This legislation is expected to significantly impact federal employment policies and training programs across federal agencies. Employees within these agencies would be limited in their exposure to diversity training that is now viewed as promoting divisive ideas. The bill outlines that compliance with its provisions will be mandated in all federal contracts and largely expands the roles of agencies like the Office of Personnel Management in reviewing training programs for adherence to its stipulations. The practical implications might stifle efforts for meaningful workplace diversity and inclusivity initiatives due to fear of penalties associated with violations of the act.
Summary
House Bill 2712, known as the Work Not Woke Act, aims to curtail the utilization of federal funds for certain diversity training and initiatives perceived as promoting divisive concepts relating to race and sex. Specifically, the bill prohibits federal agencies and contractors from using federal dollars for programs that advance notions of inherent racial or sexual superiority, collective guilt based on race or sex, or any form of racial or sex stereotyping. It seeks to disallow any federal funding that supports mandates from specific executive orders aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the federal workforce.
Contention
The Work Not Woke Act has drawn critical attention and staunch opposition from various human rights and civil rights groups. Opponents argue that it undermines efforts to foster a more inclusive government and workforce, essential for addressing systemic inequalities. Moreover, there are concerns that the bill restricts essential dialogues about race and inclusion by framing training related to these subjects as 'divisive.' Proponents, however, claim the bill is a necessary response to what they perceive as indoctrination in government-sponsored training and reverse discrimination based on race and sex.
Protect Our Water Rights Act This bill requires the Bureau of Reclamation to modify the operation of water service contracts for the Central Valley Project (CVP) in California and the Klamath River Basin Reclamation Project in California and Oregon. Reclamation owns and operates the CVP, a federal water project consisting of a network of dams, reservoirs, and other facilities. CVP water is delivered to users that have contracts with Reclamation, but dry conditions have resulted in Reclamation reducing the water allocations for contracted water supplies. This bill requires Reclamation to allocate to existing agricultural water service contractors within the CVP's Sacramento River Watershed (1) 100% of the contracted amount of water in a wet or above normal year, (2) not less than 75% of the contracted amount in a below normal year, and (3) not less than 50% of the contracted amount in a dry or critically dry year. Reclamation must hold at least one in-person field hearing in each county where a CVP water service contractor is located in the period between the project's initial water allocation and final water allocation announcement. The bill modifies the share of operation and maintenance costs paid by CVP water service contractors. Reclamation must also operate the Klamath River Basin Reclamation Project, a similar federal water project, so that all of the water in Upper Klamath Lake above a certain elevation is solely for agricultural and refuge purposes. Reclamation must conduct these operations in a manner that maximizes water storage in the lake, to the extent practicable.
Working to Advance Tangible and Effective Reforms for California Act or the WATER for California Act This bill addresses the operation of the Central Valley Project (CVP), a federal water project in California owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, and the California State Water Project (SWP), which is operated jointly with the CVP. Specifically, the bill requires that Reclamation operate the CVP and SWP pursuant to a specified alternative to a proposed action in a final environmental impact statement and 2019 agency published Biological Opinions (BiOps). The bill also requires Reclamation and the Department of Commerce to submit a justification to Congress that meets certain requirements prior to requesting or completing a reinitiation of consultation that will result in new BiOps. This bill also requires Reclamation to allocate water to existing agricultural water service contractors within the CVP's Sacramento River Watershed based on the water year type (e.g., dry, wet). These allocations must not affect the United States' ability or obligations to deliver water under other designated contracts. Further, the bill repeals certain eligibility requirements for water infrastructure construction funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to make the Shasta Dam and Reservoir Enlargement Project in California eligible for funding. The bill also requires that Reclamation funds made available but not used for this project in previous appropriations years be made available to the project. Finally, the bill reauthorizes Reclamation's support for the construction or expansion of water storage projects.