HWEA Government Affairs Committee Report
By David Nagamine
December 2009
- Wastewater Infrastructure Funding – House Resolution 3202
HR 3202 (The Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2009), which sets up a federal trust fund for clean water and wastewater infrastructure, was introduced in July 2009. HR 3202 has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. The bill would:
- Amend the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury, the Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to support investments in clean water and drinking water infrastructure.
- Impose through 2015: (1) an excise tax on the sale of containers of water-based beverages, water disposal products, and pharmaceutical products; and (2) a clean water tax on corporations.
- Appropriate revenues raised from such taxes to the Trust Fund.
- Chemical Security Legislation – House Resolution 2868
HR 2868 (The Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009), which tightens chemical security protocols for water and wastewater treatment facilities, was passed by the House on 11/6/09 and referred to the Senate on 11/9/09. For facilities operating at or above 2.5 mgd, the bill would require:
- FY 2010 Interior Appropriations Bill – Clean
Congress approved the FY 2010 Interior Appropriations Bill in October 2009. The legislation provides approximately $2.1 billion for the CWSRF compared to $689 million appropriated in FY 09, about a three fold increase. The State Department of Health expects to receive about $15 million in FY 2010 funds for the Hawaii CWSRF.
