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. Following the review, the Commissions must submit compliance plans to Congress.
Expected Effects
The Act aims to increase transparency and congressional oversight of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, the Delaware River Basin Commission, and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. This could lead to improved efficiency, reduced redundancy, and enhanced accountability within these commissions. The Act also requires ongoing compliance reporting for five years after the initial review.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in the operations of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions.
- Potential for more efficient use of federal and state funding.
- Improved communication between the Commissions and the public.
- Enhanced congressional oversight of the Commissions' activities.
- Identification and reduction of duplicative efforts with other federal authorities.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The review and compliance reporting may create additional administrative burdens for the Commissions.
- The cost of the review could divert resources from other important activities.
- Recommendations from the review may be difficult or costly to implement.
- The Act does not directly address specific environmental or economic issues, focusing instead on procedural reviews.
- Potential for political influence in the review process and subsequent recommendations.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the principle of congressional oversight and accountability, as it requires the Comptroller General to review the activities of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions and report findings to Congress. This is consistent with Congress's legislative powers under Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, which grants all legislative powers to Congress. The Act also promotes transparency and public access to information, which can be seen as supporting the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and the press.
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).