S. 5155 - To reauthorize the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, and for other purposes.

Overview

Title

To reauthorize the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

S. 5155 is a bill that aims to make swimming pools and spas safer by giving money to states, tribes, and groups to teach people about safety and make sure safety rules are followed, while also running campaigns to help everyone learn how to stay safe in and around water.

Summary AI

S. 5155 is a bill aimed at reauthorizing the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. The bill proposes updates to definitions and expands the swimming pool safety grant program to include States, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations, emphasizing educational activities and safety standards enforcement. It also establishes guidelines for grant allocation, focusing on areas with high drowning incidents and underserved communities. Additionally, the bill mandates a report on the grant program's effectiveness and provides funding for a campaign to raise public awareness about pool and spa safety.

Published

2024-09-24

Congress: 118

Session: 2

Chamber: SENATE

Status: Introduced in Senate

Date: 2024-09-24

Package ID: BILLS-118s5155is

Keywords AI

virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act swimming pool safety drowning prevention grant program public awareness safety standards enforcement cpsc education program funding allocation geographic diversity nonprofit organizations

Sources

Bill Text

Bill Metadata

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:

Words:

2,399

Pages:

Sentences:

Language

Nouns: 690

Verbs: 225

Adjectives: 107

Adverbs: 8

Numbers: 87

Entities: 119

Complexity

Average Token Length:

4.15

Average Sentence Length:

33.79

Token Entropy:

5.06

Readability (ARI):

18.35

AnalysisAI

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act seeks to update and extend the original legislation aimed at preventing drowning incidents in swimming pools and spas. Introduced in the Senate by Ms. Klobuchar and Mr. Cornyn, this bill proposes reauthorizing and amending aspects of the past act, focusing on defined entities eligible for grants, the operation of grant programs, and public education initiatives.

General Summary

The bill primarily involves the reauthorization of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, with significant revisions centered around grant allocations for swimming pool safety and the continuation of public education campaigns on pool safety. Key elements include the updated definition of entities eligible for these grants—covering states, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations—and the establishment of criteria for applying and prioritizing the allocation of funds. Additionally, the bill outlines measures that should be taken in the grant evaluation and awarding process and mandates the creation of educational materials and campaigns to promote awareness about drowning prevention.

Significant Issues

Numerous issues arise with the execution and oversight of this bill. Firstly, the criteria for determining eligible nonprofit organizations are somewhat subjective, potentially favoring larger and more established organizations and sidelining smaller, innovative entities. Secondly, the broad definition of "covered entity" raises concerns about potential misallocation of resources. Thirdly, while the bill attempts to ensure geographic diversity in grant disbursements, the lack of specific guidelines could result in uneven regional applications. Finally, accountability mechanisms, such as detailed reporting and evaluation requirements, are underdeveloped, raising concerns about transparency and the misuse of funds.

Public Impact

On a broad scale, this bill aims to enhance public safety by reducing the risk of drowning incidents, which could lead to increased confidence in community pool facilities. By funding safety efforts and educational campaigns, more people may become knowledgeable about pool safety, potentially resulting in safer swimming environments. However, without rigorous oversight and clear guidelines for grant allocations and use, there is a risk of inefficient spending, which may not provide the anticipated public safety benefits.

Impact on Stakeholders

The bill's provisions will likely have mixed impacts on different groups:

State and Local Governments: These entities stand to benefit from the grant program, which offers financial resources to implement and enforce safety standards. However, the administrative burden of detailed reporting and adherence to subjective grant criteria might pose challenges.
Nonprofit Organizations: Large, longstanding organizations with well-documented histories in drowning prevention may find it easier to access grants, possibly allowing them to expand their reach and operations. Yet, newer or smaller nonprofits might struggle to meet the ambiguous "proven experience" requirements, limiting innovation and diversity in safety strategies.
Pool Owners and Operators: This group might see benefits in the form of increased safety awareness and training opportunities provided through funded programs and educational materials. Nevertheless, inconsistent application of safety regulations across regions could lead to confusion and uneven levels of safety compliance.

In conclusion, while the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act has the potential to significantly improve pool safety and awareness, the effectiveness of its implementation hinges on clearly defined guidelines and robust accountability measures. The need to address these issues will be crucial in realizing the bill’s full potential to enhance public safety and fairly allocate resources across its stakeholders.

Financial Assessment

The bill S. 5155, aimed at reauthorizing the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, involves several financial components. The financial structure of the bill includes specific allocations for different programs and initiatives related to swimming pool and spa safety.

Financial Allocations

Swimming Pool Safety Grant Program: The bill authorizes the appropriation of $2,500,000 annually from 2024 to 2028 for the swimming pool safety grant program. This program is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible entities, such as States, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations, to enhance pool and spa safety through education and enforcement of safety standards.
Education and Awareness Program: Similarly, the bill allocates $2,500,000 annually from 2024 to 2028 for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to carry out an education and awareness program. This initiative focuses on informing the public about methods to prevent drowning and entrapment incidents in swimming pools and spas.

Issues Related to Financial Allocations

Economic Fluctuations and Specific Local Needs: The consistent annual funding of $2,500,000 for both the grant and education programs may not be flexible enough to account for economic changes or the varying needs of different communities. This rigid allocation could lead to either insufficient funding in areas with higher demands or an excess in areas with less need.
Resource Allocation to Historically Disadvantaged Communities: The absence of a clear definition for "historically disadvantaged communities" in the education and awareness program could result in inconsistencies in resource distribution. This might lead to some communities not receiving the necessary support they require.
Accountability and Transparency in Spending: The bill's allocation of substantial funds lacks detailed accountability measures. For instance, there is no explicit evaluation mechanism to assess the effectiveness of these financial expenditures. This gap raises concerns about possible inefficient or wasteful spending due to the absence of stringent financial oversight.
Burdensome Reporting Requirements: The bill outlines detailed reporting obligations for recipients of the swimming pool safety grant. This could burden entities, as they are required to submit comprehensive reports within a short 90-day period post-funding. Such stringent requirements might discourage participation or lead to incomplete reporting, affecting transparency and accountability.
Favoritism and Discretion in Grant Allocation: The undefined criteria for prioritizing grant awards can lead to excessive discretion, potentially resulting in favoritism. This issue is compounded by the vague clause allowing the Commission to consider "such other factors" when prioritizing grants, which lacks transparency and specificity.

The financial aspects of this bill, while structured to address safety concerns, face several challenges related to allocation flexibility, clear definitions for targeted communities, and oversight of spending. Addressing these financial issues is essential to ensure that the funds achieve their intended impact effectively and equitably.

Issues

The criteria for 'proven experience' for nonprofit organizations in Section 2 might disproportionately favor large, well-established entities over smaller or newer ones, limiting diversity and innovation in grant applications.
The broad and potentially vague definition of 'covered entity' in Section 2 could allow inappropriate entities to qualify, leading to potential misuse or misallocation of resources.
Section 3 lacks clear criteria for prioritizing grant recipients, especially with statements like 'such other factors as the Commission considers appropriate,' allowing excessive discretion and possible favoritism.
The geographic diversity clause in Section 3 is vague, lacking specific guidelines, potentially leading to inconsistent application of grant funds across regions.
The authorization of appropriations in Section 3 for $2,500,000 annually may not account for economic fluctuations or specific local needs, possibly leading to insufficient or excessive funding.
The reporting requirements outlined in Section 1405 could be seen as burdensome for entities, requiring detailed submissions within a 90-day period, which may discourage participation or lead to incomplete reporting.
The lack of an explicit evaluation mechanism in Section 3 to assess the effectiveness and impact of the grant program could limit accountability and improvement.
Section 4’s $2,500,000 annual budget for the CPSC education and awareness program is substantial without clear accountability measures, posing a risk of inefficient or wasteful spending.
There is no specific definition or criteria for 'historically disadvantaged communities' in Section 4, which may lead to inconsistent resource allocation in outreach efforts.
Section 5 lacks clear guidelines for the selection criteria of grant recipients, raising concerns about potential favoritism or bias.
The phrase 'such other details as the Commission considers appropriate' in Section 5 is vague, leading to possible inconsistencies in reporting and evaluation of grant effectiveness.

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 this Act gives it a short title, allowing it to be referred to as the “Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act”.

2. Covered entity defined Read Opens in new tab

1408. CPSC report Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section requires that the Commission submit an annual report to Congress evaluating the swimming pool and spa safety grant program. The report must include details like the number of applicants, grant recipients, the selection process, and an assessment of the program's effectiveness, along with any recommendations for change.