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Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-3291| House 
| Updated: 6/29/2021
Paul Tonko

Paul Tonko

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (2)
Steven Horsford (Democratic)Frank Pallone (Democratic)

Environment Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021 This bill provides support for drinking water infrastructure and requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address the safety and affordability of drinking water. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes and establishes several programs for drinking water infrastructure. For example, it reauthorizes through FY2031 the drinking water state revolving fund. In addition, the bill revises requirements concerning the safety of drinking water, including by requiring the EPA to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly known as PFAS), microcystin toxin, and 1,4–dioxane. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Microcystin is a toxin that is produced by certain algae. The solvent known as 1,4–dioxane may also have adverse human health effects. It is used in variety of products, such as adhesives, sealants, and printing inks. The EPA must also implement a residential emergency relief program that assists customers of public water systems with paying drinking water bill. Under the program, the EPA must provide payments to public water systems to reimburse them for forgiving their customers' debts or fees for services provided since March 1, 2020, in order to help the customers retain, reconnect, or restore water services. Public water systems that receive payments may not disconnect or interrupt their customer's service because of such debt or fees. Finally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to report on issues relating to the potential for consolidation of certain distressed and small public water systems.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline
May 18, 2021
Introduced in House
May 18, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 19, 2021
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2594)
May 21, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
Jun 16, 2021
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 9 .
Jun 16, 2021
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 23, 2021
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 24.
Jun 23, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 29, 2021
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 52.
Jun 29, 2021
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 117-76.
  • May 18, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • May 18, 2021
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • May 19, 2021
    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2594)


  • May 21, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.


  • June 16, 2021
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 9 .


  • June 16, 2021
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • June 23, 2021
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 24.


  • June 23, 2021
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • June 29, 2021
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 52.


  • June 29, 2021
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 117-76.

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 117-4805: Safe School Drinking Water Act
  • HR 117-4284: Clean Drinking Water Equity Act
  • HR 117-3684: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
  • HR 117-3292: Water Debt Relief Act of 2021
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAmerican SamoaBuy American requirementsChild care and developmentChild healthConsumer creditDisaster relief and insuranceEducational facilities and institutionsEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresEnvironmental technologyGovernment information and archivesGuamHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIndian social and development programsMaterialsMetalsNatural disastersNorthern Mariana IslandsPoverty and welfare assistancePublic utilities and utility ratesRacial and ethnic relationsState and local financeU.S. territories and protectoratesVirgin IslandsWater qualityWater resources fundingWater use and supply

Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-3291| House 
| Updated: 6/29/2021
Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021 This bill provides support for drinking water infrastructure and requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address the safety and affordability of drinking water. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes and establishes several programs for drinking water infrastructure. For example, it reauthorizes through FY2031 the drinking water state revolving fund. In addition, the bill revises requirements concerning the safety of drinking water, including by requiring the EPA to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly known as PFAS), microcystin toxin, and 1,4–dioxane. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Microcystin is a toxin that is produced by certain algae. The solvent known as 1,4–dioxane may also have adverse human health effects. It is used in variety of products, such as adhesives, sealants, and printing inks. The EPA must also implement a residential emergency relief program that assists customers of public water systems with paying drinking water bill. Under the program, the EPA must provide payments to public water systems to reimburse them for forgiving their customers' debts or fees for services provided since March 1, 2020, in order to help the customers retain, reconnect, or restore water services. Public water systems that receive payments may not disconnect or interrupt their customer's service because of such debt or fees. Finally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to report on issues relating to the potential for consolidation of certain distressed and small public water systems.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 18, 2021
Introduced in House
May 18, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 19, 2021
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2594)
May 21, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
Jun 16, 2021
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 9 .
Jun 16, 2021
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 23, 2021
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 24.
Jun 23, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 29, 2021
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 52.
Jun 29, 2021
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 117-76.
  • May 18, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • May 18, 2021
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • May 19, 2021
    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2594)


  • May 21, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.


  • June 16, 2021
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 9 .


  • June 16, 2021
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • June 23, 2021
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 24.


  • June 23, 2021
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • June 29, 2021
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 52.


  • June 29, 2021
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 117-76.
Paul Tonko

Paul Tonko

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (2)
Steven Horsford (Democratic)Frank Pallone (Democratic)

Environment Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 117-4805: Safe School Drinking Water Act
  • HR 117-4284: Clean Drinking Water Equity Act
  • HR 117-3684: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
  • HR 117-3292: Water Debt Relief Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAmerican SamoaBuy American requirementsChild care and developmentChild healthConsumer creditDisaster relief and insuranceEducational facilities and institutionsEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresEnvironmental technologyGovernment information and archivesGuamHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIndian social and development programsMaterialsMetalsNatural disastersNorthern Mariana IslandsPoverty and welfare assistancePublic utilities and utility ratesRacial and ethnic relationsState and local financeU.S. territories and protectoratesVirgin IslandsWater qualityWater resources fundingWater use and supply