NATURAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

COMMITTEE

2014 LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT

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Table of Contents

RESOURCES

NRI Committee Roster ...................................................................................................5

Legislative Summit NRI Committee Agenda ............................................................. 11

NRI Committee Online Resources .............................................................................. 13

Business Meeting Agenda .......................................................................................... 15

Policy Summaries ........................................................................................................ 17

POLICIES

Solving America’s Long Term Transportation Funding Crisis (Resolution) ............ 19

DOD Matching Funds-Federal Conservation Program Policy (Resolution) ............. 21

Climate Change Policy (Resolution) ............................................................................ 23

Airport Infrastructure Funding (Directive) .................................................................. 27

Pollinator Health (Resolution) ...................................................................................... 29

Implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (Resolution) ........................ 31

Resolution Supporting Protection of the Electric Generation, Transmission, and

Distribution Systems Against Solar Storms and Man-Made Electromagnetic

Pulses (EMP) (Resolution) ............................................................................................ 33

Amendments to the Energy Security Policy (Directive) ............................................ 35

Economic Recovery (Resolution) joint with CFI Committee......................................... 39

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NATURAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROSTER

Updated July 30, 2014

NCSL’s Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee is one of eight NCSL Standing Committees. These committees are vital to NCSL’s successful representation of state interests in Washington, D.C., and the facilitation of policy innovation among state and territorial legislatures. Please contact any of the committee staff for details about the committee, state-federal policies under its jurisdiction, or upcoming meetings and educational events.

COMMITTEE OFFICERS

Co-Chair: Representative Jim Gooch Jr., Kentucky

Co-Chair: Senator John McCoy, Washington

Co-Chair: Senator Ross Tolleson Jr., Georgia

Co-Chair: Senator John C. Watkins, Virginia

Vice Chair: Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill, New York

Vice Chair: Representative John Davis, Oregon

Vice Chair: Senator Steve Farley, Arizona

Vice Chair: Senator Jennie M. Forehand, Maryland

Vice Chair: Senator Gail Griffin, Arizona

Vice Chair: Representative Greg Leding, Arkansas

Vice Chair: Senator Virginia Lyons, Vermont

Vice Chair: Representative Chuck McGrady, North Carolina

Vice Chair: Senator Edward Meyer, Connecticut

Vice Chair: Senator Mac Middleton, Maryland

Vice Chair: Representative Ed Orcutt, Washington

Vice Chair: Senator Marc R. Pacheco, Massachusetts

Vice Chair: Senator Gail Schwartz, Colorado

Vice Chair: Senator Cam Ward, Alabama

Vice Chair: Representative Peggy Wilson, Alaska

Staff Co-Chair: Linda Hay, Alaska

Staff Co-Chair: Jennifer Jones, Texas

Staff Vice Chair: David Beaujon, Colorado

Staff Vice Chair: Jessica D. Peters, California

Staff Vice Chair: John Snyder, Kentucky

Staff Vice Chair: Hope Stockwell, Montana

COMMITTEE STAFF

NCSL D.C. Office: Ben Husch and Melanie Condon NCSL Denver Office: Jocelyn Durkay

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Alabama Rep. Alan Baker Rep. Joe Faust Rep. Richard J. Lindsey Rep. Arthur Payne Sen. Cam Ward *

Alaska Sen. Click Bishop Sen. Berta Gardner Rep. Lynn Gattis Sen. Cathy Giessel Linda Hay (staff) * Sen. Charlie Huggins Rep. Craig Johnson Rep. Scott Kawaski Rep. Charisse Millett Rep. Mark Neuman Rep. Dan Saddler Rep. Steve Thompson Rep. Chris Tuck

Rep. Peggy Wilson *

Arizona Sen. Judy Burges Rep. Karen Fann Sen. Steve Farley * Sen. David Farnsworth Sen. Gail Griffin * Gina Kash (staff) Rep. Frank Pratt

Arkansas Rep. David Branscum Sen. Ronald Caldwell Sen. Linda Chesterfield Rep. Dan Douglas Sen. Jake Carter Files Rep. Kim Hammer Sen. James Hendren Sen. Jimmy Hickey Sen. Melissa Thomas Irvin

Rep. Patti Julian Rep. Greg Leding * Rep. Betty Overbey Rep. Warwick Sabin Sen. David Sanders Rep. Nate Steel Sen. Larry Teague Sen. David Wyatt

California Jessica D. Peters (staff) *

Colorado David Beaujon (staff) * Rep. Perry Buck Rep. Don Coram Rep. Randy Fischer Jason Gelender (staff) Rep. Joann Ginal Rep. Dickey Hullinghorst

Rep. Michael E. McLachlan

Rep. Diane E. Mitsch Bush

Rep. Dominick Moreno Thomas Morris (staff) Meghan O’Connor (staff) Rep. Robert E. Rankin Sen. Gail Schwartz * Rep. Ray Scott Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg Rep. Max Tyler Rep. Edward Vigil

Connecticut Gregg Cogswell (staff) Sen. Eric D. Coleman Sen. Leonard Fasano Rep. Kim Fawcett Sen. John W. Fonfara

Rep. Linda M. Gentile Rep. Antonio Guerrera Lee Hansen (staff) Alex Judd (staff) Janet Kaminski-Leduc

(staff) Sen. Andrew Maynard Sen. John McKinney Sen. Michael McLachlan Emanuel Merisotis (staff) Sen. Edward Meyer * Kristen Miller (staff) Rep. Mary Mushinsky Rep. David Scribner Rep. John Shaban Bradford Towson (staff) Sen. Kevin D. Witkos Chris Zavagnin (staff)

Delaware Sen. Colin Bonini

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Rep. William Carson Sen. Bruce Ennis Sen. Bethany Hall-Long Rep. Debra Heffernan Sen. Gerald Hocker Rep. John Kowalko Sen. David McBride Sen. Harris McDowell Sen. Karen Peterson

Florida Kara Collins-Gomez

(staff) Rep. Jose Felix Diaz Sen. Audrey Gibson Thomas Hamby (staff) William Howard (staff) Reynold Meyer (staff) Larry Novey (staff) Alex Regalado (staff) Lucretia Shaw Collins

(staff) Teresa B. Tinker (staff)

Georgia Sen. Don Balfour Rep. Mandi Ballinger Rep. Tommy Benton Rep. Jon Burns Rep. Josh Clark Rep. Kevin Cooke Sen. John Crosby Abby Day (staff) Rep. Robert Dickey Buck Dixon (staff) Rep. Terry England Rep. Bubber Epps Rep. Harry C. Geisinger Sen. Steve Gooch Rep. Margaret Kaiser Rep. David Knight Rep. Charles E. Martin Jr. Rep. Tom McCall Rep. John Meadows Rep. Greg Morris Rep. Chad Nimmer Rep. Randy Nix Daniel O’Connor (staff) Sen. Nan Orrock Rep. Don L. Parsons Rep. Allen M. Peake Rep. Alan Powell Rep. Jay Powell Rep. Jay Roberts Rep. Barbara Sims Rep. Charles Sims

Sen. Freddie Powell Sims Rep. Lynn Smith Rep. Mickey Stephens Matt Taylor (staff) Sen. Ross Tolleson Jr. * Sen. John Wilkinson Rep. Chuck Williams Sen. Tommie Williams

Hawaii Sen. J. Kalani English Rep. Cynthia Evans Rep. Faye Hanohano Rep. Chris Kalani Lee Rep. Nicole Lowen Rep. Lauren K.

Matsumoto Sen. Clarence K.

Nishihara Rep. Ryan I. Yamane

Idaho Rep. Thomas Dayley Rep. Clark Kauffman Sen. Jim Patrick

Illinois Rep. John E. Bradley Rep. Naomi Jakobsson Sen. David Koehler Becky Locker (staff) Rep. Frank J. Mautino Sen. Michael Noland Laura Sinclair (staff) Steve Thomas (staff) Amanda Wallen (staff)

Indiana Sen. Ronnie J. Alting Sen. Jim Arnold Rep. Terri Jo Austin Rep. Pat Bauer Sen. Jean D. Breaux Sen. Jim Buck Tyler Campbell (staff) Sen. Ed Charbonneau Matt Doerr (staff) Rep. Ryan Dvorak Rep. Sean Eberhart Sarah Freeman (staff) Rep. William Friend Rep. Christina Hale Jack Halloran (staff) Rep. Eric Allan Koch Rep. Donald J. Lehe Sen. James Merritt Jr. Sen. Johnny Nugent

Brian Rockensuess (staff) Rep. Edmond Soliday Rep. Michael Speedy Kristen Tjaden (staff) Rep. Heath VanNatter Sen. John Waterman Rep. David Wolkins Sen. Thomas Wyss Sen. Richard Young

Iowa Sen. Joe Bolkcom Sen. William Dotzler Sen. Rita Hart Sen. Robert Hogg Rep. Charles Isenhart Theresa Kehoe (staff) Jace Mikels (staff) Sen. Joe M. Seng Julie Simon (staff)

Kentucky Lowell Atchley (staff) Rep. Johnny W. Bell Sen. Jared K. Carpenter Rep. Hubert Collins Rep. Leslie A. Combs Rep. William Coursey Rep. Mitchel B. Denham

Jr. Rep. Bob DeWeese Rep. David Floyd Sen. Carroll Gibson Rep. Jim Gooch Jr. * Rep. Jeff Greer Rep. Keith Hall Sen. Ernie Harris Jr. Jay Hartz (staff) Harland Hatter (staff) Sen. Paul Hornback D. Todd Littlefield (staff) Rep. Mary Lou Marzian Rep. Thomas McKee Tanya Monsanto (staff) Rep. Sannie Overly Sen. Dennis L. Parrett Rep. John Short Rep. Arnold Simpson Rep. Kevin Sinnette Sen. Brandon Smith John Snyder (staff) * Rep. John Will Stacy Rep. Fitz Steele Rep. Wilson L. Stone Sen. Damon Thayer Sen. Johnny Ray Turner

Rep. Jim Wayne

Louisiana Sen. Robert Adley Su King (staff) Tyler McCloud (staff) Sen. Francis Thompson

Maine Rep. Bernard Ayotte Rep. Roberta Beavers Rep. Russell Black Rep. Andrea Boland Sen. James Boyle Rep. Sheryl Briggs Rep. Richard Campbell Rep. Ralph Chapman Rep. Benjamin Chipman Sen. John Cleveland Sen. Ronald Collins Rep. Janice Cooper Rep. Dale Crafts Rep. Dean Cray Rep. Paul Davis Rep. Michael Devin Rep. Elizabeth Dickerson Rep. James Dill Rep. Mark Dion Rep. Peter Doak Rep. Larry Dunphy Sen. David Dutremble Rep. Eleanor Espling Rep. Jeffrey Evangelos Rep. Kenneth Fredette Rep. Sara Gideon Rep. James Gillway Rep. Gay Grant Sen. James Hamper Rep. Denise Harlow Rep. Lance Harvell Rep. Craig Hickman Rep. Barry Hobbins Sen. Troy Jackson Rep. Brian Jones Rep. Peter Kent Rep. Charles Kruger Rep. Walter Kumiega Rep. Karen Kusiak Rep. Aaron Libby Rep. Ricky Long Rep. Donald Marean Rep. Timothy Marks Sen. Edward Mazurek Rep. Paul McGowan Rep. Andrew McLean Rep. Melvin Newendyke

Rep. William Noon Rep. Robert Nutting Rep. Wayne Parry Rep. Ann Peoples Rep. Christine Powers Rep. Roger Reed Rep. Diane Russell Rep. Deane Rykerson Rep. Robert Saucier Sen. Thomas Saviello Rep. Jeremy Saxton Rep. Michael Shaw Rep. Stanley Short Rep. Charles Theriault Sen. Douglas Thomas Rep. Jeffrey Timberlake Rep. Ryan Tipping-Spitz Rep. Sharon Treat Rep. Beth Turner Rep. Arthur Verow Rep. Windol Weaver Rep. Joan Welsh Rep. R. Wayne Werts Rep. Alexander Willette Rep. Ellen Winchenbach Rep. Stephen Wood

Maryland Sen. John Astle Del. Gail Bates Del. Elizabeth Bobo Sen. David Brinkley Del. Jon S. Cardin Sen. Richard Colburn Del. Dereck E. Davis Sen. James DeGrange Sen. George Edwards Sen. Jennie Forehand * Sen. Brian E. Frosh Del. Barbara A. Frush Sen. Barry Glassman Del. James Hubbard Del. Sally Jameson Sen. Verna Jones-Rodwell Del. Anne R. Kaiser Del. Tony McConkey Del. Maggie McIntosh Sen. Thomas McLain

Middleton * Sen. Paul. Pinsky Robert K. Smith (staff) T. Patrick Tracy (staff) Del. Michael Weir Sen. Ronald Young

Massachusetts

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Rep. Carlo P. Basile Rep. Matthew Beaton Thomas Bonarrigo (staff) Rep. Gailanne Cariddi Rep. Tackey Chan George Chapman (staff) Rep. Mark Cusack Rep. Marcos Devers Rep. Stephen DiNatale Sen. Benjamin Downing Rep. Carolyn Dykema Christopher Eicher (staff) Sen. James Eldridge Rep. Ann-Margaret

Ferrante Rep. Michael J. Finn Sen. Jennifer Flanagan Heather Friedmann (staff) Rep. Susan Williams

Gifford Rep. Anne M. Gobi Rep. Thomas Golden Sen. Robert Hedlund Rep. Kate Hogan Liam Holland (staff) Rep. Russell Holmes Rep. Steven S. Howitt Rep. Randy Hunt Joshua Katz (staff) Rep. John D. Keenan Sen. John F. Keenan Sen. Thomas Kennedy Rep. Robert Koczera Robert Libin (staff) Rep. Timothy Madden Rep. John J. Mahoney Rep. Paul W. Mark Rep. Christopher Markey Sen. Thomas McGee Rep. James R. Miceli Rep. Aaron Michlewitz Sen. Marc R. Pacheco * Rep. Denise Provost Rep. Angelo Puppolo Jr. Rep. John H. Rogers Rep. Paul A. Schmid III Laurel Schwab (staff) Rep. Frank I. Smizik Tyler Soleau (staff) Rep. William Straus Rep. Walter F. Timilty Rep. Chris Walsh Rep. Donald H. Wong

Michigan Gabe Basso (staff)

Sen. Steven Bieda Sen. Darwin Booher Sen. Jack Brandenburg Sen. Tom Casperson Sen. Patrick Colbeck Rep. Cindy Denby Rep. Brandon Dillon Dan Dundas (staff) Sen. Judy Emmons Rep. Frank Foster Rep. Douglas A. Geiss Rep. Ben Glardon Rep. Ken Goike Sen. Goeff Hansen Rep. Harold Haugh Sen. Dave Hildenbrand Katie Hoeksema (staff) Sen. Joe Hune Rep. Jeff Irwin Rep. Nancy Jenkins Sen. Rick A. Jones Sen. Mike Kowall Suzanne Lowe (staff) Sen. Jim Marleau Sen. Arlan Meekhof Sen. John Moolenaar Sen. Michael L. Nofs Rep. Rick Outman Sen. Phil Pavlov Sen. John M. Proos IV Sen. Randy J. Richardville Rep. Harvey Santana Sen. Howard Walker Sen. Rebekah Warren

Minnesota Rep. David Bly Rep. Karen Clark Sen. Gary Dahms Rep. Raymond Dehn Sen. D. Scott Dibble Rep. Pat Garofalo Brad Hagemeier (staff) Rep. Rick Hansen Sen. John Hoffman Rep. Melissa Hortman Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer Sen. Lyle Koenen Andrew Lee (staff) Rep. Leon Lillie Rep. Tim Mahoney Rep. Sandra A. Masin Rep. Denny McNamara Rep. Joe Mullery Sen. Ann Rest

Ron Soderberg (staff) Sen. Dan Sparks Sen. David Tomassoni

Mississippi Rep. Larry Byrd Mandy Davis (staff) Sen. Deobrah Dawkins Rep. Tyrone Ellis Rep. Casey Eure Sen. Thomas Gollott Sen. Billy Hudson Sen. Robert Jackson Dwan Johnson (staff) Rep. Robert Johnson III Rep. John Thomas Lamar Rep. Steve Massengill Oona McKenzie (staff) Rep. Alex Monsour Rep. Ken Morgan Rep. Bill Pigott Sen. Willie Lee Simmons Rep. Preston Sullivan Sen. Brice Wiggins

Missouri Rep. Elijah Haahr Rep. Caleb Jones Rep. Bart Korman Rep. Clem Smith

Montana Sen. Elsie Arntzen Sen. Shannon Augare Sen. Robyn Driscoll Sen. Jeffrey Essmann Todd Everts (staff) Rep. Steven Fitzpatrick Rep. Roger Hagan Sen. Bradley Hamlett Sen. Larry Jent Sen. Greg Jergeson Sen. Jim Keane Joe Kolman (staff) Leanne Kurtz (staff) Rep. Mary McNally Rep. David Moore Megan Moore (staff) Rep. Reilly Neill Sonja Nowakowski (staff) Sue O'Connell (staff) Rep. Rae Peppers Rep. Ray Shaw Sen. Sharon Stewart-

Peregoy Hope Stockwell (staff)*

Helen Thigpen (staff) Rachel Weiss (staff) Rep. Kerry White Rep. Kathleen Williams

Nebraska Sen. Bill Avery Sen. Dave Bloomfield Sen. Lydia N. Brasch Sen. Tom Carlson Sen. Ken Harr Sen. John Harms Sen. Jerry Johnson Sen. Rick Kolowski Sen. Tyson Larson Sen. Norman T. Wallman

Nevada Asm. Paul Aizley Sen. Kelvin D. Atkinson Asm. Richard Carrillo Asm. Skip Daly Asm. John Ellison Sen. Aaron Ford Asm. Joseph Hogan Asm. Randy Kirner Asm. Dina Neal Sen. Patricia Spearman Asm. Jim Wheeler

New Hampshire Rep. Richard Barry Rep. David Borden Rep. Candace White

Bouchard Rep. Shannon E.

Chandley Rep. Robert E. Introne Michael Kane (staff) Michael J. Landrigan

(staff) Rep. Wayne Moynihan Rep. Sherman A. Packard Rep. Beatriz Pastor Kevin Ripple (staff) Christopher M. Shea

(staff)

New Jersey Sen. Robert Gordon Judith L. Horowitz (staff)

New Mexico Rep. Thomas Anderson Claudia Armijo (staff) Jon Boller (staff)

Rep. Donald E. Bratton Sen. William Burt Sen. Joseph Cervantes Rep. Ernest Chavez Sen. Carlos R. Cisneros Sen. Lee Cotter Rep. George Dodge Jr. Rep. Brian F. Egolf Rep. Candy Ezzell Rep. David Gallegos Rep. Roberto Gonzales Sen. Phil A. Griego Sen. Ron Griggs Sen. Stuart Ingle Sen. Gay G. Kernan Sen. Carroll H. Leavell Sen. Richard Martinez Rep. Bill McCamley Sen. George K. Munoz Sen. Mary Kay Papen Sen. John Pinto Sen. Cliff Pirtle Sen. Nancy Rodriguez Sen. John Ryan Sen. Michael S. Sanchez Sen. William E. Sharer Sen. Benny Shendo Rep. James Smith Sen. John Arthur Smith Randall Soderquist (staff) Rep. Jeff Steinborn Rep. Don Tripp Sen. Peter Wirth Sen. John Patrick Woods

New York Asm. Kevin A. Cahill *

North Carolina Rep. Bill Brawley Rep. William Brisson Brenda Carter (staff) Jeff Cherry (staff) Timothy Dale (staff) Rep. Jimmy Dixon Heather Fennell (staff) Rep. Rosa Gill Rep. Ken Goodman Wendy Graf Ray (staff) Rep. Charles Graham Jeff Grimes (staff) Sen. Rick Gunn Rep. Pricey Harrison Rep. D. Craig Horn Jeff Hudson (staff) Rep. Frank Iler

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Sen. Brent Jackson Rep. Bert Jones Peter Ledford (staff) Rep. Patricia McElraft Jennifer McGinnis (staff) Rep. Chuck McGrady * Jennifer Mundt (staff) Sara Nienow (staff) Giles Perry (staff) Barbara Riley (staff) Chris Saunders (staff) Rep. Mike C. Stone Rep. John Torbett Sen. Michael Walters Rep. Roger West

North Dakota Sen. Bill L. Bowman Sen. Randall Burckhard Rep. Alan H. Carlson Rep. Chuck Damschen Rep. Craig Headland Rep. Jerry G. Kelsh Rep. Scot Kelsh Rep. Curtiss Kreun Sen. Gary Lee Sen. Stanley Lyson Rep. Dan J. Ruby Sen. Connie Triplett

Ohio Sen. Troy Balderson Sen. Capri S. Cafaro Rep. Rex A. Damschroder Rep. Timothy Derickson Rep. Teresa Fedor Sen. Lou Gentile Rep. Robert Hagan Rep. David L. Hall Sen. Frank LaRose Rep. Dale Mallory Rep. Ross McGregor Sen. Thomas Patton Sen. Michael Skindell

Oklahoma Rep. Don Armes Rep. Lisa Billy Kim Bishop (staff) Sen. Cliff Branan Rep. Mike Brown Rep. David Brumbaugh Rep. Josh Cockroft Rep. Dale DeWitt Sen. Eddie Fields Rep. Larry Glenn

Rep. Scott Inman Rep. Charles Joyner Sen. Ron Justice Rep. Steve Kouplen Rep. James Lockhart Sen. Bryce Marlatt Rep. Mark McBride Mary J. Mitts (staff) Rep. Lewis Moore Rep. R.C. Pruett Rep. Brian Renegar Rep. Mike Reynolds Rep. Sean Roberts Rep. Seneca Scott Sen. Gary Stanislawski Rep. John Trebilcock Mark Tygret (staff) Rep. Steve Vaughan Rep. Weldon Watson Rep. Paul Wesselhoft Brad Wolgamott (staff)

Oregon Rep. John Davis * Sen. William Hansell Sen. Bruce Starr Rep. Bradley Witt

Pennsylvania Rep. Timothy Briggs Eric Bugaile (staff) Barry L. Denk (staff) Rep. R. Ted Harhai Rep. Joseph Markosek Rep. Joseph Petrarca Vincent J. Rossi (staff) Rep. Michael Schlossberg Rep. Mike Sturla

Puerto Rico Sen. Pedro Rodriguez

Gonzalez Carlos J. Ruiz-Irizarry

(staff) Sen. Ramon Ruiz Nieves Sen. Jorge Suarez Caceres Sen. Cirilo Tirado Rivera

Quebec Hon. Francois Ouimet

Rhode Island Sen. Stephen Archambault Sen. Catherine Cool

Rumsey Sen. Gayle L. Goldin

Rep. Arthur Handy Rep. Brian Kennedy Sen. Frank Lombardo Sen. Joshua Miller Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski

South Carolina Paula G. Benson (staff) Rep. Robert Brown Sen. Ray Cleary III Sen. Lawrence K. Grooms Rep. Dwight A. Loftis Sen. Joel B. Lourie Sen. Clementa C.

Pinckney Rep. Michael A. Pitts Sen. Luke Rankin Sr. Rep. William E. Sandifer

III Jane Shuler (staff) Rep. B. R. Skelton Sen. Daniel B. Verdin III

South Dakota Sen. Bob Ewing Sen. Jason Frerichs Rep. Charles B. Hoffman Sen. Tom Jones Rep. Patrick Kirschman Sen. Dan Lederman Sen. David Omdahl Rep. Herman Otten Rep. Scott Parsley Rep. Lee Qualm Rep. James G. Schaefer Sen. Mike Vehle

Tennessee Rep. Vince Dean Rep. Brenda Gilmore Rep. Curtis Halford Sen. Thelma Harper Stephanie Jarnagin (staff) Rep. John D. Ragan Sen. Steve Southerland Sen. Jim Summerville Sen. Jim Tracy Callan Wilkerson (staff) Sen. Ken Yager

Texas Rep. Roberto Alonzo Rep. Charles Anderson Rep. Bill Callegari Sen. John J. Carona Rep. Stefani Carter Jessie Coulter (staff)

Rep. Brandon Creighton Rep. Yvonne Davis Nicholas De La Garza

(staff) Cindy Ellison (staff) Sen. Craig Estes Rep. Allen Fletcher Sen. Troy Fraser Rep. Linda Harper-Brown Sen. Glenn Hegar Jr. Rep. Harvey Hilderbran Sen. Joan Huffman Jennifer Jones (staff) * Rep. Jim Keffer Sarah Kirkle (staff) Rep. Armando Martinez Barrett McPhaul (staff) Rep. Jose Menendez Rep. Borris Miles Sen. Robert Nichols Rep. Rob Orr Rep. Larry Phillips Rep. Joseph C. Pickett Rep. Ron Reynolds Rep. Allan Ritter Will Russ (staff) Rep. Ralph Sheffield Rep. Wayne Smith Karl Spock (staff) Jennifer Stewart (staff) Patrick Tyler (staff) Sen. Kirk Watson Lisa Weatherford (staff)

Utah Rep. Johnny Anderson Rep. Patrice Arent Rep. Roger E. Barrus Sen. Margaret Dayton Ivan Djambov (staff) Rep. Stephen G. Handy Rep. Lynn N. Hemingway Sen. David P. Hinkins Sen. Peter Knudson Rep. Jim Nielson Angela J. Oh (staff) Sen. Ralph Okerlund Rep. Val Peterson Rep. Kraig Powell Rep. Douglas Sagers Sen. Brian Shiozawa Sen. Kevin T. Van Tassell

Vermont Aaron Adler (staff) Maria Belliveau (staff)

Rep. Timothy R. Corcoran II

Rep. David Deen Helena Gardner (staff) Rep. Tony Klein Rep. Richard Lawrence Sen. Virginia Lyons * Rep. Curtis McCormack Michael O’Grady (staff) Rep. Carolyn Partridge Rep. Dave Potter Neil Schickner (staff) Sara Teachout (staff)

Virgin Islands Sen. Craig Barshinger Sen. Diane Capehart Sen. Donald Cole

Virginia Del. Richard Anderson Sen. Richard Black Sen. Charles Carrico Sr. Clyde E. Cristman (staff) Sen. John Edwards Harold E. Greer (staff) Sen. Emmett Hanger Jr. Robie Ingram (staff) Del. Terry Kilgore Sen. Lynwood Lewis Sen. Dave W. Marsden Sen. Stephen D. Newman Sen. Thomas K. Norment

Jr. Anne Oman (staff) Del. Robert D. Orrock Sr. Sen. J. Chapman Petersen Sen. Frank M. Ruff Jr. Del. Edward T. Scott Sen. Ralph K. Smith Sen. William Stanley Sen. Richard Stuart Del. David J. Toscano Sen. Frank W. Wagner Alan B. Wambold (staff) Del. R. Lee Ware Jr. Sen. John C. Watkins *

Washington Jason Callahan (staff) Sen. Maralyn Chase Sen. Tracey Eide Rep. Jake Fey Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon Sen. Brian Hatfield Sen. John McCoy *

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Rep. Jeff Morris Rep. Ed Orcutt * Sen. Kevin Ranker Beth Redfield (staff) Sen. Christine Rolfes Meg VanSchoorl (staff) Gary Wilburn (staff)

West Virginia Sen. Larry J. Edgell Jr. Del. Barbara Fleischauer Jay Lazell (staff) Sen. Robert H. Plymale Noelle Starek (staff) Del. Randy Swartzmiller

Wisconsin Chadwick Brown (staff) Anna Henning (staff) Larry Konopacki (staff) Sen. Christopher J. Larson Rachel Letzing (staff) David Lovell (staff) Sen. Mark Miller Michael Queensland

(staff)

Wyoming Josh Anderson (staff) Sen. Floyd A. Esquibel Rep. Mike Greear Sen. Larry Hicks Rep. Lynn Hutchings Rep. Allen Jaggi Rep. David Northrup Matthew Obrecht (staff) Mark Quiner (staff) Rep. Tom Reeder Ian Shaw (staff) Sen. Michael Von Flatern Rep. Tom Walte

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NRI Committee Legislative Summit Agenda All meetings will take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center unless otherwise

noted.

Monday, August 18

7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Agriculture Task Force Tour Contact ben.husch@ncsl.org for additional information

7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Offsite (Invitation Only)

U.S. Forests Products Pre-Con/Site Visit Contact melanie.condon@ncsl.org for additional information

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Energy Supply Task Force Meeting Contact kristine.hartman@ncsl.org for additional information

6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Offsite (Invitation Only)

Committee Member Dinner

Sponsored by the Association of American Railroads

Tuesday, August 19

7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Agriculture Task Force Meeting Contact ben.husch@ncsl.org for additional information

7:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Energy Policy Summit Contact kristine.hartman@ncsl.org for additional information

7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs Contact jennifer.schultz@ncsl.org for additional information

8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Street Smart: Innovations in Traffic Safety Pre-Conference Contact douglas.shinkle@ncsl.org for additional information

3 – 4 p.m. Critical Infrastructure: Defending the Grid Against Multiple Threats Committee Session Lower Level – L100DEFG

3 – 4:45 p.m. Military & Veterans Affairs Economic Outlook

4 – 5 p.m. NRI Committee Business Meeting Lower Level – L100DEFG

Wednesday, August 20 Lower Level – L100DEFG

10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

NRI Committee Business Meeting

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Infrastructure Intersections: Transportation’s Impact on the Whole Economy Committee Session

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12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

Keeping the Lights On: What the Changing Electric Utilities Industry Means for Grid Reliability Committee Session

Lunch will be provided

2 – 3:15 p.m.

Flowing Forward: A Conversation on EPA’s Waters of the U.S. Rule Committee Session

3:30 – 5 p.m. ** Concurrent NRI Committee Sessions **

The Future of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Power Supply Sector Lower Level – L100DEFG

MAP-21 Reauthorization: Where Do We Go From Here? Lower Level – L100IJ

4:45 – 6:45 p.m. offsite

Hennepin Energy Recovery Center Tour Contact Ellie Booth (503-784-5692) for additional information

Thursday, August 21 6:30 – 8 a.m. Off-site

Walk for Wellness Contact katie.ziegler@ncsl.org for additional Information

7:15 – 8:30 a.m.

Food and Farm Breakfast: Bringing Together Urban and Rural Legislators Level 2 – 200ABIJ

NCSL appreciates ADM’s support of this annual event.

11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. * Concurrent Sessions*

Issue Forum: Financing Capital Improvements: Options and Emerging Trends Lower Level – L100ABC

Issue Forum: The New Energy Revolution Level 2 – 200DEFG

Noon – 1:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Luncheon

2:15 – 3:30 p.m. *Concurrent Sessions*

Issue Forum: The New Economy of Sharing Lower Level – L100DEFG

Issue Forum: Transforming North America’s Energy Outlook Level 2 – 200DEFG

3:45 – 5 p.m. Issue Forum: How Technology is Changing Agriculture Lower Level – L100DEFG

5 – 6:30 p.m. Agriculture Task Force Reception Lower Level – L100DEFG

Friday, August 22

6:15 – 8 a.m. Bipartisan Bike Ride Contact douglas.shinkle@ncsl.org for additional information

For more information or if you have any questions please contact NCSL NRI Committee staff:

Ben Husch Committee Director ben.husch@ncsl.org

202-624-7779

Melanie Condon Policy Specialist

melanie.condon@ncsl.org 202-624-3597

Jocelyn Durkay Policy Associate

jocelyn.durkay@ncsl.org 303-856-1494

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NRI COMMITTEE ONLINE RESOURCES

The NCSL Natural Resources & Infrastructure Committee (NRI) is pleased to notify you of our

updated website, where you can find up-to-date committee information and resources at anytime.

COMMITTEE HOMEPAGE (www.ncsl.org/state-federal-committees.aspx?tabs=855,19,608): Overview page for the NRI Committee including links to specific resource pages (listed below) and timely news alerts

COMMITTEE POLICIES (www.ncsl.org/state-federal-committees.aspx?tabs=855,19,631#631): All state-federal policies that have been approved by the committee, used for NCSL’s advocacy in Washington, D.C.

NRI COMMITTEE AND CONGRESS (www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=26427): Regularly updated collection of letters and testimonies sent to the U.S. Congress, related to NRI Committee policy

NEWSLETTERS (www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=25678): 3 monthly Federal Updates covering energy & ag; environment and transportation issues and two monthly state-federal policy newsletters on transportation (Transport Report) and energy (Plugged In).

INFO ALERTS & ARCHIVES (www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=25672): A one-stop-shop for all NRI Committee-related info alerts (concise informational briefs on breaking news of interest to our committee)

MEETING RESOURCES (www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=25637): Information from recent NCSL meetings—including agendas, presentations from our sessions (when available) and other resources of interest—plus details about upcoming events

NATURAL RESOURCES & INFRASTRUCTURE BILL-TRACKING DATABASES: A series of up-to-date databases that track legislation introduced in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico:

o ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY ( www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=13011)

o TRANSPORTATION ( www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=25720)

o AGRICULTURE (www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=18718)

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NCSL NATURAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

4:00 – 5:00 pm

o Overview & Review of Procedures

o Consideration of (listed in order of consideration):

Existing Policy Resolutions

Solving America’s Long-Term Transportation Funding

Crisis

DOD Matching Funds-Federal Conservation Program

Climate Change

New Policy Directive

Airport Infrastructure Funding

New Policy Resolutions

Pollinator Health

Implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act

Resolution Supporting Protections of Electric

Generation, Transmission and Distribution Systems

Against Solar Storms and Man-Made Electromagnetic

Pulses (EMP)

Amendments to Existing Policy Directive

Energy Security

New Policy Resolution (Joint Jurisdiction w/ CFI Committee)

Economic Recovery

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

o Continued consideration of policies (if necessary)

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Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee Policy Summaries

Existing Policy Resolutions for Reconsideration

Solving America’s Long Term Transportation Funding Crisis: This is a current

policy scheduled to sunset at the 2014 Legislative Summit that urges Congress to

allocate funds to states that would support state-level pilot programs to explore

transportation funding alternatives to fuel taxes.

DOD Matching Funds-Federal Conservation Program Policy Resolution: This is a

current policy scheduled to sunset at the 2014 Legislative Summit that addresses land

management issues around Department of Defense installations and the interaction

between programs at U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Defense.

Climate Change Policy Resolution: This is a current policy scheduled to sunset at the

2014 Legislative Summit that focuses on the state-federal relationship for the funding,

development, and regulation of air emissions and their potential impact on the climate.

Proposed Policy Directives

Airport Infrastructure Funding: This new directive urges Congress to maintain

existing levels of federal grant funding for airport infrastructure improvements and to

raise the Passenger Facility Charge user fees which are dedicated to capital

improvements within local airport systems. Sponsored by Senator David Marsden of

Virginia.

Proposed Policy Resolutions

Resolution on Pollinator Health: This new resolution expresses support for federal

efforts to protect pollinators. Sponsored by Representative Rick Hansen of Minnesota.

Implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act: This new resolution urges

the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to suspend the imposition

of rules to implement FSMA and to conduct a national review of the impact of both the

Produce Safety and Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food rules and all

future FSMA rules until such time as a clear understanding of their impact can be

determined. Sponsored by Representative Thomas Dayley of Idaho.

18

Resolution Supporting Protection of the Electric Generation, Transmission, and

Distribution Systems Against Solar Storms and Man-Made Electromagnetic

Pulses (EMP): This new resolution urges Congress to work on legislation to protect the

national electric grid against both solar storms and man-made electromagnetic pulse.

Sponsored by Representative Andrea Boland of Maine.

Proposed Amendments to Existing Policy Directives

Energy Security: This is a set of proposed amendments to an existing policy directive

that adds language that supporting federal action to increase protection of the national

grid from natural geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) and manmade electromagnetic

pulses. Sponsored by Representative Andrea Boland of Maine.

Proposed Policy Resolution with Joint Jurisdiction

Economic Recovery: (joint with Communications, Financial Services and Interstate

Commerce): This is a new resolution that supports returning the United States to a

Constitutional credit system in order to accomplish an economic recovery. The

resolution requests Congress enact the Glass-Steagall legislation currently before the

Congress; return to a national banking-and-credit system; use the Federal credit-system

to generate high-productivity trends in improvements of employment, with the

accompanying intention, to increase the physical-economic productivity, and the

standard of living of the persons and households of the United States; and launch a

crash program to finally bring nuclear fusion on line. Sponsored by Senator Perry Clark

from Kentucky.

19

COMMITTEE: NATURAL RESOURCES AND 1

INFRASTRUCTURE 2

3

POLICY: SOLVING AMERICA’S LONG-TERM 4

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING CRISIS 5

6

TYPE: RESOLUTION 7

Revenues for our transportation system continue to decline with vehicles becoming ever 8

more fuel efficient and changing travel patterns nationwide. The Highway Trust Fund is 9

estimated to become insolvent in 2015 while state gas taxes continue to show 10

diminishing returns. The American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated America’s 11

surface transportation infrastructure faces a funding gap of about $94 billion a year 12

based on current spending levels. 13

14

To respond to this well-documented funding crisis currently impacting America’s surface 15

transportation system, the National Conference of State Legislatures urges Congress to 16

support the creation of $20 million program, with no more than $2 million available for 17

allocation to any one state, to support state-level pilot programs to explore 18

transportation funding alternatives to fuel taxes. 19

Expires August 2014 20

21

20

22

21

COMMITTEE: NATURAL RESOURCES AND 1

INFRASTRUCTURE 2

POLICY: DOD MATCHING FUNDS-FEDERAL 3

CONSERVATION PROGRAMS 4 5

TYPE: RESOLUTION 6

The National Conference of State Legislatures believes that the Department of Defense’s (DoD) 7

Sustainable Ranges Initiative (SRI) and in particular the Readiness and Environmental 8

Protection Initiative (REPI), has been highly effective, within the limits of available resources, in 9

protecting DoD bases. However, NCSL considers that truly effective steps to protect those 10

bases requires much better integration of the conservation programs of other federal agencies 11

with the efforts of DoD and its SRI/REPI partners. As such, NCSL supports the enactment of 12

legislation allowing funds provided by DoD to protect bases from encroachment to qualify as 13

match or cost share in the conservation programs of the Department of Agriculture and other 14

federal agencies. 15

16

NCSL believes that the Farmland Protection Program (FPP) has been successful in maintaining 17

farm and ranchlands for agricultural uses while simultaneously offering a great benefit to the 18

communities surrounding military installations. As such, NCSL believes that the ability to use 19

DoD funds as matching funds should be restored to Farm and Ranchland Protection Program 20

(FRPP) program, Department of Agriculture conservation programs in the Farm Bill and all other 21

federal conservation programs due to the mutual benefits to landowners, conservation, and the 22

military. NCSL also believes that the mutual and reinforcing benefits to farmers, ranchers, local 23

communities, outdoor recreation, and the military experienced under the FPP prior to the 2008 24

Farm Bill should also be extended to all other federal conservation easement programs through 25

the enactment of legislation specifically authorizing the use of DoD funds as match or cost share 26

in any such programs. 27

Expires August 2014 28

29

22

30

23

COMMITTEE: NATURAL RESOURCES AND 1

INFRASTRUCTURE 2

POLICY: CLIMATE CHANGE 3

TYPE: RESOLUTION 4

NCSL urges the federal government to consult with state elected officials, their national 5

representative organizations and existing interstate partnerships in developing a federal 6

program. As Congress and the administration examine proposals for reducing greenhouse gas 7

emissions, the National Conference of State Legislatures encourages the federal government to 8

always take the following principles into account: 9

Federal action should be flexible, allowing for a range of complementary strategies at the 10

state and federal level maintaining a strong role for state, local and tribal government in 11

any federal action. 12

Federal legislation should provide states the authority and flexibility to work within a 13

overall framework; to apply the law effectively to all sources of emissions and ensure 14

achievement of climate change goals in the most cost effective, timely and efficient 15

manner for each state. 16

Federal legislation should not preempt state or local governments from enacting policy 17

options that differ from federal choices or from enacting stricter or stronger measures 18

within their jurisdiction. 19

Federal legislation should afford states the flexibility to form regional cooperatives and 20

implement innovative policies that advance federal efforts to reduce the effects of 21

climate change. 22

Congress must authorize and appropriate sufficient funds for federal, state and local 23

governments to implement any federal legislation. These funds should be newly 24

authorized appropriations, not reprogrammed resources. 25

Federal legislation should ensure state legislative authority in any federal climate change 26

legislation and affirm the active role played by state legislatures in both fiscal and 27

substantive aspects of state policymaking. 28

Federal legislation providing for the allocation of greenhouse gas reduction programs to 29

states should include language making decisions related to such allowances subject to 30

state legislative approval. 31

24

NCSL urges the federal government, should it choose to act on this issue, to take into account 32

the following principles regarding program design components: 33

Any national system must include short, medium and long-term goals and incorporate a 34

rigorous oversight program that provide for ongoing study and analysis of the system to 35

ensure it is achieving intended goals. 36

A new national program should serve to address uncertainties that are hampering 37

investment in generation, transmission and distribution and enhance the likelihood that 38

appropriate technologies will be developed and other solutions implemented so as to 39

achieve the desired reductions in GHG emissions in the most economical manner 40

possible. 41

Federal legislation should be designed appropriately to balance competing criteria, 42

including, but not limited to, equity, economic efficiency and ease of administration. 43

Revenue derived from a greenhouse gas reduction program should be directed to 44

complimentary policies focused on mitigating climate change consumer costs including 45

but not limited to energy research & development, weatherization, conservation and 46

energy efficiency activities. 47

A national program to reduce GHG emissions must also address adaptation issues. 48

Auctioning of allowances may be the most economically efficient mechanism for 49

achieving a GHG emissions reductions goal. However, the allocation of emissions 50

allowances at no cost can serve as an appropriate transition measure necessary to 51

ensure continued reliability, minimize economic dislocation resulting from the carbon 52

intensity of the existing infrastructure, and allow for development and deployment of 53

needed new technologies and measures to reduce emissions. 54

Priority distribution of allowances at no cost should be to those entities in affected 55

sectors where existing regulatory structure provides the necessary oversight to ensure 56

that the value of such allowances is accounted for in establishing price rates for 57

consumers. 58

The allocation of greenhouse gas reduction program to states under a federal 59

greenhouse gas reduction program should include language making decisions related to 60

such allowances subject to state legislative approval. 61

The establishment of any new federal program should include provisions for transparent 62

reporting and accountability and incorporate the use of third party verification to ensure 63

reported outcomes are verifiable. 64

25

Unintended Consequences 65

NCSL believes that federal legislation regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases should take 66

into account the implications of actions and/or inactions on economic development, energy 67

security, and those most vulnerable citizens. Evaluation should include the life cycle impacts of 68

policy options including ancillary impacts. 69

NCSL believes that federal legislation should require continuing assessments of the potential 70

impacts to the United States of climate change, by state or region including effects on water 71

resources, agriculture, infrastructure, natural systems, environmental quality, public health, 72

biodiversity and the cultures of our native peoples. Such an assessment will support the 73

development of domestic and international adaptation-mitigation strategies. The Environmental 74

Protection Agency (EPA) should provide funding and assist states in developing assessments 75

and adaptation plans at the state and regional level. 76

NCSL also urges the federal government to fully consider how legislation will affect low-income 77

households that already struggle to balance needs and expenses. NCSL encourages the 78

federal government to expand and enhance long-term funding for the Department of Energy's 79

Weatherization Assistance Program and to ensure that any new federal program does not 80

undermine existing federal, state and private sector energy assistance and outreach programs 81

that assist our most vulnerable citizens. 82

Research and Development 83

NCSL strongly urges the federal government to authorize and appropriate funding and provide 84

other incentives to spur expanded research and development (R&D), as well as advance the 85

demonstration and deployment of new and existing technologies to improve energy efficiency, 86

advance mitigation strategies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 87

NCSL urges the federal government: 88

To ensure that legislation not limit the diversity of technologies supported, as future 89

advancements cannot be predicted. 90

To take into account state and regional differences, and not limit or specify the 91

technologies used in each state and ensure sufficient flexibility for each State to 92

determine how to best achieve nationally-set goals. 93

26

To promote current and future innovations and expand the use of such technology 94

through R&D transfer agreements with other countries. 95

Expires August 2014 96

27

COMMITTEE: NATURAL RESOURCES AND 1

INFRASTRUCTURE 2

POLICY: AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING 3

TYPE: POLICY DIRECTIVE 4

SPONSOR: SENATOR DAVID MARSDEN (VIRGINIA) 5

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) fully supports the goal of ensuring that 6

airports have sufficient funding to meet their infrastructure needs, both to restore or replace 7

critical facilities that are coming to the end of their useful lives and to build new infrastructure to 8

enhance safety, security, and capacity to allow for expansion of air service and increased 9

opportunities for competition among airlines. To achieve this goal, it is essential that Congress 10

maintain existing levels of federal grant funding, and raise the federal cap on Passenger Facility 11

Charge (PFC) user fees, which are locally imposed and dedicated to capital improvements 12

within the local airport system. Therefore, NCSL believes that Congress should continue to fully 13

fund the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at authorized levels annually on a multi-year basis 14

and increase the federal limit on individual Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) user fee to keep up 15

with inflation, to help ensure that airport operators have sufficient funding to implement needed 16

safety, security, capacity and noise projects at their airports. 17

18

28

19

29

COMMITTEE: NATURAL RESOURCES AND 1

INFRASTRUCTURE 2

POLICY: POLLINATOR HEALTH 3

TYPE: POLICY RESOLUTION 4

SPONSOR: REPRESENTATITVE RICK HANSEN 5

(MINNESOTA) 6

7

A resolution of the National Conference of State Legislatures Natural Resources and 8

Infrastructure Committee, recognizing the importance of pollinators, stressing the negative 9

ramifications of continued pollinator loss, and expressing support for federal efforts to protect 10

pollinators. 11

12

WHEREAS, farmers depend on pollinator species such as bees, ants, butterflies, birds and bats 13

to successfully produce approximately one third of all United States agricultural output; and 14

15

WHEREAS, in addition to food, pollinators also are vital to the production of fibers, edible oils, 16

medicines, and other products; and 17

18

WHEREAS, urban and rural beekeepers play an important role in state and federal agricultural 19

production; and 20

21

WHEREAS, agriculture is a key driver of rural and state economies and the tremendous 22

productivity of United States farmers benefits the national economy and the country's 23

international trade balance; and 24

25

WHEREAS, pollinator loss poses a significant threat to United States agriculture and the ability 26

of our farmers to feed a growing world population; and 27

28

WHEREAS, pollinators are essential organisms in the ecosystems that provide biodiversity, 29

recreation and enjoyment for people and habitat for wild plants and animals; and 30

30

WHEREAS, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) recognizes the serious 31

threats posed by pollinator loss and the key roles that the federal government plays as 32

landowner and manager, regulator of pesticide products, and financial and technical assistance 33

provider to farmers and other private landowners; NOW, THEREFORE, 34

35

BE IT RESOLVED by the NCSL Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee that it fully 36

supports recent federal efforts to: develop best management practices and enhance pollinator 37

habitat on federally owned or managed lands; incorporate pollinator health as a component of 38

all future federal restoration and reclamation projects; revise guidance documents for designed 39

landscapes and public buildings in order to incorporate pollinator-friendly practices; increase 40

both the acreage and forage value of pollinator habitat in the Conservation Reserve Program 41

and other federal conservation programs; provide technical assistance in collaboration with 42

land-grant university-based cooperative extension services to federal departments and 43

agencies, state, local, and tribal governments, and other entities and individuals including 44

farmers and ranchers; assist states and state wildlife organizations, as appropriate, in identifying 45

and implementing projects to conserve pollinators through the revision and implementation of 46

State Wildlife Action Plans; assess the effects of systemic pesticides on bee and other pollinator 47

health and take corresponding action, as appropriate, to protect pollinators from pesticides; and 48

take immediate measures to support pollinators during the current growing season and 49

thereafter, including planting pollinator-friendly vegetation, increasing flower diversity in 50

plantings, limiting mowing practices, and avoiding the use of pesticides in sensitive pollinator 51

habitats through the use of integrated vegetation and pest management practices. 52

53

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that states work closely with affected individuals and serve as 54

laboratories of innovation in problem solving and policy making. Federal agencies should work 55

closely with the states to align pollinator protection efforts and share best practices. 56

57

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NCSL and the states are willing partners in the federal 58

government's pollinator protection efforts and will closely monitor federal actions and progress 59

on these and related efforts of utmost importance to the states and our nation's food supply, 60

urban and rural agriculture economies, environment, and natural resources. 61

31

COMMITTEE: NATURAL RESOURCES AND 1

INFRASTRUCTURE 2

POLICY: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOOD SAFETY 3

MODERNIZATION ACT 4

TYPE: POLICY RESOLUTION 5

SPONSOR: REPRESENTATITVE THOMAS DAYLEY (IDAHO) 6

Based on the proposed rules to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) set forth 7

by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), NCSL believes that compliance with the 8

requirements of Produce Safety and Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food 9

proposals represent a financial burden and are impractical. As such, NCSL opposes the FDA's 10

proposed Produce Safety rule and the adoption of any numeric water quality standard for 11

irrigation water and urge the Commissioner of the FDA to suspend the imposition of rules to 12

implement FSMA and to conduct a national review of the impact of both the Produce Safety and 13

Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food rules and all future FSMA rules until such 14

time as a clear understanding of their impact can be determined. 15

16

Additionally, NCSL supports the enactment of legislation by Congress to prohibit the FDA from 17

adopting the proposed Produce Safety Rule or any numeric water quality standard for irrigation 18

water.19

1

33

COMMITTEE: NATURAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE 1

POLICY: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PROTECTION OF THE 2

ELECTRIC GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, AND 3

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AGAINST SOLAR 4

STORMS AND MAN-MADE ELECTROMAGNETIC 5

PULSE (EMP) 6

SPONSOR: REPRESENTATIVE ANDREA BOLAND (MAINE) 7

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) understands that: 8

9

The health and safety of all Americans depends on reliable functioning of Electrical Generation, 10

Transmission, and Distribution Systems, commonly called the “electric grid;” 11

12

Multiple reports of official government bodies have concluded that naturally occurring solar storms – 13

also commonly called “geomagnetic disturbance” or “natural EMP” – regularly occur, and that a 14

severe solar storm, given a 100% probability of occurring, could result in an electric grid blackout 15

lasting months or years; 16

17

Solar storms do not respect state boundaries and can offer little time to react. The moderate 18

magnitude solar storm that occurred in Quebec, Canada in March 1989, and cost them over $2 billion, 19

produced a blackout in just 90 seconds that lasted only 9 hours, but destroyed a major transformer at 20

a nuclear power plant in New Jersey. 21

22

The official report of the congressionally-authorized Electromagnetic Pulse Commission concluded 23

that a nuclear warhead detonated at high altitude over the United States would cause an 24

electromagnetic pulse and result in an electric grid blackout lasting months or even years; 25

26

Non-nuclear EMP weapons, also known as radiofrequency weapons, are now available to terrorists, 27

criminals, and unstable individuals, and have been used by all of these actors; 28

29

34

NCSL further understands that enemies of the United States realize that our electric grid is our 30

most critical and most vulnerable infrastructure; some currently have nuclear weapons that could be 31

used to conduct an EMP attack, and others aspire to have such weapons. 32

33

NCSL recognizes that: 34

35

The States have legal authority over electric generation, electric transmission systems at voltages 36

less than 100 kilovolts, and electric distribution systems to end-use customers; 37

38

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 797, of June 19, 2014, stated that States 39

have the ability to establish safety and reliability standards for their State’s electric grid, that are higher 40

than federally established reliability standards; 41

42

The Federal Government, acting through the authority of FERC, has legal authority over the Bulk 43

Power System consisting of electric transmission systems at voltages greater than 100 kilowatts; 44

45

NOW, THEREFORE, WHEREAS some States have passed legislation or are otherwise taking steps 46

to examine the vulnerabilities of their state’s electric grids to solar storms and EMP, to identify 47

mitigation measures, and to move to protect their electric grids; and 48

49

WHEREAS, FERC last year ordered by a 5-0 vote of Commissioners that the Bulk Power System be 50

protected against solar storms; 51

52

WHEREAS NCSL recognizes that: 53

54

Any electric grid protection against solar storms and electromagnetic pulse attack must take place at 55

both the State and Federal levels for such protection to be completely effective; 56

57

THE NCSL supports cost effective legislation at the federal level to protect the national electric grid 58

against both solar storms and man-made electromagnetic pulse. 59

35

COMMITTEE: NATURAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE 1

2

POLICY: ENERGY SECURITY 3

TYPE: POLICY DIRECTIVE (with amendment) 4

SPONSOR: REPRESENTATIVE ANDREA BOLAND (MAINE) 5

In order to fully secure the further benefits that only a national energy policy can ensure, NCSL urges 6

Congress to direct the U.S. Department of Energy through the national laboratories and technology 7

centers to develop a national energy strategy for moving the United States toward independence from 8

non-North American energy sources. The development of this strategy should be done in partnership 9

with state governments and universities to leverage the work which has already been done and 10

should encompass short, medium and long-term goals designed to help transition the nation to a 11

more secure, resilient, and financially stable power grid, and future configuration that is drastically 12

more independent of non-North American energy sources 13

The NCSL believes a considerable effort needs to be undertaken at the federal level in partnership 14

with state, local and tribal governments to help bring about a more secure, resilient and sustainable 15

energy future. To that end NCSL urges action by Congress and the administration to: 16

Promote enhanced efficiency and conservation in the use of our energy resources; 17

Establish a diversified national energy; 18

Encourage and assist in the development of enhanced oil and gas refining capacity and 19

technology; 20

Support domestic energy production and reduce imports; 21

Regularly review and update CAFE standards; 22

Accelerate research and development of advanced clean energy technologies; 23

Promote the development of an infrastructure to support the distribution of clean energy 24

technologies; 25

36

Ensure energy resources are used in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner; and 26

give FERC authority to: (1) require the electric power industry to (1) protect the national grid 27

from natural geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) and manmade electromagnetic pulse (EMP); 28

(2) require that grid protection not rely solely on operational procedures, but include hardening 29

the grid with blocking devices, surge arrestors, Faraday cages and other technologies; (3) 30

require specific attention to ensuring that Extra High Voltage (EHV) transformers are 31

protected; 32

Support investment in the national academic and job training systems in order to advance 33

science and engineering curricula for the purpose of creating a highly skilled and trained 34

workforce; 35

Address the limitations of the visa system that restricts entry to the United states of leading 36

scientists and engineers from around the world; and 37

Promote employment and advancement of the highest skilled American scientists, engineers, 38

and physicists; 39

Address the capital, material and labor deficiencies affecting our ability to manufacture and 40

deploy advanced clean energy technologies. 41

Accelerate the deployment and use of alternative transportation fuels to begin to eliminate the 42

nation’s dependence on foreign sources of oil. 43

The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should work in 44

partnership with states to: 45

1. Develop and implement state and federal energy policy planning processes; 46

2. Deploy new energy efficiency and other demand-side options, as well as deploying new and 47

conventional supply-side technologies; 48

3. Provide sufficient funding to states as they develop energy policies and infrastructure protections 49

on an individual or regional basis; and 50

4. Provide assistance, when requested, as states attempt to solve their energy and infrastructure 51

problems. 52

37

5. Provide sufficient funding to the Office of Energy Infrastructure Security to adequately support 53

assistance to states in developing their plans to protect their transmission and distribution systems 54

and state-approved generators from collapse due to GMD and EMP. 55

NCSL believes: 56

States should have the option and authority of being represented in Regional Transmission 57

Organizations (RTOs) on a voluntary basis. Such participation should not supersede nor alter state 58

jurisdiction, unless agreed to by the state; 59

Congress should facilitate the development of state-created regional mechanisms like interstate 60

compacts and regional reliability boards designed to address transmission reliability, problems related 61

to the interconnectedness of the energy grid, environmental impact of generating electricity, 62

vulnerability to GMD and EMP and other regional energy issues; 63

64

Energy facility siting should remain under state jurisdiction devoid of federal mandates and 65

preemption; Electric facility siting authority should remain under state authority; 66

The federal government should not exercise its power of eminent domain in its pursuit of constructing 67

energy facilities for related purposes; 68

To the extent to which federal activity has restricted state authority over electric facility siting, 69

specifically electricity transmission lines, the federal government should work together with the states 70

to ensure a seamless system of regulatory action and minimize the necessity for the federal backstop 71

to be used. 72

38

1

39

COMMITTEE: COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCIAL SERVICES AND 1

INTERSTATE COMMERCE 2

3

POLICY: RETURNING THE UNITED STATES TO A 4

CONSTITUTIONAL CREDIT SYSTEM IN ORDER TO 5

ACCOMPLISH AN ACTUAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY 6

7

TYPE: RESOLUTION 8

9

10

WHEREAS, the indebtedness of the global financial system has increased since 2008, with 2014 11

derivative holdings increasing to $1.9 quadrillion, creating the conditions for a financial breakdown far 12

worse than the 2008 crash, it is urgent and necessary that Glass-Steagall be passed and 13

implemented immediately; and 14

15

WHEREAS, a “New Development Bank” was just established by the BRICS conference of Brazil, 16

Russia, India, China and South Africa, to capitalize great projects such as canals, high speed rail 17

corridors, and nuclear power plants, in nations from South America, Asia, and Africa; and 18

19

WHEREAS, this approach to economic growth and scientific progress originated with the U.S. 20

Constitutional credit system designed by America’s founders, including Alexander Hamilton and Ben 21

Franklin; and 22

23

WHEREAS, an American economic recovery will require a return to the U.S. Constitutional provisions 24

for national banking and federal credit under the authority of the U.S. Treasury Secretary, as done 25

under the Administrations of George Washington and John Quincy Adams, and Abraham Lincoln's 26

"Greenbacks;" and 27

28

WHEREAS, under these Constitutional provisions, national credit will be made available for creation 29

of productive jobs, restoring the dignity or our workforce, and restoring full funding to high-technology 30

40

investments, fusion power research and a science-driver program for the economy; and 31

32

WHEREAS, overcoming the deficits of the past lost decades while preparing humanity for the 33

challenges of the future on earth and in the Solar system are essential for our nation's future; 34

35

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the National Conference of State Legislatures hereby 36

calls upon the Congress of the United States to initiate the following four part program, to remedy the 37

current crisis and launch a dramatic and durable economic recovery: 38

39

1. Re-enact Franklin Roosevelt's Glass Steagall protections, including the bills now before the 40

Congress (HR 129, S 1282), to eliminate the worthless assets on the books of the 41

major US banks, which are dragging the economy into imminent evaporation; 42

43

2. Return to a national banking-and-credit system, modeled on the principles of the Alexander 44

Hamilton Bank of the United States, the Reconstruction Finance Corporation of Franklin 45

Roosevelt, and the Greenback program of Abraham Lincoln. This approach restores to the 46

Treasury Department to its rightful Constitutional role as the generator of direct federal credit to 47

urgently needed infrastructure and industrial and farm programs; 48

49

3. Use the Federal credit-system, to generate high-productivity trends in improvements of 50

employment, with the accompanying intention, to increase the physical-economic productivity, and 51

the standard of living of the persons and households of the United States. This will include the 52

launching of a reconstruction of our water, power, transportation and all categories of 53

infrastructure, including the deployment of nuclear power and high speed rail, as is being 54

implemented throughout Asia and now South America 55

56

4. Launch a crash program to finally bring nuclear fusion on line; this technology has been 57

languishing for lack of funding, but is the immediate driver for a solution to the need for cheap, 58

limitless power, and the source of whole new categories of raw and man-made materials. 59

60

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of the United 61

States, to the presiding officers of each house of the Congress, and to each member of Congress. 62

41

63