[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1802-S1825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. THOMPSON (for himself, Mr. Frist, Mr. DeWine, Mr.
Voinovich, and Mr. Smith of Oregon):
S. 440. A bill to provide support for certain institutes and schools;
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
legislation to provide support for certain institutes and schools
Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. President, today Senator Frist and I are
introducing a bill to establish the Howard Baker School of Government
on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The University of Tennessee has a long and proud tradition of
providing the highest quality education to students from Tennessee and
around the world. The Howard Baker School of Government would be but
the latest installment in this institution's ongoing commitment to
preparing its student body by giving them the tools and knowledge
necessary to succeed in the pursuit of their dreams.
With this said, I can think of no greater tribute to our friend and
colleague, the former Majority Leader of this body, Senator Howard
Baker, than to further his legacy of promoting the best in our
political system by establishing this School in his honor.
In many ways, Senator Baker's entire life has been a lesson in public
service. Those of us from his home state of Tennessee have matured in
his shadow and have been inspired by his vision. His positive influence
has not, however, been limited by Tennessee's borders. Senator Baker is
one of those rare individuals whose leadership has lifted the entire
nation. Creating this School of Government in his name would not only
be a tribute to a man but a logical extension of that man's continuing
lifework.
In 1966, Senator Baker became the first Republican popularly elected
to the United States Senate in Tennessee's history. This was not
because of a great rise in Tennessee's Republican population, but
rather was an indication of Senator Baker's unique ability to reach out
to people of different backgrounds with diverging views and spark in
them that all-encompassing common vision--that we live together in a
great nation that has an even greater future.
Senator Baker served in this body from 1967 until January 1985, as
Minority Leader from 1977 until 1981, and then as Majority Leader until
his retirement. After leaving the Senate, Senator Baker served
admirably as Chief of Staff to President Ronald Reagan and he continues
to this day to provide us with a keen insight into the principles of
true leadership.
Throughout each phase of Senator Baker's life he has clearly
demonstrated that statesmanship is not something relegated to our
history books. It is alive and well. His continuing example is a call
to each of us that we can and should rise to the challenge of
citizenship in a way that brings us together as a nation and further
strengthens this great experiment called the United States.
I can think of no better union than the ideals and example of Senator
Howard Baker with the dedication to higher education of the University
of Tennessee. The Howard Baker School of Government will be an
institution each of us can be proud to have supported and one that will
further the principles of good government to which each of us is
committed.
Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce
legislation to establish the Howard Baker School of Government at the
University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I am proud to introduce this
legislation with my colleague, Senator Thompson. Although the Senate
passed this legislation last year, unfortunately it was not signed into
law before the completion of the 105th Congress.
The bill we are introducing today would create a new academic program
at the University of Tennessee, and authorize the appropriation of $10
million to establish the school and its endowment fund to provide long-
term funding for personnel and operations. I am pleased that this
school is to be named in honor of Senator Howard Baker, who is a
University of Tennessee alumnus. Senator Baker has enjoyed a
distinguished career in public service. He served in the U.S. Senate
for 18 years, held the positions of Minority and Majority Leader, was a
presidential candidate, and has served as White House Chief of Staff to
President Reagan. Senator Baker has been a long supporter of the
University of Tennessee, working diligently to raise funds for various
fellowships and scholarships. He has served his State and country with
pride and integrity, and it is therefore fitting that we establish a
School of Government in his name.
The Howard Baker School of Government would comprise the existing
political science, public administration, regional planning, and social
science research programs, house manuscript collections from important
public figures such as Tennessee's three presidents and leading
twentieth-century
[[Page S1803]]
political figures, and institute a lecture series on public issues. In
addition, the school will establish a professorship to improve the
teaching, research, and understanding of democratic institutions,
establish a fellowship program for students interested in pursuing a
career in public affairs, and support the professional development of
elected officials at all government levels. The School of Government
will be housed in the renovated former Hoskins Library, and will be
dedicated to advancing the principles of democratic citizenship, civic
duty, and public responsibility through the education and training of
informed citizenry and public officials.
Again, I am proud to introduce this legislation which I believe will
bring greater prominance to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
while simultaneously honoring one of our State's most distinguished
public servants.
Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today in support of
important legislation that would create an endowment for a public-
policy institute in Columbus. This institute will embody the spirit of
our recently-retired U.S. Senator, the Honorable John Glenn.
The bill would create an endowment fund for the John Glenn Institute
for Public Service and Public Policy at the Ohio State University in
Columbus, Ohio. The bill also creates endowment funds for the Mark O.
Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University, the Paul
Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, and the
Howard Baker School of Government at the University of Tennessee.
Mr. President, I have long believed that the study of politics would
benefit greatly if more statesmen were to contribute their hands-on
expertise. And not only that; it is the example of their supremely
practical idealism that we really need if we are to understand and
solve the problems confronting tomorrow's America.
We in Ohio are proud to host the Glenn Institute, which will serve
many purposes: (1) ``To sponsor classes, internships, community service
activities, and research projects to stimulate student participation in
public service, in order to foster America's next generation of
leaders.''
(2) ``To conduct scholarly research in conjunction with public
officials on significant issues facing society and to share the results
of such research with decision-makers and legislators as the decision-
makers and legislators address such issues.''
(3) ``To offer opportunities to attend seminars on such topics as
budgeting and finance, ethics, personnel management, policy
evaluations, and regulatory issues that are designed to assist public
officials in learning more about the political process and to expand
the organizational skills and policy-making abilities of such
officials.''
(4) ``To educate the general public by sponsoring national
conferences, seminars, publications, and forums on important public
issues.''
(5) ``To provide access to Senator John Glenn's extensive collection
of papers, policy decisions, and memorabilia, enabling scholars at all
levels to study the Senator's work.''
All of these, Mr. President, are valuable goals. I understand the
center plans to address specifically the consequences of media coverage
on public service; analyze the effectiveness of civics education
classes in our K-12 schools; design training programs for public
officials on issues such as policy evaluation, communications
strategies and ethics; and create an undergraduate major in public
policy.
Senator Glenn himself recently underscored the mission of the
Institute, saying, and I quote: ``What we do today will determine what
kind of country our kids will live in tomorrow. And that's worth
working for.'' He also said, ``You can go to the National Archives in
Washington, D.C., and it's almost a religious experience to look at the
U.S. Constitution. But that piece of paper is not worth a thing without
people to make it real. I look at public service as being the personnel
department for the Constitution. People in public service are the ones
who make it work.''
Mr. President, I could not agree more, and that is why I'm backing
this bill. The bill provides an authorization of $10 million for the
Glenn Institute, and the Ohio State University must match that
endowment with an amount equal to one third the endowment.
It's a good investment in the future of our public life.
______
By Mr. SARBANES (for himself, and Ms. Mikulski):
S. 441. A bill to amend the National Trails System Act to designate
the route of the War of 1812 British invasion of Maryland and
Washington, District of Columbia, and the route of the American
defense, for study for potential addition to the national trails
system; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
the star-spangled banner national historic trail study act of 1999
Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation,
together with my colleague Senator Mikulski, which will help
commemorate and preserve significant sites associated with America's
Second War of Independence, the War of 1812. My legislation, entitled
``The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Study Act of 1999,''
directs the Secretary of the Interior to initiate a study to assess the
feasibility and desirability of designating the route of the British
invasion of Washington, D.C. and their subsequent defeat at Baltimore,
Maryland, as a National Historic Trail. A similar companion bill is
being sponsored by Congressmen Ben Cardin and Wayne Gilchrest in the
House of Representatives.
Since the passage of the National Trail Systems Act of 1968, the
National Park Service has recognized historically significant routes of
exploration, migration and military action through its National
Historic Trails Program. Routes such as the Juan Bautista de Anza,
Lewis and Clark, Pony Express and Selma to Montgomery National Historic
Trails cross our country and represent important episodes of our
nation's history, episodes which were influential in shaping the very
future of this country. It is my view that the inclusion of the Star-
Spangled Banner Trail will give long overdue recognition to another of
these important events.
The War of 1812, and the Chesapeake Campaign in particular, mark a
turning point in the development of the United States. Faced with the
possibility of losing the independence for which they struggled so
valiantly, the citizens of this country were forced to assert
themselves on an international level.
From the period of the arrival of the British forces at Benedict, in
Charles County, Maryland, on August 18, 1814, to the American victory
at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, on September 14, 1814, the war took a
dramatic turn. The American forces, largely comprised of Maryland's
citizens, were able to slow the British advance through the state and
successfully defended Baltimore, leading to the retreat of the British.
The more than 30 sites along this trail mark some of the most
historically important events of the War of 1812. The Star-Spangled
Banner Trail, commemorating the only combined naval and land attack on
the United States, begins with the June, 1814 battles between the
British Navy and the American Chesapeake Flotilla at St. Leonard's
Creek in Calvert County, Maryland. It continues to the site of the
British landing at Benedict, Maryland the starting point of the British
march to the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. The trail follows the
defeat of the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg, the evacuation of
the United States Government, the burning of the nation's capital,
including the White House and the Capitol Building, the battle at North
Point and the bombardment of Fort McHenry, site of the composition of
our National Anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner, and the ultimate defeat
of the British.
The route will also serve to bring awareness to several lesser known,
but equally important sites of the war, including St. Leonard's Creek
in Calvert County, where Commodore Joshua Barney's Chesapeake Flotilla
managed to successfully beat back two larger and more heavily armed
British ships, the Upper Chesapeke Bay and related skirmishes there,
Brookeville, Maryland, which served as the nation's capital for one
day, and Todd's Inheritance, the signal station for the American
defenders at Fort McHenry. These sites, and
[[Page S1804]]
many like them, will only enrich the story told along the trail.
Additionally, the attention given to these sites should prove
beneficial in terms of efforts to preserve and restore them. Mr.
President, at this time I ask unanimous consent that a more detailed
list of these sites, as well as a copy of this legislation and a letter
of support from Governor Parris Glendening, be included in the Record.
Mr. President, the designation of the route of the British invasion
of Washington and American defense of Baltimore as a National Historic
Trail will serve as a reminder of the importance of the concept of
liberty to all who experience the Star-Spangled Banner Trail. It will
also give long overdue recognition to those patriots whose
determination to stand firm against enemy invasion and bombardment
preserved this liberty for future generations of Americans.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
S. 441
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Star-Spangled Banner
National Historic Trail Study Act of 1999''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the British invasion of Maryland and Washington,
District of Columbia, during the War of 1812 marks a defining
period in the history of our Nation, the only occasion on
which the United States of America has been invaded by a
foreign power;
(2) the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail traces
the route of the British naval attack on the Chesapeake
Flotilla at St. Leonard's Creek, the landing of the British
forces at Benedict, Maryland, the American defeat at the
Battle of Bladensburg, the siege of the Nation's capital,
Washington, District of Columbia (including the burning of
the United States Capitol and the White House), the British
expedition to and subsequent skirmishes within the upper
Chesapeake Bay, the route of the American troops between
Washington and Baltimore, the Battle of North Point, and the
ultimate victory of the Americans at Fort McHenry, on
September 14, 1814, where a distinguished Maryland lawyer and
poet, Francis Scott Key, wrote the words that captured the
essence of our national struggle for independence, words that
now serve as our national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner;
and
(3) the designation of this route as a national historic
trail--
(A) would serve as a reminder of the importance of the
concept of liberty to all who experience the Star-Spangled
Banner National Historic Trail; and
(B) would give long overdue recognition to the patriots
whose determination to stand firm against enemy invasion and
bombardment preserved this liberty for future generations of
Americans.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF TRAIL FOR STUDY.
Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C.
1244(c)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (36) (as added by section 3
of the El Camino Real Para Los Texas Study Act of 1993 (107
Stat. 1497)) as paragraph (37);
(2) by designating the paragraphs relating to the Old
Spanish Trail and the Great Western Scenic Trail as
paragraphs (38) and (39), respectively; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(40) Star-spangled banner national historic trail.--
``(A) In general.--The Star-Spangled Banner National
Historic Trail, tracing the War of 1812 route of the British
naval attack on the Chesapeake Flotilla at St. Leonard's
Creek, the landing of the British forces at Benedict,
Maryland, the American defeat at the Battle of Bladensburg,
the siege of the Nation's capital, Washington, District of
Columbia (including the burning of the United States Capitol
and the White House), actions between the British and
American forces in the upper Chesapeake Bay, the route of the
American troops between Washington and Baltimore, the Battle
of North Point, and the ultimate victory of the Americans at
Fort McHenry, on September 14, 1814.
``(B) Affected areas.--The trail crosses more than 6
Maryland counties, the city of Baltimore, and Washington,
District of Columbia.''.
____
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
The Proposed Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
traces the route of the War of 1812 British Invasion of our
Nation's Capital and the American Defense of Baltimore.
Possible sites for inclusion along the proposed Star-
Spangled Banner National Historic Trail:
calvert county
St. Leonard's Creek--Battles of St. Leonard's Creek.
Lower Marlboro Fishing Pier--Site of British war graves;
British Generals Conference.
Prince Frederick--British destruction of County Seat.
charles county
Benedict--Site of the British Landing.
Oldfields Chapel--Burial site of British soldiers.
Mattingly Memorial Park--Site of U.S. Navy delay of British
retreat from Washington, D.C.
prince george's county
Bladensburg--Site of the Battle of Bladensburg.
Ft. Washington--Formerly Fort Washburton.
Belair Mansion, Bostwick House, Riversdale, Mount Welby--
Historic Homes occupied in 1814.
Pig's Point--Scuttling of Chesapeake Flotilla by Commodore
Barney to prevent British advance.
washington, d.c.
White House, Capitol, Treasury Department, Sewell-Belmont
House--Burned by the British.
The Octagon--Madison's residence after invasion.
montgomery county
Brookeville--U.S. Capital for one day.
Rockville--Site of British Encampments.
howard county
Ellicott City--American march to Baltimore.
Savage--Home of Commodore Barney.
baltimore county
North Point--Battle of North Point.
Todd's Inheritance--American Signal Station.
Methodist Meeting House--American Camp.
North Point Road--Route of British March.
baltimore city
Ft. McHenry--Site of the American Victory.
Star-Spangled Banner Flag House & War of 1812 Museum--
Birthplace Star-Spangled Banner.
Federal Hill--Site where citizens viewed battle.
kent county
Caulk's Field--Site of the Battle of Caulk's Field.
Cedar Point--Site of log boom which prevented British
advancement.
____
State of Maryland,
Office of the Governor,
Annapolis, MD, February 18, 1999.
The Hon. Paul Sarbanes,
U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Sarbanes: Thank you for your letter of support
to the American Battlefield Protection Program regarding the
grant application submitted by the Maryland Tourism
Development Board. While reading your letter, I was reminded
of how far we can go as a State if we combine our efforts and
work together to achieve our goals.
Additionally, I am aware of and very interested in the
National Historic Trail legislation you are re-introducing to
Congress this session. The designation of a multi-
jurisdictional National Historic Trail would have significant
impact on Maryland's War of 1812 Heritage Tourism Initiative.
My staff and I are ready to assist in the designation process
in anyway you deem necessary.
As always, it was a pleasure to hear from you, I look
forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Parris N. Glendening,
Governor.
______
By Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. Durbin):
S. 443. A bill to regulate the sale of firearms at gun shows; to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
the gun show accountability act
Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation which
will close the loophole in our gun laws which allows criminals to buy
and sell firearms at gun shows.
Last year, there were more than 4,400 gun shows across America. While
most of the citizens who participate in these gun shows are law-
abiding, there is mounting evidence that criminals are using these
events for more sinister purposes.
The problem is that current law allows unlicensed dealers to sell
countless firearms without any background checks on the buyer or
documentation of the sales. Criminals are aware of this loophole and
exploit it. A study by the Illinois State Police showed at least 25
percent of illegally trafficked weapons came from gun shows. Militia
members including Timothy McVeigh and Michael Fortier used gun shows to
easily sell previously stolen guns and obtain a ready supply of
firearms in undocumented transactions.
Additionally, the gun show loophole is unfair to law-abiding Federal
Firearms Licensees. When they participate in a gun show, they must
comply with all background checks and record-keeping, while an
unlicensed dealer at the next table can make unlimited sales to any
person without the same requirements. The ease of these sales
[[Page S1805]]
drains significant business from law-abiding gun store owners and other
licensees, and penalizes them for following the law. Recognizing this
problem, the National Alliance of Stocking Gun Dealers recently
endorsed tighter regulations of gun shows: ``[W]e want to make it clear
that persons attending Gun Shows to skirt laws and acquire guns for
criminal use are unwelcome patrons of these events and diminish their
purpose and quality.''
During the 105th Congress, I introduced the Gun Show Sunshine Act in
an effort to address this issue. Subsequently, President Clinton
directed the Attorney General to study gun show firearm transactions
and make recommendations to crack down on illegal sales.
The Administration's recently released report confirmed what other
law enforcement officials have been saying: gun shows are becoming
illegal arms bazaars, where criminals buy and sell deadly weapons with
impunity. The report looked at 314 recent Alcohol, Tobacco, and
Firearms (ATF) investigations involving 54,000 firearms linked to gun
shows. Nearly half of the investigations involved felons buying or
selling firearms, and in more than one-third of the cases, the firearms
in question were known to have been used in subsequent crimes.
Today, I am introducing legislation that proposes a simple approach
to the gun show loophole--no background check, no gun, no exceptions.
This measure incorporates the recommendations made by the Department of
Justice and the Treasury Department and I appreciate the
Administration's support.
This bill would take several steps designed to make it harder for
criminals to buy and sell weapons at gun shows. It would require gun
show promoters to register and notify ATF of all gun shows, maintain
and report a list of vendors at the show, and ensure that all vendors
acknowledge receipt of information about their legal obligations. Also,
it would require that any firearms sales go through a Federal Firearms
Licensee (FFL). The idea is that if an unlicensed person was selling a
weapon, they would use a FFL at the gun show to complete the
transaction. The FFL would be responsible for conducting a Brady check
on the purchaser and maintaining records of the transactions. The FFL
could charge a fee for the service.
In order to make it easier for law enforcement to bring criminals to
justice, the bill would also require FFLs to submit information
necessary to trace all firearms transferred at gun shows to ATF's
National Tracing Center, including the manufacturer/improper, model,
and serial number of the firearms.
These reasonable requirements will make our streets safer by making
it harder for criminals to get guns. At the same time, these
regulations will not unduly burden those law-abiding Americans who
enjoy gun shows.
I urge my colleagues to join with me in this effort to close the gun
show loophole. We must do more to prevent the easy access to firearms
which fuels the gun violence across the country.
I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the legislation be printed in
the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 443
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Gun Show Accountability
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) more than 4,400 traditional gun shows are held annually
across the United States, attracting thousands of attendees
per show and hundreds of Federal firearms licensees and
nonlicensed firearms sellers;
(2) traditional gun shows, as well as flea markets and
other organized events, at which a large number of firearms
are offered for sale by Federal firearms licensees and
nonlicensed firearms sellers, form a significant part of the
national firearms market;
(3) firearms and ammunition that are exhibited or offered
for sale or exchange at gun shows, flea markets, and other
organized events move easily in and substantially affect
interstate commerce;
(4) in fact, even before a firearm is exhibited or offered
for sale or exchange at a gun show, flea market, or other
organized event, the gun, its component parts, ammunition,
and the raw materials from which it is manufactured have
moved in interstate commerce;
(5) gun shows, flea markets, and other organized events at
which firearms are exhibited or offered for sale or exchange,
provide a convenient and centralized commercial location at
which firearms may be bought and sold anonymously, often
without background checks and without records that enable gun
tracing;
(6) at gun shows, flea markets, and other organized events
at which guns are exhibited or offered for sale or exchange,
criminals and other prohibited persons obtain guns without
background checks and frequently use guns that cannot be
traced to later commit crimes;
(7) many persons who buy and sell firearms at gun shows,
flea markets, and other organized events cross State lines to
attend these events and engage in the interstate
transportation of firearms obtained at these events;
(8) gun violence is a pervasive, national problem that is
exacerbated by the availability of guns at gun shows, flea
markets, and other organized events;
(9) firearms associated with gun shows have been
transferred illegally to residents of another State by
Federal firearms licensees and nonlicensed firearms sellers,
and have been involved in subsequent crimes including drug
offenses, crimes of violence, property crimes, and illegal
possession of firearms by felons and other prohibited
persons; and
(10) Congress has the power, under the interstate commerce
clause and other provisions of the Constitution of the United
States, to ensure, by enactment of this Act, that criminals
and other prohibited persons do not obtain firearms at gun
shows, flea markets, and other organized events.
SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF BRADY BACKGROUND CHECKS TO GUN SHOWS.
(a) Definitions.--Section 921(a) of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(35) Gun show.--The term `gun show' means any event--
``(A) at which 50 or more firearms are offered or exhibited
for sale, transfer, or exchange, if 1 or more of the firearms
has been shipped or transported in, or otherwise affects,
interstate or foreign commerce; and
``(B) at which 2 or more persons are offering or exhibiting
1 or more firearms for sale, transfer, or exchange.
``(36) Gun show promoter.--The term `gun show promoter'
means any person who organizes, plans, promotes, or operates
a gun show.
``(37) Gun show vendor.--The term `gun show vendor' means
any person who exhibits, sells, offers for sale, transfers,
or exchanges 1 or more firearms at a gun show, regardless of
whether or not the person arranges with the gun show promoter
for a fixed location from which to exhibit, sell, offer for
sale, transfer, or exchange 1 or more firearms.''
(b) Regulation of Firearms Transfers at Gun Shows.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 931. Regulation of firearms transfers at gun shows
``(a) Registration of Gun Show Promoters.--It shall be
unlawful for any person to organize, plan, promote, or
operate a gun show unless that person--
``(1) registers with the Secretary in accordance with
regulations promulgated by the Secretary; and
``(2) pays a registration fee, in an amount determined by
the Secretary.
``(b) Responsibilities of Gun Show Promoters.--It shall be
unlawful for any person to organize, plan, promote, or
operate a gun show unless that person--
``(1) not later that 30 days before commencement of the gun
show, notifies the Secretary of the date, time, duration, and
location of the gun show and any other information concerning
the gun show as the Secretary may require by regulation;
``(2) not later than 72 hours before commencement of the
gun show, submits to the Secretary an updated list of all gun
show vendors planning to participate in the gun show and any
other information concerning such vendors as the Secretary
may require by regulation;
``(3) before commencement of the gun show, verifies the
identity of each gun show vendor participating in the gun
show by examining a valid identification document (as defined
in section 1028(d)(1)) of the vendor containing a photograph
of the vendor;
``(4) before commencement of the gun show, requires each
gun show vendor to sign--
``(A) a ledger with identifying information concerning the
vendor; and
``(B) a notice advising the vendor of the obligations of
the vendor under this chapter; and
``(5) notifies each person who attends the gun show of the
requirements of this chapter, in accordance with such
regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe;
``(6) not later than 5 days after the last day of the gun
show, submits to the Secretary a copy of the ledger and
notice described in paragraph (4); and
``(7) maintains a copy of the records described in
paragraphs (2) through (4) at the permanent place of business
of the gun show promoter for such period of time and in such
form as the Secretary shall require by regulation.
[[Page S1806]]
``(c) Responsibilities of Transferors Other Than
Licensees.--
``(1) In general.--If any part of a firearm transaction
takes place at a gun show, it shall be unlawful for any
person who is not licensed under this chapter to transfer a
firearm to another person who is not licensed under this
chapter, unless the firearm is transferred through a licensed
importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer in
accordance with subsection (e).
``(2) Criminal background checks.--A person who is subject
to the requirement of paragraph (1)--
``(A) shall not transfer the firearm to the transferee
until the licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or
licensed dealer through which the transfer is made under
subsection (e) makes the notification described in subsection
(e)(3)(A); and
``(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), shall not transfer
the firearm to the transferee if the licensed importer,
licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer through which the
transfer is made under subsection (e) makes the notification
described in subsection (e)(3)(B).
``(d) Responsibilities of Transferees Other Than
Licensees.--
``(1) In general.--If any part of a firearm transaction
takes place at a gun show, it shall be unlawful for any
person who is not licensed under this chapter to receive a
firearm from another person who is not licensed under this
chapter, unless the firearm is transferred through a licensed
importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer in
accordance with subsection (e).
``(2) Criminal background checks.--A person who is subject
to the requirement of paragraph (1)--
``(A) shall not receive the firearm from the transferor
until the licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or
licensed dealer through which the transfer is made under
subsection (e) makes the notification described in subsection
(e)(3)(A); and
``(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), shall not receive
the firearm from the transferor if the licensed importer,
licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer through which the
transfer is made under subsection (e) makes the notification
described in subsection (e)(3)(B).
``(e) Responsibilities of Licensees.--A licensed importer,
licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer who agrees to
assist a person who is not licensed under this chapter in
carrying out the responsibilities of that person under
subsection (c) or (d) with respect to the transfer of a
firearm shall--
``(1) enter such information about the firearm as the
Secretary may require by regulation into a separate bound
record;
``(2) record the transfer on a form specified by the
Secretary;
``(3) comply with section 922(t) as if transferring the
firearm from the inventory of the licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, or licensed dealer to the designated transferee
(although a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or
licensed dealer complying with this subsection shall not be
required to comply again with the requirements of section
922(t) in delivering the firearm to the nonlicensed
transferor), and notify the nonlicensed transferor and the
nonlicensed transferee--
``(A) of such compliance; and
``(B) if the transfer is subject to the requirements of
section 922(t)(1), of any receipt by the licensed importer,
licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer of a notification
from the national instant criminal background check system
that the transfer would violate section 922 or would violate
State law;
``(4) not later than 10 days after the date on which the
transfer occurs, submit to the Secretary a report of the
transfer, which report--
``(A) shall be on a form specified by the Secretary by
regulation; and
``(B) shall not include the name of or other identifying
information relating to any person involved in the transfer
who is not licensed under this chapter;
``(5) if the licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or
licensed dealer assists a person other than a licensee in
transferring, at 1 time or during any 5 consecutive business
days, 2 or more pistols or revolvers, or any combination of
pistols and revolvers totaling 2 or more, to the same
nonlicensed person, in addition to the reports required under
paragraph (4), prepare a report of the multiple transfers,
which report shall be--
``(A) prepared on a form specified by the Secretary; and
``(B) not later than the close of business on the date on
which the transfer occurs, forwarded to--
``(i) the office specified on the form described in
subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) the appropriate State law enforcement agency of the
jurisdiction in which the transfer occurs; and
``(6) retain a record of the transfer as part of the
permanent business records of the licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, or licensed dealer.
``(f) Records of Licensee Transfers.--If any part of a
firearm transaction takes place at a gun show, each licensed
importer, licensed manufacturer, and licensed dealer who
transfers 1 or more firearms to a person who is not licensed
under this chapter shall, not later than 10 days after the
date on which the transfer occurs, submit to the Secretary a
report of the transfer, which report--
``(1) shall be in a form specified by the Secretary by
regulation;
``(2) shall not include the name of or other identifying
information relating to the transferee; and
``(3) shall not duplicate information provided in any
report required under subsection (e)(4).
``(g) Firearm Transaction Defined.--In this section, the
term `firearm transaction' includes the exhibition, sale,
offer for sale, transfer, or exchange of a firearm.''.
(2) Penalties.--Section 924(a) of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(7)(A) Whoever knowingly violates section 931(a) shall be
fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or
both.
``(B) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (b) or (c) of
section 931, shall be--
``(i) fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 2
years, or both; and
``(ii) in the case of a second or subsequent conviction,
such person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not
more than 5 years, or both.
``(C) Whoever willfully violates section 931(d), shall be--
``(i) fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 2
years, or both; and
``(ii) in the case of a second or subsequent conviction,
such person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not
more than 5 years, or both.
``(D) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (e) or (f) of
section 931 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not
more than 5 years, or both.
``(E) In addition to any other penalties imposed under this
paragraph, the Secretary may, with respect to any person who
knowingly violates any provision of section 931--
``(i) if the person is registered pursuant to section
931(a), after notice and opportunity for a hearing, suspend
for not more than 6 months or revoke the registration of that
person under section 931(a); and
``(ii) impose a civil fine in an amount equal to not more
than $10,000.''.
(3) Technical and conforming amendments.--Chapter 44 of
title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the chapter analysis, by adding at the end the
following:
``931. Regulation of firearms transfers at gun shows.''; and
(B) in the first sentence of section 923(j), by striking
``a gun show or event'' and inserting ``an event''; and
(c) Inspection Authority.--Section 923(g)(1) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(E) Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), the Secretary may
enter during business hours the place of business of any gun
show promoter and any place where a gun show is held for the
purposes of examining the records required by sections 923
and 931 and the inventory of licensees conducting business at
the gun show. Such entry and examination shall be conducted
for the purposes of determining compliance with this chapter
by gun show promoters and licensees conducting business at
the gun show and shall not require a showing of reasonable
cause or a warrant.''.
(d) Increased Penalties for Serious Recordkeeping
Violations by Licensees.--Section 924(a)(3) of title 18,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any
licensed dealer, licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or
licensed collector who knowingly makes any false statement or
representation with respect to the information required by
this chapter to be kept in the records of a person licensed
under this chapter, or violates section 922(m) shall be fined
under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
``(B) If the violation described in subparagraph (A) is in
relation to an offense--
``(i) under paragraph (1) or (3) of section 922(b), such
person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more
than 5 years, or both; or
``(ii) under subsection (a)(6) or (d) of section 922, such
person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more
than 10 years, or both.''.
(e) Increased Penalties for Violations of Criminal
Background Check Requirements.--
(1) Penalties.--Section 924 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``subsection (s) or (t)
of section 922'' and inserting ``section 922(s)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Whoever knowingly violates section 922(t) shall be
fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or
both.''.
(2) Elimination of certain elements of offense.--Section
922(t)(5) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``and, at the time'' and all that follows through
``State law''.
(f) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made
by this section shall take effect 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
______
By Mr. JEFFORDS (for himself, Mr. Specter, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr.
McCain, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Murkowski, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Craig,
Mr. Hutchinson, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Graham, Mr. Akaka,
Mr. Wellstone, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Leahy, Mr.
[[Page S1807]]
Cleland, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. Johnson):
S. 445. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to
require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Health
and Human Services to carry out a demonstration project to provide the
Department of Veterans Affairs with Medicare reimbursement for Medicare
healthcare services provided to certain medicare-eligible veterans; to
the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I am proud to introduce the Veterans'
Equal Access to Medicare Act. This bill will give all our nations'
veterans the freedom to choose where they receive their medical care. I
am joined by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Veterans' Affairs
Committee, Senators Specter and Rockefeller, as well as Senators
Thurmond, Murkowski, Campbell, Craig, Hutchinson, McCain, Snowe,
Daschle, Graham, Akaka, Wellstone, Murray, Hollings, Cleland, Landrieu,
Johnson, and my friend and colleague from Vermont, Senator Leahy.
Known to some as ``Medicare Subvention,'' this legislation will
authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to set up 10 pilot
sites around the country where Medicare-eligible Veterans could get
Medicare-covered services at a Veterans hospital. The VA would then be
reimbursed at a slightly reduced rate for provision of those services.
Many Medicare-eligible veterans want to receive their care at a VA
facility. This bill would allow certain veterans that option.
My legislation would implement a pilot project that is eagerly sought
by both the Veterans Administration and the Veterans Service
Organizations. Veterans want the right to choose where they get their
Medicare-covered services. Many of them would like to go to a Veterans
Administration facility where they would feel more comfortable. We want
to make that option possible for those who have given so much of
themselves in service to their country.
Our legislation starts with a 10-site demonstration project, limiting
total Medicare reimbursements to $50 million annually. The VA is
required to maintain its current level of effort, and provisions in the
bill prevent it from shifting any current costs to the Medicare Trust
Fund. In the event that the demonstration project in any way increased
Medicare's costs, the VA would reimburse Medicare for these costs and
suspend or terminate the program.
An independent auditor would monitor the demonstration project
annually and make reports to Congress on its findings. A final report
to Congress three and a half years after commencement of the project
from the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services
would recommend whether to terminate, continue or expand the program.
Almost two years ago, Senator Rockefeller and I successfully included
similar legislation in the 1997 Balanced Budget Reconciliation Act. The
full Senate endorsed this measure. Unfortunately, our amendment was
later dropped in conference.
But we feel strongly that now is the time to enact this legislation.
Veterans want and deserve this option, and the VA should be allowed to
become a Medicare provider. The Department of Health and Human Services
and the Veterans Administration have already reached an agreement on
how such a program would be implemented. It's time for us to give this
project the green light.
In 1997 the Department of Defense Medicare Subvention program
alleviated what our country's military retirees call a ``lockout'' from
the military health care system. This bill will finish the job by
allowing all our veterans access to the best and most appropriate
health care facility of their choosing. Our nation's veterans deserve
no less.
I look forward to working with the Senate Finance Committee,
Secretary West and the Administration, the Veterans Service
Organizations and my colleagues here and in the House to get this
legislation signed into law this year.
Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, along with all the Members of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am pleased to be an original
cosponsor of a bill, which my colleague and friend, Senator Jim
Jeffords, is introducing today. Mr. President, this is a most welcome
bill. When enacted, it would direct that the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
enter into an agreement establishing ten geographically dispersed
demonstration projects under which VA would provide health care
services to certain Medicare-eligible veterans, who would not have
otherwise received care in VA, in exchange for reimbursement from the
Medicare trust fund. Thus, VA would be able to occupy the same basic
position as other health care providers which furnish care to Medicare-
eligible patients: VA would be reimbursed by Medicare for providing
this care, just as other providers may be reimbursed. The Department of
Defense health care system is already authorized to provide such care
for reimbursement on a demonstration project basis, and this authority
should be extended to the VA as well.
Under the terms of this bill, VA is authorized to establish up to ten
subvention sites or health plans, including a site near a closed
military base and one that provides care predominately to rural
veterans. These sites and plans would provide health care services to
Medicare-eligible veterans. Medicare would reimburse VA for such
services--similar to the way the Federal Health Care Financing
Administration pays other providers in the private sector when they
furnish health care services to Medicare-eligible persons--but subject
to certain cost-saving conditions. First, while fees paid to VA would
be based on those paid to other providers, they would be reduced,
across the board, by 5%. Second, reimbursements to VA would be further
reduced for subsidies paid by Medicare to private facilities to cover
their capital expense and medical education costs, and costs incurred
by such providers, if any, in serving a disproportionate number of low-
income patients. Thus, Medicare would invariably save funds when care
is provided to its patients by VA. In effect, VA would provide care to
Medicare-eligible veterans at a discount to the Medicare trust fund.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would not, however,
be required to refer Medicare-eligible patients to VA under this bill.
Eligible veterans would continue to be free to select their own health
care providers. It would be up to the VA ``demonstration program''
sites to entice Medicare-eligible patients to VA by offering services
and care which are more attractive than those provided by community-
care providers. One of the underlying purposes of this legislation is
to test VA's contention that it can provide the kind of care which will
attract veteran-patients who have other alternatives and, at the same
time, provide care which is cost effective from the reimburser's, and
VA's, viewpoints. Another purpose of the legislation will be to test
the hypothesis that VA can meet the needs of its priority patients--
veterans with service-connected disabilities and veterans who are
poor--while, simultaneously positioning itself to attract other
veteran-patients who, due to Medicare eligibility, have the wherewithal
to go elsewhere for care.
Whether VA can succeed in providing cost-effective care which
attracts patients without causing it to neglect its primary mission is
the essence of the question that this bill is intended to answer.
Indeed, time--and these demonstration projects--will tell whether
providing such care to non-priority veterans for reimbursement will
enhance VA's ability, due to an infusion of new Medicare funds, to
provide better care to VA's mandated priority patients. Like the
Department of Defense--which, as I have noted, already has authority
from Congress to obtain reimbursement from Medicare--VA ought to have
an opportunity to see if it can succeed in attracting and keeping
patients by providing superior care. I can think of no better way to
gauge VA quality than assessing the behavior of veterans who can ``vote
with their feet.''
I hope that these VA ``demonstration project'' sites will show that
VA can, in fact, fully serve its priority patients--veterans with
service-connected disabilities and veterans who are poor--while also
serving veteran-patients who are able to bring Medicare funding to the
VA system. Budgetary constraints have required that VA operate under a
``flat-line'' medical
[[Page S1808]]
care appropriation for the past three years even as personnel and other
inflationary costs continue to rise from year to year. VA has attempted
to increase its collections from private sector, third-party insurers
in order to supplement its funding base, but these collections have not
been sufficient. I and my colleagues on the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs believe that VA ought to have parallel authority to collect
reimbursement from Medicare when it provides non-service-connected care
to these patients. I ask that my colleagues give the Department this
authority by approving this legislation.
Mr. President, I compliment my colleague and friend from Vermont for
his leadership on establishing this innovative and crucial legislation
that I believe will be an essential tool in the future for VA's care of
veterans, and I urge my colleagues to give this bill high priority
attention for early passage this year.
Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I am pleased to offer my support to
the Veterans' Equal Access to Medicare Act. This bill will authorize a
pilot project to allow VA to bill Medicare for health care services
provided to certain dual beneficiaries. The legislation is known as VA
Medicare subvention, which is a concept that has been discussed over
the years by those of us in Congress, by veterans service
organizations, and by virtually every advisory body that has studied
the VA health care system. I join my colleague Senator Jeffords in this
initiative.
In the past, many VA hospitals and clinics have been forced to turn
away middle income, Medicare-eligible veterans who sought VA care.
These hospitals simply did not have the resources to care for them.
Now, with eligibility reform, all enrolled veterans will have access to
a uniform, comprehensive benefit package. Yet, resources for veterans'
health care have not increased, and, in fact, have remained flatlined.
During the first session of the 105th Congress, Senator Jeffords and
I successfully pushed a similar proposal through the Senate Finance
Committee and the full Senate. The basic tenets of the current bill
remain the same. For veterans, enactment of the Veterans' Equal Access
to Medicare Act would mean the infusion of new revenue and, thus,
improved access to care. For the Health Care Financing Administration
(HCFA), a VA subvention demonstration project will provide the
opportunity to assess the effects of coordination on improving
efficiency, access, and quality of care for dual-eligible beneficiaries
in a selected number of sites. Finally, Congress would receive the
results of this feasibility study, which, once and for all, would give
us the necessary data to make rational policy decisions in the future
about Medicare and VA's involvement.
The four VA medical centers in my own State of West Virginia spent
nearly $5 million caring for Medicare-eligible veterans with middle
incomes last year. Although this is telling information, I cannot
provide my colleagues with the truly crucial piece of the story--that
is, the number of these Medicare-eligible veterans who had been turned
away over the years from the very facilities created to serve them
because of lack of resources. This demonstration project would
encourage these eligible veterans who have not previously received care
from the Huntington, Beckley, Martinsburg, and Clarksburg VA Medical
Centers to do so, while providing Medicare with cost-savings
opportunities.
As in years past, the Veterans' Equal Access to Medicare Act is
designed to be budget neutral. To that end, the VA would be required to
maintain its current level of services to Medicare-eligible veterans
already being served, and would be effectively limited to reimbursement
for additional care provided to new users. Payments from Medicare would
be at a reduced rate and would exclude Disproportionate Share Hospital
adjustments, Graduate Medical Education payments, and a large
percentage of capital-related costs. In effect, the VA would be
providing health care to Medicare-eligible veterans at a deeply
discounted rate. The Department of Health and Human Services and VA
would have the ability to adjust payment rates, or to shrink or
terminate the program if Medicare's costs increase. In the event that
these safeguards included in the proposal fail--an event which the VA
has declared unlikely--this proposal caps all Medicare payments to the
VA at $50 million.
A HCFA representative testified before the last Congress and stated
that this proposal will provide quality service to certain dual-
eligible beneficiaries and, ``at the same time, preserve and protect
the Medicare Trust Fund for all Americans.'' I believe this.
Although the VA subvention proposal is a small effort compared to the
other recent changes made to the Medicare program and the changes yet
to come, it is enormously important to our veterans and the health care
system they depend upon. And regardless of any policy changes resulting
from the Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare, an excellent
opportunity will remain to test the idea of Medicare subvention to VA.
Over the last couple of years, we have tried to enact this proposal.
Unfortunately, we have continually met resistance. Others who favor the
subvention concept have even tried to turn this Medicare-cost saving
proposal into a way to make sweeping policy changes about the delivery
of VA health care. My goal this session is to overcome this resistance
and enact this proposal without any extraneous measures.
Truly, this VA/Medicare proposal is a way to provide quality health
care to veterans who are also eligible for Medicare, while at the same
time preserving and protecting the Medicare Trust Fund. With a signed
Memorandum of Agreement between VA and HCFA, VA is ready to move ahead
with this demonstration project. Finally, the Department of Defense
Medicare Subvention test program--TRICARE Senior Prime--is progressing.
Let us not delay VA any longer.
Mr. President, veterans deserve the opportunity to come to VA
facilities for their care and bring their Medicare coverage with them.
I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Committees on
Finance and Veterans' Affairs to make this long sought-after proposal a
reality.
Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of
the Veterans' Equal Access to Medicare Act, which would authorize a
demonstration of Medicare subvention within the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) health care system. Many of us supported similar
legislation sponsored by Senator Jeffords and incorporated into the
Senate version of the 1997 Budget Resolution. Unfortunately, this
measure was removed by the conferees to the bill and did not become
law. In the 105th Congress, separate legislation authorizing a test of
Medicare subvention for veterans passed the House of Representatives
but stalled in the Senate. The intervening period has only made more
apparent the benefits of allowing Medicare-eligible veterans to use
their Medicare entitlement for care at local VA medical facilities.
The Veterans' Equal Access to Medicare Act would establish a three-
year demonstration project at up to 10 sites around the country,
including a site near a military medical facility closed under the Base
Realignment and Closure process and a site in an area where the target
population is predominantly rural. The VA would bill Medicare for
Medicare-covered services provided to eligible veterans at these sites.
Veterans' participation would be voluntary, and participants would make
the same Medicare co-payments to the VA as at non-VA facilities.
The legislation also contains important safeguards. The VA's
Inspector General must certify the accounting and managerial
capabilities of participating facilities; the VA must maintain its
current level of effort to prevent cost shifting from the VA to the
Medicare Trust Fund; the Comptroller General must audit the
demonstration project annually to ensure that the Medicare Trust Fund
does not incur any additional costs; and Medicare payments to the VA
must be capped at $50 million annually. After three years, the
Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs would be
required to submit recommendations to Congress on whether to extend or
expand the project.
By permitting the VA to collect and retain Medicare payments for
health care provided to eligible veterans, our legislation would
demonstrate subvention's ability to enhance access to the VA medical
system for veterans
[[Page S1809]]
and channel critical non-appropriated funding into the VA network
without raising costs to the Medicare Trust Fund. But don't take my
word for it. The Fiscal Year 2000 Independent Budget jointly proposed
by AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America,
and Veterans of Foreign Wars summarizes the virtues of VA Medicare
subvention as follows:
Medicare subvention will benefit veterans, taxpayers, and
ultimately VA. It would give veterans who currently do not
have access to VA health care the option of choosing the VA
system. VA believes it can deliver care to Medicare
beneficiaries at a discounted rate, which would save money
for the Medicare Trust Fund and stretch taxpayer dollars.
In other words, this is win-win legislation for all concerned
parties. Veterans receive better access to quality health care; the VA
benefits from an inflow of non-appropriated funding; and VA provides
more efficient care than other Medicare providers, saving scarce
resources in this era of balanced budgets.
Military retirees, but not veterans, currently qualify for an ongoing
Medicare subvention demonstration project authorized by Congress in
1997. In 1996, I had introduced legislation to authorize Medicare
reimbursement to the Department of Defense for care provided to
Medicare-eligible retirees and their families. Although the Senate
included this provision in its version of the Fiscal Year 1997 Defense
Appropriations bill, it was dropped in conference with the House.
A year later, I supported the current Medicare subvention
demonstration project for military retirees, which was included in the
Balanced Budget Act of 1997. It is my hope that this project will
demonstrate the potential for Medicare subvention to defray the
escalating costs of the Military Health Service System, slow the
depletion of the Medicare Trust Fund, and provide a more generous
benefit to retired service members seeking the quality health care our
government promised them.
I do not need to remind my colleagues that we also promised medical
benefits to veterans who served for fewer than 20 years and are not
entitled to retirement benefits. That the Department of Veterans
Affairs manages the largest health care network in the United States is
testament to our continuing effort to make good on that promise. But
the quantity of health care providers for veterans is not at issue
today; rather, the quality of care is among the most pressing items on
the agenda of America's veterans and their advocates.
The veterans from whom I am honored to hear on my travels across the
United States and in my Senate office frequently remind me that the VA
health care system does not always offer them the quality of care they
have clearly earned. Authorizing a test of Medicare subvention for
veterans would hopefully demonstrate its ability to improve veterans'
access to VA facilities and enhance the quality of service there.
For this reason, the Department of Veterans Affairs supports a
Medicare subvention demonstration. So do the major veterans' service
organizations whose membership comprises the very individuals who would
be affected by this legislation. I would also note that a majority of
both houses of the 105th Congress voted in favor of legislation to
authorize a Medicare subvention demonstration for veterans, even though
the specific terms of that legislation differed somewhat.
Mr. President, I wish to conclude my remarks by once again drawing
from the wisdom of the veterans' service organizations' Independent
Budget, which warns that Medicare subvention funding must be a
supplement to, not a substitute for, an adequate VA appropriation.
Veterans' care and benefits have been underfunded for years.
Implementing a test of Medicare subvention for veterans is but one step
in what must be a concerted campaign to honor the promises made to all
who have answered their country's call through their military service.
Let no one forget the sacrifices made by every veteran to secure our
liberty in what has been, and remains, a very dangerous world.
Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President. I would like to express my strong
support for Senator Jefford's bill, the Veterans' Equal Access to
Medicare Act. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this important
legislation which would allow the VA to establish a Medicare subvention
demonstration project. At ten sites across the country, Medicare would
reimburse the VA for Medicare-covered services provided to eligible
veterans.
As a former member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, and a
current member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have been
and remain a strong advocate of the Medicare subvention concept. As a
member of the House, I was cosponsor of Representative Joel Hefley's
bill to create a demonstration project of Medicare subvention. During
the 105th Congress, I was a cosponsor of Senator Jefford's bill, S.
2054.
The last four years of flat-lined Administration budgets have
demonstrated the critical need for this legislation. To treat new
veteran patients, the VA must be creative in finding new revenue
sources. The perpetual volatility of the health care marketplace has
made it more and more difficult for VA to collect under the standard
fee for service arrangements. Currently, 85% of all insured Americans
are under some form of managed care, and many of these plans do not
recognize the VA as a network provider eligible for reimbursement. In
order for the VA to be able to collect the millions that it needs to
adequately serve veterans and to survive under the budget proposed by
the Administration for FY 2000, there must be a new revenue source.
Medicare subvention legislation would be a step in the right direction.
Historically, higher income veterans have been locked out of the VA
health care system because of a severe lack of resources. Under
subvention legislation, the VA would potentially be able to open its
doors to millions of veterans 65 years and older who want to choose VA
as their primary care giver. Our legislation will be the first in truly
saving the Private Ryan's of WWII and the Korean conflict. Now more
than ever, the VA needs to be able to collect and compete in the health
care marketplace as an equal partner with other health plans. Medicare
subvention will allow it that opportunity. I am proud to again be a
cosponsor of this important legislation.
______
By Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Torricelli):
S. 446. A bill to provide for the permanent protection of the
resources of the United States in the year 2000 and beyond; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
PERMANENT PROTECTION FOR AMERICA'S RESOURCES 2000 ACT
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Permanent
Protection for America's Resources 2000 Act--Resources 2000. This
legislation is the most sweeping commitment to protecting America's
natural heritage in more than a generation. It will establish a
permanent, dedicated funding source for resource protection. I am
honored to be working on this legislation with Congressman George
Miller in the House of Representatives, and my Senate Colleagues,
Senator John Kerry and Senator Robert Torricelli.
As we embark upon the 21st Century, it is time to make a new
commitment to our natural heritage--one that can take its place beside
the legacy left by President Teddy Roosevelt as we began this century.
That new commitment must go beyond a piecemeal approach to preserving
our natural resources. It must be a comprehensive, long-term strategy
that enables us to ensure that when our children's children enter the
22nd Century, they can herald our actions today, as we revere those of
President Roosevelt.
Today our natural heritage is disappearing at an alarming rate. Each
year, nearly 3 million acres of farmland and more than 170,000 acres of
wetlands disappear. Each day, over 7,000 acres of open space are lost
forever.
All across America, we now see parks closing, recreational facilities
deteriorating, open space disappearing, historic structures crumbling.
Why is this happening? Because there is no dedicated fund for all
these noble purposes--which can be used only for these noble purposes.
The legislation that I am introducing today will address this problem
in a comprehensive Resources 2000 in a bold, historic initiative to
provide substantial and permanent funding from
[[Page S1810]]
offshore oil resources for the acquisition, improvement and maintenance
of public resources throughout the United States: public lands, parks,
marine and coastal resources, historic preservation, fish and wildlife.
Resources 2000 will provide permanent, annual funding for historically
underfunded, high priority resources, preservation goals.
A major funding source for resource protection already exists. Each
year, oil companies pay the federal government billions of dollars in
rents, royalties, and other fees in connection with offshore drilling
in federal waters. In 1998 alone, the government collected over $4.6
billion from oil and gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf.
My bill would allocate $1.4 billion every year for land acquisition,
park and recreational development, historic preservation, land
restoration, ocean conservation, farmland preservation, and endangered
species recovery.
Resources 2000 will also mandate full funding of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund. In 1965, Congress established this Fund, which was
to receive $900 million a year from federal oil revenues for
acquisition of sensitive lands and wetlands.
The good news is that Fund has collected over $21 billion since 1965.
The bad news is that only $9 billion of this amount has been spent on
its intended uses. More than $16 billion has been shifted into other
federal accounts.
On the ground, this means that we have purchased some key tracts of
land in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Redwood National
Park, Tahoe National Forest, and Channel Islands National Park, among
many others.
At the same time, however, we missed golden opportunities to buy
critical open space because the Land and Water Conservation Fund was
underfunded. Some of these parcels--in the Santa Monica Mountains,
along the Pacific Crest Trail, and elsewhere throughout California--
have since been lost. If we had been able to use the entire Fund, these
areas would have been protected.
To preserve meaningful tracts of open space, we must spend the entire
Fund to acquire land and water. Congress must move to take the Fund
``off budget'' and use it all for its intended purposes.
Resources 2000 would fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund at
$900 million per year, the full level authorized by Congress. Half of
this amount would be dedicated to federal acquisition of lands for our
national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and other
public lands. The other half would go for matching grants to the states
for land acquisition, planning, and development of outdoor recreation
facilities.
Furthermore, this can be done without causing further harm to the
environment. My bill does not contain any incentives for new offshore
oil drilling. All of the revenue would have to come from already
producing leases.
The bill contains eight titles as follows:
Title I--Land and Water Conservation Fund Revitalization--$900 million
Federal: $450 million
Stateside: $450 million
Summary of Title: Resources 2000 would take the Land and Water
Conservation Fund (LWCF) ``off-budget'' and require the federal
government to spend the entire $900 million for its designated purpose
of land acquisition.
One-half of the annual $900 million allocation of the LWCF would be
dedicated to federal land acquisition purposes. These funds would be
used to acquire lands or interests in lands authorized by Congress for
our national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and
public lands.
The other $450 million allocation of the LWCF would go for matching
grants to the States for the acquisition of lands or interests in
lands, planning, and development of outdoor recreation facilities. Of
this $450 million, two-thirds will be allocated by formula of which 30
percent shall be distributed equally among the States, and 70 percent
apportioned on the basis of the population each state bears to the
total population of all states. The remaining one-third would be
awarded on the basis of competitive grants.
Title II--Urban Parks and Recreational Recovery Program Amendments--
$100 million
Summary of Title: Resources 2000 would provide a mandatory $100
million a year of OCS revenue for the Urban Parks and Recreational
Recovery program (UPARR). This funding would be used by the Secretary
of the Interior to provide competitive matching grants to local
governments to rehabilitate recreation areas and facilities, provide
for the development of improved recreation programs, and to acquire,
develop, or construct new recreation sites and facilities.
This program is intended to encourage and stimulate local governments
to revitalize their park and recreation systems and to make long-term
commitments to continuing maintenance of these systems. UPARR is also
designed to improve recreation facilities and expand recreation
services in urban areas with a high incidence of crime and to help
deter crime through the expansion of recreation opportunities for at-
risk youth.
Title III--Historic Preservation Fund--$150 million
Summary of Title: Your bill would take the Historic Preservation Fund
``off-budget'' and require the federal government to spend the entire
$150 million a year of OCS revenue for the designated purposes of the
Historic Preservation Fund. Your bill would also require that 50
percent of the funds provided be used for physically preserving
historic properties (so-called ``brick and mortar'' activities).
Under current law, the National Historic Preservation Act established
the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) in 1977. The Act requires that
$150 million in revenue from offshore oil drilling be placed in the HPF
each year. Congress is authorized to appropriate money from the fund to
carry out the National Historic Preservation Act. Such activities
include grants to states, maintaining the National Register of Historic
Places, and administering numerous historic preservation programs. The
Act allows up to one-third of the funds for priority preservation
projects of public and private entities, including preserving historic
structures and sites, as well as, significant documents, photographs,
works of art, etc.
Title IV--Farmland, Ranchland, Open Space, and Forestland Protection--
$150 million
Summary of Title: Resources 2000 establishes the Farmland, Ranchland,
Open Space, and Forestland Protection Fund to provide matching,
competitive grants to state, local and tribal governments for purchase
of conservation easements to protect privately owned farmland,
ranchland and forests from encroaching development. To help communities
grow in ways that maintain open space and viable agricultural sectors
of their economies. Such grants could be used to match state or local
long term bond initiatives approved by voters to preserve green spaces
for conservation, recreation and other environmental goals.
The Fund has three basic sections. The first funds the Farmland
Protection Program at $50 million a year. This funding would be used by
the Secretary of Agriculture to provide matching grants to eligible
entities to purchase permanent conservation easements in land so that
it can be maintained as farmland or open space.
The second funds a new program--the Ranchland Protection Program--at
$50 million a year. Modeled after the Farmland Protection Program, the
Ranchland Protection Program would be used by the Secretary of the
Interior to provide matching grants to eligible entities to purchase
permanent conservation easements on ranchland that is in danger of
conversion to nonagricultural uses and is pending offer for the
preservation of open space and will yield a significant public benefit.
The third section funds the Forest Legacy Program at $50 million a
year. The Forest Legacy Program is a similar program for protecting
environmentally important forest areas that are threatened by
conversion to nonforest uses. Under this program, the Secretary of
Agriculture will provide matching grants to eligible entities to
purchase conservation easements for forest lands.
For the purposes of this title an eligible entity is an agency of a
State or local government, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or a
non-profit environment/land trust organization.
Title V--Federal and Indian Lands Restoration Fund--$250 million
Summary of Title: Resources 2000 establishes a new fund to provide a
mandatory $250 million a year to undertake
[[Page S1811]]
a coordinated program on Federal and Indian lands to restore degraded
lands, protect resources that are threatened with degradation, and
protect public health and safety.
$150 million of the funding will be available to the Secretary of the
Interior to carry out restoration activities within the National Park
System, National Wildlife Refuge System, and public lands administered
by the Bureau of Land Management.
$75 million of the funding will be available to the Secretary of
Agriculture to carry out restoration activities in National Forests.
$25 million of the funding will be available to the Secretary of the
Interior to carry out a competitive grant program for Indian tribes to
complete restoration activities on reservations.
Title VI--Ocean Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Restoration, and
Management Assistance -- $300 million
Summary of Title: Resources 2000 establishes a new fund, entitled the
Ocean Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fund, to provide a mandatory $300
million a year for the Department of Commerce to provide grants for the
conservation, restoration and management of ocean fish and wildlife of
the United States. The Fund would be allocated in two ways: (1) formula
grants to States to develop and implement comprehensive state ocean
fish and wildlife conservation plans, and (2) competitive grants to
public and private persons to carry out projects for the conservation,
restoration, or management of ocean fish and wildlife (Ocean
Conservation Partnership grants).
a. State Ocean Fish and Wildlife Conservation Plans:
In order for states to be eligible for funding under this title,
States would have to develop a comprehensive ``Ocean Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Plan.'' The plan must be approved by the Secretary of
Commerce. In order for the plan to be approved, the plan must provide
for an inventory of the ocean fish and wildlife and their habitat;
identification of any significant factors which may adversely affect
ocean fish and wildlife species and their habitats; determination and
implementation of conservation actions; monitoring of species and the
effectiveness of conservation actions; periodic plan review and
revision; and public input into plan development, revision and
implementation. The State does not need to complete all of these
activities for plan approval, it simply must have a plan in place that
will show how the State proposes to meet the conservation objectives.
Two-thirds ($200 million) of the total would be available to coastal
states (including Great Lakes States, territories, and possessions of
the U.S.) for the development, revision, and implementation of the
``Ocean Fish and Wildlife Conservation Plans.'' Funds would be
allocated to the states by a formula. Two-thirds (about $133 million)
would be distributed to states based on the ratio of the population of
the state to the population of all coastal states. One-third (about $66
million) would be distributed to states based on the ratio of the
length of a state's shoreline to the length of the total shoreline of
all coastal states. No state can receive less than \1/2\ of one percent
or more than 10 percent of the total funds allocated under this
section.
b. Ocean Conservation Partnerships :
The remaining one-third ($100 million) of funds would be awarded by
the Secretary of Commerce as competitive, peer-reviewed grants for
living marine resource conservation. High priority would be given to
proposals involving public/private conservation partnerships, but any
person would be eligible to apply for a grant under this provision.
Priority would also be given to proposals that assist in achieving the
objectives of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Estuaries, or other
federal or state marine protected areas. A maximum grant size (2
percent of funds available--about $2 million) will be established to
ensure that a small number of large projects do not consume the bulk of
the funding in a given fiscal year.
Title VII--Funding for State Native Fish and Wildlife Conservation and
Restoration--$350 million
Summary of Title: Resources 2000 provides a permanent appropriation
of $350 for the conservation of native fish, wildlife and plants. It
amends the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (FWCA, 16 U.S.C.
2901 et seq.) to make funding available to the states for the
development and implementation of comprehensive native wildlife
conservation plans.
This title is similar to the Ocean Fish and Wildlife Conservation,
Restoration and Management title, except this is for terrestrial fish
and wildlife conservation efforts. States that choose to participate in
the program would submit Fish and Wildlife Conservation Plans to the
Secretary of the Interior for approval.
Funds are to be allocated on a formula. One-third of the funds would
be allocated based on the area of a state relative to the total area of
all the states and two-thirds on the relative population of a state.
States are eligible for reimbursement of 75 percent of the cost of
developing and implementing state wildlife conservation plans. Federal
funds are only available for plan development costs for the first 10
years. As an additional incentive, federal funds will pay for up to 90
percent of: plan development costs during the first three years; and
conservation actions undertaken by two or more states. In addition, in
the absence of an approved plan, the Secretary may reimburse a state
for certain on-the-ground conservation actions during the first five
years of the program.
Title VIII--Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery--$100 million
Summary of Title: Resources 2000 establishes a new fund, entitled the
Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Fund, to provide a mandatory
$100 million a year for the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National
Marine Fisheries Service to implement a private landowners incentive
program for the recovery of endangered and threatened species and the
habitat that they depend on.
Monies would be used by the Secretaries to enter into ``endangered
and threatened species recovery agreements'' with private landowners,
providing grants to: (1) carry out activities and protect habitat (not
otherwise required by the law) that would contribute to the recovery of
a threatened or endangered species, or (2) to refrain from carrying out
otherwise lawful activities that would inhibit the recovery of such
species. Priority will be given to small landowners who would otherwise
not have the resources to participate in such programs.
So it is time to act in a comprehensive way to permanently protect
our heritage. It is time to heed the call that Teddy Roosevelt sent out
so many years ago. It is time to build on the progress we have made and
plan for the future.
Resources 2000 enjoys the enthusiastic support of major
environmental, historic preservation, sporting, wildlife, and parks
organizations throughout the nation.
I hope that my colleagues in the Senate take advantage of this
historic opportunity by joining Senator Torricelli, Senator Kerry, and
me in this effort to preserve America's heritage.
I ask unanimous consent that the full text of the bill be printed in
the Record. I also ask unanimous consent that a list of groups who
support the legislation, as well as letters from several conservation
organizations be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the materials were ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Resources 2000 Act''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Reduction in deposits of qualified OCS revenues for any fiscal
year for which those revenues are reduced.
Sec. 6. Limitation on use of available amounts for administration.
Sec. 7. Budgetary treatment of receipts and disbursements.
TITLE I--LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND REVITALIZATION
Sec. 101. Amendment of Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965.
Sec. 102. Extension of period for covering amounts into fund.
Sec. 103. Availability of amounts.
[[Page S1812]]
Sec. 104. Allocation and use of fund.
Sec. 105. Expansion of State assistance purposes.
Sec. 106. Allocation of amounts available for State purposes.
Sec. 107. State planning.
Sec. 108. Assistance to States for other projects.
Sec. 109. Conversion of property to other use.
TITLE II--URBAN PARK AND RECREATION RECOVERY PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
Sec. 201. Amendment of Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978.
Sec. 202. Purposes.
Sec. 203. Authority to develop new areas and facilities.
Sec. 204. Definitions.
Sec. 205. Eligibility.
Sec. 206. Grants.
Sec. 207. Recovery action programs.
Sec. 208. State action incentives.
Sec. 209. Conversion of recreation property.
Sec. 210. Availability of amounts.
Sec. 211. Repeal.
TITLE III--HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND
Sec. 301. Availability of amounts.
TITLE IV--FARMLAND, RANCHLAND, OPEN SPACE, AND FORESTLAND PROTECTION
Sec. 401. Purpose.
Sec. 402. Farmland, Ranchland, Open Space, and Forestland Protection
Fund; availability of amounts.
Sec. 403. Authorized uses of Farmland, Ranchland, Open Space, and
Forestland Protection Fund.
Sec. 404. Farmland Protection Program.
Sec. 405. Ranchland Protection Program.
TITLE V--FEDERAL AND INDIAN LANDS RESTORATION FUND
Sec. 501. Purpose.
Sec. 502. Federal and Indian Lands Restoration Fund; availability of
amounts; allocation.
Sec. 503. Authorized uses of fund.
Sec. 504. Indian tribe defined.
TITLE VI--LIVING MARINE RESOURCES CONSERVATION, RESTORATION, AND
MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE
Sec. 601. Purpose.
Sec. 602. Financial assistance to coastal States.
Sec. 603. Ocean conservation partnerships.
Sec. 604. Living Marine Resources Conservation Fund; availability of
amounts.
Sec. 605. Definitions.
TITLE VII--FUNDING FOR STATE NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND
RESTORATION
Sec. 701. Amendments to findings and purposes.
Sec. 702. Definitions.
Sec. 703. Conservation plans.
Sec. 704. Conservation actions in absence of conservation plan.
Sec. 705. Amendments relating to reimbursement process.
Sec. 706. Establishment of Native Fish and Wildlife Conservation and
Restoration Trust Fund; availability of amounts.
TITLE VIII--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY
Sec. 801. Purposes.
Sec. 802. Endangered and threatened species recovery assistance.
Sec. 803. Endangered and threatened species recovery agreements.
Sec. 804. Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Fund; availability
of amounts.
Sec. 805. Definitions.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) By establishing the Land and Water Conservation Fund in
1965, Congress determined that revenues generated by
extraction of nonrenewable oil and gas resources on the Outer
Continental Shelf should be dedicated to conservation and
preservation purposes.
(2) The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been used for
over three decades to protect and enhance national parks,
national forests, national wildlife refuges, and other public
lands throughout the Nation. In past years, the Land and
Water Conservation Fund has also provided States with vital
resources to assist with acquisition and development of local
park and outdoor recreation projects.
(3) In 1978, the Congress amended the Land and Water
Conservation Fund to authorize $900,000,000 of annual oil and
gas receipts to be used for Federal land acquisition and
State recreation projects. In recent years, however, the
Congress has failed to appropriate funds at the authorized
levels to meet Federal land acquisition needs, and has
entirely eliminated State recreation funding, leaving an
unallocated surplus of over $12,000,000,000 for fiscal year
1999.
(4) To better meet land acquisition needs and address
growing public demands for outdoor recreation, the Congress
should assure that the Land and Water Conservation Fund is
used as it was intended to acquire conservation lands and, in
partnership with State and local governments, to provide for
improved parks and outdoor recreational opportunities.
(5) The premise of using oil and gas receipts to meet
conservation and preservation objectives also underlies the
National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.).
Revenues to the Historic Preservation Fund accumulate at a
rate of $150,000,000 annually, but because the Congress has
failed in recent years to appropriate the authorized amounts,
the fund has an unallocated surplus of over $2,000,000,000
for fiscal year 1999. To reduce the growing backlog of
preservation needs, the Congress should assure that the
Historic Preservation Fund is used as was intended.
(6) Building upon the commitment to devote revenues from
existing offshore leases to resource protection through the
Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-
4) and the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470
et seq.), the Congress should also dedicate revenues from
existing oil and gas leases to meet critical national, State,
and local preservation and conservation needs.
(7) Suburban sprawl presents a growing threat to open space
and farmland in many areas of the Nation, with an estimated
loss of 7,000 acres of farmland and open space every day.
Financial resources and incentives are needed to promote the
protection of open space, farmland, ranchland, and forests.
(8) National parks, national forests, national wildlife
refuges, and other public lands have significant unmet repair
and maintenance needs for trails, campgrounds, and other
existing recreational infrastructure, even as outdoor
recreation and user demands on these resources are
increasing.
(9) Urban park and recreation needs have been neglected,
with resulting increases in crime and other inappropriate
activity, in part because the Congress has failed in recent
years to provide appropriations as authorized by the Urban
Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2501 et
seq.).
(10) Although the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) has prevented the extinction of many plants and
animals, the recovery of most species listed under that Act
has been hampered by a lack of financial resources and
incentives to encourage States and private landowners to
contribute to the recovery of protected species.
(11) Native fish and wildlife populations have declined in
many parts of the Nation, and face growing threats from
habitat loss and invasive species. Financial resources and
incentives are needed for States to improve conservation and
management of native species.
(12) Ocean and coastal ecosystems are increasingly degraded
by loss of habitat, pollution, over-fishing, and other
threats to the health and productivity of the marine
environment. Coastal States should be provided with financial
resources and incentives to better conserve, restore, and
manage living marine resources.
(13) The findings of the 1995 National Biological Survey
study entitled ``Endangered Ecosystems of the United States:
A Preliminary Assessment of Loss and Degradation'',
demonstrate the need to escalate conservation measures that
protect our Nation's wildlands and habitats.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to expand upon the
promises of the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965 (16
U.S.C. 460l-4 et seq.) and the National Historic Preservation
Act (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.) by providing permanent funding
for the protection and enhancement of the Nations natural,
historic, and cultural resources by a variety of means,
including--
(1) the acquisition of conservation lands;
(2) improvement of State and urban parks;
(3) preservation of open space, farmland, ranchland, and
forests;
(4) conservation of native fish and wildlife;
(5) recovery of endangered species; and
(6) restoration of coastal and marine resources.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Coastline.--The term ``coastline'' has the same meaning
that term has in the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301 et
seq.).
(2) Coastal state.--The term ``coastal State'' has the
meaning given the term ``coastal state'' in the Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.).
(3) Leased tract.--The term ``leased tract'' means a tract,
leased under section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands
Act (43 U.S.C. 1337) for the purpose of drilling for,
developing and producing oil and natural gas resources, which
is a unit consisting of either a block, a portion of a block,
a combination of blocks or portions of blocks (or both), as
specified in the lease, and as depicted on an Outer
Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagram.
(4) Qualified outer continental shelf revenues.--The term
``qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues''--
(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B)--
(i) means all moneys received by the United States from
each leased tract or portion of a leased tract located in the
Western or Central Gulf of Mexico, less such sums as may be
credited to States under section 8(g) of the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(g)) and amounts
needed for adjustments and refunds as overpayments for rents,
royalties, or other purposes; and
(ii) includes royalties (including payments for royalty
taken in-kind and sold), net profit share payments, and
related late-payment interest from natural gas and oil leases
issued pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43
U.S.C. 1331) for such a lease tract or portion; and
(B) does not include any moneys received by the United
States under--
[[Page S1813]]
(i) any lease issued on or after the date of the enactment
of this Act; or
(ii) any lease under which no oil or gas production has
occurred before January 1, 1999.
SEC. 5. REDUCTION IN DEPOSITS OF QUALIFIED OCS REVENUES FOR
ANY FISCAL YEAR FOR WHICH THOSE REVENUES ARE
REDUCED.
(a) Reduction in Deposits.--The amount of qualified Outer
Continental Shelf revenues that is otherwise required to be
deposited for a limited fiscal year into the Land and Water
Conservation Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, or any
other fund or account established by this Act (including the
amendments made by this Act) is hereby reduced, so that--
(1) the ratio that the amount deposited (after the
reduction) bears to the amount that would otherwise be
deposited, is equal to
(2) the ratio that the amount of qualified Outer
Continental Shelf Revenues for the fiscal year bears to--
(A) $2,050,000 for fiscal years 2000 and 2001;
(B) $2,150,000 for fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004; and
(C) $2,300,000 for fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year
thereafter.
(b) No Reduction in Deposits of Interest.--Subsection (a)
shall not apply to deposits of interest earned from
investment of amounts in a fund or other account.
(c) Limited Fiscal Year Defined.--In this section, the term
``limited fiscal year'' means a fiscal year in which the
total amount received by the United States as qualified Outer
Continental Shelf revenues is less than--
(1) $2,050,000, for fiscal years 2000 and 2001;
(2) $2,150,000, for fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004; and
(3) $2,300,000, for fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year
thereafter.
SEC. 6. LIMITATION ON USE OF AVAILABLE AMOUNTS FOR
ADMINISTRATION.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of amounts made
available by this Act (including the amendments made by this
Act) for a particular activity, not more than 2 percent may
be used for administrative expenses of that activity.
SEC. 7. BUDGETARY TREATMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the receipts
and disbursements of funds under this Act and the amendments
made by this Act--
(1) shall not be counted as new budget authority, outlays,
receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of--
(A) the budget of the United States Government as submitted
by the President;
(B) the congressional budget (including allocations of
budget authority and outlays provided therein); or
(C) the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act
of 1985; and
(2) shall be exempt from any general budget limitation
imposed by statute on expenditures and net lending (budget
outlays) of the United States Government.
TITLE I--LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND REVITALIZATION
SEC. 101. AMENDMENT OF LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND ACT
OF 1965.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this
title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to be made to a section or
other provision of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act
of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-4 et seq.)
SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR DEPOSITING AMOUNTS INTO
FUND.
Section 2 (16 U.S.C. 460l-5) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subsection (a) by striking
``During the period ending September 30, 2015, there shall be
covered into'' and inserting ``There shall be deposited
into'';
(2) in paragraph (c)(1) by striking ``through September 30,
2015''; and
(3) in paragraph (c)(2)--
(A) by striking ``shall be credited to the fund'' and all
that follows through ``as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.)''
and inserting ``shall be deposited into the fund, subject to
section 5 of the Resources 2000 Act, from amounts due and
payable to the United States as qualified Outer Continental
Shelf revenues (as that term is defined in section 4 of that
Act)''; and
(B) in the proviso by striking ``covered'' and inserting
``deposited''.
SEC. 103. AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.
Section 3 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6) is amended by striking so much
as precedes the third sentence and inserting the following:
``appropriations
``Sec. 3. (a) Of amounts in the fund, up to $900,000,000
shall be available each fiscal year for obligation or
expenditure without further appropriation, and shall remain
available until expended.
``(b) Moneys made available for obligation or expenditure
from the fund or from the special account established under
section 4(i)(1) may be obligated or expended only as provided
in this Act.
``(c) The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest moneys in
the fund that are excess to expenditures in public debt
securities with maturities suitable to the needs of the fund,
as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, and bearing
interest at rates determined by the Secretary of the
Treasury, taking into consideration current market yields on
outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of
comparable maturity. Interest earned on such investments
shall be deposited into the fund.''.
SEC. 104. ALLOCATION AND USE OF FUND.
Section 5 (16 U.S.C. 460l-7) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 5. ALLOCATION AND USE OF FUNDS.
``(a) In General.--Of the amounts made available for each
fiscal year by this Act--
``(1) 50 percent shall be available for Federal purposes
(in this section referred to as the `Federal portion'); and
``(2) 50 percent shall be available for grants to States.
``(b) Use of Federal Portion.--The President shall, in the
annual budget submitted by the President for each fiscal
year, specify the purposes for which the Federal portion of
the fund is to be used by the Secretary of the Interior and
the Secretary of Agriculture. Such funds shall be used by the
Secretary concerned for the purposes specified by the
President in such budget submission unless the Congress, in
an Act making appropriations for the Department of the
Interior and related agencies for such fiscal year, specifies
that any part of such Federal portion shall be used by the
Secretary concerned for other Federal purposes as authorized
by this Act.
``(c) Federal Priority List.--(1) For purposes of the
budget submission of the President for each fiscal year, the
President shall require the Secretary of the Interior and the
Secretary of Agriculture to prepare Federal priority lists
for expenditure of the Federal portion.
``(2) The Secretaries shall prepare the lists in
consultation with the head of each affected bureau or agency,
taking into account the best professional judgment regarding
the land acquisition priorities and policies of each bureau
or agency.
``(3) In preparing the priority lists, the Secretaries
shall consider--
``(A) the potential adverse impacts which might result if a
particular acquisition is not undertaken;
``(B) the availability of land appraisal and other
information necessary to complete an acquisition in a timely
manner; and
``(C) such other factors as the Secretaries consider
appropriate.''.
SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF STATE ASSISTANCE PURPOSES.
Section 6(a) (16 U.S.C. 460l-8) is amended by striking
``outdoor recreation:''.
SEC. 106. ALLOCATION OF AMOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR STATE PURPOSES.
Section 6(b) (16 U.S.C. 460l-8) is amended to read as
follows:
``(b) Distribution Among the States.--(1) Sums made
available from the fund each fiscal year for State purposes
shall be apportioned among the several States by the
Secretary, in accordance with this subsection. The
determination of the apportionment by the Secretary shall be
final.
``(2) Two-thirds of the sums made available from the fund
each fiscal year for State purposes shall be distributed by
the Secretary using criteria developed by the Secretary under
the following formula:
``(A) 30 percent shall be distributed equally among the
several States.
``(B) 70 percent shall be distributed on the basis of the
ratio which the population of each State bears to the total
population of all States.
``(3) One-third of the sums made available from the fund
each fiscal year for State purposes shall be distributed
among the several States by the Secretary under a competitive
grant program, subject to such criteria as the Secretary
determines necessary to further the purposes of the Act.
``(4) The total allocation to an individual State under
paragraphs (2) and (3) for a fiscal year shall not exceed 10
percent of the total amount allocated to the several States
under this subsection for that fiscal year.
``(5) The Secretary shall notify each State of its
apportionment, and the amounts thereof shall be available
thereafter to the State for planning, acquisition, or
development projects as hereafter described. Any amount of
any apportionment that has not been paid or obligated by the
Secretary during the fiscal year in which such notification
is given and the two fiscal years thereafter shall be
reapportioned by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph
(3), without regard to the 10 percent limitation to an
individual State specified in paragraph (4).
``(6)(A) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(A)--
``(i) the District of Columbia shall be treated as a State;
and
``(ii) Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam,
and American Samoa--
``(I) shall be treated collectively as one State; and
``(II) shall each be allocated an equal share of any amount
distributed to them pursuant to clause (i).
``(B) Each of the areas referred to in subparagraph (A)
shall be treated as a State for all other purposes of this
Act.''.
SEC. 107. STATE PLANNING.
Section 6(d) (16 U.S.C. 460l-8(d)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(d) State Plan.--(1)(A) A State plan shall be required
prior to the consideration by the Secretary of financial
assistance for acquisition or development projects. In order
to reduce costly repetitive planning efforts, a State may use
for such plan a current State comprehensive outdoor
recreation plan, a State recreation plan, or a State action
agenda under criteria developed by the Secretary if, in the
judgment of the Secretary,
[[Page S1814]]
the plan used encompasses and promotes the purposes of this
Act. No plan shall be approved for a State unless the
Governor of the State certifies that ample opportunity for
public participation in development and revision of the plan
has been accorded. The Secretary shall develop, in
consultation with others, criteria for public participation,
and such criteria shall constitute the basis for
certification by the Governor.
``(B) The plan or agenda shall contain--
``(i) the name of the State agency that will have the
authority to represent and act for the State in dealing with
the Secretary for purposes of this Act;
``(ii) an evaluation of the demand for and supply of
outdoor conservation and recreation resources and facilities
in the State;
``(iii) a program for the implementation of the plan or
agenda; and
``(iv) such other necessary information as may be
determined by the Secretary.
``(C) The plan or agenda shall take into account relevant
Federal resources and programs and be correlated so far as
practicable with other State, regional, and local plans.
``(2) The Secretary may provide financial assistance to any
State for the preparation of a State plan under subsection
(d)(1) when such plan is not otherwise available or for the
maintenance of such a plan.''.
SEC. 108. ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR OTHER PROJECTS.
Section 6(e) (16 U.S.C. 460l-8(e)) is amended--
(1) in subsection (e)(1) by striking ``, but not including
incidental costs relating to acquisition''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(2) by inserting before the period at
the end the following: ``or to enhance public safety.''.
SEC. 109. CONVERSION OF PROPERTY TO OTHER USE.
Section 6(f)(3) (16 U.S.C. 460l-8(f)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``No property''; and
(2) by striking the second sentence and inserting the
following:
``(B)(i) The Secretary shall approve such conversion only
if the State demonstrates that no prudent or feasible
alternative exists.
``(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply to property that is no
longer viable as an outdoor conservation or recreation
facility due to changes in demographics, or that must be
abandoned because of environmental contamination which
endangers public health and safety.
``(C)(i) The Secretary may not approve such conversion
unless the conversion satisfies any conditions the Secretary
considers necessary to assure the substitution of other
conservation and recreation properties of at least equal
market value and reasonable equivalent usefulness and
location and which are in accord with the existing State Plan
for conservation and recreation.
``(ii) For purposes of clause (i), wetland areas and
interests therein, as identified in a plan referred to in
that clause and proposed to be acquired as suitable
replacement property within the same State, that is otherwise
acceptable to the Secretary shall be considered to be of
reasonably equivalent usefulness with the property proposed
for conversion.''.
TITLE II--URBAN PARK AND RECREATION RECOVERY PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
SEC. 201. AMENDMENT OF URBAN PARK AND RECREATION RECOVERY ACT
OF 1978.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this
title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to be made to a section or
other provision of the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act
of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.).
SEC. 202. PURPOSES.
The purpose of this title is to provide a dedicated source
of funding to assist local governments in improving their
park and recreation systems.
SEC. 203. AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP NEW AREAS AND FACILITIES.
Section 1003 (16 U.S.C. 2502) is amended by inserting
``development of new recreation areas and facilities,
including the acquisition of lands for such development,''
after ``rehabilitation of critically needed recreation areas,
facilities,''.
SEC. 204. DEFINITIONS.
Section 1004 (16 U.S.C. 2503) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (j) by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (k) by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(l) `development grants'--
``(1) means matching capital grants to units of local
government to cover costs of development, land acquisition,
and construction on existing or new neighborhood recreation
sites, including indoor and outdoor recreational areas and
facilities, and support facilities; and
``(2) does not include landscaping, routine maintenance,
and upkeep activities;
``(m) `qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues' has the
meaning given that term in section 4 of the Resources 2000
Act; and
``(n) `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.''.
SEC. 205. ELIGIBILITY.
Section 1005(a) (16 U.S.C. 2504(a)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(a) Eligibility of general purpose local governments to
compete for assistance under this title shall be based upon
need as determined by the Secretary. Generally, eligible
general purpose local governments shall include the
following:
``(1) All political subdivisions of Metropolitan, Primary,
or Consolidated Statistical Areas, as determined by the most
recent Census.
``(2) Any other city or town within such a Metropolitan
Statistical Area, that has a total population of 50,000 or
more as determined by the most recent Census.
``(3) Any other county, parish, or township with a total
population of 250,000 or more as determined by the most
recent Census.''.
SEC. 206. GRANTS.
Section 1006 (16 U.S.C. 2505) is amended by striking so
much as precedes subsection (a)(3) and inserting the
following:
``Sec. 1006. (a)(1) The Secretary may provide 70 percent
matching grants for rehabilitation, development, and
innovation purposes to any eligible general purpose local
government upon approval by the Secretary of an application
submitted by the chief executive of such government.
``(2) At the discretion of such an applicant, a grant under
this section may be transferred in whole or part to
independent special purpose local governments, private
nonprofit agencies, or county or regional park authorities,
if--
``(A) such transfer is consistent with the approved
application for the grant; and
``(B) the applicant provides assurance to the Secretary
that the applicant will maintain public recreation
opportunities at assisted areas and facilities owned or
managed by the applicant in accordance with section 1010.
``(3) Payments may be made only for those rehabilitation,
development, or innovation projects that have been approved
by the Secretary. Such payments may be made from time to time
in keeping with the rate of progress toward completion of a
project, on a reimbursable basis.''.
SEC. 207. RECOVERY ACTION PROGRAMS.
Section 1007(a) (16 U.S.C. 2506(a)) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) in the first sentence by inserting
``development,'' after ``commitments to ongoing planning,'';
and
(2) in subsection (a)(2) by inserting ``development and''
after ``adequate planning for''.
SEC. 208. STATE ACTION INCENTIVES.
Section 1008 (16 U.S.C. 2507) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before the first
sentence; and
(2) by striking the last sentence of subsection (a) (as
designated by paragraph (1) of this section) and inserting
the following:
``(b) Coordination With Land and Water Conservation Fund
Activities.--(1) The Secretary and general purpose local
governments are encouraged to coordinate preparation of
recovery action programs required by this title with State
plans required under section 6 of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965, including by allowing
flexibility in preparation of recovery action programs so
they may be used to meet State and local qualifications for
local receipt of Land and Water Conservation Fund grants or
State grants for similar purposes or for other conservation
or recreation purposes.
(2) The Secretary shall encourage States to consider the
findings, priorities, strategies, and schedules included in
the recovery action programs of their urban localities in
preparation and updating of State plans in accordance with
the public coordination and citizen consultation requirements
of subsection 6(d) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Act of 1965.''.
SEC. 209. CONVERSION OF RECREATION PROPERTY.
Section 1010 (16 U.S.C. 2509) is amended to read as
follows:
``conversion of recreation property
``Sec. 1010. (a)(1) No property developed, acquired, or
rehabilitated under this title shall, without the approval of
the Secretary, be converted to any purpose other than public
recreation purposes.
``(2) Paragraph (1) shall apply to--
``(A) property developed with amounts provided under this
title; and
``(B) the park, recreation, or conservation area of which
the property is a part.
``(b)(1) The Secretary shall approve such conversion only
if the grantee demonstrates no prudent or feasible
alternative exists.
``(2) Paragraph (1) shall apply to property that is no
longer a viable recreation facility due to changes in
demographics or that must be abandoned because of
environmental contamination which endangers public health or
safety.
``(c) Any conversion must satisfy any conditions the
Secretary considers necessary to assure substitution of other
recreation property that is--
``(1) of at least equal fair market value, or reasonably
equivalent usefulness and location; and
``(2) in accord with the current recreation recovery action
plan of the grantee.''.
SEC. 210. AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.
Section 1013 (16 U.S.C. 2512) is amended to read as
follows:
``appropriations
``Sec. 1013. (a) In General.--
``(1) Establishment of fund.--There is established in the
Treasury of the United States a fund that shall be known as
the `Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Fund' (in this
section referred to as the `Fund'). The Fund shall consist of
such amounts as
[[Page S1815]]
are deposited into the Fund under this subsection. Amounts in
the fund shall only be used to carry out this title.
``(2) Deposits.--Subject to section 5 of the Resources 2000
Act, from amounts received by the United States as qualified
Outer Continental Shelf revenues there shall be deposited
into the fund $100,000,000 each fiscal year.
``(3) Availability.--Of amounts in the fund, up to
$100,000,000 shall be available each fiscal year without
further appropriation, and shall remain available until
expended.
``(4) Investment of Excess Amounts.--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall invest moneys in the Fund that are excess to
expenditures in public debt securities with maturities
suitable to the needs of the Fund, as determined by the
Secretary of the Treasury, and bearing interest at rates
determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into
consideration current market yields on outstanding marketable
obligations of the United States of comparable maturity.
Interest earned on such investments shall be deposited into
the Fund.
``(b) Limitations on Annual Grants.--Of amounts available
to the Secretary each fiscal year under this section--
``(1) not more that 3 percent may be used for grants for
the development of local park and recreation recovery action
programs pursuant to sections 1007(a) and 1007(c);
``(2) not more than 10 percent may be used for innovation
grants pursuant to section 1006; and
``(3) not more than 15 percent may be provided as grants
(in the aggregate) for projects in any one State.
``(c) Limitation on Use for Grant Administration.--The
Secretary shall establish a limit on the portion of any grant
under this title that may be used for grant and program
administration.''.
SEC. 211. REPEAL.
Section 1015 (16 U.S.C. 2514) is repealed.
TITLE III--HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND
SEC. 301. AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.
Section 108 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16
U.S.C. 470h) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before the first sentence;
(2) in subsection (a) (as designated by paragraph (1) of
this section) by striking ``There shall be covered into such
fund'' and all that follows through ``(43 U.S.C. 338),'' and
inserting ``Subject to section 5 of the Resources 2000 Act,
there shall be deposited into such fund $150,000,000 for each
fiscal year after fiscal year 1998 from revenues due and
payable to the United States as qualified Outer Continental
Shelf revenues (as that term is defined in section 4 of that
Act),''.
(3) by striking the third sentence of subsection (a) (as so
designated) and all that follows through the end of the
subsection and inserting ``Such moneys shall be used only to
carry out the purposes of this Act.''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(b)(1) Of amounts in the fund, up to $150,000,000 shall
be available each fiscal year after September 30, 1999, for
obligation or expenditure without further appropriation to
carry out the purposes of this Act, and shall remain
available until expended.
``(2) At least \1/2\ of the funds obligated or expended
each fiscal year under this section shall be used in
accordance with this Act for preservation projects on
historic properties. In making such funds available, the
Secretary shall give priority to the preservation of
endangered historic properties.
``(c) The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest moneys in
the fund that are excess to expenditures in public debt
securities with maturities suitable to the needs of the fund,
as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, and bearing
interest at rates determined by the Secretary of the
Treasury, taking into consideration current market yields on
outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of
comparable maturity. Interest earned on such investments
shall be deposited into the fund.''.
TITLE IV--FARMLAND, RANCHLAND, OPEN SPACE, AND FORESTLAND PROTECTION
SEC. 401. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this title is to provide a dedicated source
of funding to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary
of the Interior for programs to provide matching grants to
certain eligible entities to facilitate the purchase of
conservation easements on farmland, ranchland, open space,
and forestland in order to--
(1) protect the ability of these lands to continue in
productive sustainable agricultural use; and
(2) prevent the loss of their value to the public as open
space because of nonagricultural development.
SEC. 402. FARMLAND, RANCHLAND, OPEN SPACE, AND FORESTLAND
PROTECTION FUND; AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.
(a) Establishment of Fund.--There is established in the
Treasury of the United States a fund that shall be known as
the ``Farmland, Ranchland, Open Space, and Forestland
Protection Fund'' (in this title referred to as the
``Fund''). Subject to section 5 of this Act, there shall be
deposited into the Fund $150,000,000 of qualified Outer
Continental Shelf revenues received by the United States each
fiscal year.
(b) Availability.--Amounts in the Fund shall be available
as provided in section 403, without further appropriation,
and shall remain available until expended.
(c) Investment of Excess Amounts.--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall invest moneys in the Fund that are excess to
expenditures in public debt securities with maturities
suitable to the needs of the Fund, as determined by the
Secretary of the Treasury, and bearing interest at rates
determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into
consideration current market yields on outstanding marketable
obligations of the United States of comparable maturity.
Interest earned on such investments shall be deposited into
the Fund
SEC. 403. AUTHORIZED USES OF FARMLAND, RANCHLAND, OPEN SPACE,
AND FORESTLAND PROTECTION FUND.
(a) Farmland Protection Program.--The Secretary of
Agriculture may use up to $50,000,000 annually from the
Farmland, Ranchland, Open Space, and Forestland Protection
Fund for the Farmland Protection Program established under
section 388 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform
Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127; 16 U.S.C. 3830 note), as
amended by section 404.
(b) Ranchland Protection Program.--The Secretary of the
Interior may use up to $50,000,000 annually from the Fund for
the Ranchland Protection Program established by section 405.
(c) Forest Legacy Program.--The Secretary of Agriculture
may use up to $50,000,000 annually from the Fund for the
Forest Legacy Program established by section 7 of the
Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C.
2103c).
SEC. 404. FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM.
(a) Expansion of Existing Program.--Section 388 of the
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
(Public Law 104-127; 16 U.S.C. 3830 note) is amended to read
as follows:
``SEC. 388. FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM.
``(a) Grants Authorized; Purpose.--The Secretary of
Agriculture shall establish and carry out a program, to be
known as the `Farmland Protection Program', under which the
Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities described
in subsection (c) to provide the Federal share of the cost of
purchasing permanent conservation easements in land with
prime, unique, or other productive soil for the purpose of
protecting the continued use of the land as farmland or open
space by limiting nonagricultural uses of the land.
``(b) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of
purchasing a conservation easement described in subsection
(a) may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of purchasing
the easement.
``(c) Eligible Entity Defined.--In this section, the term
`eligible entity' means--
(1) an agency of a State or local government;
(2) a federally recognized Indian tribe; or
(3) any organization that is organized for, and at all
times since its formation has been operated principally for,
one or more of the conservation purposes specified in clause
(i), (ii), or (iii) of section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 and--
(A) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Code;
(B) is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the
Code; and
(C) is described in paragraph (2) of section 509(a) of the
Code, or paragraph (3) of such section, but is controlled by
an organization described in paragraph (2) of such section.
``(d) Title; Enforcement.--Any eligible entity may hold
title to a conservation easement described in subsection (a)
and enforce the conservation requirements of the easement.
``(e) State Certification.--As a condition of the receipt
by an eligible entity of a grant under subsection (a), the
attorney general of the State in which the conservation
easement is to be purchased using the grant funds shall
certify that the conservation easement to be purchased is in
a form that is sufficient, under the laws of the State, to
achieve the conservation purpose of the Farmland Protection
Program and the terms and conditions of the grant.
``(f) Conservation Plan.--Any land for which a conservation
easement is purchased under this section shall be subject to
the requirements of a conservation plan to the extent that
the plan does not negate or adversely affect the restrictions
contained in the easement.
``(g) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of Agriculture
may not use more than 10 percent of the amount that is made
available for any fiscal year under this program to provide
technical assistance to carry out this section.''.
(b) Effect on Existing Easements.--The amendment made by
subsection (a) shall not affect the validity or terms of
conservation easements and other interests in lands purchased
under section 388 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127; 16 U.S.C. 3830 note)
before the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 405. RANCHLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM.
(a) Grants Authorized; Purpose.--The Secretary of Interior
shall establish and carry out a program, to be known as the
``Ranchland Protection Program'', under which the Secretary
shall provide grants to eligible entities described in
subsection (c) to provide the Federal share of the cost of
purchasing permanent conservation easements on ranchland,
which is in danger of conversion to nonagricultural uses, for
the purpose of protecting the continued use of the land as
ranchland or open space.
[[Page S1816]]
(b) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of
purchasing a conservation easement described in subsection
(a) may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of purchasing
the easement.
(c) Eligible Entity Defined.--In this section, the term
``eligible entity'' means--
(1) an agency of a State or local government;
(2) a federally recognized Indian tribe; or
(3) any organization that is organized for, and at all
times since its formation has been operated principally for,
one or more of the conservation purposes specified in clause
(i), (ii), or (iii) of section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 and--
(A) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Code;
(B) is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the
Code; and
(C) is described in paragraph (2) of section 509(a) of the
Code, or paragraph (3) of such section, but is controlled by
an organization described in paragraph (2) of such section.
(d) Title; Enforcement.--Any eligible entity may hold title
to a conservation easement described in subsection (a) and
enforce the conservation requirements of the easement.
(e) State Certification.--As a condition of the receipt by
an eligible entity of a grant under subsection (a), the
attorney general of the State in which the conservation
easement is to be purchased using the grant funds shall
certify that the conservation easement to be purchased is in
a form that is sufficient, under the laws of the State, to
achieve the conservation purpose of the Ranchland Protection
Program and the terms and conditions of the grant.
(f) Conservation Plan.--Any land for which a conservation
easement is purchased under this section shall be subject to
the requirements of a conservation plan to the extent that
the plan does not negate or adversely affect the restrictions
contained in the easement.
(g) Ranchland Defined.--In this section, the term
``ranchland'' means private or tribally owned rangeland,
pastureland, grazed forest land, and hay land.
(h) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of the Interior
may not use more than 10 percent of the amount that is made
available for any fiscal year under this program to provide
technical assistance to carry out this section.
TITLE V--FEDERAL AND INDIAN LANDS RESTORATION FUND
SEC. 501. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this title is to provide a dedicated source
of funding for a coordinated program on Federal and Indian
lands to restore degraded lands, protect resources that are
threatened with degradation, and protect public health and
safety.
SEC. 502. FEDERAL AND INDIAN LANDS RESTORATION FUND;
AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS; ALLOCATION.
(a) Establishment of Fund.--There is established in the
Treasury of the United States a fund that shall be known as
the ``Federal and Indian Lands Restoration Fund''. Subject to
section 5 of this Act, there shall be deposited into the fund
$250,000,000 of qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues
received by the United States each fiscal year. Amounts in
the fund shall only be used to carry out the purpose of this
title.
(b) Availability.--Of amounts in the fund, up to
$250,000,000 shall be available each fiscal year without
further appropriation, and shall remain available until
expended.
(c) Allocation.--Amounts made available under this section
shall be allocated as follows:
(1) Department of the interior.--60 percent shall be
available to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the
purpose of this title on lands within the National Park
System, National Wildlife Refuge System, and public lands
administered by the Bureau of Land Management.
(2) Department of agriculture.--30 percent shall be
available to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the
purpose of this title on lands within the National Forest
System.
(3) Indian tribes.--10 percent shall be available to the
Secretary of the Interior for competitive grants to qualified
Indian tribes under section 503(b).
(d) Investment of Excess Amounts.--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall invest moneys in the fund that are excess to
expenditures in public debt securities with maturities
suitable to the needs of the fund, as determined by the
Secretary of the Treasury, and bearing interest at rates
determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into
consideration current market yields on outstanding marketable
obligations of the United States of comparable maturity.
Interest earned on such investments shall be deposited into
the fund.
SEC. 503. AUTHORIZED USES OF FUND.
(a) In General.--Funds made available pursuant to this
title shall be used solely for restoration of degraded lands,
resource protection, maintenance activities related to
resource protection, or protection of public health or
safety.
(b) Competitive Grants to Indian Tribes.--
(1) Grant authority.--The Secretary of the Interior shall
administer a competitive grant program for Indian tribes,
using such criteria as may be developed by the Secretary to
achieve the purpose of this title.
(2) Limitation.--The amount received for a fiscal year by a
single Indian tribe in the form of grants under this
subsection may not exceed 10 percent of the total amount
provided to all Indian tribes for that fiscal year in the
form of such grants.
(c) Priority List.--The Secretary of the Interior and the
Secretary of Agriculture shall each establish priority lists
for the use of funds available under this title. Each list
shall give priority to projects based upon the protection of
significant resources, the severity of damages or threats to
resources, and the protection of public health or safety.
(d) Compliance With Applicable Plans.--Any project carried
out on Federal lands with amounts provided under this title
shall be carried out in accordance with all management plans
that apply under Federal law to the lands.
(e) Tracking Results.--Not later than the end of the first
full fiscal year for which funds are available under this
title, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of
Agriculture shall jointly establish a coordinated program
for--
(1) tracking the progress of activities carried out with
amounts made available by this title; and
(2) determining the extent to which demonstrable results
are being achieved by those activities.
SEC. 504. INDIAN TRIBE DEFINED.
In this title, the term ``Indian tribe'' means an Indian or
Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or
community that the Secretary of the Interior recognizes as an
Indian tribe under section 104 of the Federally Recognized
Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a-1).
TITLE VI--LIVING MARINE RESOURCES CONSERVATION, RESTORATION, AND
MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE
SEC. 601. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this title is to provide a dedicated source
of funding for a coordinated program to--
(1) preserve biological diversity and natural assemblages
of living marine resources, and their habitat; and
(2) provide financial assistance to the coastal States,
private citizens, and nongovernmental entities for the
conservation, restoration, and management of living marine
resources and their habitat.
SEC. 602. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COASTAL STATES.
(a) Authorization of Assistance.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may use amounts allocated to
an eligible coastal State under subsection (b) to reimburse
the State for costs described in paragraph (3) that are
incurred by the State.
(2) Eligible coastal states.--A coastal State shall be an
eligible coastal State under paragraph (1) if--
(A) the State has an Living Marine Resources Conservation
Plan that is approved under subsection (d); or
(B) the Secretary determines that the State is making
sufficient progress toward completion of such a plan.
(3) Costs eligible for reimbursement.--The costs referred
to in paragraph (1) are the following:
(A) The costs of developing an Living Marine Resources
Conservation Plan pursuant to subsection (d), as follows:
(i) Not to exceed 90 of such costs incurred in each of the
first three fiscal years that begin after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(ii) Not to exceed 75 percent of such costs incurred in
each of the fourth and fifth fiscal years that begin after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
(iii) Not to exceed 75 percent of such costs incurred in
the sixth or seventh year that begins after the date of the
enactment of this Act (or both), upon a showing by the State
of a need for that assistance for that year and a finding by
the Secretary that the plan is likely to be completed within
that 2-fiscal-year period.
(B) Not to exceed 75 percent of the costs of implementing
and revising an approved conservation plan.
(C) Not to exceed 90 percent of implementing conservation
actions under an approved conservation plan that are
undertaken--
(i) in cooperation with one or more other coastal States;
or
(ii) in coordination with Federal actions for the
conservation, restoration, or management of living marine
resources.-
(4) Emergency funding.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the
Secretary may reimburse a coastal State for 100 percent of
the cost of conservation actions on a showing of need by the
State and if those actions--
(A) are substantial in character and design;
(B) meet such of the requirements of subsection (d) as may
be appropriate; and
(C) are considered by the Secretary to be necessary to
fulfill the purpose of this title.
(5) In-kind contributions; limitation on included costs.--
(A) In computing the costs incurred by any State during any
fiscal year for purposes of paragraphs (1) and (4), the
Secretary, subject to subparagraph (B), shall take into
account, in addition to each outlay by the State, the value
of in-kind contributions (including real and personal
property and services) received and applied by the State
during the year for activities for which the costs are
computed.
(B) In computing the costs incurred by any State during any
fiscal year for purposes of paragraphs (1) and (4)--
(i) the Secretary shall not include costs paid by the State
using Federal moneys received and applied by the State,
directly or indirectly, for the activities for which the
costs are computed; and
[[Page S1817]]
(ii) the Secretary shall not include in-kind contributions
in excess of 50 percent of the amount of reimbursement paid
to the State under this subsection for the fiscal year.
(C) For purposes of subparagraph (A), in-kind contributions
may be in the form of, but are not required to be limited to,
personal services rendered by volunteers in carrying out
surveys, censuses, and other scientific studies regarding
living marine resources. The Secretary shall by regulation
establish--
(i) the training, experience, and other qualifications
which such volunteers must have in order for their services
to be considered as in-kind contributions; and
(ii) the standards under which the Secretary will determine
the value of in-kind contributions and real and personal
property for purposes of subparagraph (A).
(D) Any valuation determination made by the Secretary for
purposes of this paragraph shall be final and conclusive.
(b) Allocation of Funds.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall allocate among all
coastal States the funds available each fiscal year under
section 604(b), as follows:
(A) A portion equal to \2/3\ of the funds shall be
allocated by allocating to each coastal State an amount that
bears the same ratio to that portion as the coastal
population of the State bears to the total coastal population
of all coastal States.
(B) A portion equal to \1/3\ of the funds shall be
allocated by allocating to each coastal State an amount that
bears the same ratio to that portion as the shoreline miles
of the State bears to the shoreline miles of all coastal
States.
(2) Minimum and maximum allocations.--Notwithstanding
paragraph (1), the total amount allocated to a coastal State
under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) for a fiscal
year shall be not less than \1/2\ of one percent, and not
more than 10 percent, of the total amount of funds available
under section 604(b) for the fiscal year.
(c) Availability of Funds to States.--
(1) In general.--Amounts allocated to a coastal State under
this section for a fiscal year shall be available for
expenditure by the State in accordance with this section
without further appropriation, and shall remain available for
expenditure for the subsequent fiscal year.
(2) Reversion.--(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
amounts allocated under subsection (b)(1) to a coastal State
for a fiscal year that are not expended before the end of the
subsequent fiscal year shall, upon the expiration of the
subsequent fiscal year, revert to the Fund and remain
available for reallocation under subsection (b).
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to amounts that are
otherwise subject to reallocation under this paragraph if the
Secretary certifies in writing that the purposes of this
title would be better served if the amounts remained
available for use by the coastal State.
(C) Amounts that remain available to a coastal State
pursuant to a certification under subparagraph (B) may remain
available for a period specified by the Secretary in the
certification, which shall not exceed 2 fiscal years.
(d) Approval of Coastal State Living Marine Resources
Conservation Plans.--
(1) Submission.--A coastal State that seeks financial
assistance under this section shall submit to the Secretary,
in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulation
prescribe, an application that contains a proposed Living
Marine Resources Conservation Plan.
(2) Review and approval.--As soon as is practicable, but no
later than 180 days, after the date on which a coastal State
submits (or resubmits in the case of a prior disapproval) an
application for the approval of a proposed Living Marine
Resources Conservation Plan, the Secretary shall--
(A) approve the plan, if the Secretary determines that the
plan--
(i) fulfills the purpose of this title;
(ii) is substantial in character and design; and
(iii) meets the requirements set forth in subsection (e);
or
(B) if the proposed plan does not meet the criteria set
forth in subparagraph (A), disapprove the conservation plan
and provide the coastal State--
(i) a written statement of the reasons for disapproval;
(ii) an opportunity to consult with the Secretary regarding
deficiencies in the plan and the modifications required for
approval; and
(iii) an opportunity to revise and resubmit the plan.
(e) Living Marine Resources Conservation Plans.--The
Secretary may not approve an Living Marine Resources
Conservation Plan proposed by a coastal State unless the
Secretary determines that the plan--
(1) promotes balanced and diverse assemblages of living
marine resources;
(2) provides for the vesting in a designated State agency
the overall responsibility for the development and revision
of the plan;
(3) provides for an inventory of the living marine
resources that are within the waters of the State and are of
value to the public for ecological, economic, cultural,
recreational, scientific, educational, and esthetic benefits;
(4) with respect to species inventoried under paragraph (3)
(in this subsection referred to as ``plan species''),
provides for--
(A) determination of the size, range, and distribution of
their populations; and
(B) identification of the extent, condition, and location
of their habitats;
(5) provides for identification of any significant factors
which may adversely affect the plan species and their
habitats;
(6) provides for determination and implementation of the
actions that should be taken to conserve, restore, and manage
the plan species and their habitats;
(7) provides for establishment of priorities for
implementing conservation actions determined under paragraph
(6);
(8) provides for the monitoring, on a regular basis, of the
plan species and the effectiveness of the conservation
actions determined under paragraph (6);
(9) provides for review and, if appropriate, revision of
the plan, at intervals of not more than 3 years;
(10) ensures that the public is given opportunity to make
its views known and considered during the development,
revision, and implementation of the plan;
(11) identifies and establishes mechanisms for coordinating
conservation, restoration, and management actions under the
plan with appropriate Federal and interstate bodies with
responsibility for living marine resources management and
conservation; and
(12) provides for consultation by the State agency
designated under paragraph (2), as appropriate, with Federal
and State agencies, interstate bodies, nongovernmental
entities, and the private sector during the development,
revision, and implementation of the plan, in order to
minimize duplication of effort and to ensure that the best
information is available to all parties.
SEC. 603. OCEAN CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may use amounts available
under section 604(b) to make grants for the conservation,
restoration, or management of living marine resources.
(b) Eligibility and Application.--Any person may apply to
the Secretary for a grant under this section, in such manner
as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe.
(c) Review Process.--Not later than 6 months after
receiving an application for a grant under this section, the
Secretary shall--
(1) request written comments on the project proposal
contained in the application from each State or territory of
the United States, and from each Regional Fishery Management
Council established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.),
having jurisdiction over any area in which the project is
proposed to be carried out;
(2) provide for the merit-based peer review of the project
proposal and require standardized documentation of that peer
review;
(3) after reviewing any written comments and
recommendations received under subsection (c)(1), and based
on such comments and recommendations and peer review, approve
or disapprove the proposal; and
(4) provide written notification of that approval or
disapproval to the applicant.
(d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a
proposal for a grant under this section only if the Secretary
determines that the proposed project--
(1) fulfills the purposes of this title;
(2) is substantial in character and design; and
(3) provide for the long-term conservation, restoration, or
management of living marine resources.
(e) Priority Consideration.--In approving and disapproving
proposals under this section, the Secretary shall give
priority to funding proposed projects that, in addition to
satisfying the criteria of subsection (d), will--
(1) establish or enhance existing cooperation and
coordination between the public and private sectors;
(2) assist in achieving the objectives of a National
Estuary, National Marine Sanctuary, National Estuarine
Research, Reserve, or other marine protected area established
under Federal or State law; or
(3) assist in the conservation and enhancement of essential
fish habitat pursuant to the Magnuson Fishery Conservation
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
(f) Limitation on Amount of Grants.--The amount provided to
a private person in a fiscal year in the form of a grant
under this section may not exceed 2 percent of the total
amount available for the fiscal year for such grants.
(g) Terms and Conditions of Grants.--The Secretary shall
require that each grantee under this section shall conform
with such record-keeping requirements, reporting
requirements, and other terms and conditions as the Secretary
shall by regulation prescribe.
SEC. 604. LIVING MARINE RESOURCES CONSERVATION FUND;
AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.
(a) Establishment of Fund.--
(1) In general.--There is established in the Treasury of
the United States a fund which shall be known as the ``Living
Marine Resources Conservation Fund''.
(2) Contents.--The Fund shall consist of--
(A) amounts deposited into the Fund under this section; and
(B) amounts that revert to the Fund under section
602(c)(2).
(3) Deposit of ocs revenues.--Subject to section 5 of this
Act, from amounts received by the United States as qualified
Outer Continental Shelf revenues each fiscal year, there
shall be deposited into the Fund the following:
(A) For each of fiscal years 2000 and 2001, $100,000,000.
(B) For each of fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004,
$200,000,000.
[[Page S1818]]
(C) For each of fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year
thereafter, $300,000,000.
(b) Availability of Amounts.--
(1) In general.--Of amounts in the Fund, up to the amount
stated for a fiscal year in paragraph (3) shall be available
to the Secretary for that fiscal year without further
appropriation to carry out this title, and shall remain
available until expended.
(2) Use.--Of the amounts expended under this subsection for
a fiscal year--
(A) \2/3\ shall be used by the Secretary for providing
financial assistance to coastal States under section 602; and
(B) \1/3\ shall used by the Secretary for grants under
section 603.
(c) Investment of Excess Amounts.--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall invest moneys in the Fund that are excess to
expenditures in public debt securities with maturities
suitable to the needs of the Fund, as determined by the
Secretary of the Treasury, and bearing interest at rates
determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into
consideration current market yields on outstanding marketable
obligations of the United States of comparable maturity.
Interest earned on such investments shall be deposited into
the Fund.
SEC. 605. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Coastal population.--The term ``coastal population''
means the population of all political subdivisions, as
determined by the most recent official data of the Census
Bureau, contained in whole or in part within the designated
coastal boundary of a State as defined in a State's coastal
zone management program under the Coastal Zone Management Act
of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.).
(2) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the Living Marine
Resources Conservation Fund established by section 604.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
(4) Living marine resources.--The term ``living marine
resources'' means indigenous fin fish, anadromous fish,
mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of marine animal
and plant life, including marine mammals and birds, that
inhabit marine or brackish waters of the United States during
all or part of their life cycle.
TITLE VII--FUNDING FOR STATE NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND
RESTORATION
SEC. 701. AMENDMENTS TO FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Section 2(a) of the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2901(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``Fish and wildlife'' and
inserting ``Native fish and wildlife'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``fish and wildlife, particularly nongame
fish and wildlife'' and inserting ``native fish and wildlife,
particularly nongame species''; and
(B) by striking ``maintaining fish and wildlife'' and
inserting ``maintaining biological diversity'';
(3) in paragraph (3) by striking ``fish and wildlife'' and
inserting ``native fish and wildlife'';
(4) in paragraph (4) by striking ``nongame fish and
wildlife'' and inserting ``native fish and wildlife''; and
(5) in paragraph (5) by striking ``fish and wildlife'' and
all that follows through the end of the sentence and
inserting ``native fish and wildlife.''.
(b) Purposes.--Section 2(b) of the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2901(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``nongame fish and wildlife'' each place it
appears and inserting ``native fish and wildlife'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs
(2) and (3), respectively, and inserting before paragraph (2)
(as so redesignated) the following:
``(1) to preserve biological diversity by maintaining
natural assemblages of native fish and wildlife;''; and
(3) in paragraph (2), as redesignated, by inserting after
``States'' the following: ``(and through the States to local
governments where appropriate)''.
SEC. 702. DEFINITIONS.
Section 3 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980
(16 U.S.C. 2902) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2) by striking ``fish and wildlife'' and
inserting ``native fish and wildlife'';
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``fish and wildlife'' and inserting
``native fish and wildlife''; and
(B) by striking ``development'' and inserting ``and
restoration'';
(3) in paragraph (4) by striking ``fish and wildlife'' and
inserting ``native fish and wildlife'';
(4) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:
``(5) The term `native fish and wildlife'--
``(A) subject to subparagraph (B), means a fish, animal, or
plant species that--
``(i) historically occurred or currently occurs in an
ecosystem, other than as a result of an introduction; and
``(ii) lives in an unconfined state; and
``(B) does not include any population of a domesticated
species that has reverted to a feral existence.
Any determination by the Secretary that a species is or is
not a species of native fish and wildlife for purposes of
this Act shall be final.'';
(5) by striking paragraph (6) and redesignating paragraphs
(7) and (8) as paragraphs (6) and (7), respectively; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) The term `Native Wildlife Fund' means the Native Fish
and Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Fund established by
section 11.
``(9) The term `qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues'
has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Resources
2000 Act.''.
SEC. 703. CONSERVATION PLANS.
Section 4 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980
(16 U.S.C. 2903) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (10) in order
as paragraphs (2) through (11);
(2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(1) promote balanced and diverse assemblages of native
fish and wildlife;'';
(3) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) by striking
``nongame'' and all that follows through ``appropriate,'' and
inserting ``native fish and wildlife'';
(4) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated) by striking
``(2)'' and inserting ``(3)'';
(5) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated) by striking
``problems'' and inserting ``factors''; and
(6) in paragraphs (7) and (8) (as so redesignated) by
striking ``(5)'' and inserting ``(6)''.
SEC. 704. CONSERVATION ACTIONS IN ABSENCE OF CONSERVATION
PLAN.
(a) In General.--Section 5 of the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2904) is amended--
(1) in the section heading by striking ``nongame'';
(2) by striking subsection (c), and redesignating
subsection (d) as subsection (c); and
(3) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated) by--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``nongame';
(B) striking ``nongame fish and wildlife'' and inserting
``native fish and wildlife''; and
(C) striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of
paragraph (1), striking the period at the end of paragraph
(2) and inserting ``; and'', and adding at the end the
following:
``(3) are consistent with the purposes of this Act.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 6 of the Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2905) is amended
by striking ``section 5(c) and (d)'' each place it appears
and inserting ``section 5(c)''.
SEC. 705. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS.
Section 6 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980
(16 U.S.C. 2905) is amended--
(1) in the section heading by striking ``NONGAME'';
(2) in subsection (a)(3) by striking ``nongame fish and
wildlife'';
(3) in subsection (d) by striking ``appropriated'' and
inserting ``available'';
(4) in subsection (e)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``1991'' and inserting
``2010'';
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking ``1986'' and inserting ``2005'';
(ii) by striking ``section 5(d)'' and inserting ``section
5(c)'';
(iii) by striking ``nongame fish and wildlife'' and
inserting ``conservation''; and
(iv) by adding ``or'' after the semicolon;
(C) by striking subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E);
(D) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (C);
(E) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated) by striking
``nongame fish and wildlife'' and inserting ``native fish and
wildlife''; and
(F) in subparagraph (C)(ii) (as so redesignated) by
striking ``10 percent'' and inserting ``50 percent'';
(5) in subsection (e)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``1982, 1983, and
1984'' and inserting ``2001, 2002, and 2003'';
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``nongame fish and
wildlife''; and
(C) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows:
``(D) after September 30, 2010, may not exceed 75 percent
of the cost of implementing and revising the plan during the
fiscal year.''; and
(6) in subsection (e)(4)--
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``nongame fish and
wildlife''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``fish and wildlife''
and inserting ``native fish and wildlife''.
SEC. 706. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE
CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION TRUST FUND;
AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.
(a) Establishment of Fund.--Section 11 of the Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2910) is amended
to read as follows:
``SEC. 11. NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND
RESTORATION FUND.
``(a) Establishment of Fund.--(1) There is established in
the Treasury of the United States a fund which shall be known
as the `Native Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Restoration
Fund'. The Native Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fund shall
consist of amounts deposited into the Fund under this
subsection.
``(2) Subject to section 5 of the Resources 2000 Act, from
amounts received by the United States as qualified Outer
Continental Shelf revenues each fiscal year, there shall be
deposited into the Fund the following amounts:
``(A) For each of fiscal years 2000 and 2001, $100,000,000.
[[Page S1819]]
``(B) For each of fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004,
$200,000,000.
``(C) For fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year thereafter,
$350,000,000.
``(3) The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest moneys in
the Fund that are excess to expenditures in public debt
securities with maturities suitable to the needs of the Fund,
as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, and bearing
interest at rates determined by the Secretary of the
Treasury, taking into consideration current market yields on
outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of
comparable maturity. Interest earned on such investments
shall be deposited into the Fund.
``(b) Availability for Reimbursement to States.--Of amounts
in the Native Wildlife Fund--
``(1) up to the amount stated in subsection (a)(2) for a
fiscal year shall be available to the Secretary of the
Interior for that fiscal year, without further appropriation,
to reimburse States under section 6 in accordance with the
terms and conditions that apply under sections 7 and 8; and
``(2) shall remain available until expended.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 8 of the Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2907) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ``appropriated'' and
inserting ``available''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking
``appropriated'' and inserting ``available''; and
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``8 percent'' and inserting ``2 percent'';
and
(ii) by striking ``the purposes for which so appropriated''
and inserting ``the purposes for which the amount is
available''.
TITLE VIII--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY
SEC. 801. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this title are the following:
(1) To provide a dedicated source of funding to the Fish
and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries
Service for the purpose of implementing an incentives program
to promote the recovery of endangered species and threatened
species and the habitat upon which they depend.
(2) To promote greater involvement by non-Federal entities
in the recovery of the Nation's endangered species and
threatened species and the habitat upon which they depend.
SEC. 802. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY
ASSISTANCE.
(a) Financial Assistance.--The Secretary may use amounts in
the Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Fund
established by section 804 to provide financial assistance to
any person for development and implementation of Endangered
and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements entered into by
the Secretary under section 804.
(b) Priority.--In providing assistance under this section,
the Secretary shall give priority to the development and
implementation of recovery agreements that--
(1) implement actions identified under recovery plans
approved by the Secretary under section 4(f) of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(f));
(2) have the greatest potential for contributing to the
recovery of an endangered or threatened species; and
(3) to the extent practicable, require use of the
assistance--
(A) on land owned by a small landowner; or
(B) on a family farm by the owner or operator of the family
farm.
(c) Prohibition on Assistance for Required Activities.--The
Secretary may not provide financial assistance under this
section for any action that is required by a permit issued
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.) or that is otherwise required under that Act or any
other Federal law.
(d) Payments Under Other Programs.--
(1) Other payments not affected.--Financial assistance
provided to a person under this section shall be in addition
to, and shall not affect, the total amount of payments that
the person is otherwise eligible to receive under the
conservation reserve program established under subchapter B
of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.), the wetlands reserve
program established under subchapter C of that chapter (16
U.S.C. 3837 et seq.), or the Wildlife Habitat Incentives
Program established under section 387 of the Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C.
3836a).
(2) Limitation.--A person may not receive financial
assistance under this section to carry out activities under a
species recovery agreement in addition to payments under the
programs referred to in paragraph (1) made for the same
activities if the terms of the species recovery agreement do
not require financial or management obligations by the person
in addition to any such obligations of the person under such
programs.
SEC. 803. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY
AGREEMENTS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may enter into Endangered
and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements for purposes of
this title in accordance with this section.
(b) Required Terms.--The Secretary shall include in each
species recovery agreement provisions that--
(1) require the person--
(A) to carry out on real property owned or leased by the
person activities not otherwise required by law that
contribute to the recovery of an endangered or threatened
species;
(B) to refrain from carrying out on real property owned or
leased by the person otherwise lawful activities that would
inhibit the recovery of an endangered or threatened species;
or
(C) to do any combination of subparagraphs (A) and (B);
(2) describe the real property referred to in paragraph
(1)(A) and (B) (as applicable);
(3) specify species recovery goals for the agreement, and
measures for attaining such goals;
(4) require the person to make measurable progress each
year in achieving those goals, including a schedule for
implementation of the agreement;
(5) specify actions to be taken by the Secretary or the
person (or both) to monitor the effectiveness of the
agreement in attaining those recovery goals;
(6) require the person to notify the Secretary if--
(A) any right or obligation of the person under the
agreement is assigned to any other person; or
(B) any term of the agreement is breached by the person or
any other person to whom is assigned a right or obligation of
the person under the agreement;
(7) specify the date on which the agreement takes effect
and the period of time during which the agreement shall
remain in effect;
(8) provide that the agreement shall not be in effect on
and after any date on which the Secretary publishes a
certification by the Secretary that the person has not
complied the agreement; and
(9) allocate financial assistance provided under this title
for implementation of the agreement, on an annual or other
basis during the period the agreement is in effect based on
the schedule for implementation required under paragraph (4).
(c) Review and Approval of Proposed Agreements.--Upon
submission by any person of a proposed species recovery
agreement under this section, the Secretary--
(1) shall review the proposed agreement and determine
whether it complies with the requirements of this section and
will contribute to the recovery of endangered or threatened
species that are the subject of the proposed agreement;
(2) propose to the person any additional provisions
necessary for the agreement to comply with this section; and
(3) if the Secretary determines that the agreement complies
with the requirements of this section, shall approve and
enter with the person into the agreement.
(d) Monitoring Implementation of Agreements.--The Secretary
shall--
(1) periodically monitor the implementation of each species
recovery agreement entered into by the Secretary under this
section; and
(2) based on the information obtained from that monitoring,
annually or otherwise disburse financial assistance under
this title to implement the agreement as the Secretary
determines is appropriate under the terms of the agreement.
SEC. 804. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY FUND;
AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.
(a) Establishment of Fund.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of
the United States a fund that shall be known as the
``Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Fund''. The Fund
shall consist of such amounts as are deposited into the Fund
under this section.
(2) Deposits.--Subject to section 5 of this Act, from
amounts received by the United States as qualified Outer
Continental Shelf revenues there shall be deposited into the
Fund $100,000,000 each fiscal year.
(b) Availability.--Of amounts in the Fund up to
$100,000,000 shall be available to the Secretary each fiscal
year, without further appropriation, for providing financial
assistance under section 802, and shall remain available
until expended.
(c) Investment of Excess Amounts.--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall invest moneys in the Fund that are excess to
expenditures in public debt securities with maturities
suitable to the needs of the Fund, as determined by the
Secretary of the Treasury, and bearing interest at rates
determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into
consideration current market yields on outstanding marketable
obligations of the United States of comparable maturity.
Interest earned on such investments shall be deposited into
the Fund.
SEC. 805. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Endangered or threatened species.--The term
``endangered or threatened species'' means any species that
is listed as an endangered species or threatened species
under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1533).
(2) Family farm.--The term ``family farm'' means a farm
that--
(A) produces agricultural commodities for sale in such
quantities so as to be recognized in the community as a farm
and not as a rural residence;
(B) produces enough income, including off-farm employment,
to pay family and farm operating expenses, pay debts, and
maintain the property;
(C) is managed by the operator;
(D) has a substantial amount of labor provided by the
operator and the operator's family; and
[[Page S1820]]
(E) uses seasonal labor only during peak periods, and uses
no more than a reasonable amount of full-time hired labor.
(3) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the Endangered and
Threatened Species Recovery Fund established by section 804.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, in accordance
with section 3 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1532).
(5) Small landowner.--The term ``small landowner'' means an
individual who owns 50 acres or fewer of land.
(6) Species recovery agreement.--The term ``species
recovery agreement'' means an Endangered and Threatened
Species Recovery Agreement entered into by the Secretary
under section 803.
____
Organizations Supporting Resources 2000
America Oceans Campaign.
Bay Area Open Space Council.
Bay Area Ridge Trail Council.
Bay Institute.
California Police Activities League.
Carquinez Strait Preservation Trust.
Defenders of Wildlife.
Earth Island Institute.
East Bay Regional Park District.
Environmental Defense Fund.
Friends of the Earth.
Friends of the River.
Golden Gate Audubon Society.
Greater Vallejo Recreation District.
Izaak Walton League.
Land Trust Alliance.
Marin Conservation League.
Martinez Regional Land Trust.
National Conference of State Historic Preservation
Officers.
National Audubon Society.
National Environmental Trust.
National Parks and Conservation Association.
National Association of Police Athletic Leagues.
National Wildlife Federation.
Natural Resources Defense Council.
Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Preservation Action.
Save San Francisco Bay Association.
Save the Redwoods.
Scenic America.
Sierra Club.
Society for American Archaeology.
Trust for Public Land.
U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
Wilderness Society.
Excerpts of Letters Supporting Resources 2000
``America's Resources 2000 would significantly help our
lands, oceans and creatures in the next millennium.
Representative Miller and Senator Boxer have listened to the
demand of the American people and are pushing for critical,
much-needed funding for the environment.''--Brent
Blackwelder, President, Friends of the Earth.
``Congress ought to lay down the law: federal lands must be
kept safe, even added to, instead as a national yard sale for
wealthy corporations to raid for cheap resources. The
Permanent Protection for America's Resources 2000 bill sends
that message loud and clear.''--Philip E. Clapp, President,
National Environmental Trust.
``The Carquinez Strait Preservation Trust applauds your
initiatives to provide protection for American resources . .
. We strongly support your legislation.''--Jerry Ashland,
President, Carquinez Strait Preservation Trust.
``The Bay Area Open Space Council thanks you for your bold
leadership in introducing the Permanent Protection for
America's Resources 2000 legislation.''--John Woodbury,
Program Director, Bay Area Open Space Council.
``Millions of acres within our national parks are still
privately owned and not protected because the federal
government has failed to acquire the lands America wants
preserved. Resources 2000 will provide the funding, not only
this year, but in years to come, to secure these treasured
places for the ages.''--Tom Kiernan, President, National
Parks and Conservation Association.
``Your Resources 2000 offers the hope that permanent,
annual funding will be secured for resource preservation
goals.''--Susan West Montgomery, President, Preservation
Action.
``Implementation of Permanent Protection for America's
Resources 2000 would be a dream come true for
conservationists and truly usher in a new millennium for
wildlife.''--Rodger Schlickeisen, President, Defenders of
Wildlife.
``We have been advocating for the use of the Land and Water
Conservation Funds for land acquisition for several years,
and we are very glad to see that this is one of the key
elements in this proposed legislation.''--Jerry Edelbrock,
Executive Director, Marin Conservation League.
____
Citizen Groups Call Land and Water Protection a Top Legislative
Priority
A broad range of citizen organizations today expressed
support for the principles of the Permanent Protection for
America's Resources 2000 initiative to be introduced this
week by Rep. George Miller (D-CA) and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-
CA). The initiative provides guaranteed annual funding for
conservation from the Land & Water Conservation Fund and
other long-sought measures to protect America's public lands,
wildlife, and historical resources. Selected comments by
environmental leaders follow.
``Implementation of Permanent Protection for America's
Resources 2000 would be a dream come true for
conservationists and truly usher in a new millennium for
wildlife. This far-sighted legislation is Defenders of
Wildlife's top legislative priority because it provides long-
needed permanent protection for the Land and Water
Conservation Fund as well as funding for endangered species
recovery, restoration of public lands, ocean fish and
wildlife, and native wildlife and plant programs.''--Rodger
Schlickeisen, President, Defenders of Wildlife.
``Sen. Boxer and Rep. Miller have outlined an inspired
vision for protecting and restoring the irreplaceable
elements of our heritage for the future. This bill shows that
we can find ways to protect all our resources, including the
ocean and its creatures, without the danger of incentives for
unnecessary offshore oil drilling. We applaud their effort
and look forward to working with them to ensure the vitality
of our ocean and coastal resources for our children.''--David
Younkman, Executive Director, American Oceans Campaign.
``Citizens in communities all across the country voted last
fall for over a hundred ballot and bond initiatives to
protect America's special places. Now it's time for our
lawmakers to catch up with the American people. The Congress
should act quickly to pass this popular bill.''--Carl Pope,
Executive Director, Sierra Club.
``Millions of acres within our national parks are still
privately owned and not protected because the federal
government has failed to acquire the lands America wants
preserved. Resources 2000 will provide the funding, not only
this year, but in years to come, to secure these treasured
places for the ages.''--Tom Kiernan, President, National
Parks & Conservation Association.
``Resources 2000 is a bold, comprehensive approach to
conservation. The legislation directs money where it is
desperately needed: to purchase land for bird and wildlife
habitat, to help endangered species recover, and to fight
sprawl. Congressman Miller and Senator Boxer are to be
commended for charting the course of conservation for the
next century. By providing permanent protection, our children
will be able to enjoy the splendors of our land and
wildlife.''--Dan Beard, Vice President for Public Policy,
National Audubon Society.
``The National Wildlife Federation's top priority for this
Congress is passage of significant long-term funding for
wildlife and wild places for both federal and state programs.
This proposal helps set the parameters to achieve a
bipartisan victory for conservation funding this year.''--
Mark Van Putten, President & CEO, National Wildlife
Federation.
``Now that we have successfully moved past the Cold War and
large budget deficits, it is essential that we Americans
invest in the stewardship of our natural resources and the
sustainability of our environment for the benefit of our
children and their children. Permanent Protection for
America's Resources 2000 is a bold initiative to protect our
precious natural and cultural heritage and the quality of
life for all Americans. As we approach the millennium we must
pass this program as our generation's legacy for the
future.''--John Adams, President, Natural Resources Defense
Council.
Resources 2000 provides long-overdue funding for bipartisan
conservation initiatives which will help Americans protect
natural beauty, the character of their communities, and their
heritage as we move into the new millennium.''--Meg Maguire,
Executive Director/President, Scenic America.
``A healthy ecosystem is the bedrock of a healthy society.
The Miller/Boxer bills will help to preserve the biodiversity
we need for the development of new medicines and vaccines,
and safeguard the parks and recreation areas so vital to
human health and well-being. PSR is pleased to add its voice
to the chorus of support for this important legislation.''--
Robert K. Musil, Ph.D., Executive Director, Physicians for
Social Responsibility.
``We applaud Rep. Miller and Sen. Boxer for their effort to
reinvigorate chronically underfunded land acquisition
programs and provide much-needed funds to protect urban areas
and open spaces and conserve fish and wildlife. Resources
2000 will provide a substantial down payment in the effort to
preserve and protect our natural heritage while protecting
our coastal areas from increased offshore drilling.''--Gene
Karpinski, Executive Director, U.S. PIRG.
``America's Resources 2000 would significantly help our
lands, oceans, and creatures in the next millennium. Rep.
Miller and Sen. Boxer have listened to the demand of the
American people and are pushing for critical, much-needed
funding for the environment.''--Brent Blackwelder, President,
Friends of the Earth.
``It is vital that Congress adequately fund the programs
that care for the public's lands, whether in parks, national
forests, wildlife preserves, or historic sites. Without
adequate funding, federal stewardship of the public's lands
will fall further and further behind, and America's natural
heritage will be lost to future generations. Congress ought
to lay down the law: federal lands must be kept safe, even
added to, instead of treated as a national yard sale for
wealthy corporations to raid for cheap resources. The
Permanent Protection for America's Resources 2000 bill sends
that message loud and clear.''--Philip E. Clapp, President,
National Environmental Trust.
[[Page S1821]]
``We welcome Rep. George Miller's proposal that joins with
the Administration's initiative and the previously introduced
Senate and House bills, calling for full funding for the Land
and Water Conservation Fund and much-needed support for fish
and wildlife to state agencies. We are especially encouraged
by the expressed commitment of all parties to work
cooperatively on these proposals with all those who have a
stake in the nation's natural resources to craft a landmark
conservation bill in this Congress.''--Paul Hansen, Executive
Director, Izaak Walton League of America.
____
Sierra Club,
Washington, DC, February 19, 1999.
Dear Senator: Please support Permanent Protection for
America's Resources.
On behalf of the more than half million members of the
Sierra Club, I am writing to encourage you to support full
and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation
Fund this year. There are a number of positive initiatives
underway that will increase this critical land acquisition
fund, as well as support numerous other land protection
programs such as farmland preservation and fish, wildlife and
land restoration programs.
In particular, I urge you to become an original cosponsor
of a new bill to be introduced shortly by Senator Barbara
Boxer (D-CA). The Permanent Protection for America's
Resources 2000 Act builds upon the Clinton Administration's
proposed new Land Legacy initiative by providing a secure
source of funding for natural resource protection programs.
Senator Boxer's bill provides full and permanent annual
funding of the LWCF, funding for local governments and States
for conservation and recreation purposes, special funding for
coastal states to conserve and restore marine resources; and
farmland and open space preservation incentives.
Senator Boxer's bill stands in contrast to S. 25, a bill
recently introduced by Senators Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and
Mary Landrieu (D-LA). The Murkowski/Landrieu bill shares the
goal of funding important natural resource protection and
wildlife programs, but unfortunately does this at the expense
of our coastal environment. We are strongly opposed to this
bill in its current form because it would encourage increased
oil drilling by providing financial incentives to states
based in part on the amount of drilling off their coasts.
Thre has been some confusion about the relationship of S.
25 to Teaming with Wildlife, a legislative proposal that
received significant support last year. The Sierra Club
supported the Teaming with Wildlife proposal, which also
generated funding for wildlife programs. However, we are
actively opposed to the Murkowski/Landrieu bill due to the
drilling incentives in this bill.
Please consider becoming an original cosponsor of Senator
Boxer's bill. We also urge you not to cosponsor S. 25 unless
the drilling incentives are completely removed from the bill.
Sincerely,
Melanie L. Griffin,
Director, Land Protection Programs.
____
Friends of the River,
Sacramento, CA, February 19, 1999.
Resupport for Resources 2000.
Hon. Barbara Boxer,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Boxer: As California's leading river
conservation group, we would like to add our name to the list
of those supporting the Resources 2000 legislation that you
and Congressman Miller have authored.
Your effort to provide substantial and permanent funding
for the improvement acquisition and maintenance of natural
resource areas throughout the country is critical for
preserving fisheries, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation
opportunities. Here in California, it will clearly benefit
our state's wonderful rivers and watersheds.
We greatly appreciate your leadership in trying to find and
direct the monies necessary to support the Land and Water
Conservation funds at the State and federal levels, urban
parks and recreation, endangered species recovery programs,
historic preservation, fishery restoration, and the like.
On behalf of Friends of the River's 8,000 members, we thank
you for your good work and pledge to help see it through to
success.
Sincerely,
Betsy Reifsnider,
Executive Director.
____
National Parks and Conservation Association Pacific
Regional Office,
Oakland, CA, February 12, 1999.
Hon. Barbara Boxer,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Boxer: On behalf of the National Parks and
Conservation Association (NPCA), I would like to thank you
for your leadership as you strive to achieve a fully funded
Land and Water Conservation Fund. The ``Permanent Protection
for America's Resources 2000'' legislation, which you will be
introducing with Congressman George Miller, represents a bold
step in resolving the long standing gap between the list of
lands identified as critical for the protection of our
nation's natural and cultural heritage and the funds
necessary to acquire and restore them. NPCA strongly endorses
the bill.
Since its inception, the Land and Water Conservation Fund
has often been the court of last resort for sensitive lands
threatened by development. However, due to competing demands
for these revenues generated by offshore oil profits, the
Fund has never been allowed to fulfill its mandate. As such,
our national parks remain incomplete, native habitat for fish
and wildlife has been fragmented, and opportunities to
recover endangered species have been lost. With the number of
threats to our nation's heritage growing exponentially, it is
clearly time to renew our commitment to a permanent, fully
funded Land and Water Conservation Fund.
NPCA looks forward to working with you and Congressman
Miller in passing this important legislation. Thank you
again.
Sincerely,
Brian Huse,
Regional Director.
____
Society for American Archaeology,
Washington, DC, February 19, 1999.
Hon. Barbara Boxer,
United States Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Boxer: The Society for American Archaeology
enthusiastically supports the ``Permanent Protection for
America's Resources 2000'' legislation that you will be
introducing with Congressman George Miller. SAA believes this
legislation is a comprehensive approach to insure long-term
protection of not only natural resources, but archaeological
and historic sites as well.
SAA applauds your joint efforts to fully fund the Land and
Water Conservation Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, and
other programs that have long suffered from diminished
financial support from the Congress. SAA is particularly
enthusiastic about the proposed annual funding for programs
fundable through the Historic Preservation Fund at $150
million, including grants to the states and National Park
Service.
Enactment of this legislation will offer a comprehensive
set of tools to help protect the cultural and natural
environment in the future, and fulfills the Congressional
intent of earlier laws, which mandated that income from
offshore oil leases be directed towards the preservation of
our country's rich and diverse cultural and natural
heritages.
SAA looks forward to working with you and your staff in
support of this legislation, and, ultimately, to securing its
passage.
Sincerely,
Vin Steponaitis,
President.
____
Preservation Action
Washington, DC, February 12, 1999.
Hon. Barbara Boxer,
Senate Hart Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Boxer: Preservation Action offers its support
of your Permanent Protection for America's Resources 2000
legislation. For too long, the portion of the revenue from
offshore oil resources meant for natural and historic
resource protection has gone unappropriated. Your Resources
2000 legislation offers the hope that permanent, annual
funding will be secured for resource preservation goals.
In particular, Preservation Action supports Resources 2000
because it includes consideration for the Historic
Preservation Fund (HPF). Established in 1977 and authorized
at $150 million dollars annually since 1980, the HPF over the
last twenty years has never received more than about one-
third its annual authorized amount. Indeed, near level
funding for most of the 1990s meant that appropriations were
not even keeping pace with cost of living increases. Your
bill will not only direct much-needed dollars to HPF's core
programs--tax credit certification, Section 106 review,
National Register survey work and nominations, and technical
assistance--but ensures that the fund can meet preservation
needs at all levels.
Preservation Action is a national grassroots organization
dedicated to advocating the goals of the historic
preservation community. Since 1974, Preservation Action has
worked to see historic preservation used to protect America's
past--its neighborhoods, landmarks, and architectural
treasures--and build healthier communities. The best way to
preserve and protect our historic resources is to keep them
viable for today. Resources 2000, including its consideration
of the HPF, is an important step towards this goal.
Sincerely,
Susan West Montgomery,
President.
____
National Conference of State Historic Preservation
Officers,
Washington, DC, February 16, 1999.
Re: Historic Preservation Fund.
Hon Barbara Boxer,
United States Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Boxer: On behalf of the State Historic
Preservation Officers, thank you for including the Historic
Preservation Fund in your legislation ``Permanent Protection
for America's Resources 2000,'' to be introduced with
Congressman George Miller.
Congress was extremely far-sighted two decades ago when it
created the Land and Water Conservation and Historic
Preservation Funds. The idea of dedicating a portion of the
revenues generated by depleting non renewable resources to
the conservation of irreplaceable natural and cultural
resources is as powerful now as it was then. The fact that so
little of the offshore oil revenues have been going for their
intended purposes has been very frustrating to those trying
to preserve the nation's heritage.
The National Historic Preservation Act programs,
administered by partners in State,
[[Page S1822]]
local and tribal governments, provide the infrastructure for
every community to identify and protect significant
landmarks, to create incentives for reinvesting in existing
settled areas as opposed to abandonment and ``sprawl,'' and
to encourage sustainable industries such as heritage tourism.
These programs are an essential complement to greater
assistance for federal properties in order to achieve a truly
comprehensive program for America's heritage.
The National Conference of State Historic Preservation
Officers thanks you for your leadership on this issue and
looks forward to working with you and your staff in support
of this legislation.
Sincerely,
Eric Hertfelder,
Executive Director.
____
National Association of Police Athletic Leagues,
North Palm Beach, FL, February 19, 1999.
Hon. Barbara Boxer,
United States Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Boxer: I am writing on behalf of the National
Association of Police Athletic Leagues (PAL) to support your
legislation to provide permanent funding for high priority
resource preservation objectives through the Permanent
Protection for America's Resources 2000.
National PAL believes that participation in outdoor
recreation provides important physical, mental, and social
benefits to young people. Continued growth in demand for
outdoor recreation opportunities has brought overcrowding to
some areas, while budgetary constraints, environmental
pollution, and open space availability to other uses has
further added to the challenges we face. To effectively meet
this challenge, federal recreation efforts must receive
permanent federal commitment to support public land
acquisition and improvements, fish and wildlife programs,
urban recreation and historic preservation, and farmland and
open space.
We share in your vision of safe, clean, planned, and well-
maintained recreation areas, available to all Americans. It
is essential that funding of state and local recreation areas
increase to meet demand. These areas in particular bear the
brunt of recreational use but have not seen the increases in
funding necessary to support the growth, rehabilitation,
development, acquisition and improvements of recreation land.
The Resources 2000 initiative addresses the need to target
funds and restore our national commitment to the protection
and preservation of our public resources.
PAL Police Officers and volunteers work with young people
and depend on public lands to provide diverse and high
quality opportunities for recreation. Your concern for
America's Resources and passage of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund legislation will guarantee that our PAL
kids and future generations of Americans will be assured of
our precious natural resources.
We are proud to join you and Congressman George Miller in
advocating support for Resources 2000. If I may be of any
assistance, please do not hesitate to call me at 561-844-
1823.
Sincerely,
Joe Wilson,
Executive Director.
____
Bay Area Open Space Council,
February 18, 1999.
Hon. George Miller,
United States House of Representatives, District Office,
Concord, CA.
RE: PERMANENT PROTECTION FOR AMERICA'S RESOURCES 2000
Congressman Miller: The Bay Area Open Space Council thanks
you for your bold leadership in introducing the Permanent
Protection for America's Resources 2000 legislation. We would
like to express our strongest support.
The legislation proposes a comprehensive and thoughtful
approach for effectively addressing national resource
conservation needs.
Utilizing offshore oil lease revenues for resource
conservation is reasonable, practical, and consistent with
the original intent and commitment of Congress in
establishing the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
This legislation is urgently needed. Our rapidly growing
population is placing unprecedented pressure on a wide range
of irreplaceable resources. The balanced package of programs
in your legislation will enable our economy to grow, and our
communities to prosper, by providing funding for the
protection of many of the resources which underpin our
economy and quality of life.
The Bay Area Open Space Council is a cooperative effort of
approximately 40 land conservation organizations and agencies
with responsibilities in the San Francisco Bay Area. We
applaud your leadership in proposing Permanent Protection For
America's Resources 2000, and commit to doing all we can to
assist.
Sincerely,
John Woodbury,
Program Director.
______
By Mr. BURNS:
S. 447. A bill to deem as timely filed, and process for payment, the
applications submitted by the Dodson School Districts for certain
Impact Aid payments for fiscal year 1999; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
dodson school districts legislation
Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill that may
not impact our nation but will have an impact on 120 students in my
state of Montana. These students are victims of a bureaucratic
bamboozle that should be an easily reconciled mistake.
I would like to request the compassion of my colleagues. We all make
mistakes and sometimes these mistakes have a financial cost to us as
individuals. However, in the case of the Dodson Public School District,
a misdirected application could result in a loss of impact aid funding.
As you all know, Impact Aid funding is necessary for areas that have no
local revenue raising mechanism.
This application was inadvertently sent to the wrong office within
the Department of Education by the deadline. Last year, we say how
unbending the Internal Revenue Service was in terms of customer
service--I would like to think the rest of the federal government does
not follow suit. According to the Department of Education, deadlines
are deadlines. During hearing last year, Congress determined this is
not the culture we would like to see in the Department of Education or
any other arm of the nation's federal government.
The loss of funds would likely mean the demise of the entire public
school system--a system that serves many residents of the Fort Belknap
Indian Reservation. The economic state of Montana's reservations is not
well and losing this school district would require many students
additional transportation costs and travel of over thirty miles.
Additionally, adjoining school districts and local governments would be
extremely pressed to pick up the tab for additional education and
transportation costs with much less proportionate revenue share.
Dodson Public Schools in Dodson, Montana has a total enrollment of
120 students in K-12. In grades K-8, 53% of the total 74 students
reside on federal land. In grades 9-12, 31% of the total 46 students
reside on federal land. Of the total enrollment, 75% of the students
are eligible for our free and reduced lunch program.
Mr. President, I'm certain you'll agree not many schools in America
can rival the need for impact aid funds like Dodson's schools.
Now that you know the facts, I think you'll agree we cannot ignore
the plight of Dodson School District. This is a simple plea from a
modest Montana community that would like to continue their rich,
historic culture and legacy.
Mr. President, as you know, it is the role of Congress to protect the
students of our nation. This bill will fix an unfortunate situation
that could happen to any state in our nation.
______
By Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire:
S.J. Res. 11. A joint resolution prohibiting the use of funds for
military operations in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and
Montenegro) unless Congress enacts specific authorization in law for
the conduct of those operations; read the first time.
prohibiting the use of funds for military operations in the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia
Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, as President Reagan would
say, ``Here we go again.'' This administration is now on the verge of
making a commitment of American forces to another 911 humanitarian
crisis around the world, without the approval of Congress.
As I stand here today, the United States is poised to launch
airstrikes against the sovereign nation of Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia. Given the apparent failure of the talks in France regarding
the issue of the peacekeeping force, there is a real possibility that
airstrikes may be imminent and that American forces, as part of a NATO
force, may be committed in Kosovo. I would venture to say that many
Americans would be hard-pressed to find Kosovo on a map; yet here again
our sons and daughters are going to be asked to put their lives on the
line for this administration without approval of their elected
representatives in Congress, and without any declaration of war.
Mr. President, this is very, very disturbing. I have spoken out in
the past against the Bosnia operation. I have spoken out against our
occupation of
[[Page S1823]]
Haiti. But Kosovo is the last straw for me. Today I am introducing a
bill to ensure that Congress exercises its constitutional right of
approval before this administration commits us to an act of war against
a sovereign nation. If we are going to be taking offensive military
action, I don't believe there ought to be any troops in any sovereign
nation unless there is a declaration of war, or at least a specific
authorization by Congress.
The resolution I am introducing simply says that there will be no
troops committed in any force of any kind without a specific
authorization from the U.S. Congress. I am going to call on my
colleagues to join me in this effort before we get embroiled in another
long-term conflict that is not in the United States' interest.
I want to make a few points about this.
This administration apparently thinks nothing of committing an act of
war without congressional approval--they will commit troops first, and
come to us later and ask for our support.
On the contrary, when President Bush wanted to repel Iraq from
Kuwait, he came to the Congress--a Democrat-controlled Congress--and
Congress authorized him to do that. He came here. He took his chance.
He did the right thing. But that is not happening now.
While this body has been wrestling with impeachment proceedings,
President Clinton's administration has been preparing to wage war.
I want to repeat that. We were tied down here for almost 2 months
talking about the impeachment of the President of the United States,
and while we were doing that, the same President who was nearly removed
from office was preparing to wage war against a sovereign nation
without congressional approval. That is absolutely outrageous, and I am
not going to stand by any longer and be silent about it.
The administration has crafted a plan to fix the internal problems of
a sovereign state. And it proceeds, then, to hold a so-called peace
conference where it threatens to use lethal force against that
sovereign state if they don't accept the deal. The two parties are not
even interested in an agreement. They still want to fight. They have
been fighting in that region of the world for centuries. So we jam an
agreement down their throats. And here come U.S. forces, again in
harm's way, with no approval from Congress.
Before we send our troops to another dangerous part of the world,
which this President has been prone to do for a long time, we have a
sacred responsibility to these men and women to consider the risks. We
did not fight and win the Cold War so that--as the sole remaining
superpower--we would get bogged down in parts of the world that the
vast majority of Americans have never heard of.
Kosovo is as much a part of Yugoslavia as New Hampshire is of the
United States. We are dictating, under the threat of American military
action, the internal policy of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It
may be a policy that I despise, that I hate, that I am upset about. But
do we have that right, without an act of war or some authorization from
Congress? We may not like it. It may be horrible. But that alone is not
a reason to go to war. Should we go to war in Zimbabwe or Ethiopia or
some other nation where some other problems are occurring that we don't
like? Where do you draw the line?
The administration tells us we must become involved in the internal
affairs of a sovereign nation to prevent the spread of this conflict
into neighboring nations, including perhaps NATO members. This is a
bogey-man argument. It is meant to scare us into resolving the conflict
with the American military. This argument is false and it obscures the
real issue of placing troops at risk in an area of the world where were
we have no real interest to justify direct intervention. Frankly, I am
tired of it. I am tired of risking American lives when we do not have
American interests at stake. The precedent we would be setting by
intervening in Kosovo is far more dangerous to American interests than
the small risk that this conflict is going to spread somewhere. What
other troubled Balkan region will we go to next? Montenegro? Macedonia?
Where do we stop, Mr. President?
There was a letter to the Washington Post on February 20, written
from a gentleman by the name of Alex N. Dragnich. He said:
We are threatening to bomb the Serbs, not because they have
invaded a foreign country but because they refuse to accept
an agreement which we have crafted, to resolve a domestic
conflict inside Yugoslavia and to permit the entrance of NATO
troops to enforce it. . . .
That is what this is about
More serious [he says] in the long run will be the
precedent we would be creating. Our proposed actions would
provide the arguments to justify a power or a combination of
powers to invade some country in search of justice for a
minority or minorities. This could be some Arab states,
perhaps in agreement with Russia, or it could be China
seeking to take over Taiwan.
The administration has created a situation where, no matter how the
negotiations conclude, our military people will likely be placed at
risk. Let me correct that--they will be placed at risk. The
recklessness with which this administration treats our men and women in
uniform is shameful--shameful. We had to fight in the Senate on this
floor 2 years ago to get the administration to give them a pay raise.
We fight on this floor to try to get a national missile defense to
protect our own Nation--and we still cannot get it. If the parties do
agree to a foreign military presence, then our troops will be committed
to peace enforcement for more years than the administration is ready to
admit; a lot more years than this administration has left in office.
And they will be in great jeopardy from retaliation, not by one side,
but by both sides. They will be in the middle of a civil war.
If the Serbs do not agree, then this administration is prepared to
send our troops into combat against an aggressive nation that is well
equipped to defend itself from attack. Let there be no doubt, American
lives will be endangered. This is not Iraq where everything is out in
the open. There are SAM sites embedded in mountains. The Serbs have the
capability to shoot down American aircraft. Remember that.
We all remember the promises made by the administration about Bosnia.
They said the troops will be out in a year. It was one year, then
another year, then another; now it is 3 years, with no end in sight,
and it's cost $10 billion. Most of the time the President didn't even
fund the operation; he took it out of funds for the troops, he raided
their equipment modernization accounts to fund it. One of the primary
reasons given by the administration, justifying the Bosnia
intervention, was it would stabilize the region--yet today we are about
to commit American troops to intervening in a new unstable region,
Kosovo.
We field an army, not a Salvation Army. Our military is woefully
underfunded. We need $125 billion over the next 5 years just to recover
from where this administration has cut us. There are mounting concerns
about readiness. Should a crisis emerge that truly does endanger
America's legitimate interests, what happens? By volunteering to send
forces to Kosovo, the President is again stretching our military too
thin. The President is not just risking the lives of soldiers sent to
the region, but also our troops around the world. And for what?
Later on today we are going to be debating pay increases and
retirement benefits for our troops. That is a serious need. The
operations tempo that we require from our troops is a serious concern
as well. Yet as we try to help on these problems, the administration
once again overextends our forces. There are troops that have been in
three or four hot spots in the last 3 years. Some have been in Bosnia,
some have been in the Persian Gulf, some have been in Haiti, some have
been in Korea, and there will probably be a fifth one, Kosovo, for some
people. How much more can we take?
The administration says the possible troop commitment for peace
enforcement in Kosovo is only for 4,000 troops. In the military there
is the three-times rule. Not only do we commit those 4,000 on the
ground, but 4,000 more are preparing to go and 4,000 are recovering
from being deployed there. This 4,000-man operation ties up 12,000
troops. In truth, a four-times rule is probably more realistic, so it
is more like 16,000.
We are already facing serious problems in recruiting, spare parts,
and
[[Page S1824]]
other results of this high operating tempo. The administration has
strained the budget of the Defense Department to the limit, and our
troops are going to be the losers because of it. We simply cannot ask
our military to do more and more with less. That is what this President
has continued to do.
Mr. President, we are 7,000 troops down in recruitment for the U.S.
Navy. We don't even have enough sailors to man our ships. We are short
23,000 recruits in the U.S. Army. Spare parts bins are empty in
military bases all over this country. They cannot repair some
vehicles-- they are just too old. And yet here is the administration,
ready to send them into Kosovo.
In conclusion, throughout the Cold War we fought to protect the
rights of sovereign nations to conduct themselves according to their
own laws. We fought World War II over the same thing. In the Gulf War
we sent American soldiers to war to turn back an unlawful and immoral
invasion of the sovereign nation of Kuwait. There was much disagreement
over that policy, but it was an attack of one sovereign nation on
another. Now, look at what has happened in just 8 years. Today we find
our commitment to sovereignty turned on its head.
Let me issue a warning. The KLA, the Kosovo Liberation Army--these
are not Boy Scouts. Neither is Slobodan Milosevic. This is going to be
a bloody mess, and we are going to be right in the middle of it. The
KLA started a war that it cannot finish and now the administration
wants U.S. pilots serve as its Air Force the American people know what
we are spending in Bosnia--$4 billion a year and growing, now adding to
that in Kosovo, and at the same time not yet deploying a missile
defense system for this country which is imperative for the security of
our own people and our troops wherever they may be in the world.
I applaud the efforts of the Senator from New Hampshire. I certainly
hope that we will get a chance to talk about this. I look forward to
having the leaders in Congress stand up and say, What is the policy;
how many more times are we going to put troops in harm's way, paid for
by the taxpayers of America, when there is no exit strategy, there is
no plan, there is no rotation out, there is no temporariness about
this. It is open-ended.
I applaud my colleague from New Hampshire, and I hope that the Senate
will address this before we have a fait accompli, troops on the ground,
as we have had in Bosnia in an unending mission, with no strategy, no
plan and no exit.
ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS
s. 4
At the request of Mr. Warner, the name of the Senator from Maine (Ms.
Collins) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4, a bill to improve pay and
retirement equity for members of the Armed Forces; and for other
purposes.
At the request of Mr. Bunning, his name was added as a cosponsor of
S. 4, supra.
s. 25
At the request of Ms. Landrieu, the name of the Senator from Missouri
(Mr. Bond) was added as a cosponsor of S. 25, a bill to provide Coastal
Impact Assistance to State and local governments, to amend the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978, the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965, the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery
Act, and the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (commonly referred
to as the Pittman-Robertson Act) to establish a fund to meet the
outdoor conservation and recreation needs of the American people, and
for other purposes.
s. 26
At the request of Mr. McCain, the names of the Senator from New
Jersey (Mr. Torricelli) and the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Reed)
were added as cosponsors of S. 26, a bill entitled the ``Bipartisan
Campaign Reform Act of 1999''.
s. 98
At the request of Mr. McCain, the names of the Senator from Colorado
(Mr. Campbell) and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Bunning) were added
as cosponsors of S. 98, a bill to authorize appropriations for the
Surface Transportation Board for fiscal years 1999, 2000, 2001, and
2002, and for other purposes.
s. 185
At the request of Mr. Ashcroft, the names of the Senator from Wyoming
(Mr. Thomas) and the Senator from Maine (Ms. Collins) were added as
cosponsors of S. 185, a bill to establish a Chief Agricultural
Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
s. 197
At the request of Mrs. Boxer, the names of the Senator from
California (Mrs. Feinstein) and the Senator from Florida (Mr. Graham)
were added as cosponsors of S. 197, a bill to amend the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to
cease mineral leasing activity on the outer Continental Shelf seaward
of a coastal State that has declared a moratorium on mineral
exploration, development, or production activity in State water.
s. 218
At the request of Mr. Moynihan, the name of the Senator from Nebraska
(Mr. Hagel) was added as a cosponsor of S. 218, a bill to amend the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for
equitable duty treatment for certain wool used in making suits.
s. 258
At the request of Mr. Warner, the name of the Senator from Wisconsin
(Mr. Feingold) was added as a cosponsor of S. 258, a bill to authorize
additional rounds of base closures and realignments under the Defense
Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 in 2001 and 2003, and for
other purposes.
s. 271
At the request of Mr. Frist, the names of the Senator from Iowa (Mr.
Grassley) and the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Chafee) were added as
cosponsors of S. 271, a bill to provide for education flexibility
partnerships.
s. 274
At the request of Mr. Coverdell, the name of the Senator from
Michigan (Mr. Abraham) was added as a cosponsor of S. 274, a bill to
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the maximum taxable
income for the 15 percent rate bracket.
s. 279
At the request of Mr. McCain, the name of the Senator from Kentucky
(Mr. Bunning) was added as a cosponsor of S. 279, a bill to amend title
II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the earnings test for
individuals who have attained retirement age.
s. 280
At the request of Mr. Frist, the names of the Senator from Iowa (Mr.
Grassley) and the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Chafee) were added as
cosponsors of S. 280, a bill to provide for education flexibility
partnerships.
s. 311
At the request of Mr. Warner, the names of the Senator from Hawaii
(Mr. Inouye), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy) and the
Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. Feingold) were added as cosponsors of S.
311, a bill to authorize the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial
Foundation to establish a memorial in the District of Columbia or its
environs, and for other purposes.
s. 312
At the request of Mr. Warner, the name of the Senator from Wisconsin
(Mr. Feingold) was added as a cosponsor of S. 312, a bill to require
certain entities that operate homeless shelters to identify and provide
certain counseling to homeless veterans, and for other purposes.
s. 314
At the request of Mr. Bond, the name of the Senator from Vermont (Mr.
Leahy) was added as a cosponsor of S. 314, a bill to provide for a loan
guarantee program to address the Year 2000 computer problems of small
business concerns, and for other purposes.
s. 315
At the request of Mr. Ashcroft, the name of the Senator from Wyoming
(Mr. Thomas) was added as a cosponsor of S. 315, a bill to amend the
Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to require the President to report to
Congress on any selective embargo on agricultural commodities, to
provide a termination date for the embargo, to provide greater
assurances for contract sanctity, and for other purposes.
s. 346
At the request of Mrs. Hutchison, the name of the Senator from North
Carolina (Mr. Helms) was added as a cosponsor of S. 346, a bill to
amend title
[[Page S1825]]
XIX of the Social Security Act to prohibit the recoupment of funds
recovered by States from one or more tobacco manufacturers.
s. 348
At the request of Ms. Snowe, the name of the Senator from Maine (Ms.
Collins) was added as a cosponsor of S. 348, a bill to authorize and
facilitate a program to enhance training, research and development,
energy conservation and efficiency, and consumer education in the
oilheat industry for the benefit of oilheat consumers and the public,
and for other purposes.
s. 403
At the request of Mr. Allard, the name of the Senator from Oklahoma
(Mr. Inhofe) was added as a cosponsor of S. 403, a bill to prohibit
implementation of ``Know Your Customer'' regulations by the Federal
banking agencies.
s. 427
At the request of Mr. Abraham, the names of the Senator from Georgia
(Mr. Coverdell) and the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. Grams) were added
as cosponsors of S. 427, a bill to improve congressional deliberation
on proposed Federal private sector mandates, and for other purposes.
s. 433
At the request of Mr. Thurmond, the name of the Senator from North
Carolina (Mr. Helms) was added as a cosponsor of S. 433, a bill to
amend the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 1988 to prohibit
additional statements and representations relating to alcoholic
beverages and health, and for other purposes.
senate joint resolution 7
At the request of Mr. Hatch, the names of the Senator from New
Hampshire (Mr. Smith), the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kyl) and the
Senator from Nebraska (Mr. Hagel) were added as cosponsors of Senate
Joint Resolution 7, a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States to require a balanced budget.
senate concurrent resolution 5
At the request of Mr. Brownback, the names of the Senator from
Colorado (Mr. Allard), the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Stevens), the
Senator from Missouri (Mr. Bond), the Senator from Alabama (Mr.
Shelby), the Senator from Montana (Mr. Baucus), the Senator from Iowa
(Mr. Harkin), the Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. Kohl), and the Senator
from California (Mrs. Boxer) were added as cosponsors of Senate
Concurrent Resolution 5, a concurrent resolution expressing
congressional opposition to the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian
state and urging the President to assert clearly United States
opposition to such a unilateral declaration of statehood.
senate resolution 26
At the request of Mr. Murkowski, the name of the Senator from
Louisiana (Mr. Breaux) was added as a cosponsor of Senate Resolution
26, a resolution relating to Taiwan's Participation in the World Health
Organization.
amendment no. 6
At the request of Mr. Cleland, the names of the Senator from New
Mexico (Mr. Bingaman) and the Senator from Louisiana (Ms. Landrieu)
were added as cosponsors of amendment No. 6 proposed to S. 4, a bill to
improve pay and retirement equity for members of the Armed Forces; and
for other purposes.
____________________