To preserve existing rights and responsibilities with respect to waters of the United States, and for other purposes.
Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015
(Sec. 2) This bill requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw, within 30 days, the proposed rule, "Definition of 'Waters of the United States' Under the Clean Water Act," dated April 21, 2014, describing the water bodies that fall under the scope of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act), as well as any final rule based on the proposed rule.
(Sec. 3) The Army Corps and the EPA must develop a new proposed rule to define the term, "waters of the United States" as used in that Act. In developing the new rule, the Army Corps and the EPA must meet requirements concerning consultation with states and localities enumerated in this bill. The new rule must specifically identify those waters covered and not covered by the Clean Water Act and incorporate the areas and issues where consensus was reached by the interested parties.
The Army Corps and the EPA must prepare a report with details about the new proposed rule and its development, including: (1) explanations of how the rule addresses public comments filed on certain related rules and reports and addresses recommendations provided in the consultation process; and (2) comprehensive regulatory and economic impact analyses of how the rule will impact interested parties and each program under the Clean Water Act.
The Army Corps and the EPA must: (1) publish the report, a description of the areas and issues where consensus was reached with the state and local officials consulted, and the new proposed rule; and (2) make them available for public review and comment for at least 180 days.
(Sec. 5) Within 90 days of issuing a final rule to define the term, the EPA must determine whether each permit program administered by states under the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program, the program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, and the program regulating the disposal of sewage sludge is in compliance with the rule. States are given two years to bring any noncompliant programs into compliance before the EPA withdraws approval of the state program.
The Speaker designated the Honorable David Young to act as Chairman of the Committee.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1732. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 231, the rule makes in order as original text for the purpose of amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text Rules Committee Print 114-13 modified by the amendment printed in Part A of the Rules Committee report.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 231, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Edwards Part B amendment no. 1.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Edwards amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Edwards demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 231, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kildee Part B amendment no. 2.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1732.
Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, further consideration of H.R. 1732 was postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2851-2854)
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
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The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1732.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H2852)
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Mr. Aguilar moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Transportation. (consideration: CR H2852-2853; text: CR H2852)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Aguilar motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to direct the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to protect the quality and integrity of surface waters and wetlands in the rulemaking required by the underlying bill. The agencies must: (1) safeguard public water supplies, including the Great Lakes and other areas affected by algal blooms; (2) mitigate against the drought in California and other western States; (3) preserve water for agricultural purposes, including irrigation; and (4) alleviate potential adverse impacts of flooding and coastal storms.
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 175 - 241 (Roll No. 218).
Roll Call #218 (House)Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 261 - 155 (Roll no. 219).
Roll Call #219 (House)On passage Passed by recorded vote: 261 - 155 (Roll no. 219).
Roll Call #219 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.