HR-291 : Still Just a Bill

Water in the 21st Century Act or W21

This bill establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a WaterSense program to identify, label, and promote water efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services.

This bill establishes a program to provide financial incentives for consumers to purchase and install products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services labeled under the WaterSense program.

The EPA is required to make grants to owners or operators of water systems to address any ongoing or forecasted impact of climate change on a region's water quality or quantity.

The Department of the Interior may: (1) provide financial assistance to water projects in specified states, including projects for water recycling, water infrastructure, enhanced energy efficiency, desalination, and water storage and conveyance; and (2) transfer to nonfederal entities title to any reclamation projects or facility in need of rehabilitation that are authorized before enactment of this Act.

The U.S. Geological Survey must establish an open water data system to advance the availability, timely distribution, and widespread use of water data and information for water management, education, research, assessment, and monitoring purposes.

This bill reauthorizes through FY2020 the Water Desalination Act of 1996 and water resources research and technology institutes under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984.

After receiving a request from a nonfederal sponsor, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must review the operation of a reservoir and, if appropriate, update the water control manual to incorporate improved weather and runoff forecasting methods.

The EPA is required to develop voluntary national drought resilience guidelines relating to preparedness planning and investments for water users and providers.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must prepare a salmon drought plan for California.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2015-03-02CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.House committee actions
2015-02-19CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Environment.House committee actions
2015-01-16CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.House committee actions
2015-01-14CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.House committee actions
2015-01-13IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2015-01-13IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2015-01-13IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2015-01-13IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2015-01-13IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Environmental Protection
See Subjects
  • Alternative and renewable resources
  • Arizona
  • Atmospheric science and weather
  • California
  • Climate change and greenhouse gases
  • Colorado
  • Congressional oversight
  • Consumer affairs
  • Energy efficiency and conservation
  • Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
  • Environmental technology
  • Fishes
  • Floods and storm protection
  • Government information and archives
  • Government lending and loan guarantees
  • Housing industry and standards
  • Idaho
  • Kansas
  • Land transfers
  • Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • North Dakota
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Research administration and funding
  • Residential rehabilitation and home repair
  • South Dakota
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Washington State
  • Water quality
  • Water resources funding
  • Water storage
  • Water use and supply
  • Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
  • Wyoming

Related Bills

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