[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10491-S10498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PITTMAN-ROBERTSON WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT AND THE DINGELL-JOHNSON 
                       SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACT

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 945, H.R. 3671.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 3671) to amend the Acts popularly known as the 
     Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-
     Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to enhance the funds 
     available for grants to States for fish and wildlife 
     conservation projects and increase opportunities for 
     recreational hunting, bow hunting, trapping, archery, and 
     fishing, by eliminating opportunities for waste, fraud, 
     abuse, maladministration, and unauthorized expenditures for 
     administration and execution of those Acts, and for other 
     purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill 
which had been reported from the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works with an amendment, as follows:
  [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
in italic.]

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Titles.--
       (1) This act.--This Act may be cited as the ``Wildlife and 
     Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000''.
       (2) Pittman-robertson wildlife restoration act.--The Act of 
     September 2, 1937 (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.), is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 14. SHORT TITLE.

       ``This Act may be cited as the `Pittman-Robertson Wildlife 
     Restoration Act'.''.
       (3) Dingell-johnson sport fish restoration act.--The Act of 
     August 9, 1950 (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.), is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 16. SHORT TITLE.

       ``This Act may be cited as the `Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish 
     Restoration Act'.''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short titles; table of contents.

                     TITLE I--WILDLIFE RESTORATION

Sec. 101. Expenditures for administration.
Sec. 102. Firearm and bow hunter education and safety program grants.
Sec. 103. Multistate conservation grant program.

                    TITLE II--SPORT FISH RESTORATION

Sec. 201. Expenditures for administration.
Sec. 202. Multistate conservation grant program.
Sec. 203. Conforming amendment.

        TITLE III--WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAMS

Sec. 301. Designation of programs.
Sec. 302. Implementation report.

                     TITLE I--WILDLIFE RESTORATION

     SEC. 101. EXPENDITURES FOR ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) Set-Aside for Administrative Expenses.--Section 4 of 
     the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 
     669c) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);
       (2) by striking ``Sec. 4.'' and all that follows through 
     the end of the first sentence of subsection (a) and inserting 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 4. ALLOCATION AND APPORTIONMENT OF AVAILABLE AMOUNTS.

       ``(a) Set-Aside for Administrative Expenses.--

[[Page S10492]]

       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Set-aside.--For fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter, of the revenues (excluding interest accruing 
     under section 3(b)) covered into the fund for the fiscal 
     year, the Secretary of the Interior may use not more than the 
     available amount specified in subparagraph (B) for the fiscal 
     year for administrative expenses incurred in implementation 
     of this Act, in accordance with this subsection and section 
     9.
       ``(B) Available amounts.--The available amount referred to 
     in subparagraph (A) is--
       ``(i) for fiscal year 2001, $9,500,000; and
       ``(ii) for fiscal year 2002 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter, the sum of--

       ``(I) the available amount for the preceding fiscal year; 
     and
       ``(II) the amount determined by multiplying--

       ``(aa) the available amount for the preceding fiscal year; 
     and
       ``(bb) the change, relative to the preceding fiscal year, 
     in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published 
     by the Department of Labor.
       ``(2) Period of availability; apportionment of unobligated 
     amounts.--
       ``(A) Period of availability.--For each fiscal year, the 
     available amount under paragraph (1) shall remain available 
     for obligation for use under that paragraph until the end of 
     the fiscal year.
       ``(B) Apportionment of unobligated amounts.--Not later than 
     60 days after the end of a fiscal year, the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall apportion among the States any of the 
     available amount under paragraph (1) that remains unobligated 
     at the end of the fiscal year, on the same basis and in the 
     same manner as other amounts made available under this Act 
     are apportioned among the States for the fiscal year.
       ``(b) Apportionment to States.--''; and
       (3) in subsection (b) (as designated by paragraph (2)), by 
     striking ``after making the aforesaid deduction, shall 
     apportion, except as provided in subsection (b) of this 
     section,'' and inserting ``after deducting the available 
     amount under subsection (a), the amount apportioned under 
     subsection (c), any amount apportioned under section 8A, and 
     amounts provided as grants under sections 10 and 11, shall 
     apportion''.
       (b) Requirements and Restrictions Concerning Use of Amounts 
     for Administrative Expenses.--Section 9 of the Pittman-
     Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669h) is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 9. REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS CONCERNING USE OF 
                   AMOUNTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

       ``(a) Authorized Administrative Costs.--Except as provided 
     in subsection (b), the Secretary of the Interior may use 
     available amounts under section 4(a)(1) only for 
     administrative expenses that directly support the 
     implementation of this Act, consisting of--
       ``(1) personnel costs of employees who directly administer 
     this Act on a full-time basis;
       ``(2) personnel costs of employees who directly administer 
     this Act on a part-time basis for at least 20 hours each 
     week, not to exceed the portion of those costs incurred with 
     respect to the work hours of an employee during which the 
     employee directly administers this Act, as those hours are 
     certified by the supervisor of the employee;
       ``(3) support costs directly associated with personnel 
     costs authorized under paragraphs (1) and (2), excluding 
     costs associated with staffing and operation of regional 
     offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and 
     the Department of the Interior other than for the purposes of 
     this Act;
       ``(4) costs of determining under section 6(a) whether State 
     comprehensive plans and projects are substantial in character 
     and design;
       ``(5) overhead costs, including the costs of general 
     administrative services, that are directly attributable to 
     administration of this Act and are based on--
       ``(A) actual costs, as determined by a direct cost 
     allocation methodology approved by the Director of the Office 
     of Management and Budget for use by Federal agencies; and
       ``(B) in the case of costs that are not determinable under 
     subparagraph (A), an amount per full-time equivalent employee 
     authorized under paragraphs (1) and (2) that does not 
     exceed the amount charged or assessed for costs per full-
     time equivalent employee for any other division or program 
     of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
       ``(6) costs incurred in auditing, every 5 years, the 
     wildlife and sport fish activities of each State fish and 
     game department and the use of funds under section 6 by each 
     State fish and game department;
       ``(7) costs of audits under subsection (d);
       ``(8) costs of necessary training of Federal and State 
     full-time personnel who administer this Act to improve 
     administration of this Act;
       ``(9) costs of travel to States, territories, and Canada by 
     personnel who--
       ``(A) administer this Act on a full-time basis for purposes 
     directly related to administration of State programs or 
     projects; or
       ``(B) administer grants under section 6, 10, or 11;
       ``(10) costs of travel by personnel outside the United 
     States (except travel to Canada) that relates directly to 
     administration of this Act and that is approved directly by 
     the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks;
       ``(11) relocation expenses for personnel who, after 
     relocation, will administer this Act on a full-time basis for 
     at least 1 year, as certified by the Director of the United 
     States Fish and Wildlife Service at the time at which the 
     relocation expenses are incurred; and
       ``(12) costs to audit, evaluate, approve, disapprove, and 
     advise concerning grants under section 6, 10, or 11.
       ``(b) Reporting of Other Uses.--If the Secretary of the 
     Interior determines that available amounts under section 
     4(a)(1) should be used for an administrative expense other 
     than an administrative expense described in subsection (a), 
     the Secretary--
       ``(1) shall submit to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of 
     the House of Representatives a report describing the 
     administrative expense; and
       ``(2) may use any such available amounts for the 
     administrative expense only after the end of the 30-day 
     period beginning on the date of submission of the report 
     under paragraph (1).
       ``(c) Restriction on Use To Supplement General 
     Appropriations.--The Secretary of the Interior shall not use 
     available amounts under section 4(a)(1) to supplement the 
     funding of any function for which general appropriations are 
     made for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or any 
     other entity of the Department of the Interior.
       ``(d) Audit Requirement.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Inspector General of the Department 
     of the Interior shall procure the performance of biennial 
     audits, in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
     principles, of expenditures and obligations of amounts used 
     by the Secretary of the Interior for administrative expenses 
     incurred in implementation of this Act.
       ``(2) Auditor.--
       ``(A) In general.--An audit under this subsection shall be 
     performed under a contract that is awarded under competitive 
     procedures (as defined in section 4 of the Office of Federal 
     Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403)) by a person or entity 
     that is not associated in any way with the Department of the 
     Interior (except by way of a contract for the performance of 
     an audit).
       ``(B) Supervision of auditor.--The auditor selected under 
     subparagraph (A) shall report to, and be supervised by, the 
     Inspector General of the Department of the Interior, except 
     that the auditor shall submit a copy of the biennial audit 
     findings to the Secretary of the Interior at the time at 
     which the findings are submitted to the Inspector General of 
     the Department of the Interior.
       ``(3) Report to congress.--The Inspector General of the 
     Department of the Interior shall promptly report to the 
     Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate 
     on the results of each audit under this subsection.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 8(b) of the Pittman-
     Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669g(b)) is 
     amended in the first sentence by striking ``section 4(b) of 
     this Act'' and inserting ``section 4(c)''.

     SEC. 102. FIREARM AND BOW HUNTER EDUCATION AND SAFETY PROGRAM 
                   GRANTS.

       The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act is amended--
       (1) by redesignating section 10 (16 U.S.C. 669i) as section 
     12; and
       (2) by inserting after section 9 (16 U.S.C. 669h) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 10. FIREARM AND BOW HUNTER EDUCATION AND SAFETY 
                   PROGRAM GRANTS.

       ``(a) In General.--Of the revenues covered into the fund 
     for a fiscal year, $7,500,000 shall be apportioned among the 
     States in the manner specified in section 4(b) by the 
     Secretary of the Interior and used to make grants to the 
     States to be used for--
       ``(1) the enhancement of hunter education programs, hunter 
     and sporting firearm safety programs, and hunter development 
     programs;
       ``(2) the enhancement of interstate coordination and 
     development of hunter education and shooting range programs;
       ``(3) the enhancement of bow hunter and archery education, 
     safety, and development programs; and
       ``(4) the enhancement of construction or development of 
     firearm shooting ranges and archery ranges, and the updating 
     of safety features of firearm shooting ranges and archery 
     ranges.
       ``(b) Cost Sharing.--The Federal share of the cost of any 
     activity carried out with a grant under this section shall 
     not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the activity.
       ``(c) Period of Availability; Reapportionment.--
       ``(1) Period of availability.--A grant under this section 
     shall remain available only for the fiscal year for which the 
     grant is made.
       ``(2) Reapportionment.--At the end of the period of 
     availability under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall apportion any grant funds that remain 
     available among the States in the manner specified in section 
     4(b) for use by the States in accordance with this 
     section.''.

     SEC. 103. MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

       The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (as amended 
     by section 102) is amended by inserting after section 10 the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 11. MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Amount for grants.--Not more than $3,500,000 of the 
     revenues covered into the fund for a fiscal year shall be 
     available to the Secretary of the Interior for making 
     multistate conservation project grants in accordance with 
     this section.
       ``(2) Period of availability; apportionment.--
       ``(A) Period of availability.--A grant under this 
     subsection shall remain available only for the fiscal year 
     for which the grant is made and the following fiscal year.
       ``(B) Apportionment.--At the end of the period of 
     availability under subparagraph (A), the

[[Page S10493]]

     Secretary of the Interior shall apportion any grant funds 
     that remain available among the States in the manner 
     specified in section 4(b) for use by the States in the same 
     manner as funds apportioned under section 4(b).
       ``(b) Selection of Projects.--
       ``(1) States or entities to be benefited.--A project shall 
     not be eligible for a grant under this section unless the 
     project will benefit--
       ``(A) at least 26 States;
       ``(B) a majority of the States in a region of the United 
     States Fish and Wildlife Service; or
       ``(C) a regional association of State fish and game 
     departments.
       ``(2) Use of submitted priority list of projects.--The 
     Secretary of the Interior may award grants under this section 
     only for projects identified on a priority list of wildlife 
     restoration projects described in paragraph (3).
       ``(3) Priority list of projects.--A priority list referred 
     to in paragraph (2) is a priority list of projects that the 
     International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies--
       ``(A) prepares through a committee comprised of the heads 
     of State fish and game departments (or their designees), in 
     consultation with--
       ``(i) nongovernmental organizations that represent 
     conservation organizations;
       ``(ii) sportsmen organizations; and
       ``(iii) industries that support or promote hunting, 
     trapping, recreational shooting, bow hunting, or archery;
       ``(B) approves by vote of a majority of the heads of State 
     fish and game departments (or their designees); and
       ``(C) not later than October 1 of each fiscal year, submits 
     to the Chief of the Division of Federal Aid.
       ``(4) Publication.--The Chief of the Division of Federal 
     Aid shall publish in the Federal Register each priority list 
     submitted under paragraph (3)(C).
       ``(c) Eligible Grantees.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior may make a 
     grant under this section only to--
       ``(A) a State or group of States;
       ``(B) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the 
     purpose of carrying out the National Survey of Fishing, 
     Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation; and
       ``(C) subject to paragraph (2), a nongovernmental 
     organization.
       ``(2) Nongovernmental organizations.--
       ``(A) In general.--Any nongovernmental organization that 
     applies for a grant under this section shall submit with the 
     application to the International Association of Fish and 
     Wildlife Agencies a certification that the organization--
       ``(i) does not promote or encourage opposition to the 
     regulated hunting or trapping of wildlife; and
       ``(ii) will use any funds awarded under this section in 
     compliance with subsection (d).
       ``(B) Penalties for certain activities.--Any 
     nongovernmental organization that is found to promote or 
     encourage opposition to the regulated hunting or trapping of 
     wildlife or that does not use funds in compliance with 
     subsection (d) shall return all funds received under this 
     section and be subject to any other penalties under law.
       ``(d) Use of Grants.--A grant under this section shall not 
     be used for an activity, project, or program that promotes or 
     encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or trapping of 
     wildlife.''.

                    TITLE II--SPORT FISH RESTORATION

     SEC. 201. EXPENDITURES FOR ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) Set-Aside for Administrative Expenses.--Section 4 of 
     the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 
     777c) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(d) Set-Aside for Administrative Expenses.--
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Set-aside.--For fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter, of the balance of each such annual appropriation 
     remaining after the distribution and use under subsections 
     (a), (b), and (c) and section 14, the Secretary of the 
     Interior may use not more than the available amount specified 
     in subparagraph (B) for the fiscal year for administrative 
     expenses incurred in implementation of this Act, in 
     accordance with this subsection and section 9.
       ``(B) Available amounts.--The available amount referred to 
     in subparagraph (A) is--
       ``(i) for fiscal year 2001, $9,500,000; and
       ``(ii) for fiscal year 2002 and each fiscal year 
     thereafter, the sum of--

       ``(I) the available amount for the preceding fiscal year; 
     and
       ``(II) the amount determined by multiplying--

       ``(aa) the available amount for the preceding fiscal year; 
     and
       ``(bb) the change, relative to the preceding fiscal year, 
     in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published 
     by the Department of Labor.
       ``(2) Period of availability; apportionment of unobligated 
     amounts.--
       ``(A) Period of availability.--For each fiscal year, the 
     available amount under paragraph (1) shall remain available 
     for obligation for use under that paragraph until the end of 
     the fiscal year.
       ``(B) Apportionment of unobligated amounts.--Not later than 
     60 days after the end of a fiscal year, the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall apportion among the States any of the 
     available amount under paragraph (1) that remains unobligated 
     at the end of the fiscal year, on the same basis and in the 
     same manner as other amounts made available under this Act 
     are apportioned among the States under subsection (e) for the 
     fiscal year.''.
       (b) Requirements and Restrictions Concerning Use of Amounts 
     for Administrative Expenses.--Section 9 of the Dingell-
     Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777h) is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 9. REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS CONCERNING USE OF 
                   AMOUNTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

       ``(a) Authorized Administrative Costs.--Except as provided 
     in subsection (b), the Secretary of the Interior may use 
     available amounts under section 4(d) only for administrative 
     expenses that directly support the implementation of this 
     Act, consisting of--
       ``(1) personnel costs of employees who directly administer 
     this Act on a full-time basis;
       ``(2) personnel costs of employees who directly administer 
     this Act on a part-time basis for at least 20 hours each 
     week, not to exceed the portion of those costs incurred with 
     respect to the work hours of an employee during which the 
     employee directly administers this Act, as those hours are 
     certified by the supervisor of the employee;
       ``(3) support costs directly associated with personnel 
     costs authorized under paragraphs (1) and (2), excluding 
     costs associated with staffing and operation of regional 
     offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and 
     the Department of the Interior other than for the purposes of 
     this Act;
       ``(4) costs of determining under section 6(a) whether State 
     comprehensive plans and projects are substantial in character 
     and design;
       ``(5) overhead costs, including the costs of general 
     administrative services, that are directly attributable to 
     administration of this Act and are based on--
       ``(A) actual costs, as determined by a direct cost 
     allocation methodology approved by the Director of the Office 
     of Management and Budget for use by Federal agencies; and
       ``(B) in the case of costs that are not determinable under 
     subparagraph (A), an amount per full-time equivalent employee 
     authorized under paragraphs (1) and (2) that does not exceed 
     the amount charged or assessed for costs per full-time 
     equivalent employee for any other division or program of the 
     United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
       ``(6) costs incurred in auditing, every 5 years, the 
     wildlife and sport fish activities of each State fish and 
     game department and the use of funds under section 6 by each 
     State fish and game department;
       ``(7) costs of audits under subsection (d);
       ``(8) costs of necessary training of Federal and State 
     full-time personnel who administer this Act to improve 
     administration of this Act;
       ``(9) costs of travel to States, territories, and Canada by 
     personnel who--
       ``(A) administer this Act on a full-time basis for purposes 
     directly related to administration of State programs or 
     projects; or
       ``(B) administer grants under section 6 or 14;
       ``(10) costs of travel by personnel outside the United 
     States (except travel to Canada) that relates directly to 
     administration of this Act and that is approved directly by 
     the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks;
       ``(11) relocation expenses for personnel who, after 
     relocation, will administer this Act on a full-time basis for 
     at least 1 year, as certified by the Director of the United 
     States Fish and Wildlife Service at the time at which the 
     relocation expenses are incurred; and
       ``(12) costs to audit, evaluate, approve, disapprove, and 
     advise concerning grants under section 6 or 14.
       ``(b) Reporting of Other Uses.--If the Secretary of the 
     Interior determines that available amounts under section 4(d) 
     should be used for an administrative expense other than an 
     administrative expense described in subsection (a), the 
     Secretary--
       ``(1) shall submit to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of 
     the House of Representatives a report describing the 
     administrative expense; and
       ``(2) may use any such available amounts for the 
     administrative expense only after the end of the 30-day 
     period beginning on the date of submission of the report 
     under paragraph (1).
       ``(c) Restriction on Use To Supplement General 
     Appropriations.--The Secretary of the Interior shall not use 
     available amounts under section 4(d) to supplement the 
     funding of any function for which general appropriations are 
     made for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or any 
     other entity of the Department of the Interior.
       ``(d) Audit Requirement.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Inspector General of the Department 
     of the Interior shall procure the performance of biennial 
     audits, in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
     principles, of expenditures and obligations of amounts used 
     by the Secretary of the Interior for administrative expenses 
     incurred in implementation of this Act.
       ``(2) Auditor.--
       ``(A) In general.--An audit under this subsection shall be 
     performed under a contract that is awarded under competitive 
     procedures (as defined in section 4 of the Office of Federal 
     Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403)) by a person or entity 
     that is not associated in any way with the Department of the 
     Interior (except by way of a contract for the performance of 
     an audit).
       ``(B) Supervision of auditor.--The auditor selected under 
     subparagraph (A) shall report to, and be supervised by, the 
     Inspector General of the Department of the Interior, except 
     that the auditor shall submit a copy of the biennial audit 
     findings to the Secretary of the Interior at the time at 
     which the findings are submitted to the Inspector General of 
     the Department of the Interior.
       ``(3) Report to congress.--The Inspector General of the 
     Department of the Interior shall promptly report to the 
     Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate 
     on the results of each audit under this subsection.''.

[[Page S10494]]

     SEC. 202. MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment of Program.--The Dingell-Johnson Sport 
     Fish Restoration Act is amended by striking the section 13 
     relating to effective date (16 U.S.C. 777 note) and inserting 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 14. MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Amount for grants.--Of the balance of each annual 
     appropriation made under section 3 remaining after the 
     distribution and use under subsections (a), (b), and (c) of 
     section 4 in a fiscal year, not more than $3,500,000 shall be 
     available to the Secretary of the Interior for making 
     multistate conservation project grants in accordance with 
     this section.
       ``(2) Period of availability; apportionment.--
       ``(A) Period of availability.--A grant under this 
     subsection shall remain available only for the fiscal year 
     for which the grant is made and the following fiscal year.
       ``(B) Apportionment.--At the end of the period of 
     availability under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall apportion any grant funds that remain 
     available among the States in the manner specified in section 
     4(e) for use by the States in the same manner as funds 
     apportioned under section 4(e).
       ``(b) Selection of Projects.--
       ``(1) States or entities to be benefited.--A project shall 
     not be eligible for a grant under this section unless the 
     project will benefit--
       ``(A) at least 26 States;
       ``(B) a majority of the States in a region of the United 
     States Fish and Wildlife Service; or
       ``(C) a regional association of State fish and game 
     departments.
       ``(2) Use of submitted priority list of projects.--The 
     Secretary of the Interior may award grants under this section 
     only for projects identified on a priority list of sport fish 
     restoration projects described in paragraph (3).
       ``(3) Priority list of projects.--A priority list referred 
     to in paragraph (2) is a priority list of projects that the 
     International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies--
       ``(A) prepares through a committee comprised of the heads 
     of State fish and game departments (or their designees), in 
     consultation with--
       ``(i) nongovernmental organizations that represent 
     conservation organizations;
       ``(ii) sportsmen organizations; and
       ``(iii) industries that fund the sport fish restoration 
     programs under this Act;
       ``(B) approves by vote of a majority of the heads of State 
     fish and game departments (or their designees); and
       ``(C) not later than October 1 of each fiscal year, submits 
     to the Chief of the Division of Federal Aid.
       ``(4) Publication.--The Chief of the Division of Federal 
     Aid shall publish in the Federal Register each priority list 
     submitted under paragraph (3)(C).
       ``(c) Eligible Grantees.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior may make a 
     grant under this section only to--
       ``(A) a State or group of States;
       ``(B) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the 
     purpose of carrying out the National Survey of Fishing, 
     Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation; and
       ``(C) subject to paragraph (2), a nongovernmental 
     organization.
       ``(2) Nongovernmental organizations.--
       ``(A) In general.--Any nongovernmental organization that 
     applies for a grant under this section shall submit with the 
     application to the International Association of Fish and 
     Wildlife Agencies a certification that the organization--
       ``(i) does not promote or encourage opposition to the 
     regulated taking of fish; and
       ``(ii) will use any funds awarded under this section in 
     compliance with subsection (d).
       ``(B) Penalties for certain activities.--Any 
     nongovernmental organization that is found to promote or 
     encourage opposition to the regulated taking of fish or that 
     does not use funds in compliance with subsection (d) shall 
     return all funds received under this section and be subject 
     to any other penalties under law.
       ``(d) Use of Grants.--A grant under this section shall not 
     be used for an activity, project, or program that promotes or 
     encourages opposition to the regulated taking of fish.
       ``(e) Funding for Other Activities.--Of the balance of each 
     annual appropriation made under section 3 remaining after the 
     distribution and use under subsections (a), (b), and (c) of 
     section 4 for each fiscal year and after deducting amounts 
     used for grants under subsection (a), $2,100,000 shall be 
     made available for--
       ``(1) the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission;
       ``(2) the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission;
       ``(3) the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission;
       ``(4) the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission;
       ``(5) the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council 
     established by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
       ``(6) construction and renovation of pumpout stations and 
     waste reception facilities under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 
     (33 U.S.C. 1322 note; subtitle F of title V of Public Law 
     102-587);
       ``(7) coastal wetlands conservation grants under section 
     305 of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and 
     Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 3954);
       ``(8) boating infrastructure grants under section 7404 of 
     the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 
     777g-1); and
       ``(9) the National Outreach and Communications Program 
     established under section 8(d).''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 4(e) of the Dingell-
     Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777c(e)) is 
     amended in the first sentence by inserting ``and after 
     deducting amounts used for grants under section 14,'' after 
     ``respectively,''.

     SEC. 203. CONFORMING AMENDMENT.

       Section 9504(b)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
     is amended by striking ``(as in effect on the date of the 
     enactment of the TEA 21 Restoration Act)'' and inserting 
     ``(as in effect on the date of enactment of the Wildlife and 
     Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000)''.

        TITLE III--WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAMS

     SEC. 301. DESIGNATION OF PROGRAMS.

       The programs established under the Pittman-Robertson 
     Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.) and the 
     Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et 
     seq.) shall be known as the ``Federal Assistance Program for 
     State Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration''.

     SEC. 302. IMPLEMENTATION REPORT.

       (a) Timing.--At the time at which the President submits a 
     budget request for the Department of the Interior for the 
     third fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the 
     Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a 
     report on the steps that have been taken to comply with this 
     Act and the amendments made by this Act.
       (b) Contents.--The report under subsection (a) shall--
       (1) describe--
       (A) the extent to which compliance with this Act and the 
     amendments made by this Act has required a reduction in the 
     number of personnel assigned to administer, manage, and 
     oversee the Federal Assistance Program for State Wildlife and 
     Sport Fish Restoration;
       (B) any revisions to this Act or the amendments made by 
     this Act that would be desirable in order for the Secretary 
     of the Interior to adequately administer the Programs and 
     ensure that funds provided to State agencies are properly 
     used; and
       (C) any other information concerning the implementation of 
     this Act and the amendments made by this Act that the 
     Secretary of the Interior considers appropriate; and
       (2) certify, with respect to the period beginning on the 
     date of enactment of this Act--
       (A)(i) the amounts used under section 4(a)(1) of the 
     Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 
     669c(a)(1)) and section 4(d) of the Dingell-Johnson Sport 
     Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777c(d)); and
       (ii) a breakdown of the categories for which the amounts 
     were used;
       (B) the amounts apportioned to States under section 4(a)(2) 
     of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 
     669c(a)(2)) and section 4(d)(2)(A) of the Dingell-Johnson 
     Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777c(d)(2)(A));
       (C) the results of the audits performed under section 9(d) 
     of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 
     669h(d) and section 9(d) of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish 
     Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777h(d));
       (D) that all amounts used under section 4(a)(1) of the 
     Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 
     669c(a)(1)) and section 4(d) of the Dingell-Johnson Sport 
     Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777c(d)) were necessary for 
     administrative expenses incurred in implementation of those 
     Acts;
       (E) that all amounts used to administer those Acts by 
     agency headquarters and by regional offices of the United 
     States Fish and Wildlife Service were used in accordance with 
     those Acts; and
       (F) that the Secretary of the Interior, the Assistant 
     Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, the Director of 
     the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Chief of 
     the Division of Federal Aid each properly discharged their 
     duties under those Acts.
       (c) Limitation on Delegation.--The Secretary of the 
     Interior shall not delegate the responsibility for making a 
     certification under subsection (b)(2) to any person except 
     the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
       (d) Publication of Certifications.--The Secretary of the 
     Interior shall promptly publish in the Federal Register each 
     certification under subsection (b)(2).


                           Amendment No. 4312

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, Senator Smith of New Hampshire has an 
amendment at the desk, and I ask for its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Alaska [Mr. Murkowski], for Mr. Smith of 
     New Hampshire, proposes an amendment numbered 4312.

  (The text of the amendment is printed in today's Record under 
``Amendments Submitted.'')


                            dog field trials

  Mr. CRAPO. I would like to engage the distinguished Senator from New 
Hampshire, Mr. Smith, in a colloquy regarding the Federal Aid bill and 
concerns that have been raised with respect to the use of Pittman-
Robertson Act-acquired lands for dog field trials.
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. I am delighted to accommodate my friend 
from Idaho.
  Mr. CRAPO. As the chairman of the Environment and Public Works 
Committee knows, there is nothing that precludes the use Pittman-
Robertson

[[Page S10495]]

lands for dog field trials, and, that in fact, this is a legitimate use 
of these lands, provided that the field trials are consistent with the 
objectives of the Pittman-Robertson Act.
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. I agree that Pittman-Robertson lands can 
certainly be used for field trials in a way that is consistent with the 
act.
  Mr. CRAPO. Concerns have been raised that Pittman-Robertson lands 
should not be used for field trials. As the Senator from New Hampshire 
knows, the sportsmen who pay this excise tax have varied interests--
they are hunters, field trialers, and shooting enthusiasts. The primary 
goal of the Pittman-Robertson Act is wildlife conservation, but it is 
also important that these lands support multiple uses.
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. I agree with the chairman of the 
Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water Subcommittee.
  Mr. CRAPO. Multiple uses of public lands necessarily require the 
balancing of occasionally competing interests and objectives. The most 
appropriate parties to make decisions regarding wildlife habitat 
development and other uses and activities are state wildlife managers 
who are most familiar with site specific conditions, habitat needs, and 
the impact of sporting activities.
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. I agree wholeheartedly with the Senator 
from Idaho. It is those closest to the land who can help determine on a 
case-by-case basis how to balance wildlife needs with users who engage 
in various sporting activities, while remaining consistent with the 
objectives of the Pittman-Robertson Act.


                           assistant director

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I want to make a point about one provision 
of the amendment and ask the committee chairman, Senator Smith, whether 
he agrees. Section 132 of the bill establishes a new position, in the 
Fish and Wildlife Service, of Assistant Director for Wildlife and Sport 
Fish Restoration Programs. The provision also specifies the Assistant 
Director's responsibilities.
  Although this provision is similar to section 302 of the version of 
the bill that passed the House, it differs in one significant respect. 
The House report said that ``individuals in the Regional offices who 
are responsible for administering the Wildlife and Sport Fish 
Restoration Programs will also report to the Assistant Director.'' We 
considered and rejected this approach. The Fish and Wildlife Service 
operates through a system of regional offices. Employees in the 
regional offices report to the regional directors, and the regional 
directors report to the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. In 
light of this, it would be potentially disruptive to require that 
individuals who are responsible for administering the federal aid 
program to report directly to the Assistant Director, in Washington, 
D.C., rather than to the regional director. We do not intend section 
132 to mandate such a change. Does the chairman agree?
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Yes. By approving section 132, we intend 
to elevate the role of the head of the Federal Aid program, as part of 
our overall effort, in this bill, to give the program the full 
attention that it deserves. We do not intend, however, to mandate a 
change in the general Fish and Wildlife Service's administrative 
structure. No case has been made for such a change, and it could 
potentially be counterproductive.


          Firearm and Bow Hunter Education and Safety Program

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, the manager's amendment amends the Firearm 
and Bow Hunter Education and Safety Program that was included in the 
bill as reported out of the Committee. It is my understanding that the 
manager's amendment authorizes $7.5 million for fiscal year 2001 and 
2002, and $8 million for fiscal year 2003 and every year thereafter. 
The authorized funds would be provided to the States in the form of 
direct grants. Would you please briefly explain how this new grant 
program will impact the States, especially States like Montana and New 
Hampshire that are spending a considerable amount on these type of 
projects already?
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. As you know, under current law, States 
are authorized to use one half of the revenue collected from taxes on 
handguns and archery equipment for hunter education and the development 
of target ranges. Under our provision, any State that is fully 
utilizing the authorized amount for these purposes can spend the grant 
money on any project that is authorized in the Pittman-Robertson Act. 
States that are spending less than the authorized amount have to use 
the grant funds for hunter education and range development until they 
utilize the amount authorized by the Pittman-Robertson Act for those 
purposes. The States can then spend any remaining funds above the 
authorized level on hunter education, range development or any other 
project that is authorized in Pittman-Robertson. For example, say New 
Hampshire is authorized to use $270 thousand of Pittman-Robertson funds 
on hunter education and range development but is only spending $266 
thousand. New Hampshire would be then required to spend $4 thousand of 
its grant money on hunter education and range development. After that 
New Hampshire could use any remaining amount on any project that is 
consistent with the purposes of the Pittman-Robertson Act.
  Mr. BAUCUS. I think it is very important for us to recognize that the 
vast majority of states spend a considerable sum of money, both 
Pittman-Robertson and state funds, on hunter education and target range 
development.
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to encourage 
my colleagues to support final passage of H.R. 3671, the Fish and 
Wildlife Programs Improvement Act. I believe that this bill will 
enhance State wildlife conservation programs across the country. I am 
proud to be a cosponsor of this important legislation.
  The Pittman-Robertson Act and the Wallop-Breaux Act created user-pay 
benefit trust funds. Together, these programs are called the Sport Fish 
and Wildlife Restoration Programs and are known more generally as the 
Federal Aid Program. The States are primarily responsible for managing 
the Federal Aid Program. They identify eligible projects and then pay 
for the projects up front. The projects must be directly related to old 
and sport fish restoration efforts. Projects that are eligible for 
funding through the Pittman-Robertson and Wallop Breaux Programs 
include: acquisition and improvement of wildlife habitat; hunter 
education; wildlife population surveys; construction of facilities to 
improve public access; management of wildlife areas fish stocking, 
boating and fishing access; and facility development and maintenance. 
States are reimbursed for up to 75 percent of the total cost of each 
project from the Federal Aid funds.
  I am offering a manager's amendment in the nature of a substitute 
that makes several important changes to the Federal Aid bill that 
reported by the Committee on Environment and Public Works. I believe 
that in adopting these changes, we will not only improve the bill, but 
will also ensure that this important legislation is signed into law 
this year. In addition, the manager's package includes the National 
Fish and Wildlife Refuge System Centennial bill, and reauthorized the 
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. This package has been negotiated 
with the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  Earlier this year, the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on 
Fisheries, Wildlife and Water held a hearing on the Fish and Wildlife 
Service's Administration of the Wallop-Breaux and Pittman-Robertson 
Acts and what we discovered was shocking.
  The Pittman-Robertson and Wallop-Breaux Restoration Funds were 
created over 50 years ago. Congress intended to allow sportsmen to 
contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the fields, streams 
and great outdoors that they enjoy so much. These two programs together 
authorize the collection of excise taxes from the manufacturers and 
importers of hunting and fishing equipment. Congress entrusted the Fish 
and Wildlife Service, through the Federal Aid Division, with the 
responsibility of managing these programs and distributing the funds to 
the States. Unfortunately, a report issued by the General Accounting 
Office indicates that the Fish and Wildlife Service has violated that 
trust.
  These are significant wildlife programs, with substantial resources 
to fund them. Last year alone, sportsmen contributed over $430 million 
to the

[[Page S10496]]

programs. Every time a hunter buys a gun, or an angler buys a rod, they 
know a portion of the cost is supposed to be given to the States to 
fund conservation projects, such as fish stocking or habitat 
restoration. I say ``supposed to'' because GAO recently found that not 
all of the money the States are entitled to is, in fact, being given to 
them. Both the Wallop-Breaux and Pittman-Robertson Acts allowed the 
Fish and Wildlife Service to reserve a percentage of the mounts 
received from the excise tax. However, the Acts also require that any 
excess amounts not needed for administration of the programs be 
distributed among the States. Unfortunately, for years, the Fish and 
Wildlife Service just ignored that requirement and shortchanged the 
States.
  The problems that plague these programs are numerous. The Service 
created several grant programs which they had, at best, questionable 
authority to do. Initially, they failed to account for millions of 
dollars. They ignored their own established guidelines for approving 
travel. This is unacceptable behavior.
  I believe that the manager's amendment will put an end to the 
mismanagement that plagues the programs today. At the same time, it 
will institute a more effective way in which to manage these programs 
in the future. We address the problems that were identified in the GAO 
report and in the hearing by making four fundamental changes to the 
wildlife restoration and sport fish programs. These changes are 
intended to enhance accountability within the Fish and Wildlife Service 
with respect to the administration of the Federal Aid Program; to 
provide further clarity regarding the use of administrative funds; to 
encourage safe hunting through education; and to provide additional 
flexibility to the States for regional conservation projects.
  First, the manager's amendment authorizes $18 million in fiscal years 
2001 and 2002, and $16.4 million in fiscal year 2003 and subsequent 
years, with an increase relative to the Consumer Price Index for the 
Secretary of the Interior to administer both the Pittman-Robertson and 
Wallop-Breaux Programs. I felt that it was extremely important for the 
Secretary to have enough resources to administer the program 
effectively, but not so much money that there would be an incentive to 
waste it needlessly. Although I am confident that the program can run 
effectively on the authorized amount, it is extremely important to 
revisit this issue in several years. This is particularly important 
because the administration was unable to justify many of its costs. The 
manager's amendment requires a biennial audit that will give the 
Committee additional information on whether or not the authorized 
amount needs to be adjusted.
  Second, the manager's amendment enumerates legitimate administrative 
costs and limits the use of Federal Aid funds to those expenses. The 
General Accounting Office investigation found that the Fish and 
Wildlife Service, among other things, failed to maintain adequate 
controls over funds, expenditures, and grants, and used administrative 
funds inconsistently among different FWS regional offices. By 
specifically listing what constitutes appropriate administrative costs, 
these problems should not arise in the future.
  Third, the manager's amendment creates a new Firearm and Bow Hunter 
Education and Safety Grant Program authorized at $7.5 million in fiscal 
years 2001 and 2002, and $8 million in fiscal year 2003 and every year 
thereafter. The authorized funds would be provided to the States in the 
form of direct grants. Under current law, States are authorized to use 
half of the revenue collected from taxes on handguns and archery 
equipment for hunter education and the development of target ranges. 
This new provision would allow any State that is fully utilizing the 
authorized amount for these purposes to spend the grant money on any 
project that is authorized in the Pittman-Robertson Act. States that 
are spending less than the authorized amount would be required to use 
the grant funds for hunter education and range development until they 
utilize the amount authorized by the Pittman-Robertson Act for those 
purposes. At that point, the States can spend any remaining funds above 
the authorized level on hunter education, range development or any 
other project that is authorized in Pittman-Robertson.
  In my home State of New Hampshire, for example, the Department of 
Fish and Game is authorized to use $270 thousand of Pittman-Robertson 
funds on hunter education and range development, but is currently only 
spending $266 thousand. Under this bill, New Hampshire would be 
required to spend $4 thousand of its grant money on hunter education 
and range development; after that, however, the State would have the 
discretion to spend the remaining amount on any project that is 
consistent with the purposes of the Pittman-Robertson Act. This strikes 
a good balance between the interests of the hunting community that 
wanted states to spend the 50 percent level authorized under the law, 
and the States who want discretion to spend Pittman-Robertson funds to 
meet their priorities, both education and conservation programs.
  Finally, the manager's amendment authorizes a new Multistate 
Conservation Grant Program at $6 million to allow for Federal Aid funds 
to be used for regional projects. The Multistate Grant program requires 
the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 
International to submit a list to the Secretary of the Interior 
recommending projects that should receive funding. The bill as reported 
out of Committee prohibited the International from considering any 
grant submitted by an organization that opposes hunting or fishing. 
Shortly before the markup, we realized this approach raised First 
Amendment concerns, and I promised to work with interested parties to 
resolve this problem. The manager's amendment prohibits any grant funds 
from supporting, in whole or in part, any activity that promotes 
opposition to hunting and fishing. Any organization can apply for a 
grant but it can't use these funds in any activity that targets the 
individuals who pay the excise tax. This is a common sense solution 
that protects the first amendment rights of all, without penalizing 
sportsmen who help fund the programs.
  This manager's amendment also reauthorizes the National Fish and 
Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act of 1984. The manager's amendment 
makes important changes in the Foundation's charter, changes that I 
believe will allow the Foundation to build on its fine record of 
providing funding for the conservation of our nation's fish, wildlife 
and plant resources.
  The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation was established in 1984 to 
bring together diverse groups to engage in conservation projects across 
America and, in some cases, around the world. Since its inception, the 
Foundation has made more than 3,400 grants totaling over $435 million. 
This is an impressive record of accomplishment. The Foundation has 
pioneered some notable conservation programs, including implementing 
the North American Waterfowl Management plan, Partners in Flight for 
neotropical birds, Bring Back the Natives Program, the Exxon Save the 
Tiger Fund, and the establishment of the Conservation Plan for Sterling 
Forest in New York and New Jersey, to name just a few.
  The Foundation has funded these programs by raising private funds to 
match federal appropriations on at least a 2 to 1 basis. During this 
time of fiscal constraint, this is an impressive record of leveraging 
federal dollars. Moreover, all of the Foundation's operating costs are 
covered by separate private sources, which means that Federal and 
private dollars given for conservation are spent only on conservation 
projects.

  The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has more than fulfilled the 
hopes of its original sponsors. It has helped to implement solutions to 
some difficult natural resource problems and is becoming widely 
recognized for its innovative approach to solving environmental 
problems. For example, when Atlantic salmon neared extinction in the 
U.S. due to overharvest in Greenland, the Foundation and its partners 
bought Greenland Salmon quotas. I, like many others in Congress, want 
the Foundation to continue its important conservation efforts.
  This legislation is quite simple. The manager's amendment would 
expand the Foundation's governing Board of Directors from 15 members to 
25 members. This will allow a greater number

[[Page S10497]]

of individuals with a strong interest in conservation to actively 
participate in, and contribute to, the Foundation's activities. Also, 
it would authorize appropriations to the Fish and Wildlife Service and 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through 2003.
  Finally, the manager's amendment would authorize the ``National 
Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Commemoration Act of 2000.'' This 
landmark provision commemorates the centennial of the first national 
wildlife refuge in the United States, established on March 14, 1903, by 
a great man and conservationist, President Theodore Roosevelt. By 
setting aside land at Indian River Lagoon on Pelican Island, Florida as 
a haven for birds, President Roosevelt began a conservation legacy 
known as the National Wildlife Refuge System.
  Today, the National Wildlife Refuge System has evolved into the most 
comprehensive system of lands devoted to wildlife protection and 
management in the world--spanning nearly 93 million acres across the 
United States and its territories. By placing special emphasis on 
conservation, our nation's network of refuges ensures the continued 
protection of our wildlife resources, including threatened and 
endangered species, and land areas with significant wildlife-oriented 
recreational, historical and cultural value.
  Currently, there are more than 500 refuges in the United States and 
its territories, providing important habitat for 700 bird species, 220 
mammal species, 250 species of amphibians and reptiles, and over 200 
fish species. The Refuge System also hosts some of our country's 
premiere fisheries, and serves a vital role in the protection of 
threatened and endangered species by preserving their critical 
habitats.
  Approximately 98 percent of the Refuge System land is open to the 
public. Each year, the System attracts more than 34 million visitors to 
participate in a variety of recreational activities that include 
observing and photographing wildlife, fishing, hunting and taking part 
in system-sponsored educational programs. By providing the public with 
an opportunity to participate in these activities, refuges promote a 
sense of appreciation for the natural wonders of this nation and 
emphasize our important role as stewards of these lands.
  The manager's amendment commemorates the Refuge System by creating a 
Commission that will oversee the Centennial anniversary and promote 
public awareness and understanding of the importance of refuges to our 
nation. Additionally, the manger's amendment directs the Fish and 
Wildlife Service to prepare a long-term plan for the Refuge System that 
will enable the Service to look ahead and determine the future needs 
and priorities of the system network.
  Mr. President, I strongly urge my colleagues to support adoption of 
this bill.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today in support of H.R. 3671, the 
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000. 
The bill we have before us today is the culmination of a bi-partisan, 
bi-cameral effort. I want to thank Chairman Bob Smith, Ranking Member 
Baucus, and Senator Boxer for their hard work and recognition of how 
important it was to pass this bill this year. I also thank 
Representative Don Young, Chairman of the House Resources Committee, 
for his efforts and investigation into the program.
  I think we have a bill that everyone can support. It will reduce 
Government waste and prevent misuse of funds, while enhancing the 
program. The federal aid program has been a conservation success story. 
This bill will ensure that this success continues by restoring 
accountability and responsibility to the program. Ultimately, this 
legislation will restore trust in the program, without affecting the 
effectiveness of the program.
  Senator Craig and I introduced the Senate version of this bill 
because there was a problem and America's hunters and fishermen needed 
trust returned to the administration of the Wildlife and Sport Fish 
Restoration Programs. The bill we have before us today restricts the 
amount of money that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can spend on 
administrative expenses, while clearly identifying authorized expenses. 
The bill also improves the program by funding a multi-state grant 
program, and ensuring that hunter education and shooting range programs 
are funded at the level hunters and shooting enthusiasts expect and 
deserve. These changes are good for the program, good for hunters, 
fishermen, and shooting enthusiasts, and are simply good government.
  Congressional investigations and a General Accounting Office audit of 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed that, contrary to existing 
law, money had been routinely diverted to administrative slush funds, 
withheld from states, and generally misused for purposes unrelated to 
either fisheries or wildlife conservation. In addition, the GAO called 
the Division of Federal Aid, ``if not the worst, one of the worst-
managed programs we have encountered.'' As an avid outsdoorsman, I was 
particularly disturbed by this abuse. As a legislator, I am pleased to 
have an opportunity to prevent such abuses in the future.
  This bill reestablishes the trust between the hunters and anglers who 
pay the excise taxes and the Federal Government. It is an opportunity 
to repair a system that has been lauded as one of the nation's most 
successful conservation efforts. I hope my colleagues will join me in 
passing this bipartisan effort to restore accountability and 
responsibility to the Federal Aid programs and the Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
  I thank the Chair.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I support H.R. 3671, the Wildlife Sport 
Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, and the substitute 
amendment proposed by the chairman of the Environment and Public Works 
Committee, Senator Smith.
  The Federal aid program, embodied in the Pittman-Robertson Act and 
the Wallop-Breaux Act, uses the revenue derived from the excise taxes 
on firearms and fishing equipment to support state efforts to promote 
wildlife conservation, sport fish conservation, hunter education, and 
related activities. It's a good program. It has provided more than $7 
billion to support state wildlife conservation and sport fish projects. 
To give you a more specific idea about the benefits of the program, in 
1999 Montana received almost $5 million dollars under these programs, 
for activities ranging from our hunter education program, to improving 
habitat for white tail deer, waterfowl, and upland birds, to 
acquisition of access rights to private land, to our program to reduce 
conflicts between grizzly bears and people. A few years ago, the 
program helped us complete the Gallatin land exchange.
  Over the years, problems developed in the administration of the 
program. In particular, the General Accounting Office and others found 
that money that was set aside, by statute, for administration of the 
program was being used for unrelated activities. There also were 
considerable problems with budgeting and overall management.
  The bill is designed to address these problems. It makes several 
reforms. Among other things, it reduces the amount available for 
administrative expenses, clarifies what constitutes a proper 
administrative expense, and establishes a new multistate grant program, 
in part, codifying a previous practice.
  These reforms are important. They will assure that taxpayers' money 
is well spent and that states receive the funds that they are entitled 
to. In addition, both the bill reported by the Environment and Public 
Works Committee and the substitute amendment improve on the version of 
the bill that passed the House. The bill and amendment provide a level 
of funding for administration that, while significantly lower than the 
previous level, will fully fund the current activities of the federal 
aid office of the Fish and Wildlife Service. They also provide the 
Service with some limited flexibility in determining what is an 
appropriate administrative expense and avoid prescribing the Service's 
activities in such detail that we risk ``micromanaging.'' These changes 
make a good bill even better.
  I am pleased that the bill also includes two other important 
provisions, one reauthorizing the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 
and another establishing a program to recognize the upcoming centennial 
of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Both have previously passed the 
Senate.

[[Page S10498]]

  I urge adoption of the amendment and passage of the bill.


                 multi-state conservation grant program

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, as you know H.R. 3671 establishes a new 
Multi-State Conservation Grant program. This program requires the 
International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, representing 
State fish and wildlife agencies, to submit a list to the Secretary of 
the Interior of recommendation projects eligible for funding under this 
program prior to October 1 of each year. It is my understanding that 
the International submitted a list to the Secretary of the Interior 
prior to October 1 of this year for consideration. Senator Smith, is it 
your understanding that the list should be considered submitted in 
accordance with the provisions of this bill?
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Yes, it is. I do not believe that the 
grant recipients, many of whom are States, should be penalized because 
we were unable to pass a bill prior to October 1.
  Mr. BAUCUS. The multi-state grant program also requires the 
International to consult with the various non-governmental 
organizations and interests involved in this program in preparing this 
list. It is my understanding that this provision should ensure that 
these groups are involved both in preparing the request for grant 
proposals and in evaluating them. Is this also the view of the 
Chairman?
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Yes, it is. This bill requires that the 
various interests involved in the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration 
programs be fully and meaningfully consulted in the process, as 
indicated by the Senator. This should be carefully adhered to in the 
development of future recommendations.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
amendment be agreed to, the committee amendment, as amended, be agreed 
to, the bill, as amended, be read the third time and passed, the title 
amendment be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 4312) was agreed to.
  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, 
was agreed to.
  The bill (H.R. 3671), as amended, was read the third time and passed.
  The title was amended so as to read:

       An Act to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration 
     Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to 
     enhance the funds available for grants to States for fish and 
     wildlife conservation projects, to reauthorize and amend the 
     National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act, to 
     commemorate the centennial of the establishment of the first 
     national wildlife refuge in the United States on March 14, 
     1903, and for other purposes.

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