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Water Resources Research Act of 1983

Public Law 98-242 · S. 684 · 98th Congress · began in the Senate

Vetoed by Ronald Reagan (R); passed over the veto on Mar 22, 1984 · Water Resources Development

Veto override

Sponsor: Sen. James Abdnor (R-SD)

Cosponsors (3): Sen. Daniel Moynihan,

Passage votesYeaNay

  • HouseVoice vote
  • SenateVoice vote

Veto override votes

  • HouseNeeds two-thirds: 309 yea, 81 nay309–81
  • SenateNeeds two-thirds: 86 yea, 12 nay86–12
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

(Senate agreed to House amendments with an amendment)

Water Resources Research Act of 1983 - Title I: Authorizes the establishment, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, of one water resources research and technology institute in each State at certain colleges or universities.

States that each such institute shall: (1) have responsibility for planning, conducting, and/or arranging for competent research in relation to water resources; and (2) cooperate with other colleges and universities in the State to develop a statewide program designed to resolve State and regional water and related land problems.

Requires the Secretary to make grants to each institute to be matched at specified rates by non-Federal dollars.

Requires each institute, prior to the receipt of funds each fiscal year, to submit to the Secretary a water research program. Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for a detailed evaluation of each institute to determine whether such institute warrants continued Federal support. Provides for such evaluations within two years of establishment and for reevaluations at intervals not to exceed four years. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989.

Permits the Secretary to make additional grants (on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis) to other qualified institutions and agencies of local or State government for research concerning any aspect of a water-related problem which the Secretary may deem to be in the national interest. States the application requirements for such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to certain organizations for technology development concerning any aspect of water-related technology which the Secretary may deem to be of State, regional, or national importance. Authorizes the Secretary to establish any condition for the matching of funds for such grants in the best interest of the Nation considering the technology needs for water resources. States the requirements for applications for grants under this section. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989.

Repeals the Water Research and Development Act of 1978. Requires that rules and regulations established under such Act shall remain in effect until superseded by new rules and regulations promulgated under this Act.

Title II: Directs the Secretary to convey to the city of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, by January 24, 1984, and without consideration all right, title, and interest of the United States in real property located in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, known as the Wrightsville Beach Test Facility. States that such transfer is conditioned upon the facility being operated and maintained for desalinization or other related research purposes for the next four years. Describes such property.

Directs the Secretary to convey to the city of Rosewell, New Mexico, by December 31, 1983, and without consideration all right, title, and interest of the United States in real property located in Rosewell, New Mexico, and known as the Rosewell Test Facility. States that such transfer is conditioned upon the facility being operated and maintained for desalinization or other related research purposes for the next four years. Describes such property.

Provides that each conveyance of land shall revert to the United States if used for a non-public purpose during a period of 15 years from the date of conveyance.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

Data notes

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Timeline

From introduction to the override, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 22 actions.

  1. Mar 22, 1984Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 98-242.
  2. VetoVeto · Passed House Over Veto by Yea-Nay Vote: 309 - 81 (Record Vote No: 53).House roll call 53
  3. VetoVeto · Passed House over veto: Passed House Over Veto by Yea-Nay Vote: 309 - 81 (Record Vote No: 53).House roll call 53
  4. Mar 21, 1984VetoVeto · Passed Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 86-12. Record Vote No: 35.Senate roll call 35
  5. VetoVeto · Passed Senate over veto: Passed Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 86-12. Record Vote No: 35.Senate roll call 35
  6. FloorFloor · Veto message on S. 684 considered in the Senate.
  7. Feb 21, 1984PresidentPresident · Vetoed by President.
  8. Feb 9, 1984PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  9. Feb 7, 1984Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Senate Amendments to House Amendments by Voice Vote.
  10. Nov 18, 1983Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate concurred in the House amendment with an amendment. By Voice Vote.
  11. Oct 31, 1983FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  12. FloorFloor · Called up by House by Unanimous Consent.
  13. CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from House Natural Resources Committee
  14. Jun 28, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Water, Power and Offshore Energy Resources Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee
  15. Jun 7, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Water, Power and Offshore Energy Resources Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee
  16. Jun 1, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Natural Resources Committee
  17. May 25, 1983FloorFloor · Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
  18. May 16, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
  19. May 10, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
  20. Mar 21, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Environmental Protection Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
  21. Mar 3, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
  22. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.