Description:
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on February 12, 2015
H.R. 212 would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), not later than 90 days after enactment, to develop a strategic plan for assessing and managing risks associated with algal toxins in drinking water. (Algal toxins form in waters with certain conditions such as high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous.) The plan would include steps EPA would take in performing various activities including evaluating risks to human health, identifying factors that make toxins become harmful, and recommending feasible treatment options for mitigating any adverse health effects. EPA also would be required, as appropriate, to update and submit the strategic plan to the Congress. Finally, the bill would require the Government Accountability Office to inventory and report to the Congress on the amount of federal spending that occurred between 2010 and 2014 related to addressing the health concerns stemming from algal toxins.
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 212 would cost less than $500,000 annually over the next two years, assuming the availability of appropriated funds. That funding would provide for additional personnel and related administrative expenses to meet the bill’s requirements. To the extent EPA would update the strategic plan in future years, additional funding would be required; however, CBO estimates costs would not exceed $500,000 annually.
Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending and revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
H.R. 212 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
