[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCTION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING STANDARDIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES V. HANSEN

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 1999

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I am introducing 
the Public Hearing Standardization Act of 1999. This Act is needed so 
that the general public can meaningfully contribute to the process used 
by federal agencies to obtain public input. Currently, public hearings 
provide a process to the general public so that their comments and 
input can become part of the official record. However, because many of 
the public's questions remain unanswered by federal agencies, this 
process has been disappointing for many who attend these hearings. 
Public hearings should also provide a forum for the public to ask 
questions of the federal agencies and for the public to receive from 
the federal agencies meaningful responses to questions as part of the 
official record.
  Presently, public hearings conducted by federal agencies do not have 
any standard format nor parameters as to how they are conducted. As a 
result, federal agencies have total discretion in setting rules for 
public hearings. Unfortunately, these rules frequently do not require 
the federal agencies to respond to legitimate questions asked by the 
public. This bill intends, therefore, to standardize the procedures 
used by federal agencies for public hearings so that the public 
understands the rules in conducting such public hearings and can 
respond appropriately. It will also give the public a chance to ask 
relevant questions and also a reasonable expectation of receiving an 
honest answer from federal agencies.
  This is a long-overdue bill which will give the public beneficial 
information in regard to federal agency land management. The public 
deserves to have questions answered by federal agencies in a public 
forum and this bill, among other things, will make sure that the public 
has this chance. I urge all my colleagues to support and co-sponsor the 
Public Hearing Standardization Act of 1999.

                          ____________________