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.
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.
Plain Language Summary
# HR 1948 Summary **What It Does:** This bill allows the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC)—the U.S. agency that manages water and border issues with Mexico—to accept money from non-federal sources to fund wastewater treatment, water conservation, and flood control projects along the U.S.-Mexico border.
However, the bill includes a $5 million annual cap on how much the IBWC can contribute toward projects using these outside funds, and it prohibits accepting money from companies based in countries considered adversaries (China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, etc.). **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects communities along the U.S.-Mexico border that deal with water management and flooding. It also impacts the IBWC's ability to partner with private entities and international organizations on shared water infrastructure projects between the two countries. **Current Status:** HR 1948 has passed the House of Representatives and is now pending action in the Senate.
CRS Official Summary
This bill authorizes the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico (USIBWC) to accept funds to study, design, construct, operate, or maintain wastewater treatment works, water conservation projects, or flood control works, and related structures. The USIBWC is a federal government agency and the U.S. component of the International Boundary and Water Commission, which applies the boundary and water treaties of the United States and Mexico and settles differences that may arise in their application.The USIBWC may not provide credit towards the nonfederal share of project costs, or reimbursement, to nonfederal entities in an amount that exceeds $5 million in any fiscal year.Further, the USIBWC may not accept funds from any nonfederal entity that (1) is domiciled in, headquartered in, or organized under the laws of a foreign country of concern (e.g., China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran); or (2) has in place any agreement with a foreign country of concern.Any funds accepted by the USIBWC must be deposited into the account titled International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.