[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 69 (Thursday, April 27, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5852-S5853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        CBO ESTIMATE ON H.R. 694

 Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, on April 18, 1995, the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources filed the report to accompany H.R. 694, 
the Minor Boundary Adjustments Act of 1995.
  At the time this report was filed, the Congressional Budget Office 
had not submitted its budget estimate regarding this measure. The 
committee has since received this communication from the Congressional 
Budget Office, and I ask that it be printed in the Record.
  The estimate follows:

                                                    U.S. Congress,


                                  Congressional Budget Office,

                                   Washington, DC, April 20, 1995.
     Hon. Frank H. Murkowski,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. 
         Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
     reviewed H.R. 694, the Minor Boundary Adjustments and 
     Miscellaneous Park Amendments Act of 1995, as ordered 
     reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources on March 29, 1995.
       Assuming appropriation of the necessary sums, CBO estimates 
     that implementing H.R. 694 would result in one-time federal 
     costs totaling between $31 million and $32 million, most of 
     which would be spent over the next five years, plus annual 
     costs of between $0.1 million and $0.2 million during that 
     period and about $1.5 million thereafter. Enactment of H.R. 
     694 would not affect direct spending or receipts; therefore, 
     pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply.
       H.R. 694 would provide for boundary adjustments at several 
     national parks. The bill also would make a number of changes 
     to National Park Service (NPS) programs. Included are 
     provisions to: extend the life of two advisory commissions; 
     amend the Museum Properties Act of July 1, 1955, to 
     facilitate the disposal of unneeded museum properties; and 
     authorize research and education projects carried out with 
     nonfederal partners through cooperative agreements.
       Land Acquisition Costs. CBO estimates that the federal 
     government would spend between $4 million and $5 million over 
     the next two or three fiscal years to acquire lands added to 
     the park system by this bill, including incidental expenses 
     associated with property donations and exchanges.
       Development Costs. Lands acquired at three parks (the Yucca 
     House, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, and Shiloh 
     National Military Park) would be used for visitor centers or 
     other facilities. CBO estimates that total planning and 
     construction costs for the three projects would be about $23 
     million. The bill also would authorize construction of a 
     visitor center near or within the boundaries of the New River 
     Gorge or Gauley River park units. We estimate that 
     development of this facility would cost about $2 million.
       Other Costs. Section 204 of the bill would authorize the 
     appropriation of a total of $2 million over an eight-year 
     period beginning on October 1, 1993. These funds would be 
     used to maintain facilities of the William O. Douglas Outdoor 
     Classroom and to finance programs carried out by that entity. 
     Assuming appropriation of the necessary sums, CBO estimates 
     that about $0.3 million would 
     [[Page S5853]] be spent for these activities during each of 
     the six remaining years of the authorization period. In 
     addition, we estimate that annual support for the two 
     advisory commissions extended by Title II would cost the 
     federal government a total of about $20,000 annually 
     beginning in fiscal year 1996.
       Finally, costs to operate and maintain all of the new 
     facilities authorized by the bill would be between $0.1 
     million and $0.2 million annually over the next five years, 
     and would grow to about $1.5 million annually once all 
     development has been completed.
       Other provisions of the bill would have no significant 
     impact on federal spending.
       For purposes of the above estimates, CBO assumed that H.R. 
     694 would be enacted by the end of fiscal year 1995 and that 
     funding for all projects or activities would be appropriated 
     as needed. All estimates are based on information provided by 
     the NPS.
       Enactment of this legislation would have no impact on the 
     budgets of state of local governments.
       Previous CBO Estimate. On February 23, 1995, CBO prepared a 
     cost estimate for H.R. 694 as ordered reported by the House 
     Committee on Resources on February 15, 1995. The estimated 
     costs for provisions that are common to both bills are 
     identical. The Senate version of the legislation, however, 
     contains additional provisions that add $13 million to $14 
     million to one-time costs and up to $0.5 million to annual 
     expenses.
       If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
     pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah 
     Reis, who can be reached at 226-2860.
           Sincerely,
                                                  June E. O'Neill,
                                                 Director.
     

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