Funding & Innovative Technologies
BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
H.R.3180, INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES ACT OF 1997
INTRODUCED BY:
Representative Calvin Dooley (D-CA)
REFERRED TO:
House Committee on Commerce
House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to provide for innovative strategies for achieving superior
environmental performance. The legislation would authorize owners
or operators of facilities subject to Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) rules, requirements, policies or practices to submit
proposals for innovative environmental strategies for achieving
better environmental results to the EPA Administrator. Authorizes
the Administrator to enter into an innovative environmental strategy
agreement with a facility upon approval of the proposal and subject
to specific requirements. Agreements must be limited to five-year
terms, with exceptions.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
02/11/98 - In The HOUSE
- Introduced by Dooley and referred to committee
AMSA ACTIONS:
Monitoring
BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
S.C.R.86, RESOLUTION SETTING FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR
FISCAL YEARS 1999-2003
INTRODUCED BY:
Senator Pete Domenici
REFERRED TO:
No committee referral on introduction
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional
budget for the United States government for the fiscal years 1999,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and revising the concurrent resolution.
The House of Representatives and the Senate Budget Committees
annually lay out budget allocations to fund federal departments,
agencies and programs. House and Senate Appropriations Committees
are then responsible for deciding how the money is spent within
their particular jurisdiction. Appropriations for the Environmental
Protection Agency is handled through the Appropriations Subcommittees
on VA, HUD & Independent Agencies.
On March 18, the Senate Budget Committee approved Senate Concurrent
Resolution 86, which sets funding levels for 1999. The Committee
agreed to provide roughly the same level of funds for the Environmental
Protection Agency as enacted in FY'98. The Committee rejected
President Clinton's $548 million request to fund the Clean Water
Action Plan. The funding was rejected because of concerns over
the impact it would have on the terms of the Balanced Budget Act
of 1997.
During Budget Committee debate on S.C.R.86, Senator Frank Lautenberg
(D-NJ) proposed an amendment to fund the implementation of the
Clean Water Action Plan and other environmental program increases
with revenue from a reinstated Superfund tax. Senator Lautenberg's
amendment was defeated, but he expected to bring it up again during
Senate floor debate on the resolution which begins during the
week of March 30.
Senate Budget Committee members are not the only Members of
Congress voicing concern over the President's funding proposal
for the Clean Water Action Plan. Senator John Chafee (R-RI),
Chair of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee and
Senator Christopher Bond (R-MO), Chair of the Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee on VA, HUD & Independent Agencies have both expressed
reservations about the funding request and its impact on budget
rules. Additionally, some press reports indicate that there is
concern among Senate GOP members that some aspects of the Clean
Water Action Plan exceed provided by the Clean Water Act.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
03/17/98 - In The SENATE
- Public mark-up held by Senate Committee on the Budget
- Mark-up recessed by Senate Committee on the Budget
03/19/98 - In The SENATE
- Public mark-up held by Senate Committee on the Budget
- Ordered reported by Senate Committee on the Budget
03/20/98 - In The SENATE
- Introduced by Domenici
- Original measure reported by Senate committee on the Budget
- Report filed by Senate Committee on Budget
AMSA ACTION:
The AMSA National Office forwarded letters to all Senators
on March 27 requesting their support for Senator Lautenberg's
amendment during floor debate on this resolution. Senator Lautenberg's
amendment would shore up funding for the Clean Water Action Plan
in 1999.
BILL NUMBER & TITLE:
S.1480, HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM RESEARCH AND CONTROL ACT OF 1997
INTRODUCED BY:
Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
REFERRED TO:
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
A bill to authorize appropriations for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to conduct research, monitoring, education
and management activities for the eradication and control of harmful
algal blooms, including blooms of Pfiesteria piscicida and other
aquatic toxins.
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO DATE:
11/08/97 -- In The SENATE
- Introduced and referred to committee.
AMSA ACTION:
Monitoring
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