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H.R.2871 / 108th Congress

National Drought Preparedness Act of 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 24, 2003

National Drought Preparedness Act of 2003 - Establishes the National Drought Council which shall: (1) develop a national drought policy action plan; (2) evaluate Federal drought-related programs; (3) coordinate and prioritize enhancement of the national integrated drought system; and (4) provide for the development of a drought information delivery system, drought planning models, and drought preparedness plans.

Terminates the Council eight years after enactment of this Act.

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the National Office of Drought Preparedness.

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Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Drought Assistance Fund, which shall be used to: (1) assist State, local, tribal, and critical service entities with drought-related activities; and (2) expand the technology transfer of drought and water conservation strategies.

Requires: (1) the Secretary to publish guidelines for administering a national technical and financial drought assistance program; and (2) the Secretaries of Agriculture, the Interior, and the Army, and other appropriate Federal agency heads to implement integrated drought preparedness plans.

Authorizes States, Indian tribes, local governments, and regional, water providers to develop and implement drought preparedness plans.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-23] · D–FL

Committees

  • Agriculture Committee
  • Natural Resources Committee
  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
44 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

  4. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1601)

  5. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  6. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  7. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  8. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  9. Introduced in House

  10. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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