Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3427) to require the Comptroller General of the United States to review all clean water-related technical assistance authorities of the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3427
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act''. SEC. 2. GAO REPORT ON CLEAN WATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall initiate a comprehensive review of all covered technical assistance.
(b) Requirements.--The Comptroller General shall include in the review required under subsection (a) the following:
(1) A description of all covered technical assistance available to States, Tribes, local governments, and non- governmental organizations, including--
(A) the regions and populations that are served through the provision of technical assistance; and
(B) a summary of the activities and actions carried out through covered technical assistance during the 5-year period preceding this Act.
(2) A comprehensive review of how the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, through the Water Technical Assistance initiative (known as ``WaterTA initiative''), identifies, selects, and partners with technical assistance providers to support communities, including--
(A) a description of the criteria, evaluation process, and contracting mechanisms used for selecting such providers;
(B) a description of the extent of coordination with State, Tribal, and regional partners in the selection and deployment of such providers;
(C) a description of how such providers are matched to meet the needs of local communities, including any pre-engagement scoping activities or community consultations;
(D) a description of how such providers identify communities in need of technical assistance, including economically distressed communities, and conduct outreach to such communities;
(E) a description of the scope and types of assistance delivered through such initiative; and
(F) a list of communities that received technical assistance support through such initiative, including the type and cost of assistance received by each such community and a summary of the outcomes associated with the provision of such assistance.
(3) An analysis of any duplication of covered technical assistance available through multiple programs of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(4) An evaluation of how the provision of covered technical assistance builds capacity in communities to access other water infrastructure programs carried out by the Administrator.
(5) An assessment of the needs of economically distressed communities eligible to receive assistance under a clean water infrastructure program carried out by the Administrator that are not addressed through covered technical assistance.
(6) An evaluation of how the Administrator carries out covered technical assistance in coordination with other Federal agencies providing technical assistance related to water infrastructure.
(7) An evaluation of how covered technical assistance supports communities in understanding, identifying, and implementing alternative and cost-effective technologies and features of treatment works that achieve long-term savings and improved outcomes in addressing water quality challenges.
(c) Report.--Upon the completion of the review conducted under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report containing--
(1) the findings of such review; and
(2) any recommendations to improve covered technical assistance.
(d) Plan for Compliance.--Not later than 90 days after the Comptroller General submits the report required under subsection (c), and annually thereafter for a period of 5 years, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a plan detailing any actions the Administrator has taken to comply with the recommendations contained in such a report.
(e) Covered Technical Assistance Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered technical assistance'' means a technical assistance authority, initiative, or program of the Environmental Protection Agency that is related to clean water infrastructure.
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Mr. TAYLOR. 3427.
Mr. Speaker, my bill, H.R. 3427, the Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act, would instruct the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, to conduct a study reviewing the EPA's technical assistance programs.
Access to clean and safe water should not be determined by where you live, Mr. Speaker. During my time in Congress, I have heard from elected officials across southern Ohio about the difficulties they face navigating the Federal grant process due to budgetary constraints, insufficient time, and lack of technical expertise. This bill would change that by helping Appalachian regions get connected to resources they need to join the modern economy.
The EPA established technical assistance programs to connect rural communities like those in my district and across the United States with experts to help them navigate the Federal funding process to obtain water infrastructure.
Unfortunately, some of these technical assistance programs have failed to provide adequate assistance, hindering communities from obtaining critical water infrastructure funding.
My bill would direct the GAO to conduct a comprehensive study reviewing how the EPA identifies, selects, and partners with technical assistance providers, and provide recommendations on how the EPA can improve these technical assistance programs.
Once concluded, the EPA must submit a plan to Congress on how it intends to reform its technical assistance programs, helping connect communities with necessary resources to build and repair critical water infrastructure.
I am proud to lead legislation that helps alleviate the struggles that rural communities face in obtaining the infrastructure needed to survive. When water infrastructure ages well past its intended lifespan, Congress should support and advocate for programs that help rural communities, not leave them behind.
I thank my friend and colleague, Representative Figures, for joining me in this effort, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation to help communities across the United States receive the assistance they need to obtain water infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time to close.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3427, the Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act, is a good government bill that would help ensure that the EPA technical assistance programs effectively connect rural communities with experts to help them access water infrastructure funding. It is a step toward equal opportunity for areas that have long been denied it.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support from all of my colleagues on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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