[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 17, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H10015-H10017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS FISCAL OPERATIONS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5410) to establish revolving funds for the operation of
certain programs and activities of the Library of Congress, and for
other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 5410
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 ``Library of Congress Fiscal
Operations Improvement Act of 2000''.
TITLE I--LIBRARY OF CONGRESS REVOLVING FUNDS
SEC. 101. REVOLVING FUND FOR AUDIO AND VIDEO DUPLICATION
SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH AUDIOVISUAL
CONSERVATION CENTER.
(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established in the
Treasury a revolving fund for audio and video duplication and
delivery services provided by the Librarian of Congress
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Librarian'')
which are associated with the national audiovisual
conservation center established under the Act entitled ``An
Act to authorize acquisition of certain real property for the
Library of Congress, and for other purposes'', approved
December 15, 1997 (Public Law 105-144; 2 U.S.C. 141 note).
(b) Fees for Services.--The Librarian may charge a fee for
providing services described in subsection (a), and shall
deposit any such fees charged into the revolving fund under
this section.
(c) Contents of Fund.--
(1) In general.--The revolving fund under this section
shall consist of the following amounts:
(A) Amounts deposited by the Librarian under subsection
(b).
(B) Any other amounts received by the Librarian which are
attributable to the services described in subsection (a).
(C) Amounts deposited by the Librarian under paragraph (2).
(D) Such other amounts as may be appropriated under law.
(2) Deposit of funds during transition.--The Librarian
shall transfer to the revolving fund under this section the
following:
(A) Any obligated, unexpended balances existing as of the
date of the transfer which are attributable to the services
described in subsection (a).
(B) An amount equal to the difference as of such date
between--
(i) the total value of the supplies, inventories,
equipment, gift fund balances, and other assets attributable
to such services; and
(ii) the total value of the liabilities attributable to
such services.
(d) Use of Amounts in Fund.--Amounts in the revolving fund
under this section shall be available to the Librarian, in
amounts specified in appropriations Acts and without fiscal
year limitation, to carry out the services described in
subsection (a).
SEC. 102. REVOLVING FUND FOR GIFT SHOP, DECIMAL
CLASSIFICATION, PHOTO DUPLICATION, AND RELATED
SERVICES.
(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established in the
Treasury a revolving fund for the following programs and
activities of the Librarian:
(1) Decimal classification development.
[[Page H10016]]
(2) The operation of a gift shop or other sales of items
associated with collections, exhibits, performances, and
special events of the Library of Congress.
(3) Document reproduction and microfilming services.
(b) Individual Accounting Requirement.--A separate account
shall be maintained in the revolving fund under this section
with respect to the programs and activities described in each
of the paragraphs of subsection (a).
(c) Fees for Services.--The Librarian may charge a fee for
services under any of the programs and activities described
in subsection (a), and shall deposit any such fees charged
into the account of the revolving fund under this section for
such program or activity.
(d) Contents of Accounts in Fund.--
(1) In general.--Each account of the revolving fund under
this section shall consist of the following amounts:
(A) Amounts deposited by the Librarian under subsection
(c).
(B) Any other amounts received by the Librarian which are
attributable to the programs and activities covered by such
account.
(C) Amounts deposited by the Librarian under paragraph (2).
(D) Such other amounts as may be appropriated under law.
(2) Deposit of funds during transition.--The Librarian
shall transfer to each account of the revolving fund under
this section the following:
(A) Any obligated, unexpended balances existing as of the
date of the transfer which are attributable to the programs
and activities covered by such account.
(B) An amount equal to the difference as of such date
between--
(i) the total value of the supplies, inventories,
equipment, gift fund balances, and other assets attributable
to such programs and activities; and
(ii) the total value of the liabilities attributable to
such programs and activities.
(e) Use of Amounts.--Amounts in the accounts of the
revolving fund under this section shall be available to the
Librarian, in amounts specified in appropriations Acts and
without fiscal year limitation, to carry out the programs and
activities covered by such accounts.
SEC. 103. REVOLVING FUND FOR FEDLINK PROGRAM AND FEDERAL
RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established in the
Treasury a revolving fund for the Federal Library and
Information Network program (hereafter in this Act referred
to as the ``FEDLINK program'') of the Library of Congress (as
described in subsection (f)(1)) and the Federal Research
program of the Library of Congress (as described in
subsection (f)(2)).
(b) Individual Accounting Requirement.--A separate account
shall be maintained in the revolving fund under this section
with respect to the programs described in subsection (a).
(c) Fees for Services.--
(1) In general.--The Librarian may charge a fee for
services under the FEDLINK program and the Federal Research
program, and shall deposit any such fees charged into the
account of the revolving fund under this section for such
program.
(2) Advances of funds.--Participants in the FEDLINK program
and the Federal Research program shall pay for products and
services of the program by advance of funds--
(A) if the Librarian determines that amounts in the
Revolving Fund are otherwise insufficient to cover the costs
of providing such products and services; or
(B) upon agreement between participants and the Librarian.
(d) Contents of Fund.--
(1) In general.--Each account of the revolving fund under
this section shall consist of the following amounts:
(A) Amounts deposited by the Librarian under subsection
(c).
(B) Any other amounts received by the Librarian which are
attributable to the program covered by such account.
(C) Amounts deposited by the Librarian under paragraph (2).
(D) Such other amounts as may be appropriated under law.
(2) Deposit of funds during transition.--Notwithstanding
section 1535(d) of title 31, United States Code, the
Librarian shall transfer to the appropriate account of the
revolving fund under this section the following:
(A) Any obligated, unexpended balances existing as of the
date of the transfer which are attributable to the FEDLINK
program or the Federal Research program.
(B) An amount equal to the difference as of such date
between--
(i) the total value of the supplies, inventories,
equipment, gift fund balances, and other assets attributable
to such program; and
(ii) the total value of the liabilities attributable to
such program.
(e) Use of Amounts in Fund.--Amounts in the accounts of the
revolving fund under this section shall be available to the
Librarian, in amounts specified in appropriations Acts and
without fiscal year limitation, to carry out the program
covered by each such account.
(f) Programs Described.--
(1) FEDLINK.--In this section, the ``FEDLINK program'' is
the program of the Library of Congress under which the
Librarian provides the following services on behalf of
participating Federal libraries, Federal information centers,
other entities of the Federal government, and the District of
Columbia:
(A) The procurement of commercial information services,
publications in any format, and library support services.
(B) Related accounting services.
(C) Related education, information, and support services.
(2) Federal research program.--In this section, the
``Federal Research program'' is the program of the Library of
Congress under which the Librarian provides research reports,
translations, and analytical studies for entities of the
Federal Government and the District of Columbia (other than
any program of the Congressional Research Service).
SEC. 104. AUDITS BY COMPTROLLER GENERAL.
Each of the revolving funds established under this title
shall be subject to audit by the Comptroller General at the
Comptroller General's discretion.
SEC. 105. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The provisions of this title shall apply with respect to
fiscal year 2002 and each succeeding fiscal year.
TITLE II--LIBRARY OF CONGRESS TRUST FUND BOARD
SEC. 201. REVISIONS TO MEMBERSHIP AND OPERATION OF LIBRARY OF
CONGRESS TRUST FUND BOARD.
(a) Addition of Vice Chair of Joint Committee on the
Library as Board Member.--Section 1 of the Act entitled ``An
Act to create a Library of Congress Trust Fund Board, and for
other purposes'', approved March 3, 1925 (2 U.S.C. 154), is
amended in the first sentence of the first paragraph by
inserting ``and the vice chair'' after ``chairman''.
(b) Quorum Requirement.--Section 1 of such Act (2 U.S.C.
154) is amended in the second sentence of the first paragraph
by striking ``Nine'' and inserting ``Seven''.
(c) Temporary Extension of Board Member Term.--Section 1 of
such Act (2 U.S.C. 154) is amended in the first paragraph by
inserting after the first sentence the following: ``Upon
request of the chair of the Board, any member whose term has
expired may continue to serve on the Trust Fund Board until
the earlier of the date on which such member's successor is
appointed or the expiration of the 1-year period which begins
on the date such member's term expires.''.
SEC. 202. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by this title shall take effect on the
date of the enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Thomas) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas).
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 5410 is a bill to allow the Library of Congress to create three
revolving funds so that the monies garnered from various activities
could be retained by the library to be reinvested in those areas.
One of the revolving funds is a gift shop fund, the other is a
Federal library and information network program for products and
services yielded under that structure.
I would tell the gentleman from Virginia that, because of the recent
locating of the audio-video conservation center in Culpeper, Virginia,
a major acquisition for the Library of Congress in a facility designed
for other purposes but perfect for protecting films and audio, that any
funds derived from audio-video duplicating will be allowed to be placed
in a revolving fund based upon this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would state that we have no objection to the passage
of the legislation. We would particularly encourage the gentleman from
California to locate other Federal facilities in the Commonwealth of
Virginia, and we urge the passage of this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
just to note that I did thank the gentleman from Virginia for his
assistance, and I will gladly and laudatorily praise him for his
assistance, but he will have to work to get additional facilities.
The one that we have is an excellent one and it is going to serve the
Nation well in preserving the very volatile audio and video treasures
of this country.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the motion.
This bill resembles one that I introduced in April. It will resolve
the sole remaining issue
[[Page H10017]]
raised in the annual audit of Library financial operations by giving
the Library statutory authority to operate its gift revolving funds.
The bill creates three revolving funds, one to support the Library's
audio-visual duplication and delivery services; a second to support its
gift shop, decimal cataloging and photo duplication services; and a
third to support ``FEDLINK,'' the program that acquires library
materials for other agencies, and the Federal Research Division, which
conducts research for other agencies.
Enactment of this measure will result in significant savings to the
Library and its customers by improving financial management of these
programs. The Library estimates that FEDLINK's agency customers will
collectively save over $1.3 million annually through administrative
efficiencies and increased vendor discounts.
In addition, the bill adds the vice-chair of the Joint Committee on
the Library to the trust fund board, to ensure representation from both
Houses. Finally, to facilitate the work of the Library's trust fund
board, the bill adjusts its quorum requirement. It also permits the
board chairman to request that members whose terms have expired
continue to serve for up to a year, or until their successors are
qualified, whichever comes first.
Mr. Speaker, this is a good-housekeeping bill that will save money
for the Library and its customers while resolving auditors' concerns. I
urge an ``aye'' vote.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5410, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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