PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Congressional Research Service
Version 79 · Reported to House without amendment · Sep 27, 2017
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
Reclamation Title Transfer and Non-Federal Infrastructure Incentivization Act
(Sec. 3) This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to convey U.S. interest in an eligible reclamation project or facility to an agency of a state political subdivision, a joint action or powers agency, a water users association, or an Indian tribe or tribal utility authority that holds a water service contract for such property and that has the capacity to continue to manage the property for the same purposes for which it has been managed under reclamation law, if: (1) Interior notifies Congress in writing of the proposed conveyance at least 90 days in advance, and (2) Congress does not pass a joint resolution disapproving the conveyance. A facility that generates hydropower marketed by a power marketing administration shall not be eligible for such conveyance.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
An entity that operates and maintains an eligible facility at the time Interior attempts to facilitate its conveyance shall have the right of first refusal to receive the conveyance.
(Sec. 4) Criteria for determining whether facilities are eligible for title transfer shall include: (1) the transfer will not have an unmitigated significant effect on the environment, (2) the qualifying entity intends to use the property for substantially the same purposes the property is being used for at the time Interior evaluates the potential transfer, and (3) the qualifying entity agrees to provide the United States the equivalent of the present value of any repayment obligation or other income stream the United States derives from the assets to be transferred.
(Sec. 5) No conveyance under this bill may adversely impact power rates or repayment obligations.
(Sec. 9) Interior shall submit, as part of its annual budget submission to Congress: (1) a description of the actions taken to implement this bill, and (2) a list of conveyances made or initiated by Interior or a qualifying entity under this bill.
People & committees
Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5] · R–CO
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 233 - 184 (Roll no. 325). (text: CR H6155-6156)
House roll call 325 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 233 - 184 (Roll no. 325).(text: CR H6155-6156)
House roll call 325 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 187 - 230 (Roll no. 324).
House roll call 324 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6161-6162)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Huffman motion to recommit with instructions, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Huffman demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the motion to recommit until later in the legislative day.
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Huffman motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a section at the end of the bill entitled "Prohibition Against Conflict of Interest".
Mr. Huffman moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H6160)
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3281.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 50 and H.R. 3281. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 50 under a structured rule and H.R.3281 under a closed rule. Each measure is allowed one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 985. (consideration: CR H6154-6160)
Rule H. Res. 985 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 985 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 50 and H.R. 3281. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 50 under a structured rule and H.R.3281 under a closed rule. Each measure is allowed one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 242.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-334.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-334.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 12.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.3281 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.3281 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.3281 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.3281 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.