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H.R. 6460: Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008

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H.R. 6460: Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008

110th Congress · introduced 2008-07-10 · Environmental Protection · Latest: Became Public Law No: 110-365.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2008-07-10 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Ehlers, Vernon J. [R-MI-3] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 2 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 665 (2008): Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment, HR6460 (2008-09-28), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 110-365. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008

Plain summary

Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to define: (1) "site characterization" as a process for monitoring and evaluating sediment contamination under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) guidance for the assessment of contaminated sediment in an area of concern in the United States; and (2) "potentially responsible party" to mean an individual or entity that may be liable under any federal or state authority used to facilitate the cleanup and protection of the Great Lakes. Includes aquatic habitat restoration activities among activities the Great Lakes National Program Office is authorized to implement for the remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern. Prohibits the Administrator from implementing such a remediation project unless: (1) each nonfederal sponsor has entered into a written agreement under which each party agrees to carry out its responsibilities and requirements for the project; and (2) the Administrator provides assurance that EPA has conducted a reasonable inquiry to identify potentially responsible parties. Revises provisions concerning the nonfederal share of project costs. Requires the Administrator to implement, at federal expense, one site characterization per site within a project for the remediation of contaminated sediment. Repeals a prohibition against implementing a project unless the nonfederal sponsor agrees to maintain aggregate expenditures from all other sources for remediation programs in the area of concern or above the average level of such expenditures in the two fiscal years preceding the date the project is initiated. Authorizes appropriations through FY2010 for: (1) such remediation projects; (2) a public information program to provide information relating to such remediation; and (3) the development and use of innovative approaches, technologies, and techniques for such remediation. Limits to 20% of the amount of funds appropriated for remediation projects that may be used for site characterization.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Ehlers, Vernon J. [R-MI-3] · 46 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 6460, Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008 (2008-08-08); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 6460, Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008 (2008-08-08)

Cosponsors on this site

Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (3)
Appropriation
Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Authorization
A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Fiscal year
The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Most states use July 1 to June 30.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong110-hr6460 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110