Summary of H.R. 547 - National Infrastructure Development Bank Act of 2017

This bill proposes the creation of a new National Infrastructure Development Bank to help the United States invest in and improve its infrastructure (things like roads, bridges, water systems, energy, and broadband networks). The bank aims to make it easier and more efficient for public and private sectors to finance infrastructure projects that create jobs and strengthen the economy.

Why is this needed?

• Good infrastructure creates jobs and helps economic growth.
• Many historic projects (like canals, highways, dams) boosted America’s economy in the past.
• The US ranks 11th globally in infrastructure but has many aging systems that received a poor grade ("D+") and need trillions of dollars of investment soon.
• Current government funds are insufficient to meet the growing infrastructure needs.
• Private investors like pension funds and banks want to invest in infrastructure but need a trustworthy institution to partner with.

What will the National Infrastructure Development Bank do?

- The Bank will be a government-owned corporation that provides loans, loan guarantees, and issues special bonds ("Public Benefit Bonds") to fund infrastructure projects across the country.

- It will work with states, local governments, and private partners to finance projects in transportation, energy, environment, and telecommunications.

- It aims to attract private investment by sharing the risk and making projects more financially viable.

How will the Bank be governed?

• It will have a 7-member Board of Directors appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
• Board members must have experience in public sector, private sector, and finance.
• The Board oversees the Bank’s activities, reviews projects, and approves financing decisions.
• The Bank will have three main committees:
  • Executive Committee - handles daily operations and project approvals.
  • Risk Management Committee - manages financial and operational risks.
  • Audit Committee - handles audits and ensures accountability.

What kinds of projects qualify?

Projects must provide a clear public benefit. Purely private projects without public benefits are not eligible. The Bank will prioritize:

• Projects that boost economic growth and create jobs, especially those benefiting disadvantaged communities.
• Transportation projects that reduce traffic, improve safety, and reduce greenhouse gases.
• Environmental projects improving water systems, flood protection, and pollution control.
• Energy projects supporting renewables, energy efficiency, and smart grid technologies.
• Telecommunications projects expanding broadband, especially in rural and poor areas.

Financial Assistance Details

• The Bank can provide direct loans, loan guarantees, and issue bonds to finance projects.
• Financial assistance generally won’t exceed 50% of a project's eligible costs.
• Projects must have dedicated revenue sources to repay loans.
• The Bank will charge reasonable fees and ensure projects meet strict risk and compliance rules.

Special Bond Program - American Infrastructure Bonds

The Bank can support tax-advantaged bonds called American Infrastructure Bonds. The Bank pays a subsidy on interest to issuers of these bonds to make borrowing cheaper for infrastructure projects.

The subsidy is limited by law so the Bank doesn’t overspend and must be approved based on project merits.

Other Important Provisions

• Workforce protections: Workers on funded projects must be paid fair wages per existing federal law (Davis-Bacon Act).
• Buy America rules: Projects receiving funding must primarily use US-produced iron, steel, and manufactured goods, except under limited exceptions.
• Transparency: The Bank must keep records public and allow 30 days for public comments before final financing is approved.
• Auditing and Reporting: The Bank will have annual audits and report yearly to Congress and the President about its activities and project progress.
• Tax exemption: Bonds issued by the Bank will be exempt from state and local taxes.

Funding for the Bank

The bill authorizes $5 billion annually from 2017 to 2021 to capitalize the Bank, with limited amounts set aside for administrative costs.

In Summary

This bill sets up a government-owned Infrastructure Bank to better manage and finance important infrastructure projects across the US by combining public funds, private investments, and bond issuance. It expects to accelerate infrastructure improvements, create jobs, support economic growth, protect the environment, and improve public services like transportation, water, energy, and communication.

Understanding H.R. 23 - Gaining Responsibility on Water Act of 2017

This law is designed to provide drought relief and improve water management in California, focusing especially on ensuring reliable water supplies, protecting water rights, improving fish and wildlife habitats, and streamlining permit processes for water projects. Here’s a layman's overview of the main points from the bill:

Title I: Central Valley Project (CVP) Water Reliability

This section aims to make water delivery from the Central Valley Project more reliable by:

• Ensuring water dedicated to fish and wildlife is replaced for water users by the end of 2018.
• Facilitating and speeding up water transfers and better water management.
• Supporting contracts that allow for 40-year water delivery agreements, charging only for water actually delivered.
• Improving measurement and management of water deliveries.
• Protecting fish and restoring habitats while balancing water deliveries to farmers and cities.
• Creating advisory boards to oversee restoration fund spending and to encourage stakeholder participation.
• Encouraging additional water storage projects and infrastructure upgrades.
• Operating the CVP and State Water Project according to 1994 Bay-Delta Accord without interruption from certain species protection laws.

Title II: CALFED Storage Feasibility Studies

This part directs the government to complete feasibility studies on various water storage projects by specified deadlines and encourages cooperation with local agencies and universities. It emphasizes understanding groundwater conditions and exploring forest and watershed restoration to improve runoff and storage.

Title III: Water Rights Protections

This section ensures:

• The government respects California's existing water rights laws and priority system.
• That no new laws or actions will reduce water supplies involuntarily to water users with contracts or rights.
• Water supply allocations provide fair minimum water deliveries to Sacramento Valley agricultural contractors.
• Protection of municipal and industrial water supplies.
• Water rights remain protected and unchanged by the act.

Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions

This title covers various related provisions like:

• Tracking and reporting water use and environmental benefits.
• Ensuring operations of Trinity River Division limit water releases to levels previously agreed upon.
• Extending programs protecting native fish species in certain rivers.
• Limiting federal funds used for land/water purchases only to new environmental programs.

Title V: Water Supply Permitting Coordination

Sets up a system where the Bureau of Reclamation coordinates all federal reviews, permits, and approvals for new water storage projects to speed development while working closely with federal, state, and local agencies.

Title VI: Bureau of Reclamation Project Streamlining

This section improves how water infrastructure project studies are done by:

• Setting time and cost limits on feasibility studies to speed them up.
• Encouraging concurrent, coordinated environmental reviews by all agencies involved.
• Establishing schedules, transparency, and prompt resolution of issues that might delay projects.
• Applying financial penalties for federal agencies that delay permitting beyond set deadlines.

Title VII: Water Rights Protection Act

This last section protects water rights holders by prohibiting federal agencies from:

• Conditioning permits or land use agreements on water rights transfers to the federal government.
• Requiring a water user to get a water right in the name of the federal government as a permit condition.
• Interfering with state water laws or adjudication of water rights.

Overall Purpose and Impact

The law’s main goal is to improve water reliability during drought by balancing the needs of agriculture, cities, and the environment in California. It provides a clear framework for managing water rights, protecting existing water supplies, restoring fish and wildlife, studying and developing storage projects, and speeding up water project permitting. It reinforces state authority over water rights while encouraging cooperation between federal and state agencies.

In essence: It’s about managing scarce water resources carefully and collaboratively to support California’s economy, environment, and communities through drought and beyond.

Summary of H.R. 2156 - Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial Act

This law is about creating a special memorial and a protected monument site to remember the people who tragically died when the Saint Francis Dam collapsed on March 12, 1928, in Los Angeles County, California.

Key Points Explained Simply:

• The Disaster: On March 12, 1928, the Saint Francis Dam broke, causing a massive flood that killed about 425 people and heavily affected many communities nearby.
• Why It Matters: The disaster was one of the worst engineering failures of the 20th century and caused huge loss of life and property, second only to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake in California.
• Memorial & Monument: The law directs the government to:
  • Create a memorial at the dam site to honor the victims.
  • Set up a national monument covering roughly 440 acres around the site to protect and preserve it.
• Management: The U.S. Forest Service will manage the memorial and monument, including planning, protecting historic resources, and providing public access.
• Planning and Public Input: Within three years of the law passing, the Secretary of Agriculture must suggest plans for the memorial’s design, boundaries, visitor facilities, and public access. These plans will be created with input from federal, state, local governments, and the public.
• Conservation & Usage Rules: The monument will be protected to keep its historical and natural values. Motorized vehicles will only be allowed on certain roads, and grazing (raising livestock) will be permitted under existing rules.
• Funding: No new money is specifically given by this law; the government will use existing funds to make this happen.

Why This Is Important:

The Saint Francis Dam failure was a tragic event in American history, and this law helps us remember the victims, preserve the site, and educate people about the disaster and its impacts. It also helps protect the area from damage or vandalism.

In short, this act creates a lasting tribute and a protected area to honor those who suffered and to remind future generations of this significant historical event.