Overview

Title

To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to modify the authorization of appropriations for the Las Vegas Wash program, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

H. R. 6787 wants to give more money to a project that cleans and fixes the water in Las Vegas, raising the spending limit from $40 million to $65 million, although people are curious why they need extra money.

Summary AI

H. R. 6787 aims to change an existing law called the Water Resources Development Act of 2000. The bill proposes to increase the amount of money that can be spent on the Las Vegas Wash program from $40 million to $65 million. It was introduced by Ms. Lee of Nevada and two other representatives, Mr. Horsford and Ms. Titus, and then sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for consideration.

Published

2023-12-14
Congress: 118
Session: 1
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2023-12-14
Package ID: BILLS-118hr6787ih

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
222
Pages:
2
Sentences:
8

Language

Nouns: 80
Verbs: 13
Adjectives: 3
Adverbs: 0
Numbers: 19
Entities: 29

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.10
Average Sentence Length:
27.75
Token Entropy:
4.31
Readability (ARI):
15.02

AnalysisAI

General Summary of the Bill

The bill in question aims to modify the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, particularly concerning the funding allocated for the Las Vegas Wash program. Under current legislation, $40 million is set aside for this initiative, which is focused on preserving and enhancing the function of the Las Vegas Wash—a vital natural waterway in Nevada. The bill proposes increasing this figure to $65 million, presumably to expand or enhance the program.

Summary of Significant Issues

There are several notable issues identified with this proposed legislation. Primarily, the increase in funding is substantial—moving the budget from $40 million to $65 million. This raise in allocation without accompanying justification in the bill could be seen as potentially wasteful or unnecessary. Transparency is another concern, as the bill doesn't provide specific details about why additional funds are necessary or how they will be used. This lack of clarity may lead to questions about efficiency, potential favoritism, and allocation bias.

Impact on the Public

From a broader perspective, increasing funding for the Las Vegas Wash program could result in important environmental benefits. Such programs generally aim to improve water quality, enhance flood management, and support local ecosystems, which can improve residents' quality of life by maintaining natural landscapes and preventing damage from water-related events. However, without detailed information, taxpayers may question the necessity of such a significant financial commitment and whether their funds are being used efficiently and effectively.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Local stakeholders, such as environmental groups and residents dependent on the health of the Las Vegas Wash, may view this funding positively as it could enhance local environmental conservation efforts. Enhanced funding might lead to more comprehensive restoration activities, safeguarding water quality and preserving local habitats.

Conversely, skeptics of government spending might be concerned about the lack of detailed allocation plans, fearing waste and mismanagement. Elected officials and government bodies responsible for oversight may face increased scrutiny about accountability and decision-making transparency.

In conclusion, while the intent behind increasing funding for the Las Vegas Wash program might be well-meaning and beneficial, ensuring transparency and accountability in government spending is crucial to maintaining public trust and support.

Financial Assessment

The bill H. R. 6787 proposes a financial amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, specifically concerning the Las Vegas Wash program. The essential change outlined in this bill is an increase in the authorized appropriations for this program from $40 million to $65 million. This adjustment represents a significant boost in funding by $25 million.

Summary of Financial Changes

The primary focus of this bill is a straightforward financial enhancement for the Las Vegas Wash program. Historically set at $40 million, the funding is proposed to be increased to $65 million. This indicates a substantial investment intended, presumably, to enhance or continue the operations related to the Las Vegas Wash program.

Relationship to Identified Issues

This funding increase invites scrutiny and raises several concerns:

  1. Substantial Increase: A key issue identified is the sizable hike in funding, which has jumped by about 62.5%. This could be perceived as excessive unless there is clear and compelling justification for the increase. Stakeholders may question the efficiency and necessity of this additional allocation.

  2. Lack of Justification: Another concern is the absence of context or explanation for why such an increase is necessary. Without detailed reasoning, it is challenging to evaluate the merit of the proposed financial change. This lack of transparency may lead to questions about whether the increase is justified, and could potentially impact governmental accountability.

  3. Potential for Bias: The bill does not specify the intended use or recipients of the additional funds. This lack of detail can raise ethical concerns about the potential for allocation bias or favoritism. Transparency in how the funds are to be utilized would alleviate some public concern and enhance understanding and support for the funding shift.

  4. Public Perception: While the language of the bill is clear, the absence of comprehensive explanation about the increase's purpose may result in public skepticism about the intentions and impacts of the bill.

In summary, while the bill proposes a clear financial action to increase funding for a specific program, the absence of detailed justification and lack of information on fund allocation can lead to concerns about government spending efficacy, transparency, and fairness.

Issues

  • The most significant issue is the substantial increase in funding for the Las Vegas Wash program, going from $40,000,000 to $65,000,000, as detailed in Section 2. This increase might be seen as wasteful unless justified adequately, raising concerns about the necessity and efficiency of such an allocation.

  • The lack of justification or context for the increase in appropriations in Section 2 makes it difficult to assess the necessity of this financial change. This issue might concern those interested in government transparency and accountability.

  • There is a potential issue with transparency and favoritism in Section 2, as there is no information provided about the intended use or recipients of the additional funds. This could raise ethical concerns about potential allocation bias or favoritism.

  • While Section 2 is clear and straightforward in its language, the absence of detailed explanation regarding the purpose of increased funding may lead to public concern about the bill's impact and intentions.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of the bill establishes its short title, which is the "Las Vegas Wash Program Extension Act."

2. Authorization of appropriations for the Las Vegas Wash program Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The bill amends a section of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to increase the authorized funding for the Las Vegas Wash program from $40 million to $65 million.

Money References

  • Section 529(b)(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2658; 119 Stat. 2255; 125 Stat. 865; 136 Stat. 4631) is amended by striking “$40,000,000” and inserting “$65,000,000”.