Italicized items indicate new legislation or a change in status since last month
SENATE BILLS
S. 78: The Protecting Pregnant Women and Children From Perchlorate Act
Requires EPA to finalize a national drinking water regulation for perchlorate within one year of the bill’s enactment.
Sponsor: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)
Status: Introduced 1/25/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 79: The Protecting Pregnant Women and Children From Hexavalent Chromium Act
Require EPA to finalize a national drinking water regulation for chromium-6 within one year of the bill’s enactment.
Sponsor: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)
Status: Introduced 1/25/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 413: The Cybersecurity and Internet Freedom Act
Creates a new DHS program to regulate the security of computer networks that operate critical infrastructure.
Sponsor: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.)
Status: Introduced 2/17/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 473: The Continuing Chemical Facilities Antiterrorism Security Act
Extends the Department of Homeland Security’s CFATS program through October 4, 2014. Continues the water and wastewater sector exemption.
Sponsor: Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)
Status: Approved by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, 6/29/11.
S. 587: The Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act
Allows EPA to regulate hydraulic fracturing chemicals under SDWA, and requires the disclosure of fracking mixtures.
Sponsor: Sen. Robert Casey (D-Penn.)
Status: Introduced 3/15/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 652: The Building and Upgrading Infrastructure for Long-Term Development (BUILD) Act
Establishes an infrastructure bank through an American Infrastructure Financing Authority to offer loans to major transportation, energy, and water projects.
Sponsor: Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)
Status: Introduced 3/17/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
S. 709: The Secure Chemical Facilities Act
Reauthorizes the Department of Homeland Security’s CFATS program, and imposes “inherently safer technology” review and implementation mandates on chemical facilities. Continues CFATS exemption for water and wastewater systems.
Sponsor: Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)
Status: Introduced 3/31/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 711: The Secure Water Facilities Act
Imposes an updated EPA-based facility security program on water and wastewater systems. Requires certain utilities to review “inherently safer technology” options, and allows state regulators to review utility “IST” implementation decisions.
Sponsor: Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)
Status: Introduced 3/31/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 718: To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to improve the use of certain registered pesticides.
Bars the federal government from requiring additional permits for pesticides that are used in a manner consistent with their FIFRA label.
Sponsor: Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.)
Status: Introduced 4/4/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
S. 875: The Drinking Water Right to Know Act
Enables EPA to require permanent monitoring for drinking water contaminants detected during testing under the unregulated contaminant monitoring program.
Sponsor: Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)
Status: Introduced 5/3/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 898: The Safe Treatment of Polluted Stormwater Runoff (STOPS Runoff) Act
Requires the Transportation Department to work with EPA to craft stormwater mitigation standards for federal highway projects.
Sponsor: Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.)
Status: Introduced 5/5/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 939: The Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act
Exempts water and wastewater infrastructure projects from state volume caps imposed upon holders of private activity bonds (PABs).
Sponsor: Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.)
Status: Similar language passed Senate as part of S. 1813.
S. 999: The Small System Safe Drinking Water Act
Prevents EPA from taking enforcement actions against drinking water systems serving fewer than 10,000 people without ensuring the community has the money to pay for the required upgrades.
Sponsor: Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.)
Status: Introduced 5/16/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 1343: The Energy and Water Integration Act
Provides for studies and research into the inter-relationship of water resources and energy production.
Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.)
Status: Approved by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 7/11/11.
S. 1550: The National Infrastructure Bank Act
Creates a national infrastructure bank to offer funding to large infrastructure projects, including drinking water projects.
Sponsor: Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Oh.)
Status: Introduced 9/13/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
S. 1578: The End Unnecessary Mailers Act
Companion bill to H.R. 1340, which would allow some drinking water systems to share annual consumer confidence reports electronically.
Sponsor: Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Penn.)
Status: Introduced 9/19/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 1660: The American Jobs Act
President Obama’s job creation proposal, which includes, among other provisions, a $10 billion national infrastructure bank with eligibility for large drinking water and wastewater projects.
Sponsor: Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
Status: Introduced 10/5/11. Motion to proceed to debate failed on a vote of 50-49 (60 votes necessary to proceed), 10/11/11.
S. 1669: The Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act
Companion bill to H.R. 2738, which would establish a competitive grant program for water utilities to access to fund projects to adapt infrastructure to changing hydrological conditions.
Sponsor: Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.)
Status: Introduced 10/6/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 1769: The Rebuild America Jobs Act
Provides $50 billion for transportation infrastructure projects, plus an additional $10 billion to establish a national infrastructure bank with eligibility for large drinking water and wastewater projects.
Sponsor: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
Status: Introduced 10/31/11. Motion to proceed to debate failed on a vote of 51-49 (60 votes necessary to proceed), 11/3/11.
S. 1813: The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act
Reauthorizes federal transportation programs for two years, and lifts the state volume cap on private activity bonds used to fund water and wastewater facility projects until January 1, 2018.
Sponsor: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)
Status: Approved by the Senate, 3/14/12.
S. 1881: The Safeguarding America’s Future and Environment (SAFE) Act
Requires federal natural resource agencies to plan for the projected impacts of global climate change.
Sponsor: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)
Status: Introduced 11/16/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 1960: The Jobs Creation Act
Extends the payroll tax cut through 2012 and provides an additional $800 million for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.
Sponsor: Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)
Status: Introduced 12/7/11; referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
S. 2094: The Clean Water Affordability Act
Establishes a grant program to help communities upgrade aging sewer infrastructure and directs EPA to create an integrated permit for municipalities to manage sewer overflows and stormwater runoff.
Sponsor: Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Oh.)
Status: Introduced 2/9/12; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 2105: The Cybersecurity Act
Requires DHS to establish minimum cybersecurity performance standards for certain critical infrastructure assets.
Sponsor: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.)
Status: Introduced 2/14/12.
S. 2122: The Defense of Environment and Property Act
Limits the federal definition of “navigable waters” to waters that are “navigable-in-fact” or permanently or continuously connected to such waters.
Sponsor: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ken.)
Status: Introduced 2/16/12; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 2151: The Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity by Using Research, Education, Information, and Technology (SECURE IT) Act
Increases federal criminal penalties for hacking computer systems controlling critical infrastructure assets, and increases federal cybersecurity information sharing.
Sponsor: Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)
Status: Introduced 3/1/12; referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
S. 2166: The Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act
Reauthorize Safe Drinking Water Act technical assistance to small public water systems through 2017.
Sponsor: Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.)
Status: Introduced 3/7/12; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 2245: The Preserve the Waters of the United States Act
Blocks EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from finalizing a controversial guidance related to the scope of the federal Clean Water Act.
Sponsor: Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wy.)
Status: Introduced 3/28/12; referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 2248: The Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands Act
Grants the states the sole authority to promulgate or enforce any regulations or guidance related to hydraulic fracturing.
Sponsor: Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.)
Status: Introduced 3/28/12; referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
HOUSE BILLS
H.R. 402: The National Infrastructure Development Bank Act
Creates a National Infrastructure Bank at the U.S. Treasury to help communities finance energy, environmental, telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure projects.
Sponsor: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)
Status: Introduced 1/24/11; referred to the House Committees on Financial Services, Energy and Commerce, and Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R. 553: The Endocrine Disruptor Screening Enhancement Act
Updates the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program, which was established to help EPA identify chemicals in water supplies that disrupt hormones.
Sponsor: Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.)
Status: Introduced 2/8/11; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 872: The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act
Exempts from NPDES permitting requirements discharges of FIFRA-approved pesticides into waters as long as the pesticide is being used for its intended purpose and is discharged in compliance with pesticide label rules.
Sponsor: Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio)
Status: Approved by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, 6/21/11.
H.R. 901: The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Security Authorization Act
Enshrines the Department of Homeland Security’s CFATS regulations in statute, and authorizes the program through September 30, 2018. Maintains the water and wastewater sector exemption.
Sponsor: Rep. Daniel Lungren (R-Calif.)
Status: Amended and approved by the Committee on Homeland Security, 6/22/11.
H.R. 908: The Full Implementation of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Act
Extends the Department of Homeland Security’s CFATS program for seven years. Continues the water and wastewater sector exemption.
Sponsor: Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Penn.)
Status: Amended and approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, 5/26/11.
H.R. 916: The Continuing Chemical Facilities Antiterrorism Security Act
Extends the Department of Homeland Security’s CFATS program through October 4, 2015. Continues the water and wastewater sector exemption.
Sponsor: Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Penn.)
Status: Introduced 3/3/11; referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Homeland Security.
H.R. 1084: The Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act
Companion legislation to S. 587.
Sponsor: Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.)
Status: Introduced 3/15/11; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 1340: The End Unnecessary Costs Caused by Report Mailing Act
Allows drinking water systems that are in compliance with all MCLs to distribute annual consumer confidence reports to customers electronically rather than through postal mail.
Sponsor: Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.)
Status: Introduced 4/1/11; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 1427: The Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act
Reauthorizes Safe Drinking Water Act technical assistance for community water systems that serve fewer than 10,000 people.
Sponsor: Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.)
Status: Introduced 4/7/11; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 1677: The Drug Free Water Act
Directs EPA to convene a task force to develop recommendations for the proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals.
Sponsor: Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.)
Status: Introduced 5/2/11; referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R. 1684: The Keep American Jobs from Going Down the Drain Act
Requires water and wastewater projects using SRF funding to meet “Buy American” requirements for steel, iron, and manufactured goods.
Sponsor: Rep. Betty Sutton (D-Ohio)
Status: Introduced 5/3/11; referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R. 1802: The Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act
Exempts water and wastewater infrastructure projects from state volume caps imposed upon holders of private activity bonds (PABs).
Sponsor: Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.)
Status: Similar language passed by Senate as part of S. 1813.
H.R. 1967: The Water Advanced Technologies for Efficient Resource (WATER) Use Act
Authorizes funding for state and local incentive programs that encourage the early adoption of water efficient products and services, and permanently authorizes EPA’s WaterSense program.
Sponsor: Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.)
Status: Introduced 5/24/11; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
H.R. 2018: The Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act
Restricts the ability of EPA to issue revised water quality standards for pollutants if a state has already adopted a standard that has been approved by EPA.
Sponsor: Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.)
Status: Passed by the House of Representatives, 7/13/11.
H.R. 2664: The Reauthorization of Water Desalination Act
Reauthorizes the Desalination Act of 1996, allocating $2 million a year for desalination research through 2016.
Sponsor: Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.)
Status: Introduced 7/27/11; referred to the House Committees on Natural Resources and Science, Space, and Technology.
H.R. 2738: The Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act
Creates a new competitive grant program through which water systems can access matching funding to adapt their infrastructure to changing hydrological conditions.
Sponsor: Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.)
Status: Introduced 8/1/11; referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Natural Resources.
H.R. 2890: To Expand Homeland Security at Public Water Systems and Treatment Works
Eliminates the exemption of drinking water and wastewater utilities from DHS’ CFATS program.
Sponsor: Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-Mich.)
Status: Introduced 9/12/11; referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R. 2939: The Pharmaceutical Stewardship Act
Establishes a National Pharmaceutical Stewardship Organization to facilitate the disposal of leftover pharmaceutical products.
Sponsor: Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.)
Status: Introduced 9/15/11; referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.
H.R. 3145: The Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act
Reauthorizes the Clean Water SRF program, establishes a Clean Water Trust Fund, and allows the federal government to make direct loans to large wastewater infrastructure projects.
Sponsor: Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.)
Status: Introduced 10/11/11; referred to the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Ways and Means.
H.R. 3259: The National Infrastructure Bank Act
Creates a national infrastructure bank, with eligibility for large drinking water and wastewater projects.
Sponsor: Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Oh.)
Status: Introduced 10/25/11; referred to the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Financial Services.
H.R. 3533: The Invest in American Jobs Act
Adds new “Buy American” requirements to projects funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Sponsor: Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.V.)
Status: Introduced 12/1/11; referred to the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Financial Services.
H.R. 3544: To Limit Citizen Suits Against Publicly Owned Treatment Works
Limits private-party lawsuits against POTWs to issues of “significant non-compliance” and provides liability protection to POTWs relating to discharges arising from acts beyond their control.
Sponsor: Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.)
Status: Introduced 12/1/11; referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R. 3674: The Promoting and Enhancing Cybersecurity and Information Sharing Effectiveness (PrECISE) Act
Recognizes DHS as the lead agency for collecting and sharing cyber threat information and allows DHS to offer voluntary cybersecurity assistance to the owners and operators of critical infrastructure assets.
Sponsor: Rep. Daniel Lungren (R-Calif.)
Status: Amended and approved by the House Homeland Security Committee, 4/18/12.
H.R. 4263: The Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity by Using Research, Education, Information, and Technology (SECURE IT) Act
Companion legislation to S. 2151, which increases federal criminal penalties for hacking critical infrastructure information systems.
Sponsor: Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.)
Status: Introduced 4/9/12; referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
H.R. 4266: The Protecting Pregnant Women and Children From Hexavalent Chromium Act
Companion legislation to S. 79, which directs EPA to establish national drinking water regulation for chromium-6 within one year of the bill’s enactment.
Sponsor: Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.)
Status: Introduced 3/27/12; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 4304: The Defense of Environment and Property Act
Companion legislation to S. 2122, which limits the federal definition of “navigable waters” to waters that are “navigable-in-fact” or permanently or continuously connected to such waters.
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Rooney (R-Fla.)
Status: Introduced 3/29/12; referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R. 4345: The Domestic Fuels Protection Act
Limits the liability of fuel producers relating to environmental contamination of MTBE and other fuels and fuel additives.
Sponsor: Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.)
Status: Introduced 3/30/12; referred to the House committees on Energy and Commerce and Judiciary.
H.R. 4965: To preserve existing rights and responsibilities with respect to waters of the United States
Blocks EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from advancing a controversial guidance to alter the scope of the federal Clean Water Act.
Sponsor: Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.)
Status: Introduced 4/27/12; referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R. 5826: The Coordinating Water Research For A Clean Water Future Act
Establishes a National Water Research and Development Initiative to coordinate federal water research.
Sponsor: Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.)
Status: Introduced 5/18/12; referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
H.R. 5829: The Energy and Water Research Integration Act
Directs the Energy Department to incorporate water considerations into its energy research programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.)
Status: Introduced 5/18/12; referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.