H.R. 1948: To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes.

This bill aims to enhance the capabilities of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), which manages water-related issues between the United States and Mexico. Here’s a breakdown of its main provisions:

Authorization to Accept Funds

The bill authorizes the IBWC to accept financial support from both federal and non-federal sources. This funding can be used for:

• Studying wastewater treatment.
• Designing and constructing flood control works.
• Operating and maintaining water conservation projects.
• Managing related structures in line with the Commission's responsibilities.

Funding Allocation

Any funds received by the IBWC will be deposited into a specific U.S. Treasury account dedicated to the Commission's activities associated with U.S. and Mexico border water management. These funds will be available for use until they are spent for the outlined purposes.

Funding Limitations

The bill imposes certain limitations on the funding:

• The IBWC is not allowed to reimburse non-federal entities more than $5 million per fiscal year for funds accepted under this bill.
• It cannot accept funds from non-federal entities that are:
• Based in foreign countries deemed to be a "foreign country of concern."
• Involved in any agreements with such foreign countries.

Reporting Requirements

Each fiscal year, the IBWC is required to submit a report to both the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. This report will detail:

• The activities funded by the accepted money.
• The associated costs of these activities.

Definitions

The bill provides definitions for key terms:

• Commission: Refers to the United States Section of the IBWC, which deals specifically with U.S.-Mexico water management.
• Foreign country of concern: Defined in an existing law related to research, development, and innovation.

Relevant Companies

None found.