SA 3664. Mrs. HUTCHISON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3500 proposed by Mr. Harkin (for himself, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Baucus, and Mr. Grassley) to the bill H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 1362, between lines 19 and 20, insert the following:
SEC. 11__X. RIO GRANDE BASIN MANAGEMENT PROJECT.
The Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by inserting after section 1240K (as added by section 2361) the following:
``SEC. 1240L. RIO GRANDE BASIN MANAGEMENT PROJECT.
``(a) Definition of Rio Grande Basin.--In this section, the term `Rio Grande Basin' includes all tributaries, backwaters, and side channels (including watersheds) of the United States that drain into the Rio Grande River.
``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary, in conjunction with partnerships of institutions of higher education working with farmers, ranchers, and other rural landowners, shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide grants to the partnerships to benefit the Rio Grande Basin by--
``(1) restoring water flow and the riparian habitat;
``(2) improving usage;
``(3) addressing demand for drinking water;
``(4) providing technical assistance to agricultural and municipal water systems; and
``(5) reducing biological and chemical hazards through alternative treatment of water and wastewater.
``(c) Use of Funds.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--A grant provided under this section may be used by a partnership for the costs of carrying out an activity described in subsection (b), including the costs of--
``(A) direct labor;
``(B) appropriate travel;
``(C) equipment;
``(D) instrumentation;
``(E) analytical laboratory work;
``(F) subcontracting;
``(G) cooperative research agreements; and
``(H) similar related expenses and costs.
``(2) LIMITATION.--A grant provided under this section shall not be used to purchase or construct any building.
``(d) Reports.--A partnership that receives a grant under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary annual reports describing--
``(1) the expenses of the partnership during the preceding calendar year; and
``(2) such other financial information as the Secretary may require.
``(e) Funding.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, to remain available until expended.''.


(As printed in the Congressional Record for the Senate on Nov 14, 2007.)