text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act 
  of 2017''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      Congress finds that--
              (1) safe and clean drinking water is essential to the 
          health, well-being, comfort, and standard of living of every 
          person of the United States;
              (2) emerging contaminants in drinking water systems are 
          increasingly being detected at low levels;
              (3) prolonged exposure to unregulated drinking water 
          contaminants, including emerging contaminants, may pose human 
          health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations;
              (4) the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.), 
          requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
          Agency--
                      (A) to periodically make regulatory determinations 
                  with respect to unregulated contaminants; and
                      (B) not less frequently than once every 5 years, to 
                  identify and publish a description of unregulated 
                  contaminants that may require regulation;
              (5) in a 2011 report of the Government Accountability 
          Office, the Comptroller General of the United States found, 
          with respect to unregulated drinking water contaminants, that--
                      (A) the Administrator has made limited progress in 
                  prioritizing drinking water contaminants based on 
                  greatest public health concern;
                      (B) the lack of data relating to the exposure of 
                  the public to potentially harmful drinking water 
                  contaminants and the related health effects of that 
                  exposure continues to limit the ability of the 
                  Administrator to make regulatory determinations; and
                      (C) in many cases, gathering sufficient data to 
                  address contaminants awaiting regulatory determinations 
                  by the Administrator has taken the Administrator more 
                  than 10 years, and obtaining data on other contaminants 
                  that are currently awaiting regulatory determinations 
                  may take decades;
              (6) in the 2016 Drinking Water Action Plan of the 
          Environmental Protection Agency, the Administrator recommended 
          that the Government and key water stakeholders strengthen the 
          effectiveness of drinking water health advisories through 
          enhanced collaboration and increased focus on risk management 
          and risk communication approaches; and
              (7) it is vital that legislators, regulatory officials, 
          public water system owners and operators, scientists, and 
          environmental advocacy groups continue to work to ensure that 
          the public water systems of the United States are among the 
          safest in the world.
  
  SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
  
      In this Act:
              (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
          Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
              (2) Contaminant.--The term ``contaminant'' means any 
          physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or 
          matter in water.
              (3) Contaminant of emerging concern; emerging 
          contaminant.--The terms ``contaminant of emerging concern'' and 
          ``emerging contaminant'' mean a contaminant--
                      (A) for which the Administrator has not promulgated 
                  a national primary drinking water regulation; and
                      (B) that may have an adverse effect on the health 
                  of individuals.
              (4) Federal research strategy.--The term ``Federal research 
          strategy'' means the interagency Federal research strategy 
          developed under section 4(c)(1)(A)(i).
              (5) Working group.--The term ``Working Group'' means the 
          Working Group established under section 4(b)(1).
  
  SEC. 4. RESEARCH AND COORDINATION PLAN FOR ENHANCED RESPONSE ON 
                EMERGING CONTAMINANTS.
  
      (a) In General.--The Administrator shall--
              (1) review Federal efforts--
                      (A) to identify, monitor, and assist in the 
                  development of treatment methods for emerging 
                  contaminants; and
                      (B) to assist States in responding to the human 
                  health challenges posed by contaminants of emerging 
                  concern; and
              (2) in collaboration with owners and operators of public 
          water systems, States, and other interested stakeholders, 
          establish a strategic plan for improving the Federal efforts 
          referred to in paragraph (1).
      (b) Interagency Working Group on Emerging Contaminants.--
              (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
          enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Secretary of 
          Health and Human Services shall jointly establish a Working 
          Group to coordinate the activities of the Federal Government to 
          identify and analyze the public health effects of drinking 
          water contaminants of emerging concern.
              (2) Membership.--The Working Group shall include 
          representatives of the following:
                      (A) The Environmental Protection Agency, appointed 
                  by the Administrator.
                      (B) The following agencies, appointed by the 
                  Secretary of Health and Human Services:
                              (i) The National Institutes of Health.
                              (ii) The Centers for Disease Control and 
                          Prevention.
                              (iii) The Agency for Toxic Substances and 
                          Disease Registry.
                      (C) The United States Geological Survey, appointed 
                  by the Secretary of the Interior.
                      (D) Any other Federal agency the assistance of 
                  which the Administrator determines to be necessary to 
                  carry out this subsection, appointed by the head of the 
                  respective agency.
              (3) Existing working group.--The Administrator may expand 
          or modify the duties of an existing working group to perform 
          the duties of the Working Group under this subsection.
      (c) National Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative.--
              (1) Federal research strategy.--
                      (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
                  date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the 
                  Office of Science and Technology Policy (referred to in 
                  this subsection as the ``Director'') shall coordinate 
                  with the heads of the agencies described in 
                  subparagraph (C) to establish a National Emerging 
                  Contaminant Research Initiative that shall develop--
                              (i) an interagency Federal research 
                          strategy that specifies and prioritizes the 
                          short-term and long-term research necessary to 
                          improve the identification, analysis, 
                          monitoring, and treatment methods of 
                          contaminants of emerging concern; and
                              (ii) any necessary program, policy, or 
                          budget to support the implementation of the 
                          Federal research strategy, including mechanisms 
                          for joint agency review of research proposals, 
                          for interagency cofunding of research 
                          activities, and for information sharing across 
                          agencies.
                      (B) Research on emerging contaminants.--In carrying 
                  out subparagraph (A), the Director shall--
                              (i) take into consideration consensus 
                          conclusions from peer-reviewed, pertinent 
                          research on emerging contaminants; and
                              (ii) in consultation with the 
                          Administrator, identify priority emerging 
                          contaminants for research emphasis.
                      (C) Federal participation.--The agencies described 
                  in this subparagraph include--
                              (i) the National Science Foundation;
                              (ii) the National Institutes of Health;
                              (iii) the Environmental Protection Agency;
                              (iv) the National Institute of Standards 
                          and Technology;
                              (v) the United States Geological Survey; 
                          and
                              (vi) any other Federal agency that 
                          contributes to research in water quality, 
                          environmental exposures, and public health, as 
                          determined by the Director.
                      (D) Nongovernmental participation.--In carrying out 
                  subparagraph (A), the Director shall consult with 
                  nongovernmental organizations and science and research 
                  institutions determined by the Director to have 
                  scientific or material interest in the National 
                  Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative.
              (2) Implementation of research recommendations.--
                      (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                  date on which the Director completes the Federal 
                  research strategy, the head of each agency described in 
                  paragraph (1)(C) shall--
                              (i) issue a solicitation for research 
                          proposals consistent with the Federal research 
                          strategy; and
                              (ii) make grants to applicants that submit 
                          research proposals selected by the National 
                          Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative in 
                          accordance with subparagraph (B).
                      (B) Selection of research proposals.--The National 
                  Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative shall select 
                  research proposals to receive grants under this 
                  paragraph on the basis of merit, using criteria 
                  identified by the Director, including the likelihood 
                  that the proposed research will result in significant 
                  progress toward achieving the objectives identified in 
                  the Federal research strategy.
                      (C) Eligible entities.--Any entity or group of two 
                  or more entities may submit to the head of each agency 
                  described in paragraph (1)(C) a research proposal in 
                  response to the solicitation for research proposals 
                  described in subparagraph (A), including--
                              (i) State and local agencies;
                              (ii) public institutions, including public 
                          institutions of higher education;
                              (iii) private corporations; and
                              (iv) nonprofit organizations.
      (d) Federal Assistance and Support for States.--
              (1) Study.--
                      (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                  date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
                  conduct a study on actions the Administrator can take 
                  to increase assistance and support for States that 
                  require testing facilities for emerging contaminants in 
                  drinking water samples.
                      (B) Contents of study.--In carrying out the study 
                  described in subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall 
                  identify--
                              (i) methods to increase technical 
                          assistance on emerging contaminants to States, 
                          including identifying opportunities for States 
                          to improve communication with various audiences 
                          about the risks associated with emerging 
                          contaminants;
                              (ii) means to facilitate access to 
                          qualified contract testing laboratory 
                          facilities that conduct analyses for emerging 
                          contaminants; and
                              (iii) actions to be carried out at existing 
                          Federal laboratory facilities, including the 
                          research facilities of the Administrator, to 
                          provide analytical support for States that 
                          require testing facilities for emerging 
                          contaminants.
              (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
          enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
          Congress a report describing the results of the study described 
          in paragraph (1).
              (3) Program to provide federal assistance to states.--
                      (A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the 
                  date of enactment of this Act, based on the findings in 
                  the report described in paragraph (2), the 
                  Administrator shall develop a program to provide 
                  assistance to eligible States for the testing and 
                  analysis of emerging contaminants.
                      (B) Application.--
                              (i) In general.--To be eligible for 
                          assistance under this paragraph, a State shall 
                          submit to the Administrator an application at 
                          such time, in such manner, and containing such 
                          information as the Administrator may require.
                              (ii) Criteria.--The Administrator shall 
                          evaluate an application for assistance under 
                          this paragraph on the basis of merit using 
                          criteria identified by the Administrator, 
                          including--
                                      (I) the laboratory facilities 
                                  available to the State;
                                      (II) the availability and 
                                  applicability of existing analytical 
                                  methodologies;
                                      (III) the potency and severity of 
                                  the emerging contaminant, if known; and
                                      (IV) the prevalence and magnitude 
                                  of the emerging contaminant.
                              (iii) Prioritization.--In selecting States 
                          to receive assistance under this paragraph, the 
                          Administrator--
                                      (I) shall give priority to States 
                                  with affected areas primarily in 
                                  financially distressed communities; and
                                      (II) may--
                                              (aa) waive the application 
                                          process in an emergency 
                                          situation; and
                                              (bb) require an abbreviated 
                                          application process for the 
                                          continuation of past monitoring 
                                          support.
                      (C) Database of available resources.--The 
                  Administrator shall establish and maintain a database 
                  of resources available through the program developed 
                  under subparagraph (A) to assist States with testing 
                  for emerging contaminants that--
                              (i) is--
                                      (I) available to States and 
                                  stakeholder groups determined by the 
                                  Administrator to have scientific or 
                                  material interest in emerging 
                                  contaminants, including--
                                              (aa) drinking water and 
                                          wastewater utilities;
                                              (bb) laboratories;
                                              (cc) Federal and State 
                                          emergency responders;
                                              (dd) State primacy 
                                          agencies;
                                              (ee) public health 
                                          agencies; and
                                              (ff) water associations;
                                      (II) searchable; and
                                      (III) accessible through the 
                                  website of the Administrator; and
                              (ii) includes a description of--
                                      (I) qualified contract testing 
                                  laboratory facilities that conduct 
                                  analyses for emerging contaminants; and
                                      (II) the resources available in 
                                  Federal laboratory facilities to test 
                                  for emerging contaminants.
                      (D) Water contaminant information tool.--The 
                  Administrator shall integrate the database established 
                  under subparagraph (C) into the Water Contaminant 
                  Information Tool of the Environmental Protection 
                  Agency.
              (4) Funding.--The Administrator may request funding as 
          necessary to carry out this subsection, but in no case shall 
          funding to carry out this subsection exceed $15,000,000 in any 
          fiscal year.
      (e) Report.--Not less frequently than biannually, the Administrator 
  shall submit to Congress a report that describes the progress made in 
  carrying out this Act.
      (f) Effect.--Nothing in this section modifies any obligation of a 
  State, local government, or Indian tribe with respect to treatment 
  methods for, or testing or monitoring of, drinking water.
target: Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act of 2017 This bill addresses contaminants of emerging concern (emerging contaminants), which are not regulated under a national primary drinking water regulation and may have an adverse effect on human health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must review federal efforts to: (1) identify, monitor, and assist in the development of treatment methods for emerging contaminants; and (2) assist states in responding to the human health challenges posed by those contaminants. In addition, the EPA must establish a strategic plan for improving those efforts. The EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services must jointly establish an interagency working group to coordinate federal activities that identify and analyze the public health effects of emerging contaminants. The Office of Science and Technology Policy must establish a National Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative for developing an interagency federal research strategy that specifies and prioritizes the research necessary to improve the identification, analysis, monitoring, and treatment methods of emerging contaminants. Specified federal agencies must make grants for research proposals selected by the initiative as likely to result in significant progress toward achieving the strategy's objectives. The EPA must: (1) report on actions it may take to increase support for states that require testing facilities for emerging contaminants in drinking water samples; and (2) develop a program, based on the report's findings, to provide assistance to eligible states for the testing and analysis of emerging contaminants.    
feat_title: Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act of 2017