S 4999 United States Senate · 118th Congress

A bill to amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.

This bill clarifies that water managers and landowners using existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, or authorizations for aquifer recharge do not need additional approval from the Secretary of the Interior. It specifically amends the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to state that such recharge activities "shall not be considered an expansion or modification" of current operations. The change directly affects entities managing water infrastructure for recharge purposes, allowing them to utilize existing authorizations without seeking new permits. The key mechanism removes ambiguity about whether recharge activities using current infrastructure require separate authorization. This is a technical clarification focused on streamlining existing water management processes.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Sep 10, 2024 Last action Nov 21, 2024
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Nov 21, 2024
Upper · Passed
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
upper
Nov 19, 2024
Upper · Passed
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
upper
Sep 11, 2024
Upper · Passed
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
upper
Sep 10, 2024
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
upper
Sep 10, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of James E. Risch
James E. Risch
RRepublican
ID
n/a