[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LUGAR (for himself, Mr. Harkin, Mr. McConnell, and Mr. 
        Leahy):

  S. 307. A bill to amend the Federal Property and Administrative 
Services Act of 1949 to authorize the transfer to States of surplus 
personal property for donation to nonprofit providers of assistance to 
impoverished families and individuals, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Governmental Affairs.


               The Federal Surplus Property Donation Act

 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I use today to introduce the Federal 
Surplus Property Donations Act. This bill corrects an oversight by 
allowing nonprofit charitable organizations that primarily serve low-
income people, to be eligible to receive Federal surplus personal 
property.
  Under current law, Federal surplus property can be donated to State 
and local governments, schools, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations 
that serve the homeless. My bill would expand the eligibility to food 
banks, construction oriented charities, building material recycling 
warehouses, and similar nonprofit tax-exempt organizations that serve 
the poor. The bill does not give preference to these organizations, but 
simply adds them to the list of eligible recipients.
  Charities that provide food and shelter assistance are major 
contributors to the safety net for the poor. As we look to charities to 
provide these important services to our Nation's low-income population, 
it is reasonable that we include them as eligible to receive surplus 
property. Excess property can be used creatively by these groups to 
lower expenses, thereby allowing charities to become more efficient. 
These nonprofit charitable organizations serving the poor are in great 
need of materials and equipment to build and repair homes, store food 
items, and deliver goods and services to those in need. We have already 
acknowledged that nonprofit charities serving the homeless should be 
eligible to receive these goods. This bill would recognize those 
charitable institutions which are providing shelter, food, and services 
to low-income Americans who may not be homeless.
  Mr. President, this legislation would provide donated equipment and 
goods at lower costs than alternative approaches such as grants to 
charities. Furthermore, it is a wise use of moneys either paid in taxes 
or donated by generous citizens. Domestic charities will make good use 
of Federal surplus and invest moneys saved in expanded efforts to 
further help those in need.
  The bill has bipartisan support. Cosponsoring the bill with me today 
are the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and 
Forestry Committee, Senator Tom Harkin, as well as the chairman and 
ranking member of the Nutrition Subcommittee, Senator McConnell and 
Senator Leahy. In addition, I am pleased to say that my Indiana 
colleague in the House, Congressman Lee Hamilton, is introducing the 
same bill today.
  Mr. President, I have personally supported various food banks in 
Indiana over the years. I am now proud to introduce a bill that will 
assist them in their continued efforts of serving the poor.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 307

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. TRANSFER OF SURPLUS PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR DONATION 
                   TO PROVIDERS OF ASSISTANCE TO IMPOVERISHED 
                   FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS.

       Section 203(j)(3)(B) of the Federal Property and 
     Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 484(j)(3)(B)) 
     is amended by inserting after ``homeless individuals'' the 
     following: ``, providers of assistance to families or 
     individuals with annual income below the poverty line (as 
     defined in section 673 of the Community Services Block Grant 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 9902)),''.
                                 ______