To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Environmental Protection Agency, Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program Account for fiscal year 2024.
Impact
By capping funding for the EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program Account, HB 2199 aims to reshape the financial landscape of water management services at the federal level. States and local governments that rely on comparable federal funding to support their water infrastructure projects and improvements may face increased pressure due to this limitation. As a result, this legislation could widen the infrastructure gap in areas where local resources are insufficient to maintain or upgrade vital water systems, which could endanger public health and environmental standards.
Summary
House Bill 2199 seeks to impose a restriction on the availability of funds for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program Account specifically for the fiscal year 2024. The bill sets a ceiling on the amount that can be appropriated or made available for this program, limiting it to $5,000,000. This measure represents a significant change in how resources are allocated towards water infrastructure funding, which typically supports essential projects across various states aimed at enhancing water quality and supporting municipality systems.
Contention
Debate surrounding HB 2199 is likely to focus on the implications of such funding limitations. Advocates argue that the bill reflects a necessary step toward fiscal responsibility and addressing government spending. However, detractors raise concerns regarding the potential negative impact it could have on environmental protections and public health. They note that reducing available funding could hinder progress in necessary infrastructure updates and could negatively affect areas particularly dependent on federal funds for water quality projects. This contention emphasizes the balancing act between fiscal constraints and the need for robust environmental protections.
To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Programs and Management, Geographic Program for fiscal year 2024.
To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Environmental Protection Agency, Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund for fiscal year 2024.
To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Environmental Protection Agency, Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System for fiscal year 2024.