranking Member from Montana, Senator Baucus, I would like to make a few other points:
Today's hearing might be cut short. The Minority has invoked what is known as the "two-hour" rule. That rule prohibits a Senate Committee from meeting for more than two hours past the time that the Senate begins its daily session. I hope that we will be able to conclude this hearing by then, but I am not sure that we will. In order to help ensure that the Committee can hear from all of the witnesses, I will not ask questions during my time period. By waiving my time, I hope to ensure that we can hear from all of the witnesses, some of whom have traveled quite a distance to testify before us today.
In addition, because of the Minority's procedural objection, we need to change the order of testimony for the witnesses. Ordinarily, we have the representatives of the Federal Government testify after hearing from any Member or Officer of Congress. Today, however, in order to ensure that our witnesses from places such as New Hampshire, Idaho, and Minnesota can testify before the Committee, we will allow them to testify before we hear from the EPA. The federal witnesses therefore will appear on the last panel.
[NOTE: Senator Jeffords will not be able to speak on behalf of his bill. He must chair another hearing being held simultaneously with the EPW Hearing. Since he can not attend you should say the following:]
In addition, one of our colleagues could not speak here today on behalf of his bill because of the Minority's procedural objection. Senator Jeffords had planned to speak on behalf of S. 1915, the Small Community Assistance Act of 1999, but he cannot do so. He must chair another hearing. I am sure that my colleague regrets not being able to speak and to welcome the witnesses who will testify on behalf of his bill.
After Senator Baucus makes his remarks, I will ask that Senator Allard be given time to speak so that he can leave to chair another hearing. Then of course we can move to opening statements by Committee members.
Introduction of First Panel: [NOTE: Senator Jeffords will not be able to speak on behalf of his bill. Only mention Senator Allard.]
One of our colleagues will speak on our first panel today. We will hear from Senator Allard from Colorado. He will speak about his bill, S. 1763 the Ombudsman Reauthorization Act of 1999.
Welcome.
Introduction of Second Panel:
I'd like to welcome our second panel. First to speak will be a resident of my home State of New Hampshire: Mr. George Bisbee, the Assistant Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. He will testify on behalf of the Environmental Council of the States.
The second witness on this panel is an Environmental Health Advocate for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Mr. Jeremiah Baumann.
Introduction of Third Panel:
We now come to our third panel. Before us will be three members of the public, and one member of local government.
Ms. Deborah Sanchez is the Co-Founder and Administrator of the Overland Neighborhood Environmental Watch in Denver Colorado. She will address S. 1763.
Mr. Ken Bruzellius is the Executive Director of the Midwest Assistance Program. He will address S. 1915.
Mr. B. Roy Prescott is the Chairman of the Jerome County, Idaho, Board of Commissioners. He will address S. 2296.
Mr. Ben Cooper is the Senior Vice-President of Government Affairs of the Printing Industries of America. He will address S. 2800.
Introduction of Fourth Panel:
I'd like to welcome our last panel. The panel consists of three officials from EPA. Dianne E. Thompson, Associate Administrator for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, will testify and answer questions. Joining her at the table to answer questions are two officials from the programs that would be most affected by the proposed legislation: Margaret N. Schneider, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Environmental Information, and Michael Shapiro, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response.