HR-23 : Still Just a Bill

Gaining Responsibility on Water Act of 2017

This bill requires the Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State Water Project in California to be operated pursuant to the water quality standards and operational constraints described in the "Principles for Agreement on the Bay-Delta Standards Between the State of California and the Federal Government" dated December 15, 1994.

The Department of the Interior shall cease any action to implement the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act.

The Bureau of Reclamation shall complete specified feasibility studies for water storage projects in California.

Interior is directed, in the operation of the CVP, to adhere to California's water rights laws governing water rights priorities and to honor water rights senior to those held by the United States.

Interior, in the operation of the Trinity River Division of the CVP, shall not make releases from Lewiston Dam in excess of specified volumes for each water-year type.

Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall recognize: (1) congressional opposition to the violation of private property rights by the California State Water Resources Control Board in its proposal to require a minimum percentage of unimpaired flows in the main tributaries of the San Joaquin River; and (2) the need to provide reliable water supplies to municipal, industrial, and agricultural users across the state.

The Bureau of Reclamation is established as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all reviews, permits, licenses, or other approvals or decisions required under federal law to construct qualifying water projects. Reclamation shall identify, as early as practicable upon receipt of an application for a qualifying project, any federal agency that may have jurisdiction over a review, permit, license, approval, or decision required for a qualifying project.

Interior must convert certain existing water service contracts between the United States and water users' associations to repayment contracts, upon the request of the contractor, to allow for the prepayment of such contracts.

The bill amends the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978 to authorize Interior to develop additional project benefits through the construction of new or supplementary works.

Neither Interior nor USDA may condition or withhold issuance or renewal of any land use permit based on federal limitations or encumbrances or otherwise infringe on state water rights.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2017-07-18IntroReferralReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Senate
2017-07-12FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2017-07-12VoteOn passage Passed by recorded vote: 230 - 190 (Roll no. 352).House floor actions
2017-07-12VoteOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 189 - 230 (Roll no. 351).House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorFloor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Carbajal motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to ensure that there is an adequate supply of water to fight wildfires, utilizing water from reservoirs or other surface waters.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorMr. Carbajal moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H5531)House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorThe House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorThe House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 23.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pearce amendment No. 6.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorPOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the DeSaulnier amendment No. 5, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. DeSaulnier demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the DeSaulnier amendment No. 5.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Denham amendment No. 4.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Costa amendment No. 3.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Costa amendment No. 2.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the LaMalfa amendment No. 1.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorGENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 23.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorThe Speaker designated the Honorable Scott Perry to act as Chairman of the Committee.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorHouse resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 431 and Rule XVIII.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorThe resolution provides for one hour of debate on both H.R. 2810 and H.R. 23. Both bills are considered under structured rules.House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 431. (consideration: CR H5503-5533; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5511-5524)House floor actions
2017-07-12FloorRule H. Res. 431 passed House.House floor actions
2017-07-11FloorRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 431 Reported to House. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on both H.R. 2810 and H.R. 23. Both bills are considered under structured rules.House floor actions
2017-02-10CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.House committee actions
2017-01-03IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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
2017-01-03IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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
2017-01-03IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Water Resources Development
See Subjects
  • Congressional oversight
  • Dams and canals
  • Disaster relief and insurance
  • Endangered and threatened species
  • Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
  • Federal-Indian relations
  • Fishes
  • Government liability
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Intergovernmental relations
  • Judicial review and appeals
  • Lakes and rivers
  • Licensing and registrations
  • Performance measurement
  • Public contracts and procurement
  • State and local government operations
  • Water quality
  • Water resources funding
  • Water storage
  • Water use and supply
  • Wetlands
  • California

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