[House Report 107-762] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 107th Congress Report 2d Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 107-762 ====================================================================== CARPINTERIA AND MONTECITO WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS CONVEYANCE ACT OF 2002 _______ October 16, 2002.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Hansen, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H.R. 5399] The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 5399) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water distribution systems of the Cachuma Project, California, to the Carpinteria Valley Water District and the Montecito Water District, 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. 5399 is to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water distribution systems of the Cachuma Project, California, to the Carpinteria Valley Water District and the Montecito Water District. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION Overview of transfers Since the Bureau of Reclamation began building water supply and distribution systems in the early 1900s, there has been an expectation that many of the facilities would ultimately be transferred to the local entities they were built to serve. Taking facilities off the federal books represents real budget savings for the future. Transfers help shrink the size and budget of the federal government, and help us manage our water resources in a more efficient way. Overview of project conveyance The proposed transfer of ownership of the Cachuma Project would include the following facilities: the distribution system consisting of 36 miles of pipeline and laterals; Governador Reservoir; Shephard Mesa Tank; Lateral 10L, Carpinteria and Shephard Mesa pumping plants; several pressure regulating vaults located throughout the system; fences and structures; and rights-of-way, easements, leases and other property permitting access to the federal system. The proposed transfer would apply to only land and facilities and would not affect the Districts' existing water service contract with the Santa Barbara County Water Agency nor the federal government receipts from water deliveries under the contract. In addition, the proposed transfer does not involve any new physical modification or expansion of the service infrastructure. Finally, both Districts met all requirements of Bureau of Reclamation transfers, including payment obligations and required environmental reviews, and need only to complete the process with an act of Congress. COMMITTEE ACTION H.R. 5399 was introduced on September 18, 2002, by Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA). The bill was referred to the Committee on Resources, and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on Water and Power. On October 8, 2002, the Full Resources Committee met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee was discharged from further consideration of the bill by unanimous consent. No amendments were offered and the bill was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by voice vote. 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. The Committee believes that enactment of this bill will result in minor savings to the United States budget in the future. 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. This bill does not authorize funding and therefore, clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives does not apply. 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 requested but not received a cost estimate for this bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office. 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 If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing law.