Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act
Summary
The Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act mandates a review by the Comptroller General of the United States of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions. This review will assess ethics policies, public communication practices, federal responsibilities, funding sources, potential duplication of efforts, and reporting activities. The goal is to increase transparency and congressional oversight of these commissions.
Expected Effects
The Act will lead to a GAO report with findings and recommendations for statutory, administrative, or policy changes. Following the report, each Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commission must submit a plan detailing actions taken to comply with the recommendations, and continue to do so annually for five years. This aims to improve the efficiency and accountability of the commissions.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency and accountability of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions.
- Identification and elimination of duplicative efforts, potentially leading to cost savings.
- Improved communication with the public regarding the activities of the commissions.
- Enhanced congressional oversight of the commissions.
- Potential improvements to ethics policies and practices.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The review process and subsequent compliance plans may require significant resources from the commissions.
- The recommendations from the GAO report may lead to changes that are difficult or costly to implement.
- There is a potential for increased bureaucracy and administrative burden on the commissions.
- The focus on compliance may divert resources from the core missions of the commissions.
- The Act does not directly address environmental outcomes or improvements to water quality.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the principle of congressional oversight and accountability, as it requires the Comptroller General to conduct a review and report findings to Congress. This is consistent with Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers. The Act also promotes transparency and public awareness, which are essential for a well-functioning democracy.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).