For The Week Ending April 14, 2000
This weekly report is written by the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Government Relations staff. If you have questions or comments about any items in this report, please contact Brian Pallasch, Michael Charles, Martin Hight, Austin Fulk, or Liz Hermsen at 202/789-2200.
Inside This Week:
Senate Blocks Vote on Bill to Temporarily Repeal Gas Tax
The Senate on Tuesday, April 11 voted to block further consideration of a bill (S. 2285) related to the federal excise tax on gasoline. The bill would have temporarily repealed, until January 1, 2001, the 4.3 cents per gallon increase that Congress approved in 1993, or if the average national price of regular gasoline were at least $2.00, it would have repealed the entire 18.4 cents per gallon federal excise tax. The Senators voted 56 to 43 to prevent "cloture," consequently killing the bill.
On April 6, the Senate voted 66-34 to pass a "Sense of the Senate" amendment to the fiscal year 2001 budget resolution that struck the budget's assumption that the gas tax would be repealed.
ASCE opposed the repeal bill because gas tax revenues are directly deposited into the Highway Trust Fund under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and any cut in those taxes could reduce highway funding to all states. The 4.3 cents tax on gasoline and diesel fuel generates $7.2 billion annually for the Highway Trust Fund while the same tax on aviation fuel provides about $700 million per year for the Aviation Trust Fund. Under TEA-21, all highway programs are decreased proportionately if tax revenues fall short. Though the 18.4 cents per gallon, and the inclusive 4.3 cents per gallon increase in 1993, is labeled as a tax, it is really a user fee - it helps to ensure that highway users pay for highway programs and air travelers pay for airport infrastructure.
ASCE’s Key Contacts who contacted their Senators to oppose the repeal bill and urge the protection of highway trust funds deserve a big thanks and a hearty round of applause.
Administration has Concerns with Homeownership Bill
The Clinton Administration’s Office of Management and Budget said on Thursday, April 6 that the Administration supports H.R. 1776, the "American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000," but has concerns with several specific provisions of the bill.
The House of Representatives on April 6 passed H.R. 1776, which would promote wider homeownership opportunities for Americans as well as alter the way the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) establishes regulations for manufactured housing. The bill would form a standard-setting group that, at present, would not meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements for standards developing groups. Therefore, ASCE opposed the bill as passed.
Legislation Would Block EPA's TMDL Rule for 18 Months
Senators Bob Smith (R-NH) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced legislation on Thursday, April 13 that would block for 18 months the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing a new total maximum daily load (TMDL) program, part of which would limit runoff and other types of nonpoint source water pollution.
A week ago, Smith, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said he was encouraged by EPA steps to soften its proposed expansion of the TMDL program to include nonpoint sources of water pollution. On Thursday, Smith and Crapo said they still found those steps encouraging, but said EPA is "fast tracking" implementation of the rule, without giving adequate consideration to concerns expressed by state and local governments, landowners and industry during at least six congressional hearings on the issue.
Smith and Crapo said the bill, S. 2417, the "Water Pollution Program Enhancements Act of 2000," would increase the authorization to $750 million for state programs to address nonpoint-source water pollution -- $250 million for programs under Section 106 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), and $500 million for programs under Section 319 of the CWA; authorize $5 million for an 18-month National Academy of Sciences (NAS) evaluation of the science behind EPA's proposal, the cost of implementing TMDL rules, and the availability of alternative programs; require EPA to consider the NAS report and recommendations before implementing new TMDL rules; and authorize $2 million to establish a three-year pilot program under which EPA and states could assess different approaches to limiting impacts of point-source and nonpoint-source water pollution.
Water Infrastructure Caucus Applauds Report on Funding Needs
Members of the Congressional Water Infrastructure Caucus held a press conference on Wednesday, April 12 to announce the release of a report on funding needs for the nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure. Caucus leaders Reps. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Robert Borski (D-PA) and Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) also said they plan to spend the next couple of years drafting landmark legislation authorizing billions of dollars for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the nation.
The report, "Clean & Safe Water for the 21st Century: A Renewed Commitment to Water and Wastewater Infrastructure," states that the nation's 54,000 drinking water systems and 16,000 wastewater systems face staggering infrastructure funding needs of nearly $1 trillion over the next 20 years and shortfall of a half of a trillion dollars. Although America's drinking water and wastewater systems spend $23 billion per year for infrastructure, they face an annual shortfall of another $23 billion to replace aging facilities and comply with existing and future federal water regulations. "Clean & Safe Water for the 21st Century" is available on ASCE’s website at /pressroom/publicpolicy/win.cfm.
The report was developed under the auspices of the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN). WIN is a coalition of wastewater treatment and drinking water providers, environmental engineers, contractors, and municipal organizations, including ASCE, that highlights the dramatically increasing "gap" between our nation's water infrastructure needs and the federal government's financial commitment to safe and clean water. WIN is calling on the federal government to significantly enhance its role in financing the nation’s clean and safe water infrastructure.
ASCE Co-Sponsors SMET Education Luncheon on Hill
It was standing room only at a Thursday, April 13, 2000 luncheon on Capitol Hill, as hundreds of Congressional staffers were briefed on the importance of Science, Math, Engineering and Technology (SMET - as it is beginning to be called) Education. Co-sponsored by ASCE along with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Association of Engineering Societies, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the International Technology Education Association, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Society of Automotive Engineers.
During the briefing, Congressman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) discussed legislation that he is introducing to address SMET education. Entitled the National Science Education Acts of 2000, this series of bills which would address educational issues through a series of grants, scholarships, mandates studies on the most appropriate uses for new technology in education, provides mentoring programs for math and science teachers and provides for programs of continuing education for teachers.
NOAA Briefs Wind Hazard Reduction Caucus
The Congressional Wind Hazard Reduction Caucus hosted a briefing on April 11 for congressional staff and other interested parties on "The Escalating Costs of Natural Disasters" and how to make communities "Storm Ready." Donald Wernly of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was the featured speaker. Wind Hazard Reduction Caucus co-chairmen Reps. Dennis Moore (D-KS) and Walter Jones (R-NC) were also on hand to say a few words. Following the briefing, the Wind Hazard Reduction Coalition, headed by ASCE, hosted a reception. The Coalition is the private industry and association counterpart to the Caucus.
The Congressional Wind Hazard Reduction Caucus, which has grown to 25 members of Congress, is focused on increasing the awareness of Members of Congress about the public safety and economic loss issues associated with wind. The goal of the caucus is to seek government funding to support a National Wind Hazard Reduction Program that would focus on increasing public safety and decreasing the economic losses associated with tropical storms, thunderstorms, and tornadoes.
Governor Bush Supports Association Health Plans
Republican Presidential Candidate George W. Bush announced his support of the use of association health plans, such as those offered by ASCE, as a part of his plan to extend health coverage. Various bills under consideration on Capitol Hill would either extend or curtail association offered health plans. ASCE supports the continued and expanded use of association health plans.
State Legislative Update
ASCE continues to provide updates on state legislation affecting civil engineers as state legislative sessions progress. For more information on the following bills, or any other state legislative matters, please contact Austin Fulk, ASCE’s Manager of State Government Relations, at (202) 789-2200 or via email at afulk@asce.org.
Gas Tax Repeal in California
By a vote of 34 to 31, the California Assembly declined to repeal the state's tax on gasoline, opting instead to study the issue of gas prices. Proponents of the bill argued that it was a necessary response to rising gas prices, while it's opponents claimed it would cost the state as much as $1.3 billion annually in lost revenue that the state could ill afford at a time when it is considering major infrastructure investments.
Land Surveyor Licensing in New York
S.B. 7377 would require land surveying companies to obtain the same Certificate of Authorization currently required of engineering companies to practice in the state. The bill was introduced April 10, 2000, and no action has been taken on it.
Engineering Corporations in Alaska
Alaska's H.B. 130, if passed, would allow engineering companies to take the form of limited liability companies and limited liability partnerships. Currently, engineering firms regulated by the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors must be individual registrants or corporations. The bill was introduced in the state House in March of 1999, but only recently passed the whole House. It now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
