NCSL and Congress - Natural Resources & Infrastructure Committee

 

The NCSL NRI Committee proudly represents state legislatures' interests to the U.S. Congress in various ways, including submitting testimonies for committee and subcommittee hearings and writing letters on introduced or proposed legislation that is either consistent or inconsistent with NRI Committee policies. See below for our most recent outreach to the 115th Congress.
 

117th Congress

• May 4, 2022 - Joint Letter with NGA, USCM, NACO and NLC on the Water Resources Development Act 2022 Authorization
• Feb. 3, 2022 - NCSL sent a letter to the Department of Energy on Using a Consent-Based Siting Process To Identify Federal Interim Storage Facilities
• Jan. 25, 2022 - NCSL sent a letter concerning the new Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Deployment program that was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 
• Nov. 8, 2021 -  NCSL Joint Letter urging passage of the "State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act" (S. 3011)
• Sept. 17, 2021 - NCSL Comments to FERC on Electric Regional Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation and Generator Interconnection
• July 30, 2021 - NCSL Comments in Response to EPA’s Notice of Intention to Reconsider and Revise the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule
• April 28, 2021 - Joint Letter with NACo, NLC, USCSM, and NARC in Response to Proposed Amendment to the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021
• April 28, 2021 - 2021 Infrastructure Priorities to Congressional Leadership
• April 14, 2021 - NCSL Testimony to Senate EPW Committee on Transportation Funding and Financing
• March 9, 2021 - Letter in support of the Drone Integration and Zoning Act 
• February, 19 2021 - Letter to EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation on Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulation
• January 18, 2021 - Letter to NHTSA in Response to its Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning the potential development of a framework of principles to govern the safe behavior of automated driving systems.

116th Congress

• November 25, 2020 - Joint letter with USCM, NLC, NACo, and AASHTO Concerning Federal Preemption of State and Local Governments Regulating Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones). 
• October 14, 2020 - Joint Letter with NGA, USCM, NACO and NLC on the 2020 authorizaiton of the Water Resources Development Act.
• July 22, 2020 - Joint Statement to Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on Passage of REAL ID Modernization Act. 
• June 9, 2020 - NCSL Comments in Response to EPA’s Preliminary Regulatory Determination for PFOA and PFOS in Drinking Water
• May 18, 2020 - NCSL Letter to congressional leadership urging passage of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Permanent Funding Act
• May 13, 2020 - NCSL Letter to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Wicker Regarding REAL ID Implementation Recommendations
• May 4, 2020 - NCSL commented on updating federal motor vehicle safety standards for autonomous vehicles
• April 30, 2020 - Supplemental letter regarding the 2020 authorization of the Water Resources Development Act.
• April 24, 2020 - Joint Letter with NGA, USCM, NACO and NLC on the 2020 authorizaiton of the Water Resources Development Act.
• February 7, 2020 - NCSL commented on EPA's proposed revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule
• December 6, 2019 - NCSL sent a letter to congressional leaders on the repeal of the $7.6 billion FAST Act highway recision
• November 19, 2019 - NCSL sent a letter to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee leaders on revenue from on-shore and outer continental shelf drilling
• November 19, 2019 - NCSL sent a letter to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee leaders on the Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act
• October 16, 2019 - NCSL sent a joint letter to EPA commenting on proposed changes to Clean Water Act 401 
• October 16, 2019 - NCSL sent a letter regarding the Drong Integration and Zoning Act of 2019
• Sept. 18, 2019 - NCSL sent a letter applauding the Storage and Transportation of Residual and Excess (STORE) Nuclear Fuel Act
• Sept. 13, 2019 - NCSL sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce in resopnse to their request for input on potential climate legislation
• Sept. 12, 2019 - NCSL sent a joint letter to Senate Commerce and House Energy and Commerce Committees on autonomous vehicles
• June 27, 2019 - NCSL sent a letter applauding the introduction of the Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2019
• May 24, 2019 - NCSL sent a joint to EPA regarding continued concerns regarding new agency regualtions on the Clean Water Act
• May 7, 2019 - NCSL and AASHTO sent a joint letter commending the introduction of H.R. 2440 (116)
• March 8, 2019 - NCSL sent a joint letter to EPA and USACE requesting additional time for WOTUS comments. 

115th Congress

• December 3, 2018 - NCSL sent a joint letter to EPA regarding Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. 
• December 3, 2018 - NCSL sent a joint letter commenting on DOT's third edition of autonomous vehicles guidance, "Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0." 
• November 27, 2018  - NCSL sent a letter with the National Governors Association and National Association of State Departments of Agriculture strongly urging Congress to prioritize and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill before the end of the year. 
• November 26, 2018 - NCSL joint letter to DHS and DOT re: federalism consultation in response to H.R. 301, Division H, Preventing Emerging Threats. 
• November 9, 2018 - NCSL Letter to congressional leaders regarding the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act
• October 29, 2018 - NCSL Comments to EPA re: the Affordable Clean Energy Proposed Rule.
• October 25, 2018 - NCSL Comments to FMCSA re: California's meal and rest break rules. 
• October 3, 2018 - NCSL letter regarding protecting states' authorities under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. 
• September 19, 2018 - NCSL Letters to the Departments of Agricutlrue, Energy, Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency regarding policies and amendments approved at the 2018 NCSL Legislative Summit
• September 13, 2018 - NCSL joint letter with ECOS, NACAA, NASEO, and NARUC requesting a comment period extension for the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. 
• August 21, 2018 - NCSL letter to 2018 Farm Bill Conferees re: state priorities.
• August 9, 2018 - NCSL letter to EPA on its request for comment on"Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Costs and Benefits in the Rulemaking Process."
• June 27, 2018 - NCSL joint letter with NGA, NACo, NLC, USCM and NASAO to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee re: S.1405, the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 2018. 
• May 21, 2018 - NCSL letter to EPA on its request for comment on "Clean Water Act Coverage of "Discharges of Pollutants" via a Direct Hydrologic Connection to Surface Waters."
• May 14, 2018 - NCSL joint letter with NGA, NACo, NLC, and USCM to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee regarding 2018 WRDA priorities. 
• May 14, 2018 - NCSL letter to Senate EPW Committee and the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure regarding the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.
• May 10, 2018 - NCSL joint letter with NACo, NLC, and ICMA to House Leadership voicing strong opposition to the inclusion of the Protect Interstate Commerce Act of 2018 in the 2018 Farm Bill (H.R. 2)
• April 23, 2018 - NCSL, NGA, NACo, NLC and NASAO Joint Letter Re: Pre-emption in FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018
• April 18, 2018 - NCSL Letter regarding the Hemp Farming Act of 2018
• March 6, 2018 - NCSL letter to EPA in Response to its January Federalism Consultation on Proposed Regulatory Revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. 
• March 5, 2018 - NCSL letter to FHWA on its "Automated Driving Systems" Request for Information 
• February 28, 2018 - NCSL joint letter with NACo, NLC and ICMA to House Agriculture Committee Leadership, voicing opposition to the Protect Interstate Commerce Act. 
• February 20, 2018 - NCSL letter to EPA responding to the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for State Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Electric Generating Units 
• February 8, 2018 - NCSL letter to DOE responding to its RFI for assistance in identifying potential changes to its Process Rule. 
• January 8, 2018 - NCSL letter to Chairman Conaway and Ranking Member Peterson in opposition to H.R. 3599
• November 8, 2017 - NCSL, NGA, NACo, USCM, NLC, AAMVA, AASHTO, GHSA, and NACTO letter to Senate Commerce Committee on the AV START Act. 
• October 26, 2017 - NCSL letter to Speaker Ryan, Democratic Leader Pelosi, Majority Leader McConnell, and Democratic Leader Schumer on federal wildfire funding. 
• October 2017 - NCSL letters to USDA, EPA, DOE and DOI on policy positions adopted at the 2017 Legislative Summit. 
• September 5, 2017 - NCSL, NGA, AASHTO, AAVMA and GHSA joint letter to Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi, Chairman Walden, and Ranking Member Palone on the SELF Drive Act (H.R. 3388)
• September 1, 2017 - NCSL, NGA, AASHTO joint letter of support to Representative Woodall forAmendment Number 43 to Division H of the House Rules Committee Print 115-21, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018.  
• July 26, 2017 - NCSL, NGA, AASHTO, AAMVA and GHSA joint letter to Chairman Walden, Chairman Latta, Ranking Member Pallone, and Ranking Member Schakowsky on highly autonomous vehicles
• June 21, 2017 - NCSL, NGA and NASAO Joint Letter to Representatives Lewis, Brownley, Rokita, and Garamendi regarding the Drone Innovation Act
• June 16, 2107 - NCSL comments to EPA on upcoming modifications to the "waters of the United States" definition.  
• June 14, 2017 - NCSL Letter to Chairman Shimkus on the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2017
• May 25, 2017 - NCSL, NGA and NASAO, Joint Letter to Senator Feinstein, Senator Lee, Senator Cotton and Senator Blumenthal regarding Drone Federalism Act
• May 16, 2017 - NCSL, NGA and NASDA, Joint Letter to Leader McConnell, Speaker Ryan, Leader Schumer, and Leader Pelosi regarding the 2018 Farm Bill
• April 10, 2017 - NCSL comments on DOE's Draft Consent Based Siting Process
• March 15, 2017 - NCSL Letter to Senate Commerce Committee on UAS

114th Congress

• November 21, 2016 - NCSL comments on NHTSA's Federal Automated Vehicles Policy 

• November 14, 2016 - NCSL and NGA Joint Letter to House and Senate on the Water Resources Development Act of 2016

• September 19, 2016 - NCSL Letter to House and Senate on the Water Resources Development Act of 2016

• May 11, 2016 - NCSL Letter to House and Senate on FY 2017 Transportation Appropriations

• March 17, 2016 - NCSL Letter to Senator Cardin (Md.) on State Water Infrastructure Needs

• March 15, 2016 - NCSL Letter to Senate Commerce Committee on UAS Preemption 

• March 1, 2016 - NCSL Letter to Senate Committee on FAA Reauthorization

• Feb. 12, 2016 - NCSL, NGA, ECOS, and ASTHO Letter to U.S. House and Senate on TSCA Reform

• Feb. 9, 2016 - NCSL Letter to House T&I Committee on FAA Reauthorization

• Nov. 17, 2015 - NCSL Letter to U.S. House and Senate Leaders on Surface Transportation Conference Report 

• Oct. 19, 2015 - NCSL Letters to U.S. House and U.S. Senate Regarding Wildfire Disaster Funding 

• Sept. 25, 2015 - NCSL Letter to Senators Inhofe and Boxer on the DRIVE Act. 

• Sept. 23, 2015 - NCSL and ECOS Joint Letter to Senate Leadership on S. 697 - Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. 

• July 2, 2015 - NCSL and ECOS Joint Letter to House & Senate Leadership on TSCA Modernization Act (H.R. 2576)

• June 17, 2015- Statement to U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Re:Long-Term Financing of the Highway Trust Fund

• May 15, 2015 - NCSL and ECOS Joint Letter to Senate EPW Re: TSCA Reform Legislation

• May 5, 2015 - Senator Curt BrambleTestimony to the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation Reauthorization 

• April 27, 2015- Letter to Senate Aviations Subcommittee on Airport Infrastructure Funding and Financing 

• April 27, 2015 - Letter to Senate Appropriations Committee on Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Allocations

• March 3, 2015 - Letter to Speaker Boehner, Leader Pelosi, Chairman Shuster and Rep. DeFazio Supporting the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act (PRRIA)

• Feb. 5, 2015 - Letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Re: Airport Funding and Financing Provisions in the FAA Reauthorization 

• Jan. 28, 2015 - Statement for the Record RE: Senate EPW Committee Hearing on MAP-21 Reauthorization

Executive Branch

• Jan. 20, 2016 - NCSL Comments on DOE's Consent-Based Siting Process for Nuclear Waste 

• Jan. 7, 2016 - Public Comments to FAA Regarding UAS Registration Requirements 

• Oct. 30, 2015 - NCSL Request for State Legislature Representation on DOT’s Drone Task Force. 

• Sept. 14, 2015 - Comments to FTA on the Public Transportation Safety Program

• July 27, 2015 - Comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding its request for comments on pollinator management. 

• Oct. 16, 2014 - Comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding its proposed rule for Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units

• Dec. 20, 2013 - Comments to the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for its National Safety and Transit Asset Management standards​ 

• April 30, 2013 -  Letter from NCSL, NaCO, NLC and the Conference of Mayors to EPA RE: Federalism Consultation on UNDS

113th Congress

• Sept. 3, 2014 - Letter on Department of Defense Matching Funds – Federal Conservation Efforts (NOTE: similar copies were sent to USDA, DoD, Interior, and both House and Senate Armed Services Committees)

• July 7, 2014 - Letter to Congress on Funding and Financing Surface Transportation Programs and the Highway Trust Fund (Big 7)

• May 22, 2014 - Letter to Senate and House Conference Committee RE: the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA)

• May 19, 2014 - Letter to Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Opposing the New Draft of Chemicals in Commerce Act

• April 28, 2014 - Testimony of Senator Michael Moore RE: Chemicals in Commerce Draft Legislation 

• March 10, 2014 - Letter to Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Chemicals in Commerce Act

• Feb. 26, 2014 - Letter to House and Senate WRDA Conferees on Water Infrastructure Financing

• Nov. 12, 2013 - Letter to House and Senate Agriculture Leaders on 2013 Farm Bill Conference

• Oct. 29, 2013 - Letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee RE: Amtrak Funding

• Sept. 19, 2013 - Letter to Rep. Shuster and Rep. Rahall RE H.R. 3080 the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA)

• Aug. 5, 2013 - Letter to the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committee Leadership on the King Amendment

• July 30, 2013 - Delegate Jameson Testimony before Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee RE: the Nuclear Waste Administration Act (NWAA)

• July 24, 2013 -  Letter to Chairman Boxer and Senator Vitter RE: S. 1009 The Chemical Safety Improvement Act

• June 12, 2013 - Letter to House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy RE: The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

• May 24, 2013 - Letter on the Nuclear Waste Administration Act Discussion Draft

• March 12, 2013 - Letter to Senators Wyden, Murkowski, Feinstein and Alexander on Nuclear Waste Management

• March 11, 2013 - Letter to Chairman Shimkus and Representative Tonko on Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Hearing

• February 11, 2013 - Letter to Chairman Boxer and Senator Vitter RE: Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Reform in the Water Resources Development Act

112th Congress

• June 21, 2012 - Letter to Senate Leadership Urging Support of Interim Storage Language in S.2465