Water Desalination Act of 1996 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to award grants and contracts to conduct, encourage, and assist in the financing of research to develop processes for converting saline water into water suitable for beneficial uses. Provides appropriate research and study topics. Requires the Secretary to recommend to the Congress desalination demonstration projects or full-scale desalination projects to carry out the purposes of this Act and to further evaluate and implement the results of the research and studies conducted. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to administer and conduct a demonstration and development program for water desalination and related activities, including desalination plants and modules, byproducts marketing, economic cost surveys, and desalination cooperative agreements. (Sec. 5) Requires all information from studies sponsored or funded under this Act to be considered public information. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to accept technical and administrative assistance in carrying out this Act. (Sec. 7) Provides Federal cost-sharing limitations for demonstration or development projects conducted under this Act. (Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 through 2002. (Sec. 9) Requires the Secretary to consult with the heads of Federal agencies which have experience in conducting desalination research or operating desalination facilities.
Senate agreed to the House amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11582-11583)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S11582-11583)
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10802-10804)
Mr. Doolittle moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 428.
Committee on Transportation discharged.
Committee on Transportation discharged.
Committee on Science discharged.
Committee on Science discharged.
House Committee on Transportation Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 16, 1996.
House Committee on Science Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 16, 1996.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 104-790, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 104-790, Part I.
Subcommittee on Water and Power Resources Discharged.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
Executive Comment Requested from Army, Interior.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power Resources.
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Science, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Science, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Science, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Science, 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.
Held at the desk.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4686-4688)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4686-4688)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 375.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 104-254.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 104-254.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6803-6804)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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