[House Report 110-517] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 110th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 110-517 ====================================================================== HONORING THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD ON ITS SELECTION AS A RECIPIENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S 2007 CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND PERFORMANCE AND INNOVATION AWARD _______ January 28, 2008.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H. Res. 832] The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom was referred the resolution (H. Res. 832) honoring the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as a recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Performance and Innovation Award, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the resolution be agreed to. PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION H. Res. 832 honors the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as a recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Performance and Innovation Award. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION The Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success (``PISCES'') Awards were created in 2005 to recognize the extraordinary successes of the States' Clean Water Revolving Fund (``CWSRF'') programs. Projects financed under the CWSRF programs support the Clean Water Act by protecting environmental health and water quality. The PISCES Awards highlight successfully designed projects that further the goal of clean and safe water with exceptional planning, management, and financing. The PISCES Award was given to one State in each of the ten EPA regions. More specifically, the following criteria were required for nomination by regional offices: rate of greater than 80 percent at which the program is revolving and applying financial resources to achieve environmental results; audit with no serious programmatic or financial problems; and outstanding performance in at least two other fields. The fields consisted of better management practices, full-cost pricing, efficient water use, watershed approach, creative use of technologies, leveraging practices, innovative partnerships, innovating lending practices, and effective outreach. In Texas, a $10.7 million Northwest Water Reuse Initiative consisted of a five-phase project in El Paso County to deliver treated wastewater for reuse to irrigators, industries, and homeowners from El Paso's Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant. Equally noteworthy was a wastewater reclamation initiative to deliver reclaimed water from the City of Austin's Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant to two city-owned properties. The project included a treated effluent pumping station, an underground storage tank, and 54,000 feet of transmission main. It was the first step in the city's development of a transmission and distribution system capable of serving large- volume customers with reclaimed water. SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION H. Res. 832 honors the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as a recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund Performance and Innovation Award, and states that the House of Representatives recognizes the importance of adequate investment in and management of water resources in sustainable development, including environmental integrity, human health, and overall quality of life in the United States. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION On November 15, 2007, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson introduced H. Res. 832. On January 16, 2008, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session, and ordered H. Res. 832 reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum present. RECORD VOTES Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives requires each committee report to include the total number of votes cast for and against on each record vote on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for and against. There were no recorded votes taken in connection with ordering H. Res. 832 reported. A motion to order H. Res. 832 reported favorably to the House was agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(I) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. COST OF LEGISLATION With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 832 is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore does not have the force of law. As such, there is no cost associated with this resolution for fiscal year 2008, or for any fiscal year thereafter. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII 1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under current law is required. 2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is required. 3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding. Neither a cost estimate nor comparison for any measure that authorizes funding is required. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 832 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT With respect to (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 832 is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore does not have the force of law. As such, clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII does not apply. FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT H. Res. 832 contains no Federal mandates. PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Res. 832 does not preempt any state, local, or tribal law. ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this resolution. APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH The Committee finds that the resolution does not relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1). CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED H. Res. 832 makes no changes in existing law.