Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act
This bill, titled the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act, would require the Comptroller General (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive review of three interstate water-management bodies: the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, the Delaware River Basin Commission, and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. The GAO review, to begin within one year of enactment, would examine ethics policies, how the commissions communicate with the public, current federal roles and actions, funding sources and levels, overlaps with other federal authorities, and how the commissions report their activities. After completing the review, the GAO would provide a report with findings and recommendations aimed at increasing transparency and congressional oversight. In addition, each commission would be required to submit a plan detailing actions to implement the GAO’s recommendations within 90 days of the GAO report and annually for five years.
Key Points
- 1The GAO must initiate a review within one year and examine:
- 2- Ethics policies and practices of each commission
- 3- How each commission communicates with the general public
- 4- Current federal responsibilities and actions at each commission
- 5- Funding levels and sources (federal and state)
- 6- Any duplication or overlap with other federal authorities
- 7- Policies and best practices for reporting activities
- 8GAO must produce a report with findings and recommendations to improve transparency and congressional oversight.
- 9Each commission must submit a compliance plan within 90 days after the GAO report and annually for five years detailing actions taken to implement the recommendations.
- 10The bill defines the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions as:
- 11- Susquehanna River Basin Commission
- 12- Delaware River Basin Commission
- 13- Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
- 14The report and plans are to be shared with Congress: House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.