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AMSA Bill Digest
(Current as of August 13, 2001)

The AMSA Bill Digest provides up-to-date summary information for legislation introduced in the 107th Congress. The specific listings include bills receiving attention or of particular importance to AMSA’s membership.

This Digest provides a direct linkage to Congressional legislation through AMSA’s web site, allowing members to instantaneously track bills of interest. A complete summary and status of any of the listed legislation can be found in the web version of the Legislative Update. The most recent Update, with the attached Digest, is posted in the What’s New section of AMSA’s website (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org). The complete text of the bill, as well as detailed status information, can be accessed by double clicking on the bill name. The Digest is linked to the Library of Congress’ "Thomas" site located at http://thomas.loc.gov/. Copies of legislation, committee reports and status reports can be downloaded from the site free of charge. Past issues of the Legislative Update can also be found on the AMSA website in the Member Pipeline - Legislative Update section.

The up-to-the-minute status of any of the legislation listed in the Update can be obtained by calling: U.S. Congress, Legislative Status Office at 202/225-1772. For any questions regarding AMSA’s position on or activities related to any specific bill, please contact AMSA’s National Office at 202/833-AMSA or info@amsa-cleanwater.org.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Clean Water Act & Other Water Quality Issues

Municipal Biological Monitoring Use Act (HR109) HEFLEY (R-CO) Status: Referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources & Environment
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for the use of biological monitoring and whole effluent toxicity tests in connection with publicly owned treatment works, municipal separate storm sewer systems, and municipal combined sewer overflows, and for other purposes.

Fishable Waters Act of 2001 (HR325) TANNER (D-TN) Status: Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources & Environment; House Committee on Resource, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation , Wildlife & Oceans
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a program for fisheries habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement, and for other purposes. 31 Cosponsors.

Coastal Community Conservation Act of 2001 (HR897) SAXTON (R-NJ) Status: Referred to House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans; House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
To reauthorize the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, and for other purposes.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Amendment (HR1138) SMITH (R-NJ) Status: Referred to House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure
To amend section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide that no permit shall be required for animal feeding operations within the boundaries of a State if the State has established and is implementing a nutrient management program for those animal feeding operations. 6 Cosponsors.

Arsenic Reduction in Drinking Water Act (HR1252)
SANDERS (I-VT) Status: Referred to House Committee on Energy & Commerce
To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to change the drinking water standard for arsenic from 50 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion by fiscal year 2003 and to 3 parts per billion by fiscal year 2006 and to authorize an $800 million to provide grants to small public drinking water systems to assist them in meeting these standards. 76 Cosponsors.

Recreational Waters Protection Act (HR1730) SAXTON (R-NJ) Status: Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to marine sanitation devices.

Safe Drinking Water and Arsenic Removal Act of 2001 (HR2112) ROGERS (R-KY) Status: Referred to House Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials; House Agriculture Committee, Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research
To authorize the use of certain Federal funding programs to remove arsenic from drinking water when the Environmental Protection Agency promulgates a new national primary drinking water regulation for arsenic, and for other purposes. 1 Cosponsor.

Mercury Storage and Safe Disposal Act of 2001 (HR2266) ALLEN (D-ME) Status: Referred to House Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials; House Armed Services
To reduce the risk of the accidental release of mercury into the environment by providing for the temporary storage of private sector supplies of mercury at facilities of the Department of Defense currently used for mercury storage, to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to appoint a task force to develop a plan for the safe disposal of mercury, and for other purposes. 1 Cosponsor.

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Arsenic Water Standard Delay Resolution (S.J.Res.14) BOXER (D-CA) Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the delay in the effective date of a new arsenic standard.

Water Resource Study Act of 2001 (S240) FRIST (R-TN) Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
A bill to authorize studies on water supply management and development.

Mercury Reduction and Disposal Act of 2001 (S351) COLLINS (R-ME) Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
A bill to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to reduce the quantity of mercury in the environment by limiting use of mercury fever thermometers and improving collection, recycling, and disposal of mercury, and for other purposes. 7 Cosponsors.

Mercury-Safe Seafood Act of 2001 (S555) LEAHY (D-VT)
Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a tolerance for the presence of methylmercury in seafood, and for other purposes. 1 Cosponsor.

Arsenic Reduction in Drinking Water Act of 2001 (S632)
NELSON (D-FL) Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works
A bill to reinstate a final rule promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes. 3 Cosponsors.

Arsenic Standard Reinstatement Act (S635) DODD (D-CT) Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works
A bill to reinstate a standard for arsenic in drinking water. 2 Cosponsors.

 


Government Reform

Establishment of New Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (HR64) EHLERS (R-MI) Status: Referred to Committee on Science, voted out of Subcommittee on Environment, Technology & Standards
A bill to provide for the establishment of the position of Deputy Administrator for Science and Technology of the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes. 25 Cosponsors.

Abolishment of the Council on Environmental Quality (HR227) DINGELL (D-MI) Status: Referred to House Committee on Resources
A bill to abolish the Council on Environmental Quality. 1 Cosponsor.

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Department of Environmental Protection Affairs Act of 2001 (S159) BOXER (D-CA) Status: Referred to Senate Governmental Affairs Committee
A bill to elevate the Environmental Protection Agency to a cabinet level department, to redesignate the Environmental Protection Agency as the Department of Environmental Protection Affairs, and for other purposes. 8 Cosponsors.

 


Biosolids Management/Interstate Transportation Initiatives/Solid Waste Disposal

Amendment to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (HR172) SERRANO (D-NY) Status: Referred to House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Livestock & Agriculture; Committee on Energy and Commerce
A bill to amend 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.

Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Reform Act of 2001 (HR297) RAHALL (D-WV) Status: House Committee on Resources , Subcommittee on Energy & Mineral Resources
A bill to foster the reclamation of abandoned coal mine sites in order to protect public health and safety, and for other purposes.

Solid Waste Interstate Transportation Act of 2001 (H.R.1213) GREENWOOD (R-PA) Status: Referred to House Committee on Energy & Commerce
To impose certain limitations on the receipt of out-of-State municipal solid waste, and for other purposes. 37 Cosponsors.

Solid Waste Disposal Phase Out (HR 1548) ANDREWS (D-NJ) Status: Referred to House Energy and Commerce; House Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
To phase out the incineration of solid waste, and for other purposes.

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Solid Waste Interstate Transportation and Local Authority Act of 2001 (S 1194) SPECTER (R-PA) Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works
A bill to impose certain limitations on the receipt of out-of-State municipal solid waste, to authorize State and local controls over the flow of municipal solid waste, and for other purposes. 2 Cosponsors.

 


Infrastructure Funding & Appropriations

Amendment, Federal Water Pollution Control Act (HR668) KELLY (R-NY) Status: Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources & Environment
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for state water pollution control revolving funds, and for other purposes. 113 Cosponsors.

Rebuilding America's Infrastructure (HR1564) KUCINICH (D-OH) Status: Referred to House Financial Services, Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy, Technology & Economic Growth; House Budget; House Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Subcommittee on Aviation, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Subcommittee on Railroads
To fund capital projects of State and local governments, and for other purposes. 7 Cosponsors.

Clean Water State Revolving Fund Enhancement Act of 2001 (HR 1750) Status: Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize funding for the State water pollution control revolving fund program for fiscal year 2002 through 2006. 40 Cosponsors.

Water Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2001 (HR 1751) DINGELL (R-MI) Status: Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2002 through 2006 for the municipal construction grant program, and for other purposes. 41 Cosponsors.

Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2002 (HR2311) CALLAHAN (R-AL) Status: In Conference
Making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes.

Comprehensive Energy Research and Technology Act of 2001 (HR2460) BOEHLERT (R-NY) Status: House Science Subcommittee on Energy
To authorize appropriations for environmental research and development, scientific and energy research, development, and demonstration, and commercial application of energy technology programs, projects, and activities of the Department of Energy and of the Office of Air and Radiation of the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes.

Veterans Affairs FY2002 Appropriations Bill (HR2620) WALSH (R-NY) Status: Passed the House
Making appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry independent agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and offices for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes.

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Clean Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 2001 (S252) VOINOVICH (R-OH) Status: Referred to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for state water pollution control revolving funds, and for other purposes. 6 Cosponsors.

Water Conservation and Quality Incentives Act (S285) WYDEN (D-OR) Status: Referred to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the use of state revolving loan funds for construction of water conservation and quality improvements. 1 Cosponsor.

Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 (S.1216) MIKULSKI (D-MD) Status: In Conference
An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry independent agencies, boards, commissions, corporations and offices for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes.

 


Municipal Issues

Voluntary Environmental Self-Evaluation Act (HR352) HEFLEY (R-CO) Status: Referred to House Committee Agriculture, Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry; House Committee on Energy and Commerce; House Committee on Resources; House Committee on Judiciary, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law Referral; House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
A bill to establish certain privileges and immunities for information disclosed as part of a voluntary self-evaluation of compliance with environmental requirements, relating to compliance with environmental laws, and for other purposes.

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Coastal Zone Enhancement Reauthorization of 2001 (S328) SNOWE (R-ME) Status: Placed on Legislative Calendar
A bill to amend the Coastal Zone Management Act. 4 Cosponsors.

 


Endangered Species

Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2001 (S911) SMITH, G. (R-OR) Status: Refferred to Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works
A bill to reauthorize the Endangered Species Act of 1973. 1 Cosponsor.

 


Ergonomics Rule

House Resolution (H.J.RES.35) NORTHUP (R-KY) Status: Referred to House Committee on Education & the Workforce
Title: Disapproving the rule of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration relating to ergonomics. 32 Cosponsors.

House Resolution (H.RES.79) LINDER(R-GA) Status: Passed House
Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 6) providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, relating to ergonomics.

Reissue Ergonomics Rule (H.R.1241) JOHN (D-LA) Status: Referred to House Committee on Education & the Workforce
To provide for the reissuance of a rule relating to ergonomics. 6 Cosponsors.

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Senate Resolution (S.J.RES.6) NICKLES (R-OK), Status: Became Public Law No: 107-5.
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, relating to ergonomics. 6 Cosponsors.

Ergonomics Rule Bill (S.598) BREAUX (D-LA) Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Health Education Labor &Pensions
Title: A bill to provide for the reissuance of a rule relating to ergonomics. 11 Cosponsors.

 


Farm Bill

Working Lands Stewardship Act of 2001 (HR2375) KIND (D-WI) Status: Referred to House Agriculture, Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research
To promote the conservation and preservation of working farms, ranches, and private forests. 117 Cosponsors.

Farm Aid Bill (HR2646) COMBEST (R-TX) Status: Passed House Agriculture Committee
To provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2011. 1 Cosponsor.