[House Report 106-714] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 106th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 106-714 ====================================================================== REAUTHORIZATION OF GRANTS FOR WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTES _______ July 10, 2000.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Young of Alaska, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H.R. 4132] [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 4132) to reauthorize grants for water resources research and technology institutes established under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. Purpose of the Bill The purpose of H.R. 4132 is to reauthorize grants for water resources research and technology institutes established under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984. Background The state water resources research institutes, under the authority of the Water Resources Research Act (42 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.), have established an effective federal/state partnership in water resources, education and information transfer. These institutes are located in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam/Federated States of Micronesia. They have worked with state and federal agencies and water resources stakeholders in their home states for over three decades while acting as a network for the exchange of water resources research and information transfer among the states. In partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the water resources research institutes have the capability to provide important support to the states in their long-term water planning, policy development, and resources management efforts. They support research on all topics related to water resources and the management of water resources. The institutes' outreach and information transfer activities are important tools for stakeholders in the water resources management community. The nationwide network of water institutes, in collaboration with USGS, provides an efficient and effective method to meet the diverse water resource needs in different parts of our country. In 1995, the Water Resources Research Act was amended to broadened the scope of the Act to include natural resources and agricultural systems. The amendments also changed the matching fund requirements for grants to two non-federal dollars for each federal dollar. Provided with base support of approximately $4 million in direct federal appropriations, the institutes leveraged these funds into over $71 million in Fiscal Year 1999. Other 1995 amendments encouraged increased coordination among other federal agencies and the water resource research institutes, and supported a program of internships at the undergraduate and graduate levels to carry out the educational and training objectives of the Act. In Fiscal Year 1999 the institutes had significant research collaboration with 123 other universities, 148 state agencies and over 273 private sector, local governments or other entities. In addition, approximately1000 students were partially supported or trained. Committee Action H.R. 4132 was introduced on March 30, 2000, 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 11, 2000, the Subcommittee met to consider the bill. No amendments were offered and the bill was ordered favorably reported to the Full Committee by voice vote. On May 24, 2000, the Full Resources Committee met to consider the bill. No amendments were offered and the bill was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by voice vote. Section-by-Section Analysis Section 1. Reauthorization of Water Resources Research Act of 1984 This section reauthorizes the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to provide authorization for appropriations for Fiscal Years 2001 through 2005 for program grants and grants for research focused on interstate water problems. 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 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 inrevenues or tax expenditures. 3. Government Reform Oversight Findings. Under clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee has received no report of oversight findings and recommendations from the Committee on Government Reform on this bill. 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: U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, June 5, 2000. Hon. Don Young, Chairman, Committee on Resources, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4132, a bill to reauthorize grants for water resources research and technology institutes established under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Rachel Applebaum. Sincerely, Barry B. Anderson (For Dan L. Crippen, Director). Enclosure. H.R. 4132--A bill to reauthorize grants for water resources research and technology institutes established under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 Summary: H.R. 4132 would reauthorize the Water Resources Research Act through 2005. Under that act, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides grants for research and education to research and technology institutes located in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The bill would authorize the appropriation of $76 million over the 2001-2005 period for the USGS to continue those grant programs. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4132 would cost $72 million over the 2001-2005 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts. The bill would not affect direct spending or receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply. H.R. 4132 contains no intergovernmental or private- sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). State and local governments might incur some costs to match the federal funds authorized by this bill, but these costs would be voluntary. Estimated cost to the Federal Government: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the authorized amounts will be appropriated and that outlays will follow the historical spending patterns for these grant programs. The estimated impact of H.R. 4132 is shown in the following table. The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and the environment). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By fiscal year, in millions of dollars-- ----------------------------------------------------- 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION Spending Under Current Law: Budget Authority \1\.................................. 5 0 0 0 0 0 Estimated Outlays..................................... 4 1 0 0 0 0 Proposed Changes: Authorization Level................................... 0 12 14 14 18 18 Estimated Outlays..................................... 0 10 13 14 17 18 Spending Under H.R. 4132:Authorization Level \1\ 5 12 14 14 18 18 Estimated Outlays..................................... 4 11 13 14 17 18 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The 2000 level is the amount appropriated for that year for USGS grants under the Water Resources Research Act. Pay-as-You-go Considerations: None. Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 4132 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA. State and local governments might incur some costs to match the federal funds authorized by this bill, but these costs would be voluntary. Previous CBO estimate: On April 27, 2000, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S. 2297, a bill to reauthorize the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, as ordered reported by the Senate committee on Environment and Public Works on April 13, 2000. The bills are nearly identical, and the cost estimates are the same. Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Rachel Applebaum. Impact on State, local, and tribal governments: Marjorie Miller. Impact on the Private Sector: Natalie Tawil. Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy 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): SECTION 104 OF THE WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT OF 1984 Sec. 104. (a) * * * * * * * * * * (f)(1) For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary the sum of [$5,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1997 and 1998, and $9,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 and 2000] $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. * * * * * * * (g)(1) There is further authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior the sum of [$3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1996 through 2000] $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 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. * * * * * * *