[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7792 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7792
To provide for a national water data framework, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 17, 2022
Ms. Stansbury (for herself, Ms. Leger Fernandez, Mr. Owens, Mrs. Lee of
Nevada, Mr. Carson, Ms. Titus, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. Neguse,
Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Gallego, Mr. O'Halleran, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mr. Bishop
of Georgia, and Ms. Herrell) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the
Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Energy
and Commerce, Science, Space, and Technology, and Armed Services, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for a national water data framework, and for other purposes.
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 Data Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee''
means the Advisory Committee on Water Information established
by section 5(a).
(2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Water Data
Council established under section 4(a).
(3) Data standards.--The term ``data standards'' means
standards relating to the manner in which data are to be
structured, populated, and encoded in machine-readable formats,
and made interoperable for data exchange.
(4) Departments.--The term ``Departments'' means each of
the following:
(A) The Department of Agriculture.
(B) The Department of Commerce.
(C) The Department of Defense.
(D) The Department of Energy.
(E) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(F) The Department of Homeland Security.
(G) The Department of the Interior.
(H) The Environmental Protection Agency.
(I) The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
(5) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(6) National water data framework.--The term ``National
Water Data Framework'' means the national water data framework
developed under section 3.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(8) Water data.--The term ``water data'' means measurements
of basic properties relating to the planning and management of
water resources, including streamflow, precipitation,
groundwater, soil moisture, snow, evaporation, water quality,
and water use in agriculture, industry, natural systems, and
municipal uses.
(9) Water data grant program.--The term ``Water Data Grant
Program'' means the water data grant program established under
section 6(a).
(10) Water data infrastructure.--The term ``water data
infrastructure'' means an integrated system of information
technologies that includes common standards, formats, and tools
to make water data easy to find, access, and share online.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL WATER DATA FRAMEWORK.
(a) In General.--For the purpose of improving water resources
management and access across the United States, including addressing
drought, floods, and other water management challenges, the heads of
the Departments shall jointly develop and implement a national water
data framework for integrating, sharing, and using water data.
(b) Requirements.--In developing and implementing the National
Water Data Framework, the Departments shall--
(1) identify and prioritize key water data needed to
support water resources management and planning, including--
(A) water data sets, types, and associated
metadata; and
(B) water data infrastructure, technologies, and
tools;
(2) develop and adopt common national water data standards
for collecting, sharing, and integrating water data,
infrastructure, technologies, and tools in consultation with
States, Indian Tribes, local governments, and relevant bodies;
(3) ensure that Federal water data are made findable,
accessible, interoperable, and reusable in accordance with the
standards developed and adopted pursuant to this Act;
(4) integrate water data and tools through common
approaches to data infrastructure, platforms, models, and tool
development;
(5) establish a common, national geospatial index for
publishing and linking water data from Federal, State, Tribal,
and other non-Federal sources for online discovery;
(6) harmonize and align policies, programs, protocols,
budgets, and funding programs relating to water data to achieve
the purposes of this Act to the maximum extent practicable;
(7) participate in and coordinate water data activities
with the Council; and
(8) support the adoption of new technologies and the
development of tools for water data collection, sharing, and
standardization by Federal, State, Tribal, local, and other
entities.
SEC. 4. WATER DATA COUNCIL.
(a) In General.--The heads of the Departments shall establish an
interagency Council, to be known as the ``Water Data Council'', to
support the development and implementation of the National Water Data
Framework.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Duties of secretary.--The Secretary shall--
(A) serve as the Chair of the Council;
(B) in collaboration with the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, convene the Council not less
frequently than 4 times each year; and
(C) provide staff support for the Council through
the United States Geological Survey.
(2) Members.--Council Members shall include the heads of
the following entities:
(A) The Departments.
(B) Bureaus and offices of the Departments that
have a significant role or interest in water data,
including--
(i) the Corps of Engineers;
(ii) the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
(iii) the Bureau of Reclamation;
(iv) the Federal Emergency Management
Agency;
(v) the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission;
(vi) the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service;
(vii) the Indian Health Service;
(viii) the Forest Service;
(ix) the National Laboratories;
(x) the Natural Resources Conservation
Service;
(xi) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;
(xii) the Rural Development program of the
Department of Agriculture; and
(xiii) the United States Geological Survey.
(C) Offices of the Executive Office of the
President, including--
(i) the Council on Environmental Quality;
(ii) the Office of Management and Budget;
and
(iii) the Office of Science and Technology
Policy.
(D) Other Federal entities that the Chair and a
majority of the members of the Council described in
subparagraphs (A) through (C) determine to be
appropriate.
(c) Duties.--The Council shall--
(1) support the development and implementation of the
National Water Data Framework; and
(2) facilitate communication and collaboration among
members of the Council--
(A) to establish, adopt, and implement common
national water data standards;
(B) to promote water data sharing and integration
across Federal departments and agencies, including--
(i) water data collection, documentation,
maintenance, distribution, and preservation
strategies; and
(ii) development and use of water data
infrastructure, tools, and technologies to
support water management and planning;
(C) to align the policies, programs, protocols,
budgets, and funding programs relating to water data of
the members of the Council; and
(D) to promote partnerships across Federal entities
and non-Federal entities--
(i) to advance innovation and solutions in
water data, technology, tools, planning, and
management; and
(ii) to develop guidelines for data sharing
and protecting data privacy.
(d) Water Data Council Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, in conjunction
with the annual budget submission of the President to Congress under
section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary, acting
on behalf of the Council, shall submit to members of the Council and
the appropriate committees of Congress and make available publicly
online a report that describes--
(1) the National Water Data Framework;
(2) the actions undertaken by the Departments to implement
this Act pursuant to section 3;
(3) key water data sets, types, and infrastructure needed
to support water management and planning;
(4) goals, targets, and actions to carry out the National
Water Data Framework in the subsequent fiscal year;
(5) a summary and evaluation of the progress of the
Departments in achieving any prior goals, targets, and actions
to carry out the National Water Data Framework;
(6) actions needed to align policies, programs, and
budgetary resources to carry out the National Water Data
Framework in the subsequent fiscal year;
(7) grants and assistance provided to State, Tribal, and
local entities toward the development and adoption of new
technologies and tools;
(8) opportunities to develop and incentivize the deployment
of promising next-generation technologies, including new water
data technologies and tools, in partnership with the private
sector and others to accomplish the purposes of this Act; and
(9) metrics for achieving the National Water Data
Framework.
SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WATER INFORMATION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Department of
the Interior an advisory committee, to be known as the ``Advisory
Committee on Water Information'', to advise the Secretary, Departments,
and Council on the development and implementation of the National Water
Data Framework.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--The Advisory Committee shall be composed
of members, to be appointed by the Secretary in a manner that
provides for--
(A) balanced representation among various entities
involved in water-related activities; and
(B) consideration for a geographic balance of
individuals representing localities across the United
States.
(2) Selection.--Members of the Advisory Committee shall be
selected by the Secretary from among entities involved in
water-related activities, including--
(A) States;
(B) Indian Tribes;
(C) local governments;
(D) Federal entities;
(E) water agencies, utilities, conservation
districts, irrigation districts, acequias, and other
water user associations;
(F) organizations that facilitate collaboration
across States and multi-state instrumentalities;
(G) educational institutions;
(H) professional organizations;
(I) water data and technology-related experts,
professionals, and industries;
(J) private sector entities; and
(K) nonprofit organizations.
(3) Term.--Members of the Advisory Committee shall be
appointed by the Secretary for a term not to exceed 4 years.
(c) Chair.--The Secretary shall serve as the Chair of the Advisory
Committee.
(d) Staff Support.--The United States Geological Survey shall
provide support services for the Advisory Committee.
(e) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the
Chair, but not less frequently than 4 times each year.
(f) Duties.--The duties of the Advisory Committee are to advise the
Secretary, Departments, and Council on--
(1) the development and implementation of the National
Water Data Framework;
(2) efforts to operate a cost-effective national network of
water data collection and analysis that meets the priority
water information needs of the Federal Government and, to the
extent practicable using available resources, the needs of the
non-Federal community that are tied to national interests;
(3) efforts to develop uniform standards, guidelines, and
procedures for the collection, analysis, management, and
dissemination of water information to improve quality,
consistency, and accessibility nationwide; and
(4) the effectiveness of existing water information
programs and recommended modifications needed to respond to
changes in legislation, technology, and other conditions.
(g) Applicability of FACA.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to
the Advisory Committee.
(2) No termination.--Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the
Advisory Committee.
SEC. 6. WATER DATA GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a water data grant
program under which the Secretary shall award grants--
(1) to support non-Federal entities in making water data
sets findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable in
accordance with the water data standards established under this
Act;
(2) to advance the development of water data
infrastructure, tools, and technologies to facilitate the
sharing and use of water data;
(3) to support programs and projects that facilitate water
data sharing and use in water resources management and the
implementation of the National Water Data Framework; and
(4) to provide a prize for accelerating innovation and
developing next-generation water data tools and technologies.
(b) Coordination With the Council.--The Secretary shall consult and
coordinate with the Council in creating and implementing the Water Data
Grant Program to ensure that--
(1) the Water Data Grant Program is aligned with and
carries out the purposes of this Act; and
(2) grants and programs are harmonized across the
Departments and members of the Council to achieve the purposes
of this Act.
(c) Eligible Entities.--An entity eligible for a grant under the
Water Data Grant Program--
(1) shall demonstrate significant needs or capabilities for
advancing water data sharing and tools with a significant
public benefit; and
(2) may include--
(A) a State, multistate instrumentality, Indian
Tribe, or other unit of local government;
(B) a water agency, utility, conservation district,
irrigation district, acequia, mutual domestic
association, or other entity organized pursuant to
Federal, Tribal, or local laws for the purpose of
water-related activities;
(C) an educational institution or nonprofit
organization; and
(D) in the case of carrying out activities
described in subsection (a)(4)--
(i) an individual who is a citizen or legal
resident of the United States; or
(ii) an entity that is incorporated and
maintains the primary place of business of the
entity in the United States.
(d) Requirements.--
(1) Data sharing and standards.--Any project funded through
the Water Data Grant Program shall be implemented in accordance
with the water data standards established under section 3.
(2) Use of existing water data infrastructure.--The
recipient of a grant shall, to the extent practicable, leverage
existing water data and water data infrastructure.
(e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, and annually thereafter, in conjunction with the annual
budget submission of the President to Congress under section 1105(a) of
title 31, United States Code, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report that describes the implementation of the Water Data Grant
Program, including--
(1) a description of the use and deployment of amounts made
available under the Water Data Grant Program;
(2) an accounting of all grants awarded under the Water
Data Grant Program, including a description of--
(A) each grant recipient; and
(B) each project funded under the Water Data Grant
Program;
(3) an assessment of the success of the Water Data Grant
Program in advancing the purposes of this Act; and
(4) a plan for the subsequent fiscal year to achieve the
purposes of this Act.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the Water Data Grant Program
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027, to remain
available until expended.
(g) Administrative Costs.--Of the funds authorized to be
appropriated under subsection (f), not more than 3 percent may be used
by the Secretary for administrative costs.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry
out sections 3 through 5 $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023
through 2027, to remain available until expended.
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