[Congressional Bills 110th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 909 Introduced in House (IH)] 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 909 To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations for activities to improve the quality of coastal recreation waters, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 8, 2007 Mr. Bilbray introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations for activities to improve the quality of coastal recreation waters, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Safe Water Improvement and Modernization Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) Coastal Recreation Water Quality Monitoring and Notification.-- Section 406(i) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1346(i)) is amended by striking ``2005'' and inserting ``2012''. (b) Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act.-- Section 8 of the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 877) is amended by striking ``2005'' and inserting ``2012''. SEC. 3. USE OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS FOR MONITORING AND ASSESSING COASTAL RECREATION WATERS. (a) Study.--The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall conduct a study to assess the benefits of using molecular diagnostics for monitoring and assessing the quality of coastal recreation waters adjacent to beaches and similar points of access that are used by the public. (b) Contents.--In conducting the study, the Administrator shall-- (1) to the extent practicable, evaluate the full range of available rapid indicator technologies and methods that meet prescribed performance standards, including-- (A) the amplified nucleic acid assay method; and (B) the indicator organism enterococci; and (2) compare the use of molecular diagnostics to culture testing of same source water, including the time for obtaining results, accuracy of results, and future applicability. (c) Partnerships.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code, the Administrator may award a grant or cooperative agreement to a public or private organization to assist the Administrator in carrying out the study. (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study. (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. <all>