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Committee Votes

Sacramento-San Joaquin Water Reliability Act (H.R. 1837)

February 16, 2012 Full Committee Markup

Reporting H.R. 1837 Out of Committee (Passed 27-17. View Roll Call Vote)
This bill prevents future California man-made droughts by implementing a comprehensive solution that will bring jobs and water supply certainty to the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys in California and decrease reliance on foreign food sources.

Napolitano Amendment #014 (Failed 17-27. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment requires an adjusted interest rate on all delivered water that amounts to an undue tax increase on water deliveries.

Tipton Amendment #004 (Passed 31-13. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment reconfirms the unique water system in California that ties the action of the State project to the Federal project and further ensures the legislation does not set precedent in other states.

Napolitano Amendment #003 (Failed 17-27. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment seeks to ensure the legislation will not supersede the State of California’s Constitution or any other State’s Constitution. This amendment is unnecessary and would only lead to endless litigation—the legislation does not supersede any State Constitution; rather it upholds the federal law that requires coordination between State and Federal water projects as well as the U.S. Constitution’s 14th amendment protecting private property.

Garamendi Amendment #082 (Failed 17-27. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment requires the State and Federal water projects operate that meets all obligations under State and Federal law.

Denham Amendment to Garamendi Amendment #083 (Passed 27-17. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to partner with local power authorities for water storage projects as long as non-federal funds are used for financing and construction of the projects.

Garamendi Amendment #084 (Failed 17-27. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment undermines the intent of the legislation by striking the section to restore water deliveries and encourage market-based transfers to help overcome drought.

Garamendi Amendment #086 (Failed 17-27. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment undermines the intent of the legislation by striking the section that allows for a return to 40 year water contracts that provide certainty to Central Valley Project water users.

* For complete legislative action for the February 16, 2012 Full Committee Markup, click here.