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Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies

Legislative Update
January/February 1999

Key Legislation

(Legislation Receiving Considerable Attention and of Particular Interest to AMSA)

Clean Water Act & Other Water Quality Issues

BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.155, Municipal Biological Monitoring Use Act

INTRODUCED BY:
HEFLEY (R-CO)
COSPONSORED BY:
PASTOR (D-AZ)
REFERRALS:
 House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
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.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/06/99 -- In The HOUSE


01/07/99 -- In The HOUSE
AMSA ACTION:
AMSA supports H.R. 155 and will seek opportunities to promote the bill's passage.

BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.828, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Amendment
INTRODUCED BY:
BARCIA (D-MI)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require that discharges from combined storm and sanitary sewers conform to the Combined Sewer Overflow Control Policy of the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/24/99 -- In The HOUSE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
S.188, Water Conservation and Quality Incentives Act
INTRODUCED BY:
WYDEN (D-OR)
COSPONSORED BY:
BURNS (R-MT)
REFERRALS:
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
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.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/19/99 -- In The SENATE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.

Clean Air Act Amendments

Nonpoint Sources/Watershed Management


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.684, Farm Sustainability and Animal Feedlot Enforcement (Farm SAFE) Act
INTRODUCED BY:
MILLER, GEORGE (D-CA)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to control water pollution from concentrated animal feeding operations, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/10/99 -- In The HOUSE
AMSA ACTION:
AMSA plans to support H.R. 684 which strengthens controls on runoff from animal feedlots.

BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.839, National Urban Watershed Model Restoration Act
INTRODUCED BY:
NORTON (D-DC)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a pilot program for restoration of urban watersheds and community environments in the Anacostia River watershed, District of Columbia and Maryland, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/24/99 -- In The HOUSE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.

Government Reform


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.391, Small Business Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments of 1999
INTRODUCED BY:
MCINTOSH (R-IN)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Government Reform
House Committee on Small Business
Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to amend Chapter 35 of Title 44, United States Code, for the purpose of facilitating compliance by small businesses with certain Federal paperwork requirements, to establish a task force to examine the feasibility of streamlining paperwork requirements applicable to small businesses, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/19/99 -- In The HOUSE
02/03/99 -- In The HOUSE
02/05/99 -- In The HOUSE
02/09/99 -- In The HOUSE
02/11/99 -- In The HOUSE
02/12/99 -- In The SENATE
02/22/99 -- In The SENATE
AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
S.59, Regulatory Right-to-Know Act of 1999
INTRODUCED BY:
THOMPSON (R-TN)
COSPONSORED BY:
BREAUX (D-LA), LOTT (R-MS), STEVENS (R-AK)
REFERRALS:
Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to provide Government wide accounting of regulatory costs and benefits, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/19/99 -- In The SENATE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
S.352, State and Local Government Participation Act of 1999
INTRODUCED BY:
THOMAS (R-WY)
COSPONSORED BY:
KYL (R-AZ)
REFERRALS:
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to require that Federal agencies consult with State agencies and county and local governments on environmental impact statements.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/03/99 -- In The SENATE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.

Biosolids Management/Interstate Transportation Initiatives/ Solid Waste Disposal


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.261, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Amendment
INTRODUCED BY:
SERRANO (D-NY)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Commerce
House Committee on Agriculture
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
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.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/06/99 -- In The HOUSE
AMSA ACTION:
AMSA's National Office is working to inform Congress why H.R. 261 is contrary to AMSA's objectives to increase public acceptance of biosolids as a natural resource.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.378, Regulation of Solid Waste, Authorization
INTRODUCED BY:
GILLMOR (R-OH)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Commerce
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to authorize States to regulate certain solid waste.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/19/99 -- In The HOUSE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.379, Allowance of Prohibition on Imported Solid Waste, Permission
INTRODUCED BY:
GILLMOR (R-OH)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Commerce
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to permit States to prohibit the disposal of solid waste imported from other nations.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/19/99 -- In The HOUSE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.

Endangered Species


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.496, Endangered Species Act of 1973, Amendment
INTRODUCED BY:
THOMAS (R-CA)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Resources
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to reform provisions relating to liability for civil and criminal penalties under that Act.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/02/99 -- In The HOUSE
AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.

Energy & Electricity Reform


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.623, Plumbing Standards Improvement Act of 1999
INTRODUCED BY:
KNOLLENBERG (R-MI)
COSPONSORED BY:
BEREUTER (R-NE), GOODLATTE (R-VA), LEWIS, RONALD (R-KY), TIAHRT (R-KS), DEAL (R-GA), JOHNSON, SAM (R-TX), PICKERING (R-MS), WICKER (R-MS), STEARNS (R-FL)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Commerce
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: A bill to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to eliminate certain regulation of plumbing supplies.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/08/99 -- In The HOUSE
AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.

Funding & Appropriations


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.115, National Infrastructure Development Act of 1999
INTRODUCED BY:
DELAURO (D-CT)
COSPONSORED BY:
BONIOR (D-MI), FROST (D-TX), PELOSI (D-CA), WISE (D-WV), BORSKI (D-PA),
GEPHARDT (D-MO),THOMPSON (D-MS)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
House Committee on Banking and Financial Services
House Committee on Ways and Means
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to facilitate efficient investments and financing of infrastructure projects and new job creation through the establishment of a National Infrastructure Development Corporation, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/06/99 -- In The HOUSE
AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.341, Environmental Priorities Act of 1999
INTRODUCED BY:
ANDREWS (D-NJ)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Commerce
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to establish a Fund for Environmental Priorities to be funded by a portion of the consumer savings resulting from retail electricity choice, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/19/99 -- In The HOUSE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.452, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Provision
INTRODUCED BY:
CAMPBELL (R-CA)
COSPONSORED BY:
COOK (R-UT), ENGLISH (R-PA), SANDERS (I-VT)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on the Budget
House Committee on Resources
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to provide off-budget treatment for the receipts and disbursements of the land and water conservation fund, and to provide that the amount appropriated from the fund for a fiscal year for Federal purposes may not exceed the amount appropriated for that fiscal year for financial assistance to the States for State purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/02/99 -- In The HOUSE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.493, Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act
INTRODUCED BY:
STEARNS (R-FL)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on the Budget
House Committee on Rules
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to provide for a biennial budget process and a biennial appropriations process and to enhance oversight and the performance of the Federal Government.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/02/99 -- In The HOUSE


COMPANION OR SIMILAR BILLS:
S.92 by DOMENICI (R-NM) -- Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act
AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
S.92, Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act
INTRODUCED BY:
DOMENICI (R-NM)
COSPONSORED BY:
ABRAHAM (R-MI), GRAMS (R-MN), LUGAR (R-IN), SMITH, GORDON (R-OR), COLLINS (R-ME), GRASSLEY (R-IA), MCCAIN (R-AZ), SNOWE (R-ME), FRIST (R-TN), KYL (R-AZ), NICKLES (R-OK), THOMAS (R-WY), GRAMM, PHIL (R-TX), LIEBERMAN (D-CT), ROTH (R-DE), THOMPSON (R-TN), BREAUX (D-LA), HATCH (R-UT), VOINOVICH (R-OH), HAGEL (R-NE), MACK (R-FL), LOTT (R-MS), COCHRAN (R-MS), DEWINE (R-OH), ENZI (R-WY), SESSIONS (R-AL), HUTCHINSON, TIM (R-PA), CHAFEE (R-RI), COVERDELL (R-GA)
REFERRALS:
Senate Committee on the Budget
Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to provide for biennial budget process and a biennial appropriations process and to enhance oversight and the performance of the Federal Government.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/19/99 -- In The SENATE


01/27/99 -- In The SENATE
COMPANION OR SIMILAR BILLS: H.R.493 BY STEARNS (R-FL) -- Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act
AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring

Superfund/CERCLA/RCRA


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.617, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, Amendment
INTRODUCED BY:
DEGETTE (D-CO)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Commerce
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to ensure full Federal compliance with that Act.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/08/99 -- In The HOUSE
AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
S.20, Brownfields and Environmental Cleanup Act of 1999
INTRODUCED BY:
LAUTENBERG (D-NJ)
COSPONSORED BY:
BAUCUS (D-MT), DURBIN (D-IL), LIEBERMAN (D-CT), ROCKEFELLER (D-WV), BOXER (D-CA), KENNEDY, EDWARD (D-MA), MIKULSKI (D-MD), SARBANES (D-MD), BREAUX (D-LA), KERRY, JOHN (D-MA), MOYNIHAN (D-NY), SCHUMER (D-NY), BRYAN (D-NV), LEAHY (D-VT), MURRAY (D-WA), TORRICELLI (D-NJ), DASCHLE (D-SD), LEVIN, CARL (D-MI), REID, HARRY (D-NV), WYDEN (D-OR), AKAKA (D-HI), DODD (D-CT), FEINSTEIN (D-CA)
REFERRALS:
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to assist the States and local governments in assessing and remediating brownfield sites and encouraging environmental cleanup programs, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/19/99 -- In The SENATE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.

Safe Drinking Water Act


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.124, Safe Drinking Water Act, Amendment
INTRODUCED BY:
ENGEL (D-NY)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Commerce
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to allow public water systems to avoid filtration requirements, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/06/99 -- In The HOUSE
AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.

Miscellaneous Municipal Issues


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.199, Children's Environmental Protection Act
INTRODUCED BY:
MORAN, JIM (D-VA)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Commerce
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to protect children and other vulnerable sub-populations from exposure to certain environmental pollutants, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/06/99 -- In The HOUSE
AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.294, Private Property Protection Act of 1999
INTRODUCED BY:
SWEENEY (R-NY)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on the Judiciary
House Committee on Agriculture
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to ensure that Federal agencies establish the appropriate procedures for assessing whether or not Federal regulations might result in the taking of private property, and to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to report to the Congress with respect to such takings under programs of the Department of Agriculture.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/06/99 -- In The HOUSE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.525, Defense of the Environment Act
INTRODUCED BY:
WAXMAN (D-CA)
REFERRALS:House Committee on Rules
House Committee on Government Reform
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to provide for the defense of the environment, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/03/99 -- In The HOUSE


02/10/99 -- In The HOUSE
AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.574, Peer Review of Scientific Data, Requirement
INTRODUCED BY:
POMBO (R-CA)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Government Reform
House Committee on Science
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to require peer review of scientific data used in support of Federal regulations, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/04/99 -- In The HOUSE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.673, Water Quality in the Florida Keys, Improvement
INTRODUCED BY:
DEUTSCH (D-FL)
REFERRALS:
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and other appropriate agencies for the purpose of improving water quality throughout the marine ecosystem of the Florida Keys.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/10/99 -- In The HOUSE


AMSA ACTION:Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
S.23, New Urban Agenda Act of 1999
INTRODUCED BY:
SPECTER (R-PA)
REFERRALS:
Senate Committee on Finance
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to promote a new urban agenda, and for other purposes.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/19/99 -- In The SENATE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
S.174, Y2K State and Local Government Assistance Programs Act of 1999
INTRODUCED BY:
MOYNIHAN (D-NY)
COSPONSORED BY:
COCHRAN (R-MS)
REFERRALS:
Senate Committee on Finance
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to provide funding for States to correct Y2K problems in computers that are used to administer State and local government programs.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/19/99 -- In The SENATE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
S.246, Private Property Fairness Act of 1999
INTRODUCED BY:
HAGEL (R-NE)
REFERRALS:
Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: A bill to protect private property rights guaranteed by the fifth amendment to the Constitution by requiring Federal agencies to prepare private property taking impact analyses and by allowing expanded access to Federal courts.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
01/19/99 -- In The SENATE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.


BILL TITLE & NUMBER:
S.446, Resources 2000 Act
INTRODUCED BY:
BOXER (D-CA)
REFERRALS:
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to provide for the permanent protection of the resources of the United States in the year 2000 and beyond.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/23/99 -- In The SENATE


AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring.