Federal Legislation
VRWA tracks legislation that affects the water-wastewater industry. Below are pending or recently passed bills in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives that may be of interest to our members. Help us shape VRWA's message to legislators by sending us your comments on these bills. We also encourage you to contact your legislators directly. For the full text of these bills and the most recent updates available, visit Thomas: Legislative Information on the Internet from the Library of Congress. Update in progress. Last updated: 2/08/12H.R.66
Waste-to-Energy Technology Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Lloyd Doggett; cosponsors: Earl Blumenauer, Rush D. Holt, John Lewis, Brad Miller, Tim Ryan, Albio Sires
Description: Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for an investment tax credit for waste-to-energy facilities.
H.R.80
Global Water Access and Equity Act
Status in House: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Sheila Jackson Lee; cosponsors: none
Description: Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish within the Department of State a Coordinator of United States Government Diplomatic Initiatives to Provide Safe Water and Sanitation Globally.
H.R.97
Free Industry Act
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Marsha Blackburn; cosponsors: 125
Description: Amends the Clean Air Act to: (1) exclude from the definition of the term "air pollutant" carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or sulfur hexafluoride; and (2) declare that nothing in the Act shall be treated as authorizing or requiring the regulation of climate change or global warming.
H.R.254
Sewage Sludge in Food Production Consumer Notification Act
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Jose E. Serrano; cosponsors: none
Description: Amends the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the egg, meat, and poultry inspection laws to ensure that consumers receive notification regarding food products produced from crops, livestock, or poultry raised on land on which sewage sludge was applied.
H.R.395
Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Jerry McNerney; cosponsors: none
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize appropriations for the pilot program for alternative water source projects. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in making grants under the program, to consider whether a project is located in an area which is served by a public water system serving 10,000 individuals or fewer.
H.R.402
National Infrastructure Development Bank Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology. Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Rosa L. DeLauro; cosponsors: 77
Description: Establishes the National Infrastructure Development Bank as a wholly owned government corporation. Makes the Bank's Board of Directors responsible for monitoring and overseeing energy, environmental, telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure projects.
H.R.457
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to remove the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to disapprove after a permit has been issued by the Secretary of the Army under section 404 of such Act.
Status in House: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: David B. McKinley; cosponsors: 15
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to remove the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to disapprove after a permit has been issued by the Secretary of the Army under section 404 of such Act.
H.R.517
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to eliminate the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to deny or restrict the use of a defined area as a dredged or fill material disposal site, and for other purposes.
Status in House: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Don Young; cosponsors: 12
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to repeal the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prohibit the specification of, or to deny or restrict the use of, a defined area as a disposal site for the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters.
H.R.553
Endocrine Disruptor Screening Enhancement Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Edward J. Markey; cosponsors: 8
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to repeal the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prohibit the specification of, or to deny or restrict the use of, a defined area as a disposal site for the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters.
H.R.872
Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011
Status in House: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 292 - 130 (Roll no. 206).Status in Senate: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 78.
Main Sponsor: Bob Gibbs; cosponsors: 137
Description: Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act [CWA]) to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a state from requiring a permit under the CWA for a discharge from a point source into navigable waters of a pesticide authorized for sale, distribution, or use under FIFRA, or the residue of such a pesticide, resulting from the application of such pesticide.
H.R.901
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Security Authorization Act of 2011
Status in House: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than March 1, 2012. Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Daniel E. Lungren; cosponsors: 9
Description: Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to maintain regulations to protect chemical facilities against terrorism. Applies such regulations to any chemical facility that the Secretary determines presents a high level of security risk with respect to acts of terrorism, with the exception of Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Energy (DOE) facilities, facilities regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), port security facilities, public water systems, and treatment works.
H.R.1084
Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Diana DeGette; cosponsors: 65
Description: Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to repeal the exemption from restrictions on underground injection of fluids or propping agents granted to hydraulic fracturing operations related to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities under such Act.
H.R.1189
Clean Water Affordability Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Robert E. Latta; cosponsors: Dennis A. Cardoza, Steven C. LaTourette, David B. McKinley
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to define "fill material" to mean any pollutant that replaces portions of waters of the United States with dry land or that changes the bottom elevation of a water body for any purpose and to exclude any pollutant discharged into the water primarily to dispose of waste.
H.R.1375
Clean Water Protection Act
Status in House: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Frank Pallone Jr.; cosponsors: 109
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to assist municipalities that would experience a significant hardship raising the revenue necessary to finance projects and activities for the construction of wastewater treatment works, and for other purposes.
H.R.1427
Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Gregg Harper; cosponsors: 22
Description: Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize technical assistance to small public water systems, and for other purposes.
H.R.1677
Drug Free Water Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Candice S. Miller; cosponsors: none
Description: Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to convene a task force to develop: (1) recommendations on the proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals to prevent or reduce the detrimental effects caused by introducing such materials into water systems and for limiting the disposal of unused pharmaceuticals through treatment works in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act), and (2) a strategy for educating the public on such recommendations.
H.R.1684
Keep American Jobs from Going Down the Drain Act
Status in House: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Betty Sutton; cosponsors: 36
Description: Requires the use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods in the construction, alteration, and repair of public water systems and treatment works.
H.R.1802
Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Bill Pascrell Jr.; cosponsors: 58
Description: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from state volume caps private facility bonds for sewage and water supply facilities.
H.R.1960
North American Wetlands Conservation Extension Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Robert J. Wittman; cosponsors: Gerald E. Connolly, John D. Dingell, Jeff Miller, James P. Moran, Steve Scalise, Steve Stivers
Description: Amends the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to extend through FY2017 the authorization of appropriations for allocations to carry out approved wetlands conservation projects.
H.R.1967
Water Advanced Technologies for Efficient Resource Use Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Rush D. Holt; cosponsors: Lois Capps, Donna M. Christensen, Maurice D. Hinchey, Jerry McNerney, George Miller, John W. Olver, Pedro R. Pierluisi
Description: Water Advanced Technologies for Efficient Resource Use Act of 2011 - Establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a WaterSense program to identify and promote water efficient products, buildings and landscapes, and services to reduce water use, conserve energy, and preserve water resources. Sets forth the duties of the EPA Administrator for promoting, publicizing, and administering the WaterSense program.
H.R.2018
Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011
Status in House: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 239 - 184 (Roll no. 573).Status in Senate: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 103.
Main Sponsor: John L. Mica; cosponsors: 39
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to preserve the authority of each State to make determinations relating to the State's water quality standards, and for other purposes.
H.R.2030
Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Donna F. Edwards; cosponsors: 29
Description: Establishes centers of excellence for green infrastructure, and for other purposes.
H.R.2354
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012
Status in House: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 196 (Roll no. 600).Status in Senate: Senate floor actions: Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 157.
Main Sponsor: Rodney P. Frelinghuysen; cosponsors: none
Description: Makes appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for FY2012.
H.R.2427
Flood Control Facility Maintenance Clarification Act
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Gary G. Miller; cosponsors: 8
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify a maintenance exemption regarding the removal of sediment, debris, and vegetation from certain structures.
H.R.2541
Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Jaime Herrera Beutler; cosponsors: 54
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to exempt the conduct of silvicultural activities from national pollutant discharge elimination system permitting requirements.
H.R.2664
Reauthorization of Water Desalination Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Grace F. Napolitano; cosponsors: Joe Baca, Bob Filner, Ben Ray Lujan
Description: Directs the Secretary of the Interior to operate, manage, and maintain facilities to carry out research, development, and demonstration activities to develop technologies and methods that promote brackish groundwater desalination as a viable method to increase water supply in a cost-effective manner.
H.R.2738
Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Lois Capps; cosponsors: 16
Description: Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program of awarding grants to owners or operators of water systems to increase resiliency or adaptability of the systems to any ongoing or forecasted changes to the hydrologic conditions of a region of the United States.
H.R.2765
Sunshine on Conflicts Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Gary G. Miller; cosponsors: Ken Calvert, Dana Rohrabacher
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify the requirement that permit applications for the discharge of pollutants be approved by disinterested board members, and for other purposes.
H.R.2890
To Expand Homeland Security at Public Water Systems and Treatment Works by Allowing the Secretary of Homeland Security to Include These Facilities in the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program.
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Clarke Hansen; cosponsors: none
Description: Amends the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 to repeal provisions prohibiting the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) from applying regulations establishing risk-based performance standards for the security of chemical facilities and requiring vulnerability assessments and the development and implementation of site security plans to public water systems or treatment works.
H.R.3145
Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2011
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Timothy H. Bishop; cosponsors: 16
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds, and for other purposes.
H.R.3544
To Amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to Limit Citizens Suits Against Publicly Owned Treatment Works, to Provide for Defenses, to Extend the Period of a Permit, to Limit Attorneys Fees, and For Other Purposes.
Status in House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.Status in Senate: none
Main Sponsor: Tom McClintock; cosponsors: none
Description: Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to limit citizens suits against publicly owned treatment works, to provide for defenses, to extend the period of a permit, to limit attorneys fees, and for other purposes.
S.4
Make America the World's Leader in Clean Energy Act
Status in House: noneStatus in Senate: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Main Sponsor: Harry Reid; cosponsors: 11
Description: Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should make America the world's leader in clean energy including reduce harmful energy-related air, land, and water pollution.
S.77
Pollution and Costs Reduction Act
Status in House: noneStatus in Senate: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Main Sponsor: Barbara Boxer; cosponsor: Benjamin L. Cardin
Description: Amends the Clean Air Act to reduce pollution and lower costs for building owners, including increased water-use efficiency.
S.78
Protecting Pregnant Women and Children From Perchlorate Act of 2011
Status in House: noneStatus in Senate: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Main Sponsor: Barbara Boxer; cosponsor: Dianne Feinstein
Description: Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect the health of pregnant women, fetuses, infants, and children by requiring a health advisory and drinking water standard for perchlorate.
S.79
Protecting Pregnant Women and Children From Hexavalent Chromium Act of 2011
Status in House: noneStatus in Senate: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Main Sponsor: Barbara Boxer; cosponsor: Dianne Feinstein
Description: Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect the health of vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women, infants, and children, by requiring a health advisory and drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium.
S.272
EPA Fair Play Act
Status in House: noneStatus in Senate: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Main Sponsor: Joe Manchin III; cosponsors: 8
Description: Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act regarding an endocrine disruptor screening program.
S.350
Environmental Crimes Enforcement Act of 2011
Status in House: noneStatus in Senate: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 59.
Main Sponsor: Patrick J. Leahy; cosponsors: 8
Description: A bill to require restitution for victims of criminal violations of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and for other purposes. Back to top
