WASHINGTON, DC - Building off the momentum of last week’s hearing examining rural water issues, the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), has scheduled a markup for Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, to consider S. 611, “The Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act." The markup will begin 15 minutes after the conclusion of the subcommittee’s hearing that morning, or 12:00 p.m., whichever is later, in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
S. 611 is the companion to H.R. 2853 - a bill introduced by Subcommittee Vice Chairman Gregg Harper (R-MS) - that would help to alleviate the financial burden EPA’s drinking water regulations have placed on small and rural drinking water supply systems.
S. 611 would:
* Reauthorize the EPA program providing technical assistance to small public water systems.
* Authorize EPA to provide technical assistance programs to small public water systems through grants or cooperative agreements made to non-profit organizations.
Shimkus and Harper commented, “As members who proudly represent communities in small towns and rural America, this issue is of great importance. These communities disproportionately face higher costs when complying with federal rules and regulations and the technical assistance provided by this legislation takes an important step in identifying what their needs are. We’re looking forward to considering this legislation on Wednesday and ushering it through the committee process."
An electronic copy of S. 611 can be found on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s website here. A background memo, amendments, and votes will be available at the same link as they are posted.
