[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6559-6579]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself, Mr. Burns, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. 
        Fitzgerald, Mr. Daschle, Mr.

[[Page 6560]]

        McCain, Mr. Carper, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kerry, Mr. 
        Leahy, and Mr. Levin):
  S. 803. A bill to enhance the management and promotion of electronic 
Government services and processes by establishing a Federal Chief 
Information Officer within the Office of Management and Budget, and by 
establishing a broad framework of measures that require using Internet-
based information technology to enhance citizen access to Government 
information and services, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce with my 
colleagues the ``Electronic Government Act of 2001''. Members of both 
parties understand that using new information technologies wisely can 
create a better government more in touch with the needs of the public. 
That's why I am happy to be joined in this endeavor by such a 
distinguished group of original co-sponsors, namely Senators Burns, 
Bingaman, Fitzgerald, Daschle, McCain, Carper, Durbin, Johnson, Kerry, 
Leahy, and Levin. Our legislation will provide the leadership, 
coordination, expertise, and resources necessary to utilize the 
Internet and create a more efficient, citizen-oriented government. 
Harnessing the Internet and other information technologies to deliver 
government programs, services, and information more effectively is 
critical to ensure that the Federal government remains a vital, 
positive presence in society.
  Efforts to promote electronic government, which is still in its 
infancy, are advancing around the world. Federal, state, and local 
governments are using web-based technologies to enhance citizen access 
to information, provide round-the-clock services, save money on 
procurement and other transactions, and stimulate citizen 
participation. Citizens who have discovered the benefits of conducting 
business with government from their homes, and when it is convenient 
for them, are using the Internet to file their taxes, renew licenses 
and registrations, apply for college loans, and bid on government 
contracts. In some cases businesses are able to use the Internet to get 
advice about existing regulatory requirements and citizens to comment 
on proposed rules.
  These examples are exciting and encouraging. However, the reality is 
that all but a handful of the applications now being put online by 
Federal agencies are developed in relative isolation. E-Government 
currently is a loose-knit mix of ideas, projects, and affiliations 
often not well coordinated, sometimes overlapping in its goals and 
redundant in its expenditures. Though there are some remarkable 
innovations championed by visionary government employees, many other 
efforts are hampered by traditional models of government management, 
and ``stove-pipe'' conceptions of agency jurisdiction. We are in 
essence taking the often confusing, overlapping and inefficient maze of 
government programs as they now exist and simply transferring them onto 
the Internet.
  This is not the best way forward. We can and must take full advantage 
of information technologies to overcome the often arbitrary boundaries 
that exist between agencies, and to provide the public with seamless, 
secure online services. A functional approach focuses on delivering 
services to the citizen, organized according to the citizens' needs, 
and without regard to where the jurisdiction of one agency stops and 
another begins. The greatest challenge in many cases is realizing how 
the new technologies have created new opportunities, and reconfiguring 
government processes accordingly. Seizing these opportunities will 
require leadership, coordination, and meaningful communication with 
agency decision-makers.
  This legislation is designed to help accomplish that goal, first by 
establishing a Federal Chief Information Officer, or CIO, in the Office 
of Management and Budget. As many have pointed out, a Federal CIO is 
essential to provide government-wide coordination, leadership, and 
visibility to e-Government efforts. In fact, a recent survey revealed 
that 49 state governments already have Chief Information Officers to 
address government-wide information technology issues. The Federal CIO 
will have the necessary ties to relevant government agencies so that 
she or he is able to lead e-Government efforts, and will also work 
closely with state and local governments, with the private and non-
profit sectors, and with the public. The Federal CIO will review 
agencies' information technology planning and performance, will ensure 
compliance with existing information statutes, and will be empowered to 
address other issues of concern such as online privacy and computer 
security.
  The CIO will also direct expenditures from an E-Government Fund, 
which would promote the innovative, cross-agency projects that are 
extremely difficult to fund at present but absolutely necessary for the 
kind of integrated service delivery possible today. The legislation 
authorizes $200 million for each of the next three years for the Fund, 
and contains criteria governing its use. Every year the federal 
government spends $40 billion on information technology, and not always 
efficiently. In comparison the E-Government Fund represents a modest 
investment in a new kind of government venture: the virtual realignment 
of government services and information in pursuit of citizen-centered 
government.
  Many of the improvements achieved by this legislation will be 
accessible from a centralized online government portal, which will 
build on the FirstGov website launched last year by the General 
Services Administration. The FirstGov website is an important first 
step, but there is much room for improvement. In those instances where 
agencies have cooperated to create truly integrated websites, as with 
Students.gov, the portal provides a demonstration of how citizens 
accessing the government through a single website may easily reach a 
wide range of information and services. But this type of site is the 
exception. Our E-Government bill will lead to more integrated sites, 
linked to the centralized portal. It will also create a directory of 
government web pages, so that citizens can easily find the help they 
need with a few clicks of the mouse rather than with cumbersome 
searches that often produce hundreds of thousands of results, sometimes 
in no discernable order.
  New information technologies can be harnessed in many creative ways 
to better serve the public. Among other provisions, the legislation 
will expand online access to judicial information, establish an online 
national library, and promote research into how information 
technologies can be used to improve our planning for and response to 
natural disasters. The Internet can also be used to facilitate public 
participation in democratic processes, as the Department of 
Transportation has proven; its docketing system has been placed 
entirely on-line, so that individuals can easily find the rulemaking 
that interests them, review comments, and file comments of their own 
from a home computer. Our bill requires other regulatory agencies to 
establish similar systems. Of course, the provisions in our bill only 
scratch the surface of what is possible. More importantly, the 
legislation establishes a process by which our government can transform 
itself.
  Our citizens will not be fully comfortable engaging in transactions 
over the Internet unless they are confident that their personal 
information is kept secure and private. That's why the E-Government Act 
contains strong new protections requiring agencies to complete detailed 
assessments of privacy considerations when they procure new information 
systems or initiate new collections of personal information. The bill 
also empowers the Federal CIO to review agencies' computer security 
plans.
  This legislation is a work in progress. The bill already reflects the 
input and insights of many individuals and organizations, including 
those who participated in the E-Government interactive web site 
launched by Senator Thompson and myself last year. I also want to 
acknowledge the important contribution made by Senator Bingaman; we 
have incorporated his share-in-savings legislation from the last 
Congress as a

[[Page 6561]]

provision. Because this is a work in progress, we will continue to seek 
comments and feedback on the legislation, and I expect that this bill's 
provisions will change as we work to achieve a broad consensus. E-
Government should not be a partisan issue; it concerns how we will 
respond to the opportunities of today and tomorrow to achieve a more 
responsive government for us all. I hope to work with the 
Administration, which has already expressed an interest in e-
government, with Senators from both parties, and with others committed 
to this issue, to develop a bill that we can all support.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the legislation and a 
section by section analysis be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 803

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``E-
     Government Act of 2001''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.

TITLE I--OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Sec. 101. Federal Chief Information Officer.
Sec. 102. Office of Information Policy and Office of Information and 
              Regulatory Affairs.
Sec. 103. Management and promotion of electronic Government services.

  TITLE II--FEDERAL MANAGEMENT AND PROMOTION OF ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT 
                                SERVICES

Sec. 201. Federal agency responsibilities.
Sec. 202. Compatibility of executive agency methods for use and 
              acceptance of electronic signatures.
Sec. 203. Online Federal telephone directory.
Sec. 204. Online National Library.
Sec. 205. Federal courts.
Sec. 206. Regulatory agencies.
Sec. 207. Integrated reporting feasibility study and pilot projects.
Sec. 208. Online access to federally funded research and development.
Sec. 209. Common protocols for geographic information systems.
Sec. 210. Share-In-Savings Program improvements.
Sec. 211. Enhancing crisis management through advanced information 
              technology.
Sec. 212. Federal Information Technology Training Center.
Sec. 213. Community technology centers.
Sec. 214. Disparities in access to the Internet.
Sec. 215. Accessibility, usability, and preservation of Government 
              information.
Sec. 216. Public domain directory of Federal Government websites.
Sec. 217. Standards for agency websites.
Sec. 218. Privacy protections.
Sec. 219. Accessibility to people with disabilities.
Sec. 220. Notification of obsolete or counterproductive provisions.

     TITLE III--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS AND EFFECTIVE DATE

Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 302. Effective date.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The use of computers and the Internet is rapidly 
     transforming societal interactions and the relationships 
     among citizens, private businesses, and the Government.
       (2) The Federal Government has had uneven success in 
     applying advances in information technology to enhance 
     Governmental functions and services, achieve more efficient 
     performance, and increase access to Government information 
     and citizen participation in Government.
       (3) Most Internet-based services of the Federal Government 
     are developed and presented separately, according to the 
     jurisdictional boundaries of an individual department or 
     agency, rather than being integrated cooperatively according 
     to function.
       (4) Internet-based Government services involving 
     interagency cooperation are especially difficult to develop 
     and promote, in part because of a lack of funding mechanisms 
     to support such interagency cooperation.
       (5) To take full advantage of the improved Government 
     performance that can be achieved through the use of Internet-
     based technology requires new leadership, better 
     organization, improved interagency collaboration, and more 
     focused oversight of agency compliance with statutes related 
     to information resource management.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are the following:
       (1) To provide effective leadership of Federal Government 
     efforts to develop and promote electronic Government services 
     and processes by establishing a Federal Chief Information 
     Officer within the Office of Management and Budget.
       (2) To establish measures that require using Internet-based 
     information technology to enhance citizen access to 
     Government information and services, improve Government 
     efficiency and reduce Government operating costs, and 
     increase opportunities for citizen participation in 
     Government.
       (3) To promote interagency collaboration in providing 
     electronic Government services, where this collaboration 
     would improve the service to citizens by integrating related 
     function.
       (4) To promote interagency collaboration in the use of 
     internal electronic Government processes, where this 
     collaboration would improve the efficiency and effectiveness 
     of the processes.

TITLE I--OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT SERVICES

     SEC. 101. FEDERAL CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER.

       (a) Establishment.--Section 502 of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f), as 
     subsections (e), (f), and (g), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
       ``(d) The Office has a Federal Chief Information Officer 
     appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
     consent of the Senate. The Federal Chief Information Officer 
     shall provide direction, coordination, and oversight of the 
     development, application, and management of information 
     resources by the Federal Government.''.
       (b) Compensation.--Section 5313 of title 5, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``Federal Chief Information Officer.''.
       (c) Modification of Deputy Director for Management 
     Functions.--Section 503(b)(2)(D) of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking ``and statistical policy'' and 
     inserting ``collection review''.
       (d) Office of Information Policy.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 5 of title 31, United States Code, 
     is amended by inserting after section 506 the following:

     ``Sec. 507. Office of Information Policy

       ``The Office of Information Policy, established under 
     section 3503 of title 44, is an office in the Office of 
     Management and Budget.''.
       (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of 
     sections for chapter 5 of title 31, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting after the item relating to section 506 
     the following:

``507. Office of Information Policy.''.
       (e) Privacy Act Functions.--
       Section 552a(v) of title 5, United States Code (commonly 
     referred to as the Privacy Act) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(v) Office of Management and Budget Responsibilities.--
     The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall--
       ``(1) develop and, after notice and opportunity for public 
     comment, prescribe guidelines and regulations for the use of 
     agencies in implementing the provisions of this section;
       ``(2) provide continuing assistance to and oversight of the 
     implementation of this section by agencies; and
       ``(3) delegate all of the functions to be performed by the 
     Director under this section to the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer.''.
       (f) Acquisitions of Information Technology.--
       (1) Responsibilities and functions.--Section 5111 of the 
     Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (40 U.S.C. 1411) is amended--
       (A) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``In 
     fulfilling''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Delegation.--The Director shall delegate all of the 
     responsibilities and functions to be performed by the 
     Director under this title to the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer.''.
       (2) Information technology acquisition pilot programs.--
     Section 5301(a)(1) of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (40 
     U.S.C. 1471(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``Administrator for 
     the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs'' and 
     inserting ``Federal Chief Information Officer''.
       (g) Federal Computer Systems Standards and Guidelines.--
       (1) Promulgation.--Section 5131 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 
     1996 (40 U.S.C. 1441) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``Secretary of Commerce'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``Federal Chief Information Officer'' 
     in each such place; and
       (B) by striking ``Secretary'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``Federal Chief Information Officer'' in each such 
     place.
       (2) Submission.--Section 20(a)(4) of the National Institute 
     of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-3(a)(4)) is 
     amended by striking ``Secretary of Commerce'' and inserting 
     ``Federal Chief Information Officer''.
       (h) Information Technology Fund.--Section 110(a) of the 
     Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 
     U.S.C.

[[Page 6562]]

     757(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) The Administrator's decisions with regard to 
     obligations of and expenditures from the Fund shall be made 
     after consultation with the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer, with respect to those programs that--
       ``(A) promote the use of information technology to 
     agencies; or
       ``(B) are intended to facilitate the efficient management, 
     coordination, operation, or use of those information 
     technologies.''.
       (i) Electronic Government and Information Technologies.--
       (1) In general.--The Federal Property and Administrative 
     Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.) is amended by 
     inserting after section 112 the following:

     ``SEC. 113. ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT AND INFORMATION 
                   TECHNOLOGIES.

       ``The Administrator of General Services shall consult with 
     the Federal Chief Information Officer on programs undertaken 
     by the General Services Administration to promote electronic 
     Government and the efficient use of information technologies 
     by Federal agencies.''.
       (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of 
     sections for the Federal Property and Administrative Services 
     Act of 1949 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
     to section 112 the following:

``Sec. 113. Electronic Government and information technologies.''.

       (j) Government Paperwork Elimination.--The Government 
     Paperwork Elimination Act (44 U.S.C. 3504 note) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating sections 1709 and 1710 as sections 
     1710 and 1711, respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after section 1708 the following:

     ``SEC. 1709. DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS TO FEDERAL CHIEF 
                   INFORMATION OFFICER.

       ``The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall 
     delegate all of the functions to be performed by the Director 
     under this title to the Federal Chief Information Officer.''.

     SEC. 102. OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY AND OFFICE OF 
                   INFORMATION AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS.

       (a) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--Section 3503 of title 44, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 3503. Office of Information Policy and Office of 
       Information and Regulatory Affairs

       ``(a)(1) There is established in the Office of Management 
     and Budget an office to be known as the Office of Information 
     Policy.
       ``(2) The Office shall be administered by the Federal Chief 
     Information Officer established under section 502(d) of title 
     31. The Director shall delegate to the Federal Chief 
     Information Officer the authority to administer all functions 
     under this chapter, except those delegated to the 
     Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory 
     Affairs under subsection (b)(2). Any such delegation shall 
     not relieve the Director of responsibility for the 
     administration of such function.
       ``(b)(1) There is established in the Office of Management 
     and Budget an office to be known as the Office of Information 
     and Regulatory Affairs.
       ``(2) There shall be at the head of the Office an 
     Administrator who shall be appointed by the President, by and 
     with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Director shall 
     delegate to the Administrator the authority to administer all 
     functions under this chapter explicitly relating to 
     information collection review. Any such delegation shall not 
     relieve the Director of responsibility for the administration 
     of such functions.''.
       (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of 
     sections for chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking the item relating to section 3503 and 
     inserting the following:

``3503. Office of Information Policy and Office of Information and 
              Regulatory Affairs.''.
       (b) Promotion of Information Technology.--Section 
     3504(h)(5) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting ``direct the Federal Chief Information Officer and 
     the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory 
     Affairs, acting jointly, to'' after ``(5)''.
       (c) Coordination of Information Collection Reviews.--
       (1) Information collection review.--Section 3502 of title 
     44, United States Code is amended--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (14) as 
     paragraphs (7) through (15), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
       ``(6) the term `information collection review' means those 
     functions described under section 3504(c) and related 
     functions;''.
       (2) Coordination.--Section 3504 of title 44, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) The Director shall ensure that the Office of 
     Information Policy and the Office of Information and 
     Regulatory Affairs coordinate their efforts in applying the 
     principles developed and implemented under this section to 
     information collection reviews.''.
       (d) References.--Reference in any Federal law, Executive 
     order, rule, regulation, or delegation of authority, or any 
     document of or relating to the Office of Information and 
     Regulatory Affairs or the Administrator of the Office of 
     Information and Regulatory Affairs, respectively, shall be 
     deemed a reference to--
       (1) the Office of Information Policy or the Federal Chief 
     Information Officer, respectively, with respect to functions 
     described under section 3503(a) of title 44, United States 
     Code (as amended by section 103 of this Act); and
       (2) the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs or the 
     Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory 
     Affairs, respectively, with respect to functions described 
     under section 3503(b) of such title (as amended by section 
     103 of this Act).
       (e) Additional Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Recommended legislation.--After consultation with the 
     appropriate committees of Congress, the Director of the 
     Office of Management and Budget shall prepare and submit to 
     Congress recommended legislation containing technical and 
     conforming amendments to reflect the changes made by this 
     Act.
       (2) Submission to congress.--Not later than 6 months after 
     the effective date of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
     Management and Budget shall submit the recommended 
     legislation referred to under paragraph (1).

     SEC. 103. MANAGEMENT AND PROMOTION OF ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT 
                   SERVICES.

       (a) In General.--Title 44, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after chapter 35 the following:

    ``CHAPTER 36--MANAGEMENT AND PROMOTION OF ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT 
                                SERVICES

``Sec.
``3601. Definitions.
``3602. Federal Chief Information Officer functions.
``3603. Chief Information Officers Council.
``3604. E-Government Fund.

     ``Sec. 3601. Definitions

       ``In this chapter, the definitions under section 3502 shall 
     apply, and the term--
       ``(1) `Council' means the Chief Information Officers 
     Council established under section 3603;
       ``(2) `Cross-Sector Forum' means the Cross-Sector Forum on 
     Information Resources Management established under section 
     3602(a)(10);
       ``(3) `Fund' means the E-Government Fund established under 
     section 3604;
       ``(4) `interoperability' means the ability of different 
     software systems, applications, and services to communicate 
     and exchange data in an accurate, effective, and consistent 
     manner; and
       ``(5) `integrated service delivery' means the provision of 
     Internet-based Federal Government information or services 
     integrated according to function rather than separated 
     according to the boundaries of agency jurisdiction.

     ``Sec. 3602. Federal Chief Information Officer functions

       ``(a) Subject to the direction and approval of the Director 
     of the Office of Management Budget, and subject to 
     requirements of this chapter, the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer shall perform information resources management 
     functions as follows:
       ``(1) Perform all functions of the Director, including all 
     functions delegated by the President to the Director, 
     relating to information resources management.
       ``(2) Perform the following functions with respect to 
     information resources management:
       ``(A) Under section 5112 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 
     (40 U.S.C. 1412), review agency budget requests related to 
     information technology capital planning and investment.
       ``(B) Under section 5113 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 
     (40 U.S.C. 1413), evaluate the investments referred to under 
     subparagraph (A) with respect to performance and results.
       ``(C) Review legislative proposals related to information 
     technology capital planning and investment.
       ``(D) Advise the Director on the resources required to 
     develop and effectively operate and maintain Federal 
     Government information systems.
       ``(E) Recommend to the Director changes relating to 
     Governmentwide strategies and priorities for information 
     resources management.
       ``(3) Provide overall leadership and direction to the 
     executive branch on information policy by establishing 
     information resources management policies and requirements, 
     and by reviewing each agency's performance in acquiring, 
     using, and managing information resources.
       ``(4) Promote innovative uses of information technology by 
     agencies, particularly

[[Page 6563]]

     initiatives involving multiagency collaboration, through 
     support of pilot projects, research, experimentation, and the 
     use of innovative technologies.
       ``(5) Administer the distribution of funds from the E-
     Government Fund established under section 3604.
       ``(6) Consult with the Administrator of General Services 
     regarding the use of the Information Technology Fund 
     established under section 110 of the Federal Property and 
     Administrative Coordinate Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 
     757), and coordinate with the Administrator of General 
     Services regarding programs undertaken by the General 
     Services Administration to promote electronic Government and 
     the efficient use of information technologies by agencies.
       ``(7) Chair the Chief Information Officers Council 
     established under section 3603.
       ``(8) Establish and promulgate information technology 
     standards for the Federal Government under section 5131 of 
     the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (40 U.S.C. 1441) based on the 
     recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology, taking into account, if appropriate, 
     recommendations of the Chief Information Officers Council, 
     experts, and interested parties from the private and 
     nonprofit sectors and State, local, and tribal governments, 
     as follows:
       ``(A) Standards and guidelines for interconnectivity and 
     interoperability as described under section 3504.
       ``(B) Standards and guidelines for categorizing and 
     electronically labeling Federal Government electronic 
     information, to enhance electronic search capabilities.
       ``(C) Standards and guidelines for Federal Government 
     computer system efficiency and security.
       ``(9) Establish a regular forum for consulting and 
     communicating with leaders in information resources 
     management in the legislative and judicial branches to 
     encourage collaboration and enhance understanding of best 
     practices and innovative approaches in acquiring, using, and 
     managing information resources.
       ``(10) Establish a regular forum for consulting and 
     communicating with leaders in information resources 
     management in State, local, and tribal governments (including 
     the National Association of State Information Resources 
     Executives) to encourage collaboration and enhance 
     understanding of best practices and innovative approaches in 
     acquiring, using, and managing information resources.
       ``(11) Establish a regular forum for consulting and 
     communicating with program managers and leaders in 
     information resources management in the regulatory executive 
     branch agencies to encourage collaboration and enhance 
     understanding of best practices and innovative approaches 
     related to the acquisition, use, and management of 
     information resources in regulatory applications.
       ``(12) Establish a Cross-Sector Forum on Information 
     Resources Management, subject to the Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), as a periodic colloquium with 
     representatives from Federal agencies (including Federal 
     employees who are not supervisors or management officials as 
     such terms are defined under section 7103(a) (10) and (11), 
     respectively) and the private, nonprofit, and academic 
     sectors, to encourage collaboration and enhance understanding 
     of best practices and innovative approaches in acquiring, 
     using, and managing information resources. The Cross-Sector 
     Forum shall be used for the following:
       ``(A) To develop innovative models for Government 
     information resources management and for Government 
     information technology contracts. These models may be 
     developed through focused Cross-Sector Forum discussions or 
     using separately sponsored research.
       ``(B) To identify opportunities for performance-based 
     shared-savings contracts as a means of increasing the 
     quantity and quality of Government information and services 
     available through the Internet.
       ``(C) To identify opportunities for public-private 
     collaboration in using Internet-based technology to increase 
     the efficiency of Government-to-business transactions.
       ``(D) To identify mechanisms for providing incentives to 
     program managers and other Government employees to develop 
     and implement innovative uses of information technologies.
       ``(E) To identify opportunities for public-private 
     collaboration in addressing the disparities in access to the 
     Internet and information technology.
       ``(F) To develop guidance to advise agencies and private 
     companies on any relevant legal and ethical restrictions.
       ``(13) Direct the establishment, maintenance, and promotion 
     of an integrated Internet-based system of delivering 
     Government information and services to the public. To the 
     extent practicable, the integrated system shall be designed 
     and operated according to the following criteria:
       ``(A) The provision of Internet-based Government 
     information and services integrated according to function 
     rather than separated according to the boundaries of agency 
     jurisdiction.
       ``(B) An ongoing effort to ensure that all Internet-based 
     Government services relevant to a given citizen activity are 
     available from a single point.
       ``(C) Standardized methods for navigating Internet-based 
     Government information and services.
       ``(D) The consolidation of Federal Government information 
     and services with Internet-based information and services 
     provided by State, local, and tribal governments.
       ``(14) Coordinate with the Administrator of the Office of 
     Federal Procurement Policy to ensure effective implementation 
     of electronic procurement initiatives.
       ``(15) Assist Federal agencies, the United States Access 
     Board, the General Services Administration, and the Attorney 
     General in--
       ``(A) implementing accessibility standards under section 
     508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. section 
     794d); and
       ``(B) ensuring compliance with those standards through the 
     budget review process and other means.
       ``(16) Administer the Office of Information Policy 
     established under section 3503.
       ``(b) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
     shall consult with the Federal Chief Information Officer on 
     each agency budget request and legislative proposal described 
     under subsection (a)(2).
       ``(c) The Federal Chief Information Officer shall appoint 
     the employees of the Office. The Director of the Office of 
     Management and Budget shall ensure that the Office of 
     Information Policy has adequate employees and resources to 
     properly fulfill all functions delegated to the Office and 
     the Federal Chief Information Officer.
       ``(d) There are authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 
     for the establishment, maintenance, and promotion of the 
     integrated Internet-based system established under subsection 
     (a)(13) for fiscal year 2002, and such sums as are necessary 
     for fiscal years 2003 through 2006.

     ``Sec. 3603. Chief Information Officers Council

       ``(a) There is established in the executive branch a Chief 
     Information Officers Council.
       ``(b) The members of the Council shall be as follows:
       ``(1) The chief information officer of each agency 
     described under section 901(b) of title 31.
       ``(2) The chief information officer of the Central 
     Intelligence Agency.
       ``(3) The chief information officer of the Department of 
     the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of 
     the Air Force, if chief information officers have been 
     designated for these departments under section 3506(a)(2)(B).
       ``(4) Any other officers or employees of the United States 
     designated by the Federal Chief Information Officer.
       ``(c)(1) The Federal Chief Information Officer shall be the 
     Chairman of the Council.
       ``(2)(A) The Deputy Chairman of the Council shall be 
     selected by the Council from among its members.
       ``(B) The Deputy Chairman shall serve a 1-year term, and 
     may serve multiple terms.
       ``(3) The Administrator of General Services shall provide 
     administrative and other support for the Council, including 
     resources provided through the Information Technology Fund 
     established under section 110 of the Federal Property and 
     Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 757).
       ``(d) The Council is designated the principal interagency 
     forum for improving agency practices related to the design, 
     acquisition, development, modernization, use, operation, 
     sharing, and performance of Federal Government information 
     resources. The Council shall perform the following functions:
       ``(1) Develop recommendations for the Federal Chief 
     Information Officer on Government information resources 
     management policies and requirements.
       ``(2) Assist the Federal Chief Information Officer in 
     developing and maintaining the Governmentwide strategic 
     information resources management plan required under section 
     3506.
       ``(3) Share experiences, ideas, best practices, and 
     innovative approaches related to information resources 
     management.
       ``(4) Assist the Federal Chief Information Officer in the 
     identification, development, and coordination of multiagency 
     projects and other innovative initiatives to improve 
     Government performance through the use of information 
     technology.
       ``(5) Provide recommendations to the Federal Chief 
     Information Officer regarding the distribution of funds from 
     the E-Government Fund established under section 3604.
       ``(6) Coordinate the development and use of common 
     performance measures for agency information resources 
     management under section 5123 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 
     1996 (40 U.S.C. 1423).
       ``(7) Work as appropriate with the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology to develop recommendations for the 
     Federal Chief Information Officer on information technology 
     standards developed under section 20 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-3) 
     and promulgated under section 5131 of the Clinger-Cohen Act 
     of 1996 (40 U.S.C. 1441), as follows:
       ``(A) Standards and guidelines for interconnectivity and 
     interoperability as described under section 3504.

[[Page 6564]]

       ``(B) Standards and guidelines for categorizing and 
     electronically labeling Government electronic information, to 
     enhance electronic search capabilities.
       ``(C) Standards and guidelines for Federal Government 
     computer system efficiency and security.
       ``(8) Work with the Office of Personnel Management to 
     assess and address the hiring, training, classification, and 
     professional development needs of the Government related to 
     information resources management.

     ``Sec. 3604. E-Government Fund

       ``(a) There is established in the Treasury of the United 
     States an E-Government Fund, which shall be available without 
     fiscal year limitation.
       ``(b) The Fund shall be used to fund interagency 
     information technology projects, and other innovative uses of 
     information technology. The Fund shall be operated as 
     follows:
       ``(1) Any member of the Council, including the Federal 
     Chief Information Officer, may propose a project to be funded 
     from the Fund.
       ``(2) On a regular basis, an appropriate committee within 
     the Council shall review candidate projects for funding 
     eligibility, and make recommendations to the Federal Chief 
     Information Officer on which projects should be funded from 
     the Fund. The review committee shall consider the following:
       ``(A) The relevance of this project in supporting the 
     missions of the affected agencies and other statutory 
     provisions.
       ``(B) The usefulness of interagency collaboration on this 
     project in supporting integrated service delivery.
       ``(C) The usefulness of this project in illustrating a 
     particular use of information technology that could have 
     broader applicability within the Government.
       ``(D) The extent to which privacy and information security 
     will be provided in the implementation of the project.
       ``(E) The willingness of the agencies affected by this 
     project to provide matching funds.
       ``(F) The availability of funds from other sources for this 
     project.
       ``(3) After considering the recommendations of the Council, 
     the Federal Chief Information Officer shall have final 
     authority to determine which of the candidate projects shall 
     be funded from the Fund.
       ``(c) The Fund may be used to fund the integrated Internet-
     based system under section 3602(a)(13).
       ``(d) None of the funds provided from the Fund may be 
     transferred to any agency until 15 days after the Federal 
     Chief Information Officer has submitted to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives, the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the 
     Senate, the Committee on Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives, and the appropriate authorizing committees 
     of the Senate and the House of Representatives, a 
     notification and description of how the funds are to be 
     allocated and how the expenditure will further the purposes 
     of this chapter.
       ``(e) The Federal Chief Information Officer shall submit an 
     annual report to the President and Congress on the operation 
     of the Fund. The report shall describe--
       ``(1) all projects which the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer has approved for funding from the Fund;
       ``(2) the results that have been achieved to date for these 
     funded projects; and
       ``(3) any recommendations for changes to the amount of 
     capital appropriated annually for the Fund, with a 
     description of the basis for any such recommended change.
       ``(f) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund 
     $200,000,000 in each of the fiscal years 2002 through 2004, 
     and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2005 and 
     2006.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of 
     chapters for title 44, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to chapter 35 the 
     following:

``36. Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Serv3601''.....

  TITLE II--FEDERAL MANAGEMENT AND PROMOTION OF ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT 
                                SERVICES

     SEC. 201. FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.

       (a) In General.--The head of each agency shall be 
     responsible for--
       (1) complying with the requirements of this Act (including 
     the amendments made by this Act) and the related information 
     resource management policies and information technology 
     standards established by the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer;
       (2) ensuring that the policies and standards established by 
     the Federal Chief Information Officer and the Chief 
     Information Officers Council are communicated promptly and 
     effectively to all relevant managers with information 
     resource management responsibilities within their agency; and
       (3) supporting the efforts of the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer to develop, maintain, and promote an integrated 
     Internet-based system of delivering Federal Government 
     information and services to the public under chapter 36 of 
     title 44, United States Code (as added by section 103 of this 
     Act).
       (b) Chief Information Officers.--The Chief Information 
     Officer of each of the agencies designated under chapter 36 
     of title 44, United States Code (as added by section 103 of 
     this Act), shall be responsible for--
       (1) participating in the functions of the Chief Information 
     Officers Council; and
       (2) monitoring the implementation, within their respective 
     agencies, of information technology standards established by 
     the Federal Chief Information Officer, including common 
     standards for interconnectivity and interoperability, 
     categorization and labeling of Federal Government electronic 
     information, and computer system efficiency and security.
       (c) E-Government Status Report.--
       (1) In general.--Each agency shall compile and submit to 
     the Federal Chief Information Officer an E-Government Status 
     Report on the current status of agency information and agency 
     services available online.
       (2) Content.--Each report under this subsection shall 
     contain--
       (A) a list and brief description of the agency services 
     available online;
       (B) a list, by number and title, of the 25 most frequently 
     requested agency forms available online, annotated to 
     indicate which forms can be submitted to the agency 
     electronically; and
       (C) a summary of the type, volume, general topical areas, 
     and currency of agency information available online.
       (3) Submission.--Not later than March 1, of each year, each 
     agency shall submit a report under this subsection to the 
     Federal Chief Information Officer.
       (4) Consolidation of reports.--Section 3516(a)(2) of title 
     31, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); 
     and
       (2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
       ``(C) Any E-Government Status Report under section 201(c) 
     of the E-Government Act of 2001.''.

     SEC. 202. COMPATIBILITY OF EXECUTIVE AGENCY METHODS FOR USE 
                   AND ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES.

       (a) Electronic Signatures.--In order to fulfill the 
     objectives of the Government Paperwork Elimination Act 
     (Public Law 105-277; 112 Stat. 2681-749 through 2681-751), 
     each Executive agency (as defined under section 105 of title 
     5, United States Code) shall ensure that its methods for use 
     and acceptance of electronic signatures are compatible with 
     the relevant procedures and standards promulgated by the 
     Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
       (b) Bridge Authority for Digital Signatures.--The 
     Administrator of the General Services Administration shall 
     support the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
     by establishing the Federal bridge certification authority 
     which shall provide a central authority to allow efficient 
     interoperability among Executive agencies when certifying 
     digital signatures.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the General Services Administration, to 
     ensure the development and operation of a Federal bridge 
     certification authority for digital signature compatibility, 
     $7,000,000 in fiscal year 2002, and such sums as may be 
     necessary for each fiscal year thereafter.

     SEC. 203. ONLINE FEDERAL TELEPHONE DIRECTORY.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Development.--The Administrator of the General Services 
     Administration, in coordination with the Chief Information 
     Officers Council, shall develop and promulgate an online 
     Federal telephone directory.
       (2) Organization.--Information in the online Federal 
     telephone directory shall be organized and retrievable both 
     by function and by agency name.
       (3) Telephone directories.--Information compiled for 
     publication in the online Federal telephone directory shall 
     be provided to local telephone book publishers, to encourage 
     publication and dissemination of functionally arranged 
     directories in local Federal blue pages.
       (b) Executive Agencies.--
       (1) In general.--Each Executive agency (as defined under 
     section 105 of title 5, United States Code) shall publish an 
     online agency directory, accessible by electronic link from 
     the online Federal telephone directory.
       (2) Content.--Each agency directory--
       (A) shall include telephone numbers and electronic mail 
     addresses for principal departments and principal employees, 
     subject to security restrictions and agency judgment; and
       (B) shall be electronically searchable.

     SEC. 204. ONLINE NATIONAL LIBRARY.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the 
     Director of the National Park Service, the Director of the 
     Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Librarian 
     of Congress shall establish an Online National Library after 
     consultation with--
       (1) the private sector;
       (2) public, research, and academic libraries;
       (3) historical societies;
       (4) archival institutions; and
       (5) other cultural and academic organizations.
       (b) Functions.--The Online National Library--

[[Page 6565]]

       (1) shall provide public access to an expanding database of 
     educational resource materials, including historical 
     documents, photographs, audio recordings, films, and other 
     media as appropriate, that are significant for education and 
     research in United States history and culture;
       (2) shall be functionally integrated, so that a user may 
     have access to the resources of the Library without regard to 
     the boundaries of the contributing institutions; and
       (3) shall include educational resource materials across a 
     broad spectrum of United States history and culture, 
     including the fields of mathematics, science, technology, 
     liberal arts, fine arts, and humanities.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purposes of 
     developing, expanding, and maintaining this Online National 
     Library, there are authorized to be appropriated--
       (1) to the National Science Foundation $5,000,000 in fiscal 
     year 2002, and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal 
     year thereafter; and
       (2) to the Library of Congress $5,000,000 in fiscal year 
     2002, and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year 
     thereafter.

     SEC. 205. FEDERAL COURTS.

       (a) Individual Court Websites.--The Chief Justice of the 
     United States and the chief judge of each circuit and 
     district shall establish with respect to the Supreme Court or 
     the respective court of appeal or district (including the 
     bankruptcy court of that district) a website, that contains 
     the following information or links to websites with the 
     following information:
       (1) Location and contact information for the courthouse, 
     including the telephone numbers and contact names for the 
     clerk's office and justices' or judges' chambers.
       (2) Local rules and standing or general orders of the 
     court.
       (3) Individual rules, if in existence, of each justice or 
     judge in that court.
       (4) Access to docket information for each case.
       (5) Access to the substance of all written opinions issued 
     by the court, regardless of whether such opinions are to be 
     published in the official court reporter, in a text 
     searchable format.
       (6) Access to all documents filed with the courthouse in 
     electronic form, described under subsection (c)(2).
       (7) Any other information (including forms in a format that 
     can be downloaded) that the court determines useful to the 
     public.
       (b) Maintenance of Data Online.--
       (1) Update of information.--The information and rules on 
     each website shall be updated regularly and kept reasonably 
     current.
       (2) Closed cases.--Electronic files and docket information 
     for cases closed for more than 1 year are not required to be 
     made available online, except all written opinions with a 
     date of issuance after the effective date of this section 
     shall remain available online.
       (c) Electronic Filings.--
       (1) In general.--Each court shall make any document that is 
     filed electronically publicly available online. A court may 
     convert any document that is filed in paper form to 
     electronic form. To the extent such conversions are made, all 
     such electronic versions of the document shall be made 
     available online.
       (2) Exceptions.--
       (A) In general.--Documents that are filed that are not 
     otherwise available to the public, such as documents filed 
     under seal, shall not be made available online.
       (B) Limitation.--
       (i) In general.--A party, witness, or other person with an 
     interest may file a motion with the court to redact any 
     document that would be made available online under this 
     section.
       (ii) Redaction.--A redaction under this subparagraph shall 
     be made only to--

       (I) the electronic form of the document made available 
     online; and
       (II) the extent necessary to protect important privacy 
     concerns.

       (C) Privacy concerns.--The Judicial Conference of the 
     United States may promulgate rules under this subsection to 
     protect important privacy concerns.
       (d) Dockets With Links to Documents.--The Judicial 
     Conference of the United States, in consultation with the 
     Federal Chief Information Officer, shall explore the 
     feasibility of technology to post online dockets with links 
     allowing all filings, decisions, and rulings in each case to 
     be obtained from the docket sheet of that case.
       (e) Cost of Providing Electronic Docketing Information.--
     Section 503(a) of the Judiciary Appropriations Act, 1992 (28 
     U.S.C. 1913 note) is amended in the first sentence by 
     striking ``shall hereafter'' and inserting ``may, only to the 
     extent necessary,''.
       (f) Time Requirements.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     effective date of this Act, the websites under subsection (a) 
     shall be established, except that access to documents filed 
     in electronic form shall be established not later than 4 
     years after that effective date.
       (g) Opt Out.--
       (1) In general.--
       (A) Election.--
       (i) Notification.--The Chief Justice of the United States 
     or a chief judge may submit a notification to the 
     Administrative Office of the United States Courts to elect 
     not to comply with any requirement of this section with 
     respect to the Supreme Court, a court of appeals, or district 
     (including the bankruptcy court of that district).
       (ii) Contents.--A notification submitted under this 
     subparagraph shall state--

       (I) the reasons for the noncompliance; and
       (II) the online methods, if any, or any alternative 
     methods, such court or district is using to provide greater 
     public access to information.

       (B) Exception.--To the extent that the Supreme Court, a 
     court of appeals, or district maintains a website under 
     subsection (a), the Supreme Court or that court of appeals or 
     district shall comply with subsection (b)(1).
       (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the effective date 
     of this Act, the Judicial Conference of the United States 
     shall submit a report to the Committees on Governmental 
     Affairs and the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committees on 
     Government Reform and the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives that--
       (A) contains all notifications submitted to the 
     Administrative Office of the United States Courts under this 
     subsection; and
       (B) summarizes and evaluates all notifications.

     SEC. 206. REGULATORY AGENCIES.

       (a) Information Provided by Agencies Online.--To the extent 
     practicable, each agency (as defined under section 551 of 
     title 5, United States Code) shall--
       (1) establish a website with information about that agency; 
     and
       (2) post on the website all information--
       (A) required to be published in the Federal Register under 
     section 552(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code; and
       (B) made available for public inspection and copying under 
     section 552(a) (2) and (5) of title 5, United States Code, 
     after the effective date of this section.
       (b) Compliance.--An agency may comply with subsection 
     (a)(2) by providing hypertext links on a website directing 
     users to other websites where such information may be found. 
     To the extent that an agency provides hypertext links, the 
     agency shall provide clear instructions to users on how to 
     access the information sought within the external website to 
     which the links direct users.
       (c) Submissions by Electronic Means.--To the extent 
     practicable, agencies shall accept submissions under section 
     553(c) of title 5, United States Code, by electronic means, 
     including e-mail and telefacsimile.
       (d) Electronic Docketing.--
       (1) In general.--To the extent practicable, agencies shall, 
     in consultation with the Federal Chief Information Officer, 
     and in connection with the forum established under section 
     3602(a)(10) of title 44, United States Code (as added by 
     section 103 of this Act), establish and maintain on their 
     websites electronic dockets for rulemakings under section 553 
     of title 5, United States Code.
       (2) Information available.--Agency electronic dockets shall 
     make publicly available online--
       (A) all agency notices, publications, or statements in 
     connection with each rulemaking; and
       (B) to the extent practicable, all submissions under 
     section 553(c) of title 5, United States Code, whether or not 
     submitted electronically.
       (e) Opt Out.--
       (1) In general.--
       (A) Notification.--An agency may submit a notification to 
     the Federal Chief Information Officer to elect to not comply 
     with any requirement of subsection (d).
       (B) Contents.--A notification submitted under this 
     paragraph shall state--
       (i) the reasons for the noncompliance; and
       (ii) the online methods, if any, or any alternative 
     methods, the agency is using to provide greater public access 
     to regulatory proceedings.
       (2) Report.--Not later than October 1, of each year, the 
     Federal Chief Information Officer shall submit a report to 
     the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives that--
       (A) contains all notifications submitted to the Federal 
     Chief Information Officer under this subsection; and
       (B) summarizes and evaluates all notifications.
       (f) Time Limitation.--To the extent practicable, agencies 
     shall implement subsections (a) and (b) not later than 2 
     years after the effective date of this Act, and subsection 
     (c) not later than 4 years after that effective date.

      SEC. 207. INTEGRATED REPORTING FEASIBILITY STUDY AND PILOT 
                   PROJECTS.

       (a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are to--
       (1) enhance the interoperability of Federal information 
     systems;
       (2) assist the public, including the regulated community, 
     in electronically submitting information to agencies under 
     Federal requirements, by reducing the burden of duplicate 
     collection and ensuring the accuracy of submitted 
     information; and
       (3) enable any person to integrate and obtain similar 
     information held by 1 or more agencies under 1 or more 
     Federal requirements without violating the privacy rights of 
     an individual.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section, the term--

[[Page 6566]]

       (1) ``agency'' means an Executive agency as defined under 
     section 105 of title 5, United States Code; and
       (2) ``person'' means any individual, trust, firm, joint 
     stock company, corporation (including a government 
     corporation), partnership, association, State, municipality, 
     commission, political subdivision of a State, interstate 
     body, or agency or component of the Federal Government.
       (c) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Federal Chief Information Officer 
     shall conduct a study and submit a report to the Committee on 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Government Reform of the House of Representatives on the 
     feasibility of integrating Federal information systems across 
     agencies.
       (2) Content.--The report under this section shall--
       (A) address the feasibility of integrating data elements 
     used in the electronic collection of information within 
     databases established under Federal statute without reducing 
     the quality, accessibility, scope, or utility of the 
     information contained in each database;
       (B) address the feasibility of developing, or enabling the 
     development of, software, including Internet-based tools, for 
     use by reporting persons in assembling, documenting, and 
     validating the accuracy of information electronically 
     submitted to agencies under nonvoluntary, statutory, and 
     regulatory requirements; and
       (C) address the feasibility of developing a distributed 
     information system involving, on a voluntary basis, at least 
     2 agencies, that--
       (i) provides consistent, dependable, and timely public 
     access to the information holdings of 1 or more agencies, or 
     some portion of such holdings, including the underlying raw 
     data, without requiring public users to know which agency 
     holds the information;
       (ii) provides methods for input on improving the quality 
     and integrity of the data, including correcting errors in 
     submission, consistent with the need to archive changes made 
     to the data; and
       (iii) allows any person to integrate public information 
     held by the participating agencies;
       (D) address the feasibility of incorporating other elements 
     related to the purposes of this section at the discretion of 
     the Federal Chief Information Officer; and
       (E) make recommendations that Congress or the executive 
     branch can implement, through the use of integrated reporting 
     and information systems, to reduce the burden on reporting 
     and strengthen public access to databases within and across 
     agencies.
       (d) Pilot Projects To Encourage Integrated Collection and 
     Management of Data and Interoperability of Federal 
     Information Systems.--
       (1) In general.--In order to provide input to the study 
     under subsection (c) the Federal Chief Information Officer 
     shall implement a series of no more than 5 pilot projects 
     that integrate data elements. The Federal Chief Information 
     Officer shall consult with agencies, the regulated community, 
     public interest organizations, and the public on the 
     implementation.
       (2) Goals of pilot projects.--
       (A) In general.--Each goal described under subparagraph (B) 
     shall be addressed by at least 1 pilot project each.
       (B) Goals.--The goals under this paragraph are to--
       (i) reduce information collection burdens by eliminating 
     duplicative data elements within 2 or more reporting 
     requirements;
       (ii) create interoperability between or among public 
     databases managed by 2 or more agencies using technologies 
     and techniques that facilitate public access; and
       (iii) develop, or enable the development, of software to 
     reduce errors in electronically submitted information.
       (3) Input.--Each pilot project shall seek input from users 
     on the utility of the pilot project and areas for 
     improvement.
       (e) Consultation in Preparing the Report and Pilot 
     Project.--The Federal Chief Information Officer shall 
     coordinate with the Office of Information and Regulatory 
     Affairs, and to the extent practicable, shall work with 
     relevant agencies, and State, tribal, and local governments 
     in carrying out the report and pilot projects under this 
     section.
       (f) Privacy Protections.--The activities authorized in this 
     section shall afford protections for confidential business 
     information consistent with section 552(b)(4) of title 5, 
     United States Code and personal privacy information under 
     section 552a of title 5, United States Code and other 
     relevant law.

     SEC. 208. ONLINE ACCESS TO FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND 
                   DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section, the term--
       (1) ``essential information'' shall include--
       (A) information identifying any person performing research 
     and development under an agreement and the agency providing 
     the funding;
       (B) an abstract describing the research;
       (C) references to published results; and
       (D) other information determined appropriate by the 
     interagency task force convened under this section; and
       (2) ``federally funded research and development''--
       (A) shall be defined by the interagency task force, with 
     reference to applicable Office of Management and Budget 
     circulars and Department of Defense regulations; and
       (B) shall include funds provided to--
       (i) institutions other than the Federal Government; and
       (ii) Federal research and development centers.
       (b) Interagency Task Force.--The Federal Chief Information 
     Officer shall--
       (1) convene an interagency task force to--
       (A) review databases, owned by the Federal Government and 
     other entities, that collect and maintain data on federally 
     funded research and development to--
       (i) determine areas of duplication; and
       (ii) identify data that is needed but is not being 
     collected or efficiently disseminated to the public or 
     throughout the Government;
       (B) develop recommendations for the Federal Chief 
     Information Officer on standards for the collection and 
     electronic dissemination of essential information about 
     federally funded research and development that addresses 
     public availability and agency coordination and 
     collaboration; and
       (C) make recommendations to the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer on--
       (i) which agency or agencies should develop and maintain 
     databases and a website containing data on federally funded 
     research and development;
       (ii) whether to continue using existing databases, to use 
     modified versions of databases, or to develop another 
     database;
       (iii) the appropriate system architecture to minimize 
     duplication and use emerging technologies;
       (iv) criteria specifying what federally funded research and 
     development projects should be included in the databases; and
       (v) standards for security of and public access to the 
     data; and
       (2) not later than 1 year of the date of enactment of this 
     Act, after offering an opportunity for public comment, 
     promulgate standards and regulations based on the 
     recommendations, including a determination as to which agency 
     or agencies should develop and maintain databases and a 
     website containing data on federally funded research and 
     development.
       (c) Memberships.--The interagency task force shall consist 
     of the Federal Chief Information Officer and representatives 
     from--
       (1) the Department of Commerce;
       (2) the Department of Defense;
       (3) the Department of Energy;
       (4) the Department of Health and Human Services;
       (5) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
       (6) the National Archives and Records Administration;
       (7) the National Science Foundation;
       (8) the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and
       (9) any other agency determined by the Federal Chief 
     Information Officer.
       (d) Consultation.--The task force shall consult with--
       (1) Federal agencies supporting research and development;
       (2) members of the scientific community;
       (3) scientific publishers; and
       (4) interested persons in the private and nonprofit 
     sectors.
       (e) Development and Maintenance of Database and Website.--
       (1) In general.--
       (A) Database and website.--The agency or agencies 
     determined under subsection (b)(2), with the assistance of 
     any other agency designated by the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer, shall develop--
       (i) a database if determined to be necessary by the Federal 
     Chief Information Officer; and
       (ii) a centralized, searchable website for the electronic 
     dissemination of information reported under this section, 
     with respect to information made available to the public and 
     for agency coordination and collaboration.
       (B) Conformance to standards.--The website and any 
     necessary database shall conform to the standards promulgated 
     by the Federal Chief Information Officer.
       (2) Links.--Where the results of the federally funded 
     research have been published, the website shall contain links 
     to the servers of the publishers if possible. The website may 
     include links to other relevant websites containing 
     information about the research.




       (3) Other research.--The website may include information 
     about published research not funded by the Federal 
     Government, and links to the servers of the publishers.
       (4) Development and operation.--The Federal Chief 
     Information Officer shall oversee the development and 
     operation of the website. The website shall be operational 
     not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
       (f) Provision of Information.--Any agency that funds 
     research and development meeting the criteria promulgated by 
     the Federal Chief Information Officer shall provide the 
     required information in the manner prescribed by the Federal 
     Chief Information Officer. An agency may impose reporting 
     requirements necessary for the implementation of this section 
     on recipients of Federal funding as a condition of the 
     funding.

[[Page 6567]]

       (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated for the development and maintenance of the 
     centralized website and any necessary database under this 
     section, $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2002, $5,000,000 in fiscal 
     year 2003, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 
     2004 through 2006.

     SEC. 209. COMMON PROTOCOLS FOR GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION 
                   SYSTEMS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, in 
     consultation with the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology and other agencies, private sector experts, 
     commercial and international standards groups, and other 
     interested parties, shall facilitate the development of 
     common protocols for the development, acquisition, 
     maintenance, distribution, and application of geographic 
     information.
       (b) Federal Chief Information Officer.--The Federal Chief 
     Information Officer shall--
       (1) oversee the interagency initiative to develop common 
     protocols;
       (2) coordinate with State, local, and tribal governments 
     and other interested persons on aligning geographic 
     information; and
       (3) promulgate the standards relating to the protocols.
       (c) Common Protocols.--The common protocols shall be 
     designed to--
       (1) maximize the degree to which unclassified geographic 
     information from various sources can be made electronically 
     compatible; and
       (2) promote the development of interoperable geographic 
     information systems technologies that will allow widespread, 
     low-cost use and sharing of geographic data by Federal 
     agencies, State, local, and tribal governments, and the 
     public.

     SEC. 210. SHARE-IN-SAVINGS PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS.

       Section 5311 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (divisions D 
     and E of Public Law 104-106; 110 Stat. 692; 40 U.S.C. 1491) 
     is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``the heads of two executive agencies to 
     carry out'' and inserting ``heads of executive agencies to 
     carry out a total of five projects under'';
       (B) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
       (C) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) encouraging the use of the contracting and sharing 
     approach described in paragraphs (1) and (2) by allowing the 
     head of the executive agency conducting a project under the 
     pilot program--
       ``(A) to retain, out of the appropriation accounts of the 
     executive agency in which savings computed under paragraph 
     (2) are realized as a result of the project, up to the amount 
     equal to half of the excess of--
       ``(i) the total amount of the savings; over
       ``(ii) the total amount of the portion of the savings paid 
     to the private sector source for such project under paragraph 
     (2); and
       ``(B) to use the retained amount to acquire additional 
     information technology.'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by inserting ``a project under'' after ``authorized to 
     carry out''; and
       (B) by striking ``carry out one project and''; and
       (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
       ``(c) Evolution Beyond Pilot Program.--(1) The 
     Administrator may provide general authority to the heads of 
     executive agencies to use a share-in-savings contracting 
     approach to the acquisition of information technology 
     solutions for improving mission-related or administrative 
     processes of the Federal Government if--
       ``(A) after reviewing the experience under the five 
     projects carried out under the pilot program under subsection 
     (a), the Administrator finds that the approach offers the 
     Federal Government an opportunity to improve its use of 
     information technology and to reduce costs; and
       ``(B) issues guidance for the exercise of that authority.
       ``(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a share-in-savings 
     contracting approach provides for contracting as described in 
     paragraph (1) of subsection (a) together with the sharing and 
     retention of amounts saved as described in paragraphs (2) and 
     (3) of that subsection.
       ``(3) In exercising the authority provided to the 
     Administrator in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall 
     consult with the Federal Chief Information Officer.
       ``(d) Availability of Retained Savings.--(1) Amounts 
     retained by the head of an executive agency under subsection 
     (a)(3) or (c) shall, without further appropriation, remain 
     available until expended and may be used by the executive 
     agency for any of the following purposes:
       ``(A) The acquisition of information technology.
       ``(B) Support for share-in-savings contracting approaches 
     throughout the agency including--
       ``(i) education and training programs for share-in-savings 
     contracting;
       ``(ii) any administrative costs associated with the share-
     in-savings contract from which the savings were realized; or
       ``(iii) the cost of employees who specialize in share-in-
     savings contracts.
       ``(2) Amounts so retained from any appropriation of the 
     executive agency not otherwise available for the acquisition 
     of information technology shall be transferred to any 
     appropriation of the executive agency that is available for 
     such purpose.''.

     SEC. 211. ENHANCING CRISIS MANAGEMENT THROUGH ADVANCED 
                   INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Study on enhancement of crisis response.--Not later 
     than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency shall enter into a 
     contract with the National Research Council of the National 
     Academy of Sciences to conduct a study on using information 
     technology to enhance crisis response and consequence 
     management of natural and manmade disasters.
       (2) Content.--The study under this subsection shall 
     address--
       (A) a research and implementation strategy for effective 
     use of information technology in crisis response and 
     consequence management, including the more effective use of 
     technologies, management of information technology research 
     initiatives, and incorporation of research advances into the 
     information and communications systems of--
       (i) the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
       (ii) other Federal, State, and local agencies responsible 
     for crisis response and consequence management; and
       (B) opportunities for research and development on enhanced 
     technologies for--
       (i) improving communications with citizens at risk before 
     and during a crisis;
       (ii) enhancing the use of remote sensor data and other 
     information sources for planning, mitigation, response, and 
     advance warning;
       (iii) building more robust and trustworthy systems for 
     communications in crises;
       (iv) facilitating coordinated actions among responders 
     through more interoperable communications and information 
     systems; and
       (v) other areas of potential improvement as determined 
     during the course of the study.
       (3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which 
     a contract is entered into under paragraph (1), the National 
     Research Council shall submit a report on the study, 
     including findings and recommendations to--
       (A) the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (C) the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
       (4) Interagency cooperation.--The Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency and other Federal departments and agencies 
     with responsibility for disaster relief and emergency 
     assistance shall fully cooperate with the National Research 
     Council in carrying out this section.
       (5) Expedited processing of security clearances.--For the 
     purpose of facilitating the commencement of the study under 
     this section, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and 
     other relevant agencies shall expedite to the fullest extent 
     possible the processing of security clearances that are 
     necessary for the National Research Council.
       (6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
     for research under this subsection, $800,000 for fiscal year 
     2002.
       (b) Pilot Projects.--Based on the results of the research 
     conducted under subsection (a), the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer shall initiate pilot projects with the goal of 
     maximizing the utility of information technology in disaster 
     management. The Federal Chief Information Officer shall 
     cooperate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, other 
     relevant agencies, and, if appropriate, State, local, and 
     tribal governments, in initiating such pilot projects.

     SEC. 212. FEDERAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRAINING CENTER.

       (a) In General.--In consultation with the Federal Chief 
     Information Officer, the Chief Information Officers Council, 
     and the Administrator of General Services, the Director of 
     the Office of Personnel Management shall establish and 
     operate a Federal Information Technology Training Center (in 
     this section referred to as the ``Training Center'').
       (b) Functions.--The Training Center shall--
       (1) analyze, on an ongoing basis, the personnel needs of 
     the Federal Government related to information technology and 
     information resource management;
       (2) design curricula, training methods, and training 
     schedules that correspond to the projected personnel needs of 
     the Federal Government related to information technology and 
     information resource management; and
       (3) recruit and train Federal employees in information 
     technology disciplines, as necessary, at a rate that ensures 
     that the Federal Government's information resource management 
     needs are met.
       (c) Curricula.--The curricula of the Training Center--
       (1) shall cover a broad range of information technology 
     disciplines corresponding to the specific needs of Federal 
     agencies;

[[Page 6568]]

       (2) shall be adaptable to achieve varying levels of 
     expertise, ranging from basic nonoccupational computer 
     training to expert occupational proficiency in specific 
     information technology disciplines, depending on the specific 
     information resource management needs of Federal agencies;
       (3) shall be developed and applied according to rigorous 
     academic standards; and
       (4) shall be designed to maximize efficiency through the 
     use of self-paced courses, online courses, on-the-job 
     training, and the use of remote instructors, wherever such 
     features can be applied without reducing training 
     effectiveness or negatively impacting academic standards.
       (d) Employee Participation.--Subject to information 
     resource management needs and the limitations imposed by 
     resource needs in other occupational areas, agencies shall 
     encourage their employees to participate in the occupational 
     information technology curricula of the Training Center.
       (e) Agreements for Service.--Employees who participate in 
     full-time training at the Training Center for a period of 6 
     months or longer shall be subject to an agreement for service 
     after training under section 4108 of title 5, United States 
     Code.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Office of Personnel Management for 
     developing and operating the Training Center, $7,000,000 in 
     fiscal year 2002, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     fiscal year thereafter.

     SEC. 213. COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY CENTERS.

       (a) Study and Report.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     effective date of this Act, the Secretary of Education, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary 
     of Housing and Urban Development, the National 
     Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the 
     Federal Chief Information Officer, shall--
       (1) conduct a study to evaluate the best practices of 
     community technology centers that receive Federal funds; and
       (2) submit a report on the study to--
       (A) the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 
     of the Senate;
       (C) the Committee on Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (D) the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the 
     House of Representatives.
       (b) Content.--The report shall include--
       (1) an evaluation of the best practices being used by 
     successful community technology centers;
       (2) a strategy for--
       (A) continuing the evaluation of best practices used by 
     community technology centers; and
       (B) establishing a network to share information and 
     resources as community technology centers evolve;
       (3) the identification of methods to expand the use of best 
     practices to assist community technology centers, public 
     libraries, and other institutions that provide computer and 
     Internet access to the public;
       (4) a database of all community technology centers 
     receiving Federal funds, including--
       (A) each center's name, location, services provided, 
     director, other points of contact, number of individuals 
     served; and
       (B) other relevant information;
       (5) an analysis of whether community technology centers 
     have been deployed effectively in urban and rural areas 
     throughout the Nation; and
       (6) recommendations of how to--
       (A) enhance the development of community technology 
     centers; and
       (B) establish a network to share information and resources.
       (c) Cooperation.--All agencies that fund community 
     technology centers shall provide to the Department of 
     Education any information and assistance necessary for the 
     completion of the study and the report under this section.
       (d) Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--The Federal Chief Information Officer 
     shall work with the Department of Education, other relevant 
     Federal agencies, and other interested persons in the private 
     and nonprofit sectors to--
       (A) assist in the implementation of recommendations; and
       (B) identify other ways to assist community technology 
     centers, public libraries, and other institutions that 
     provide computer and Internet access to the public.
       (2) Types of assistance.--Assistance under this paragraph 
     may include--
       (A) contribution of funds;
       (B) donations of equipment, and training in the use and 
     maintenance of the equipment; and
       (C) the provision of basic instruction or training material 
     in computer skills and Internet usage.
       (e) Training Center.--The Federal Information Technology 
     Training Center established under section 212 of this Act 
     shall make applicable information technology curricula 
     available to members of the public through the community 
     technology centers.
       (f) Online Tutorial.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Education, in 
     consultation with the Federal Chief Information Officer, the 
     National Science Foundation, and other interested persons, 
     shall develop an online tutorial that--
       (A) explains how to access information and services on the 
     Internet; and
       (B) provides a guide to available online resources.
       (2) Distribution.--The Secretary of Education shall 
     distribute information on the tutorial to community 
     technology centers, public libraries, and other institutions 
     that afford Internet access to the public.
       (g) Promotion of Community Technology Centers.--In 
     consultation with other agencies and organizations, the 
     Department of Education shall promote the availability of 
     community technology centers to raise awareness within each 
     community where such a center is located.
       (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Department of Education for the 
     study of best practices at community technology centers, for 
     the development and dissemination of the online tutorial, and 
     for the promotion of community technology centers under this 
     section $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2002, $2,000,000 in fiscal 
     year 2003, and such sums as are necessary in fiscal years 
     2004 through 2006.

     SEC. 214. DISPARITIES IN ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.

       (a) Study and Report.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     effective date of this Act--
       (1) the Federal Chief Information Officer shall enter into 
     an agreement with a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization to 
     conduct a study on disparities in Internet access across 
     various demographic distributions; and
       (2) the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization shall conduct 
     the study and submit a report to--
       (A) the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate; 
     and
       (B) the Committee on Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (b) Content.--The report shall include a study of--
       (1) how disparities in Internet access influence the 
     effectiveness of online Government services;
       (2) how the increase in online Government services is 
     influencing the disparities in Internet access; and
       (3) any related societal effects arising from the interplay 
     of disparities in Internet access and the increase in online 
     Government services.
       (c) Recommendations.--The report shall include 
     recommendations on actions to ensure that online Government 
     initiatives shall not have the unintended result of 
     increasing any deficiency in public access to Government 
     services.
       (d) Policy Considerations.--When promulgating policies and 
     implementing programs regarding the provision of services 
     over the Internet, the Federal Chief Information Officer and 
     agency heads shall--
       (1) consider the impact on persons without access to the 
     Internet; and
       (2) ensure that the availability of Government services has 
     not been diminished for individuals who lack access to the 
     Internet.
       (e) Technology Considerations.--To the extent feasible, the 
     Federal Chief Information Officer and agency heads shall 
     pursue technologies that make Government services and 
     information more accessible to individuals who do not own 
     computers or have access to the Internet.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated $950,000 in fiscal year 2002 to carry out 
     this section.

     SEC. 215. ACCESSIBILITY, USABILITY, AND PRESERVATION OF 
                   GOVERNMENT INFORMATION.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section, the term--
       (1) ``agency'' has the meaning given under section 3502(1) 
     of title 44, United States Code;
       (2) ``Board'' means the Advisory Board on Government 
     Information established under subsection (b);
       (3) ``Government information'' means information created, 
     collected, processed, disseminated, or disposed of by or for 
     the Federal Government;
       (4) ``information'' means any communication or 
     representation of knowledge such as facts, data, or opinions, 
     in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, 
     cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual forms; and
       (5) ``permanent public access'' means the process by which 
     applicable Government information that has been disseminated 
     on the Internet is preserved for current, continuous, and 
     future public access.
       (b) Advisory Board.--
       (1) Establishment.--There is established the Advisory Board 
     on Government Information. The Board shall be subject to the 
     Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
       (2) Members.--The Federal Chief Information Officer shall 
     appoint the members of the Board who shall include 
     representatives from appropriate agencies and interested 
     persons from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
       (3) Functions.--The Board shall conduct studies and submit 
     recommendations as provided by this section to the Federal 
     Chief Information Officer.
       (4) Termination.--The Board shall terminate 3 years after 
     the effective date of this Act.

[[Page 6569]]

       (c) Cataloguing and Indexing Standards.--
       (1) Agency functions.--
       (A) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the effective 
     date of this Act, each agency shall submit a report to the 
     Board on all cataloguing and indexing standards used by that 
     agency, including taxonomies being used to classify 
     information.
       (B) Priorities and schedules.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the issuance of a circular or the promulgation of 
     proposed regulations under paragraph (3), each agency shall 
     consult with interested persons and develop priorities and 
     schedules for making the agency indexing and cataloguing 
     standards fully interoperable with other standards in use in 
     the Federal Government.
       (2) Board functions.--The Board shall--
       (A) not later than 1 year after the effective date of this 
     Act--
       (i) review cataloguing and indexing standards used by 
     agencies; and
       (ii) determine whether the systems using those standards 
     are generally recognized, in the public domain, and 
     interoperable; and
       (B) not later than 18 months after the effective date of 
     this Act--
       (i) consult interested persons;
       (ii) analyze and determine agency public domain standards 
     that are not fully interoperable with other standards; and
       (iii) recommend priorities and schedules for making such 
     standards fully interoperable.
       (3) Federal chief information officer functions.--
       (A) Prohibition of proprietary systems.--
       (i) In general.--After the submission of recommendations by 
     the Board under paragraph (2) and public notice and 
     opportunity for comment, the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer shall prohibit agencies from using any system the 
     Federal Chief Information Officer determines to be 
     proprietary.
       (ii) Waiver.--The Federal Chief Information Officer may 
     waive the application of clause (i), if the Federal Chief 
     Information Officer determines there is a compelling reason 
     to continue the use of the system.
       (B) Interoperability standards.--Not later than 18 months 
     after the effective date of this Act and after public notice 
     and opportunity for comment, the Office of Management and 
     Budget, acting through the Federal Chief Information Officer, 
     shall issue a circular or promulgate proposed and final 
     regulations requiring the interoperability standards of 
     cataloguing and indexing standards used by agencies.
       (d) Permanent Public Access Standards.--
       (1) Agency functions.--
       (A) Report to board.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     effective date of this Act, each agency shall submit a report 
     to the Board on any action taken by the agency to--
       (i) preserve public access to information disseminated by 
     the Federal Government on the Internet; and
       (ii) set standards and develop policies to ensure permanent 
     public access to information disseminated by the Federal 
     Government on the Internet.
       (B) Compliance with regulations.--Not later than 1 year 
     after the issuance of the circular or the promulgation of 
     final regulations under paragraph (3), and on October 1, of 
     each year thereafter, each agency shall submit a report on 
     compliance of that agency with such regulations to--
       (i) the Federal Chief Information Officer;
       (ii) the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate; 
     and
       (iii) the Committee on Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (2) Board functions.--
       (A) Recommended standards.--Not later than 30 months after 
     the effective date of this Act and after consultation with 
     interested persons, the Board shall submit recommendations to 
     the Federal Chief Information Officer on standards for 
     permanent public access to information disseminated by the 
     Federal Government on the Internet.
       (B) Contents.--The recommendations under subparagraph (A) 
     shall include--
       (i) a definition of the types of information to which the 
     standards apply; and
       (ii) the process by which an agency--

       (I) applies that definition to information disseminated by 
     the agency on the Internet; and
       (II) implements permanent public access.

       (3) Federal chief information officer functions.--
       (A) In general.--After the submission of recommendations by 
     the Board under paragraph (2) and public notice and 
     opportunity for comment, the Office of Management and Budget, 
     acting through the Federal Chief Information Officer, shall 
     issue a circular or promulgate proposed and final regulations 
     establishing permanent public access standards for agencies.
       (B) Compliance.--The Federal Chief Information Officer 
     shall--
       (i) work with agencies to ensure timely and ongoing 
     compliance with this subsection; and
       (ii) post agency reports on a centralized searchable 
     database, with a link to the integrated Internet-based system 
     established under section 3602(a)(13) of title 44, United 
     States Code, as added by this Act.
       (e) Inventories.--
       (1) Agency functions.--
       (A) In general.--
       (i) Inventories.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     effective date of this Act, each agency shall inventory 
     agency websites, including all directories and subdirectories 
     of such websites established by the agency or contractors of 
     the agency.
       (ii) Individual documents.--Nothing in this paragraph shall 
     preclude an agency from inventorying individual documents on 
     a website.
       (iii) Assistance.--The Federal Chief Information Officer 
     and the General Services Administration shall assist agencies 
     with inventories under this subsection.
       (B) Completion of inventory.--Each agency shall complete 
     inventories in accordance with the circular issued or 
     regulations promulgated under paragraph (3) and post the 
     inventories on the Internet.
       (2) Board functions.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     effective date of this Act, the Board shall--
       (A) consult with interested parties;
       (B) identify for inventory purposes all classes of 
     Government information, except classes of information--
       (i) the existence of which is classified; or
       (ii) is of such a sensitive nature, that disclosure would 
     harm the public interest; and
       (C) make recommendations on--
       (i) the classes of information to be inventoried; and
       (ii) how the information within those classes should be 
     inventoried.
       (3) Federal chief information officer functions.--
       (A) Guidance.--After submission of recommendations by the 
     Board under paragraph (2) and public notice and opportunity 
     for comment, the Office of Management and Budget, acting 
     through the Chief Information Officer, shall issue a circular 
     or promulgate proposed and final regulations to provide 
     guidance and requirements for inventorying under this 
     subsection.
       (B) Contents.--The circular or regulations under this 
     paragraph shall include--
       (i) requirements for the completion of inventories of some 
     portion of Government information identified by the Board;
       (ii) the scope of required inventories;
       (iii) a schedule for completion; and
       (iv) the classes of information required to be inventoried 
     by law.
       (C) Linking of inventories.--The Federal Chief Information 
     Officer shall link inventories posted by agencies under this 
     subsection to the integrated Internet-based system 
     established under section 3602(a)(13) of title 44, United 
     States Code, as added by this Act.
       (f) Statutory and Regulatory Review.--Not later than 180 
     days after the effective date of this Act, the General 
     Accounting Office shall--
       (1) conduct a review of all statutory and regulatory 
     requirements of agencies to list and describe Government 
     information;
       (2) analyze the inconsistencies, redundancies, and 
     inadequacies of such requirements; and
       (3) submit a report on the review and analysis to--
       (A) the Federal Chief Information Officer;
       (B) the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate; 
     and
       (C) the Committee on Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (g) Cataloguing and Indexing Determinations.--
       (1) Agency functions.--
       (A) Priorities and schedules.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the issuance of a circular or the promulgation of 
     proposed regulations under paragraph (3), each agency shall 
     consult with interested persons and develop priorities and 
     schedules for cataloguing and indexing Government 
     information. Agency priorities and schedules shall be made 
     available for public review and comment and shall be linked 
     on the Internet to an agency's inventories.
       (B) Compliance with regulations.--Not later than 1 year 
     after the issuance of the circular or the promulgation of 
     final regulations under paragraph (3), and on October 1, of 
     each year thereafter, each agency shall submit a report on 
     compliance of that agency with such circular or regulations 
     to--
       (i) the Federal Chief Information Officer;
       (ii) the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate; 
     and
       (iii) the Committee on Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (2) Board functions.--The Board shall--
       (A) not later than 1 year after the effective date of this 
     Act--
       (i) review the report submitted by the General Accounting 
     Office under subsection (f); and
       (ii) review the types of Government information not covered 
     by cataloguing or indexing requirements; and
       (B) not later than 18 months after receipt of agency 
     inventories--
       (i) consult interested persons;
       (ii) review agency inventories; and
       (iii) make recommendations on--

       (I) which Government information should be catalogued and 
     indexed; and
       (II) the priorities for the cataloguing and indexing of 
     that Government information, including priorities required by 
     statute or regulation.

[[Page 6570]]

       (3) Federal chief information officer functions.--
       (A) In general.--After the submission of recommendations by 
     the Board under paragraph (2) and public notice and 
     opportunity for comment, the Office of Management and Budget, 
     acting through the Federal Chief Information Officer, shall 
     issue a circular or promulgate proposed and final regulations 
     that--
       (i) specify which Government information is required to be 
     catalogued and indexed; and
       (ii) establish priorities for the cataloguing and indexing 
     of that information.
       (B) Compliance.--The Federal Chief Information Officer 
     shall--
       (i) work with agencies to ensure timely and ongoing 
     compliance with this subsection; and
       (ii) post agency reports and indexes and catalogues on a 
     centralized searchable database, with a link to the 
     integrated Internet-based system established under section 
     3602(a)(13) of title 44, United States Code, as added by this 
     Act.
       (h) Availability of Government Information on the 
     Internet.--Not later than 1 year after the completion of the 
     agency inventory referred to under subsection (e)(1)(B), each 
     agency shall--
       (1) consult with the Board and interested persons;
       (2) determine which Government information the agency 
     intends to make available and accessible to the public on the 
     Internet and by other means;
       (3) develop priorities and schedules for making that 
     Government information available and accessible;
       (4) make such final determinations, priorities, and 
     schedules available for public comment; and
       (5) post such final determinations, priorities, and 
     schedules on an agency website with a link to the integrated 
     Internet-based system established under section 3602(a)(13) 
     of title 44, United States Code, as added by this Act.

     SEC. 216. PUBLIC DOMAIN DIRECTORY OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 
                   WEBSITES.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section, the term--
       (1) ``agency'' has the meaning given under section 3502(1) 
     of title 44, United States Code; and
       (2) ``directory'' means a taxonomy of subjects linked to 
     websites that is created with the participation of human 
     editors.
       (b) Establishment.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     effective date of this Act, the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer and each agency shall--
       (1) develop and establish a public domain directory of 
     Federal Government websites; and
       (2) post the directory on the Internet with a link to the 
     integrated Internet-based system established under section 
     3602(a)(13) of title 44, United States Code, as added by this 
     Act.
       (c) Development.--With the assistance of each agency, the 
     Federal Chief Information Officer shall--
       (1) direct the development of the directory through a 
     collaborative effort, including input from--
       (A) agency librarians;
       (B) Federal depository librarians; and
       (C) other interested parties; and
       (2) develop a public domain taxonomy of subjects used to 
     review and categorize Federal Government websites.
       (d) Update.--With the assistance of each agency, the 
     Federal Chief Information Officer shall--
       (1) update the directory; and
       (2) solicit interested persons for improvements to the 
     directory.

     SEC. 217. STANDARDS FOR AGENCY WEBSITES.

       Not later than 1 year after the effective date of this Act, 
     the Federal Chief Information Officer shall promulgate 
     standards and criteria for agency websites that include--
       (1) requirements that websites include direct links to--
       (A) privacy statements;
       (B) descriptions of the mission and statutory authority of 
     the agency;
       (C) the electronic reading rooms of the agency relating to 
     the disclosure of information under section 552 of title 5, 
     United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of 
     Information Act);
       (D) agency regulations, rules, and rulemakings;
       (E) information about the organizational structure of the 
     agency, with an outline linked to the agency on-line staff 
     directory; and
       (F) the strategic plan of the agency developed under 
     section 306 of title 5, United States Code; and
       (2) minimum agency goals to assist public users to navigate 
     agency websites, including--
       (A) speed of retrieval of search results;
       (B) the relevance of the results; and
       (C) tools to aggregate and disaggregate data.

     SEC. 218. PRIVACY PROVISIONS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section, the term--
       (1) ``agency'' has the meaning given under section 551(1) 
     of title 5, United States Code;
       (2) ``information system'' means a discrete set of 
     information resources organized for the collection, 
     processing, maintenance, transmission, and dissemination of 
     information, in accordance with defined procedures that--
       (A) electronically collects or maintains personally 
     identifiable information on 10 or more individuals; or
       (B) makes personally identifiable information available to 
     the public; and
       (3) ``personally identifiable information'' means 
     individually identifiable information about an individual, 
     including--
       (A) a first and last name;
       (B) a home or other physical address including street name 
     and name of a city or town;
       (C) an e-mail address;
       (D) a telephone number;
       (E) a social security number;
       (F) a credit card number;
       (G) a birth date, birth certificate number, or a place of 
     birth; and
       (H) any other identifier that the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer determines permits the identification or physical or 
     online contacting of a specific individual.
       (b) Privacy Impact Assessments.--
       (1) Responsibilities of agencies.--
       (A) In general.--Before developing or procuring an 
     information system, or initiating a new collection of 
     personally identifiable information that will be collected, 
     processed, maintained, or disseminated electronically, an 
     agency shall--
       (i) conduct a privacy impact assessment;
       (ii) submit the assessment to the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer; and
       (iii) after completion of any review conducted by the 
     Federal Chief Information Officer, where practicable--

       (I) publish the assessment in the Federal Register; or
       (II) disseminate the assessment electronically.

       (B) Sensitive information.--Subparagraph (A)(iii) may be 
     modified or waived to protect classified, sensitive, or 
     private information contained in an assessment.
       (2) Contents of a privacy impact assessment.--A privacy 
     impact assessment shall include--
       (A) a description of--
       (i) the information to be collected;
       (ii) the purpose for the collection of the information and 
     the reason each item of information is necessary and 
     relevant;
       (iii)(I) any notice that will be provided to persons from 
     whom information is collected; and
       (II) any choice that an individual who is the subject of 
     the collection of information shall have to decline to 
     provide information;
       (iv) the intended uses of the information and proposed 
     limits on other uses of the information;
       (v) the intended recipients or users of the information and 
     any limitations on access to or reuse or redisclosure of the 
     information;
       (vi) the period for which the information will be retained;
       (vii) whether and by what means the individual who is the 
     subject of the collection of information--

       (I) shall have access to the information about that 
     individual; or
       (II) may exercise other rights under section 552a of title 
     5, United States Code; and

       (viii) security measures that will protect the information;
       (B) an assessment of the potential impact on privacy 
     relating to risks and mitigation of risks; and
       (C) other information and analysis required under guidance 
     issued by the Federal Chief Information Officer.
       (3) Responsibilities of the federal chief information 
     officer.--The Federal Chief Information Officer shall--
       (A)(i) develop policies and guidelines for agencies on the 
     conduct of privacy impact assessments; and
       (ii) oversee the implementation of the privacy impact 
     assessment process throughout the Government;
       (B) require agencies to conduct privacy impact assessments 
     in--
       (i) developing or procuring an information system; or
       (ii) planning for the initiation of a new collection of 
     personally identifiable information;
       (C) require agencies to conduct privacy impact assessments 
     of existing information systems or ongoing collections of 
     personally identifiable information as the Federal Chief 
     Information Officer determines appropriate;
       (D) assist agencies in developing privacy impact assessment 
     policies; and
       (E) encourage officers and employees of an agency to 
     consult with privacy officers of that agency in completing 
     privacy impact assessments.
       (c) Privacy Protections on Agency Websites.--
       (1) Privacy policies on websites.--
       (A) Guidelines for notices.--The Federal Chief Information 
     Officer shall develop guidelines for privacy notices on 
     agency websites.
       (B) Contents.--The guidelines shall require that a privacy 
     notice include a description of--
       (i) information collected about visitors to the agency's 
     website;
       (ii) the intended uses of the information collected;
       (iii) the choices that an individual may have in 
     controlling collection or disclosure of information relating 
     to that individual;

[[Page 6571]]

       (iv) the means by which an individual may be able to--

       (I) access personally identifiable information relating to 
     that individual that is held by the agency; and
       (II) correct any inaccuracy in that information;

       (v) security procedures to protect information collected 
     online;
       (vi) the period for which information will be retained; and
       (vii) the rights of an individual under statutes and 
     regulations relating to the protection of individual privacy, 
     including section 552a of title 5, United States Code 
     (commonly referred to as the Privacy Act of 1974) and section 
     552 of that title (commonly referred to as the Freedom of 
     Information Act).
       (2) Privacy policies in machine-readable formats.--
       (A) In general.--The Federal Chief Information Officer 
     shall promulgate guidelines and standards requiring agencies 
     to translate privacy policies into a standardized machine-
     readable format.
       (B) Waiver or modification.--The Federal Chief Information 
     Officer may waive or modify the application of subparagraph 
     (A), if the Federal Chief Information Officer determines 
     that--
       (i) such application is impracticable; or
       (ii) a more practicable alternative shall be implemented.
       (C) Notification.--Not later than 30 days after granting a 
     waiver or modification under subparagraph (B), the Federal 
     Chief Information Officer shall notify the Committee on 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Government Reform of the House of Representatives of the 
     reasons for the waiver or modification.

     SEC. 219. ACCESSIBILITY TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

       All actions taken by Federal departments and agencies under 
     this Act shall be in compliance with section 508 of the 
     Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d).

     SEC. 220. NOTIFICATION OF OBSOLETE OR COUNTERPRODUCTIVE 
                   PROVISIONS.

       If the Federal Chief Information Officer makes a 
     determination that any provision of this Act (including any 
     amendment made by this Act) is obsolete or counterproductive 
     to the purposes of this Act, as a result of changes in 
     technology or any other reason, the Federal Chief Information 
     Officer shall submit notification of that determination to--
       (1) the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate; 
     and
       (2) the Committee on Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives.

     TITLE III--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS AND EFFECTIVE DATE

     SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Except for those purposes for which an authorization of 
     appropriations is specifically provided in this Act, 
     including the amendments made by this Act, there are 
     authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary 
     to carry out this Act for each of fiscal years 2002 through 
     2006.

     SEC. 302. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take 
     effect 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
                                  ____


        E-Government Act of 2001--Section-by-Section Description


     Title I: Office of Management and Budget E-Government Services

           Sec. 101: Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO)

       Establishes a Federal CIO, reporting directly to the 
     Director of OMB, with responsibility for the development, 
     application, and management of information resources for the 
     federal government. The Federal CIO is appointed by the 
     President and confirmed by the Senate. Delegates to the 
     Federal CIO responsibility for implementation of the Privacy 
     Act, oversight of information technology (IT) capital 
     planning and performance pursuant to the Clinger Cohen Act, 
     oversight of implementation of the Government Paperwork 
     Elimination Act, promulgation of federal computer systems 
     standards and guidelines, consultation on expenditures from 
     GSA's IT fund, and government-wide statistical policy.

 Sec. 102: Office of Information Policy and Office of Information and 
                           Regulatory Affairs

       Establishes the new Office of Information Policy, headed by 
     the Federal CIO. The existing Office of Information and 
     Regulatory Affairs retains responsibility for information 
     collection review functions. Other functions prescribed by 
     the Paperwork Reduction Act, such as information 
     dissemination functions, are the responsibility of the 
     Federal CIO and the Office of Information Policy. Specifies 
     that the offices will coordinate their efforts.

  Sec. 103: Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services

       Creates a new Chapter 36 in Title 44 of the United States 
     Code.
       Section 3602 specifies some of the Federal CIO's 
     information resource management (IRM) functions, which 
     include: Reviewing agency budget requests related to IT 
     capital planning and investment; evaluating those investments 
     with respect to performance and results; reviewing 
     legislative proposals related to IT capital planning and 
     investment; advising the OMB Director on the resources 
     required to effectively operate information systems; 
     recommending to the Director changes in government-wide 
     strategies and priorities for IRM; establishing IRM policies 
     and requirements for executive branch agencies; promoting 
     innovative uses of IT, especially initiatives involving 
     multi-agency collaboration; administering the distribution of 
     funds from an ``E-Government Fund''; consulting with the GSA 
     Administrator on the use of the GSA's IT fund; chairing the 
     CIO Council; establishing and promulgating IT standards and 
     guidelines for interconnectivity and interoperability, 
     categorizing and labeling government electronic information 
     to enhance search capabilites, and computer system efficiency 
     and security; establishing several forums for communicating 
     with IRM leaders in the regulatory executive branch agencies, 
     legislative and judicial branches, and in state, local, and 
     tribal governments; establishing a cross-sector forum on IRM 
     with representatives from federal agencies and the private, 
     nonprofit, and academic sectors to encourage collaboration; 
     developing and promoting an integrated, standardized, 
     Internet-based system (a portal) for providing government 
     information and services to the public by function and from a 
     single point; coordinating with the Office of Federal 
     Procurement Policy in implementing electronic procurement 
     initiatives; assisting federal entities in implementing 
     accessibility standards, and ensuring compliance with those 
     standards; and administering the Office of Information 
     Policy.
       This section also requires the Director of OMB to ensure 
     that the Office of Information Policy has adequate employees 
     and resources to fulfill its statutory functions, and it 
     authorizes $15 million for fiscal year 2002, and such sums as 
     are necessary for fiscal years 2003 through 2006, for 
     maintaining the Internet portal described in the section.
       Section 3603 establishes a CIO Council, chaired by the 
     federal CIO, and consisting of representation from CIO's of 
     all major federal agencies. The Council will receive 
     administrative and other support, including funding, from 
     GSA. The Council is designated the principal interagency 
     forum for improving agency practices related to all aspects 
     of federal government information resources. Its 
     responsibilities include: Developing recommendations for the 
     Federal CIO on information resources management (IRM) 
     policies, and assisting the CIO in developing a government-
     wide strategic plan; sharing experiences and best practices 
     related to IRM; providing recommendations to the Federal CIO 
     regarding the use of E-Government Fund; coordinating the 
     development of common performance measures for agency IRM; 
     working with NIST to develop recommendations on IT standards; 
     and working with the OPM to address the hiring, training and 
     professional development needs of the government with respect 
     to IRM.
       Section 3604 establishes an E-Government Fund within the 
     Dept of the Treasury to fund interagency IT projects and 
     other innovative uses of IT. It authorizes $200,000,000 in 
     fiscal years 2002 through 2004 for the Fund and such sums as 
     are necessary for fiscal years 2005 through 2006. Proposed 
     projects are reviewed by a committee of the CIO council 
     according to specified criteria; after receiving the 
     committee's recommendation, the Federal CIO determines which 
     of the projects should be funded. Appropriators and 
     authorizing committee are notified in advance of the intended 
     uses of the funds, and the Federal CIO reports annually to 
     the President and Congress on the operation of the fund.


  Title II: Federal Management and Promotion of E-Government Services

               Sec. 201: Federal Agency Responsibilities

       Specifies that federal agencies are responsible for 
     complying with the Act and polices and standards established 
     by the Federal CIO, and for supporting the efforts of the 
     Federal CIO to maintain the Government's online portal. It 
     also specifies that agency CIO's will participate in the CIO 
     Council and monitor the implementation within their agencies 
     of common IT standards. Each agency will submit to the 
     Federal CIO an annual E-Government Status Report on the 
     current status of agency information and services available 
     online.

Sec. 202: Compatibility of Methods for Use and Acceptance of Electronic 
                               Signatures

       Requires each executive agency to ensure that its methods 
     for use and acceptance of electronic signatures are 
     compatible with OMB procedures and standards. The GSA 
     Administrator will support OMB by establishing the federal 
     bridge certification authority to allow efficient 
     interoperability among executive agencies when certifying 
     digital signatures. GSA will be authorized $7,000,000 for 
     FY2002 appropriations, and such sums as may be necessary each 
     fiscal year thereafter for development and operation of a 
     federal bridge certification authority.

              Sec. 203: Online Federal Telephone Directory

       Requires GSA, in coordination with the CIO Council, to 
     develop and issue an online

[[Page 6572]]

     federal telephone directory organized and retrievable by 
     function and by agency. The telephone directory will be 
     provided to local telephone book publishers to encourage 
     publication of functionally arranged directories. Executive 
     agencies are required to publish an online agency directory, 
     accessible by electronic links to the federal telephone 
     directory, including contact information for principal 
     departments and employees.

                   Sec. 204: Online National Library

       Requires the establishment of an online national library as 
     a collaboration between several federal agencies, including 
     the National Science Foundation, Smithsonian, and the Library 
     of Congress, to provide public access to educational resource 
     materials. The materials will be functionally integrated 
     without regard to the boundaries of the contributing 
     institutions. For the development, expansion and maintenance 
     of the national library, NSF and the Library of Congress are 
     each authorized $5,000,000 for FY 2002, and such sums as may 
     be necessary each fiscal year thereafter.

                        Sec. 205: Federal Courts

       Requires each federal court to establish a website that 
     would include public information such as location and contact 
     information for courthouses, local rules, docket information 
     for each case, and access to written opinions issued by the 
     court, in a text searchable format. Documents filed 
     electronically, and those converted to electronic form, shall 
     also be made available. The Judicial Conference may 
     promulgate rules to protect privacy concerns. The existing 
     PACER electronic docketing system will no longer be required 
     to charge fees to users. Court websites are required to be 
     established no later than 2 years after the Act's effective 
     date, with access to documents filed electronically no later 
     than 4 years. Any court may elect not to comply with any 
     requirement of this section, but Congress is notified of all 
     such decisions and the reasons for the decisions.

                     Sec. 206: Regulatory Agencies

       Requires that agencies post on their websites all 
     information about the agencies' regulatory proceedings that 
     is required to be published in the Federal Register. Agencies 
     must accept submissions in regulatory proceedings by 
     electronic means (including e-mail and fax). Agencies shall 
     also establish electronic dockets for online rulemaking. 
     Electronic dockets shall make available all agency notices, 
     publications, or statements related to each rulemaking, and 
     all submissions made pursuant to the rulemaking. Agencies can 
     opt out of the section's electronic docket requirement. 
     Websites are required to be established no later than 2 years 
     after the Act's effective date, with submission by electronic 
     means no later than 4 years.

  Sec. 207: Integrated Reporting Feasibility Study and Pilot Projects

       Requires the Federal CIO to conduct a study on the 
     feasibility of integrating federal information systems across 
     agencies by addressing the feasibility of (1) integrating 
     data elements used in the electronic collection of 
     information, (2) developing software for assembling, 
     documenting, and validating the accuracy of electronically 
     submitted data, (3) developing a distributed information 
     system, involving at least 2 agencies, that provides public 
     access to the information holdings of an agency, and (4) 
     incorporating other data elements related to the purposes of 
     this section. To collect information for the study, the 
     Federal CIO will implement no more than 5 pilot projects that 
     integrate data elements with the goals of reducing 
     information collection burdens by eliminating duplicative 
     data elements, and establishing interoperability between 
     public databases. The resulting report, which shall be 
     submitted to Congress within three years of the date of 
     enactment, will include recommendations that Congress or the 
     executive branch can implement to reduce the burden on 
     reporting and strengthening public access.

  Sec. 208: Online Access to Federally Funded Research and Development

       Provides for the formation of an interagency task force to 
     review current databases of federally funded research and 
     development, then develop recommendations on standards for 
     the collection and dissemination of essential information 
     about such data that addresses both public availability and 
     agency coordination and collaboration. No later than 1 year 
     after enactment of this Act, the Federal CIO will promulgate 
     standards and regulations based on the recommendations, and 
     determine which agencies should maintain databases and a 
     website providing online access to the information. The 
     respective agencies will then develop any required databases 
     and a centralized, searchable website. The website will be 
     operational within 2 years after the date of enactment. 
     $1,000,000 is authorized for FY 2002, $5,000,000 for FY 2003, 
     and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2004 
     through 2006.

  Sec. 209: Common Protocols for Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

       Requires the Department of the Interior, in consultation 
     with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
     private sector experts, and other interested parties, to 
     facilitate the development of common protocols for geographic 
     information to maximize the electronic compatibility of 
     geographic information from various sources and promote the 
     development of interoperable GIS technologies for low-cost 
     use and sharing of geographic data by government entities and 
     the public. The Federal CIO will oversee the agency 
     initiative and promulgate the resulting standards.

            Sec. 210: Share-In-Savings Program Improvements

       Encourages the use of the share-in-savings contracting 
     approach (in which the contractor is paid from the savings 
     realized) for IT projects, and allows the agency conducting a 
     project to retain a portion of the savings realized, and use 
     those funds to acquire additional information technology. If 
     the share-in-savings pilot projects are successful, the GSA 
     Administrator may provide general authority to executive 
     agencies to use the contracting approach.

  Sec. 211: Enhancing Crisis Management Through Advanced Information 
                               Technology

       Provides for a 2-year study, conducted by the National 
     Academy of Sciences, to develop a research and implementation 
     strategy for effective use of IT in crisis response and 
     consequence management of natural and manmade disasters. The 
     study will identify opportunities for research and 
     development on enhanced technologies for improving 
     communications with citizens at risk, enhancing the use of 
     remote sensor data for planning, advance warning, and 
     response, building more trustworthy systems for 
     communications in crises, and facilitating coordinated 
     actions among responders. $800,000 for FY 2002 would be 
     authorized for the research.

        Sec. 212: Federal Information Technology Training Center

       Requires the establishment of an IT training center to (1) 
     analyze the personnel needs related to IT on an ongoing 
     basis, (2) design curricula, training methods and training 
     schedules, and (3) recruit and train federal employees in IT 
     disciplines at a rate that ensures that government's needs 
     are met. The curricula will cover a broad range of IT 
     disciplines, will be adaptable to varying levels of 
     expertise, and will include the use of self-paced courses, 
     online courses, on-the-job training, and remote instructors. 
     $7,000,000 is authorized for the Office of Personnel 
     Management for FY 2002, and such sums as may be necessary 
     each fiscal year thereafter for developing and operating the 
     training center.

                 Sec. 213: Community Technology Centers

       Provides for a study by the Department of Education to 
     evaluate the best practices being used by Community 
     Technology Centers (CTC's) that receive federal funds; the 
     resulting report will include an evaluation of CTC's best 
     practices, a strategy for establishing a network to share 
     information and resources as CTC's evolve, an analysis of 
     whether CTC's have been deployed effectively throughout the 
     country, a database of all CTC's receiving federal funds, and 
     recommendations for enhancing the development of CTC's. The 
     Federal CIO will work with relevant agencies and the private 
     and non-profit sectors to provide assistance to CTC's, public 
     libraries, and other institutions that provide computer and 
     Internet access to the public. OPM will provide IT training 
     curricula, and the Department of Education will develop an 
     online tutorial. The Department of Education will be 
     authorized $2,000,000 for FY2002, $2,000,000 for FY2003, and 
     such sums as are necessary in fiscal years 2004 through 2006.

            Sec. 214: Disparities in Access to the Internet

       Provides for a non-profit, non-partisan organization 
     selected by the Federal CIO to conduct a study of how 
     disparities in Internet access influence the effectiveness of 
     online government services. The study will include 
     recommendations on how to ensure that online government 
     initiatives will not have the unintended result of increasing 
     any deficiency in public access to government services. The 
     section also provides that when promulgating policies and 
     implementing programs that provide services over the 
     Internet, the Federal CIO and agency heads shall ensure that 
     the availability of government services has not been 
     diminished for individuals who lack access to the Internet. 
     The Federal CIO and agency heads are also directed to pursue 
     technologies that make government services and information 
     more accessible to individuals who do not have access to the 
     Internet. $950,000 is authorized in FY2002 to carry out this 
     section.

   Sec. 215: Accessibility, Usability and Preservation of Government 
                              Information

       The section establishes an Advisory Board on Government 
     Information comprised of members from federal agencies, and 
     from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Based on 
     information provided by each agency, the Board will recommend 
     standards for (1) establishing permanent public access to 
     government information disseminated on the Internet, (2) 
     developing inventories of government information, and (3) 
     cataloguing and indexing government information. Based

[[Page 6573]]

     on these recommendations, and after public notice and 
     opportunity for comment, the federal CIO will promulgate 
     standards and issue regulations, which agencies will then 
     implement. Specifically, this section requires that the 
     following steps be taken:
       Permanent Public Access: The Board will make 
     recommendations on standards for permanent public access to 
     government information disseminated on the Internet, 
     including a definition of the types of information to which 
     the standards apply, and the process for implementing 
     permanent public access (due 30 months after enactment). The 
     Federal CIO will issue regulations requiring standards for 
     permanent public access, and agencies will implement the 
     standards. Agencies are also required to report annually on 
     their efforts in this area.
       Inventories of Government Information: The Board will 
     identify all classes of government information, and recommend 
     which classes of information should be inventoried and how 
     the inventories should be conducted. The Federal CIO will 
     then issue regulations describing the scope and timetables 
     for the inventories. Completed agency inventories will be 
     posted online and linked to the federal government portal. 
     Agencies are also required to inventory their websites, and 
     electronically post the inventories, within 180 days of the 
     Act's effective date.
       Cataloguing and Indexing of Government Information: The 
     Board will review cataloguing and indexing standards 
     currently used by federal agencies, and determine whether 
     they are in the public domain and interoperable (due 18 
     months after the Act's effective date). The Federal CIO will 
     issue regulations requiring interoperable standards that are 
     in the public domain. The Board will also review completed 
     agency inventories and existing statutory and regulatory 
     requirements, and recommend which government information 
     should be catalogued and indexed, and the priorities for 
     completing that work. The Federal CIO will then issue 
     regulations specifying which government information shall be 
     catalogued and indexed, and setting timetables. Indexes and 
     catalogues completed by agencies will be posted on a 
     centralized searchable database, which will be linked to the 
     Federal Government portal.
       Agencies will also determine, after public comment, which 
     information to make available on the Internet, and shall 
     develop priorities and schedules for doing so (due 1 year 
     after the completion of agency inventories).

    Sec. 216: Public Domain Directory of Federal Government Websites

       Requires the development, through interagency 
     collaboration, of a public domain directory of federal 
     government websites on the Internet. The directory will be 
     based on a taxonomy of subjects used to categorize Federal 
     Government websites, and will be linked to the Federal 
     Government portal.

                Sec. 217: Standards for Agency Websites

       Requires the federal CIO to promulgate standards and 
     criteria for agency websites no later than 1 year after the 
     Act's effective date. These standards include requiring links 
     to (1) privacy statements, (2) descriptions of an agency's 
     mission and statutory authority, (3) electronic reading 
     rooms, (4) agency regulations, rules and rulemaking 
     materials, (5) information about the organizational structure 
     of the agency, and (6) an agency's strategic plans. The 
     standards will also include minimum requirements to aid in 
     navigating websites, such as speed of retrieval of search 
     results, the relevance of the results, and tools to aggregate 
     and disaggregate data.

                      Sec. 218: Privacy Provisions

       Specifies that an agency will conduct a privacy impact 
     assessment before developing or procuring an information 
     system, or initiating a new collection of personally 
     identifiable information that will be processed 
     electronically. The assessment will be submitted to the 
     federal CIO and include a description of: the information to 
     be collected, the purpose for the collection and reason each 
     item is necessary, any notice that will be provided to 
     persons from whom the information is collected, and any 
     choice that an individual who is the subject of the collected 
     information has to decline to provide the information, the 
     intended uses of the information and proposed limits on other 
     uses, the intended users or recipients of the information and 
     any limitations on reuse or redisclosure, the retention 
     period, whether and by what means the individual who is the 
     subject of collected information has access to that 
     information, and security measures to protect the 
     information.
       The section also requires the Federal CIO to establish 
     guidelines mandating the posting of privacy notices on agency 
     websites, and lists information that must be included in 
     privacy policies. The Federal CIO will also promulgate 
     guidelines requiring agencies to translate privacy policies 
     into a standardized machine readable format.

          Sec. 219: Accessibility to People with Disabilities

       Specifies that all actions taken by the federal government 
     under this Act will comply with section 508 of the 
     Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

   Sec. 220: Notification of Obsolete or Counterproductive Provisions

       Specifies that if the Federal CIO determines that any 
     provisions of this Act is obsolete or counterproductive, as a 
     result of changes in technology or any other reason, the 
     Federal CIO will notify the Committee on Governmental Affairs 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Government Reform of the 
     House of Representatives.


     Title III: Authorization of Appropriations and Effective Date

                Sec 301: Authorization of Appropriations

       Except for those purposes for which the Act specifically 
     provides an authorization, authorizes to be appropriated such 
     sums as may be necessary to carry out the Act for fiscal 
     years 2002 through 2006.

                        Sec 302: Effective Date

       Specifies that the Act shall take effect 120 days after the 
     date of enactment.

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I would like to join my colleagues, 
Senator Lieberman, Senator Burns, Senator Bingaman, Senator Fitzgerald, 
Senator Daschle, Senator Carper, Senator Durbin, Senator Johnson, 
Senator Kerry, Senator Leahy, and Senator Levin today in introducing 
the E-Government Act of 2001. I believe that this bill will play an 
important role in making the federal government more responsive to our 
citizens.
  Currently, it can be very challenging for most Americans to find the 
information they need about their government. For example, if someone 
was looking for information on an issue pertaining to international 
trade, he or she would have to look at the web sites of the Department 
of Commerce, United States Trade Representative, International Trade 
Commission, possibly the Department of State or Agriculture, and a 
myriad of House and Senate Committees to find the information they 
seek. This process will undoubtedly frustrate the average American, and 
reinforce feelings of a remote, confusing government. Today, less than 
one percent of current interactions between government and citizens are 
online. There is clearly need for improvement.
  This legislation will help create a coordinated government electronic 
policy. By establishing a Federal Chief Information Officer to operate 
within the Office of Management and Budget, the federal government will 
use staff and resources more effectively to promote e-government and 
address the nation's other pressing information policy issues. In 
addition, the bill establishes an Interagency Information Technology 
Fund to break down existing bureaucratic barriers, and set up a ``one-
stop shopping'' portal that will make it easier for the public to 
access information. Finally, the bill will task the Office of Personnel 
Management to respond to the shortage of skilled Information Technology 
professionals in the federal government.
  This bill is not simple, and I realize that some issues it raises 
must still be resolved. I believe that the Administration and relevant 
Congressional oversight committees must be involved in this process. I 
know that my colleague, the Chairman of the Government Affairs 
Committee, Senator Thompson, will examine this issue, and I would like 
to work with him to resolve any issues that he, or any other Member, 
may have with this legislation.
  In conclusion, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. It 
is important that we seriously examine how to use the Internet and 
other electronic commerce processes to make the federal government more 
open to public scrutiny.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Schumer, Ms. 
        Collins, and Mr. Reed):
  S. 804. A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to require 
phased increases in the fuel efficiency standards applicable to light 
trucks; to require fuel economy standards for automobiles up to 10,000 
pounds gross vehicle weight; to raise the fuel economy of the Federal 
fleet of vehicles, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I am very pleased today to be joined 
by Senator Olympia Snowe to introduce this important legislation to 
gradually phase-in the fuel efficiency standards for SUVs and light 
duty trucks by 2007.
  I would also like to thank the other cosponsors: Senators Charles 
Schumer, Susan Collins and Jack Reed.

[[Page 6574]]

  Put simply, this is the single most effective action we can take to 
limit our reliance on foreign oil, save consumers at the pump, and 
reduce global warming.
  Today, the U.S. has 4 percent of the world's population, yet we use 
25 percent of the planet's energy.
  So as the world's largest energy consumer, I believe it is our 
responsibility to make every effort to be the world's leader in 
conservation.
  Specifically, the results of this bill would be substantial. It 
would: Save America one million barrels of oil a day; reduce oil 
imports by 10 percent; and prevent 240 million tons of carbon dioxide 
emissions from entering the atmosphere--this is the single biggest 
cause of Global Warming.
  Today, the fuel economy standard for passenger vehicles is 27.5 miles 
per gallon, while the standard for SUVs and light duty trucks is 20.7 
miles per gallon due to a loophole in the 1975 law.
  The result: SUVs and light trucks now comprise nearly half of new car 
sales, bringing the average fuel economy of all the nation's new 
vehicles to its lowest point since 1980.
  The Feinstein-Snowe legislation would: Phase in fuel economy 
standards for SUVs and all other light duty trucks on the following 
schedule: By 2002, SUVs and light duty vehicles must average 22.5 miles 
per gallon; by 2005, SUVs and light duty vehicles must average 25 miles 
per gallon; and by 2007, SUVs and light duty vehicles must average 27.5 
miles per gallon; require that vehicles up to a weight of 10,000 pounds 
must qualify for fuel efficiency standards by 2007. The current limit 
is 8,500 pounds; increase the fuel economy of new vehicles comprising 
the federal government fleet by 6 miles per gallon by 2005.
  Last year, former Senators Slade Gorton, Richard Bryan and I fought 
an uphill battle to try and find a way to increase these fuel economy 
standards.
  But, we were stymied by the auto industry and their supporters in 
Congress.
  Ultimately, at the end of the session, we reached an agreement that 
directed the National Academy of Sciences to study whether, in fact, we 
could raise fuel efficiency with sacrificing safety or competitiveness.
  Recently, the automakers have said that they will not actively oppose 
increases in fuel efficiency standards.
  The Big Three manufacturers have promised a voluntary increase in 
efficiency for SUVs by 25 percent by 2005.
  This is an important step forward, but we need to do more. I believe 
this bill is the best way to do that.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. WELLSTONE (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Ms. Collins, Mr. 
        Bennett, Mr. Breaux, Mr. Bunning, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Corzine, 
        Mr. Daschle, Mr. Dayton, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. 
        Johnson, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Kohl, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. 
        Schumer, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Stabenow, and Mr. Voinovich):
  S. 805. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for 
research with respect to various forms of muscular dystrophy, including 
Duchenne, Becker, limb girdle, congenital, facioscapulohumeral, 
myotonic, oculopharyngeal, distal, and emery-dreifuss muscular 
dystrophies; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, this is the Muscular Dystrophy 
Community Assistance, Research And Education Act of 2001. It really is 
the MD CARE Act. I thank Senators Cochran and Collins, especially, for 
their assistance. There are 20 colleagues who support this legislation. 
It is about equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, thank 
God, because of what this piece of legislation is about.
  To look at the record of research on these debilitating and deadly 
diseases is to realize that despite our country's enormous resources, 
sometimes people are left behind. Today, despite all the advances in 
medical science, victims of muscular dystrophy--which afflicts tens of 
thousands of individuals every year in America--have no cure and no 
effective treatments available to them.
  I became engaged with the muscular dystrophy community when I was 
approached by several families in my home state of Minnesota with 
children suffering from Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is the 
most prevalent form of muscular dystrophy affecting children and it is 
the most deadly.
  Children with DMD are most often not diagnosed before the age of two 
or three years. Because it is sex-linked, the disease only strikes boys 
but in reality, it strikes the entire family.
  DMD children don't begin to walk until late, and then in an unusual 
manner. They frequently fall and have difficulty getting up. Climbing 
stairs is a major ordeal.
  By age 9 these children start to rely on a wheelchair and by their 
teen years reliance becomes total.
  Most tragically, the disease is characterized by a continued rapidly 
progressive muscle weakness that almost always results in death by 20 
years of age.
  I have three children, ages 36, 31, and 28. I cannot imagine this.
  Children afflicted with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy have no ability 
to produce the protein dystrophin, the protein that binds the muscle 
cells together. It is an exceptionally cruel disease that slowly robs 
boys of their independence and ultimately immobilizes them, leading 
invariably to an early loss of life.
  Sadly, the federal response to this disease has been inadequate. This 
year, in an NIH budget of more than $18 billion, research into Duchenne 
and Becker Muscular Dystrophies totals just $9.2 million. Only $17 
million was devoted last year to all of the muscular dystrophies 
combined. If you want to understand why there is nothing available to 
treat DMD children, you need look no further than the weak federal 
response to this disease. The gene that is flawed in this disease is 
readily identifiable, and has been so for 14 years. Astonishingly, 
however, the pace of research on DMD actually slowed down after the 
gene was discovered.
  One DMD child back in Minnesota that I have become especially fond of 
is Jacob Gunvalsen. Jacob is an adorable 10-year-old. He loves to play 
with his siblings out on his parents' farm, draw pictures for his 
family's refrigerator and play video games. Jacob and his mother Cheri 
Gunvalsen have made quite an impression on several members of Congress, 
and Jacob's picture adorns the desks of numerous health care 
legislative staff throughout Washington. This is because like so many 
other parents facing the day-to-day experience of living with a child 
suffering from this debilitating disease, Cheri is focused on leaving 
no stone unturned in her quest to help improve her son's chance of 
survival. One day, Jacob drew a picture of himself, and in a cloud 
above his figure he wrote the words, ``What I want most in the world is 
a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy''. I say to my colleagues, 
that's what I want, too. Today, we are getting one step closer to 
making Jacob's wish come true.
  David Mesick, also of Minnesota, is the Chairman of the Parent 
Project Muscular Dystrophy, a national voluntary health organization 
committed to promoting medical research efforts specific to Duchenne 
and Becker muscular dystrophies. Through David's leadership and the 
organization's efforts, the muscular dystrophy community has 
successfully increased Congress' awareness of this devastating disease. 
Today, their voices are being heard here on the floor of the Senate. I 
have been moved by the number of families in Minnesota and elsewhere 
who have been affected by this disease, and I have been moved even more 
by their tenacious response. We can support this community by improving 
federal research efforts and public programs to address the needs of 
individuals with muscular dystrophy.
  Mr. President, passage of this legislation will improve coordination 
of research not only into Duchenne's, but into all the various forms of 
Muscular Dystrophy. It authorizes the National Institutes of Health 
(NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to 
establish separate Centers of

[[Page 6575]]

Excellence to promote basic and clinical research, epidemiology, data 
collection and assessment on the various forms of muscular dystrophy. 
These steps are needed to ensure a long-term commitment by the federal 
government to the treatment and cure of muscular dystrophy.
  I am neither a scientist nor a physician. But I am told that it is 
highly probable that sooner or later gene therapy will be able to cure 
diseases of this nature. For diseases like Duchenne's muscular 
dystrophy, involving flaws on a single, identifiable gene, the outlook 
is even more positive. Yet the words `sooner' and `later' have profound 
consequences in the lives of tens of thousands of Americans and their 
families. With the introduction of the MD CARE Act, we move a step 
closer to giving those families hope. I encourage my colleagues on the 
Senate HELP Committee to work steadfastly to move this crucial 
legislation through the Senate, and I urge all colleagues to support 
it.
  I also think of Eric Anderson who is such a good friend of my son. 
David and Eric came to Washington. So many of the families who came, 
and many came with their children, were so young and their children 
were so young. Time is not neutral for them. There is an excellent 
chance we can make a real breakthrough in finding a cure. It is not too 
much that these families ask for and it is not too much to pass this 
legislation and try and push forward a commitment to the funding, a 
commitment to this research.
  This is one of those diseases. I hate to label, so few are affected, 
but for these children and these families, they are not too few in 
number. These are their lives. These are their hopes. These are their 
dreams. This is their pain. This is their agony. I want to turn this 
into hope. I ask all of my colleagues to support this legislation.
  I am very pleased this has strong bipartisan support.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. HUTCHINSON:
  S. 806. A bill to guarantee the right of individuals to receive full 
social security benefits under title II of the Social Security Act with 
an accurate annual cost-of-living adjustment; to the Committee on 
Finance.
  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text 
of Full Social Security Benefits Guarantee Act be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 806

       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 ``Full Social Security 
     Benefits Guarantee Act''.

     SEC. 2. GUARANTEE OF FULL SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS WITH 
                   ACCURATE ANNUAL COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall 
     issue to each individual who, as of such date, is receiving 
     benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     401 et seq.) and, thereafter, to each individual who applies 
     for such benefits, a certificate representing a legally 
     enforceable guarantee--
       (1) of the monthly amount of benefits that the individual 
     will receive under that title, as determined on the date of 
     the issuance of the certificate; and
       (2) that the benefits will be adjusted--
       (A) not less frequently than annually on the basis of an 
     accurate determination of the increase in the cost-of-living 
     of the individual; and
       (B) as a result in a change in the eligibility status of 
     the individual under that title.
       (b) Entitlement.--Any certificate issued under the 
     authority of this section constitutes budget authority in 
     advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation 
     of the Federal Government to provide for the payment to the 
     individual to whom the certificate is issued benefits under 
     title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) 
     in the amounts set forth in the certificate and adjusted 
     thereafter as described in subsection (a)(2).
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. CORZINE:
  S. 807. A bill to promote youth financial education; to the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. CORZINE, Mr. President, today I am introducing the Youth 
Financial Literacy Act to address an important issue in education: 
teaching students the basic principles of financial literacy.
  Unfortunately, when it comes to personal finances, young Americans do 
not have the skills they need. Too few understand the details of 
managing a checking account, for example, or using a credit card. It is 
time to make sure that our education system teaches our children all 
the skills they need, including the fundamental principles involved 
with earning, spending, saving and investing, so that they can manage 
their own money and succeed in our society.
  We have just finished tax season, and a recent survey by the non-
profit JumpStart Coalition reveals that the average high school student 
knows very little about how taxes will affect her take-home pay. The 
study also found that, on average, only 36 percent of surveyed high 
school students could correctly answer basic personal finance 
questions, and only 33 percent of students believed that financial 
issues strongly impacted their daily lives.
  Young people today face an exceedingly complex financial system that 
is laced with pitfalls. Credit card companies lure naive college 
students, encouraging them to spend liberally. Music companies offer 
extraordinary deals such as ``8 CDs for one penny!'' and then trap 
customers into purchasing unwanted music every month. Many of our 
children are simply unaware of the dangers of these kinds of offers.
  We also must make sure that the next generation is prepared to deal 
with the challenges they will find in the workplace. Rather than 
providing specific benefits, many companies are now encouraging 
employees to buy their own health insurance coverage and arrange their 
own retirement plans. The onus is now on the worker, who will need to 
understand the ins and outs of benefits programs in order to best 
provide for themselves and their families.
  This Congress is seeking to change the rules governing bankruptcy. I 
agree with the proponents of that legislation about the importance of 
holding Americans accountable for their financial obligations, indeed, 
our economy depends on the willingness of people to pay their bills and 
act responsibly, but this legislation will mean that people who have 
been plunged into debt must negotiate a more complex system and face 
very serious consequences. It will be all the more critical that the 
next generation learns how to better manage their money to stay out of 
debt.
  It is time for our schools to take on the challenge of preparing our 
children to succeed in every way, including their financial decisions. 
Young people need to learn the skills that will help them stay out of 
debt, maintain a good credit record, and save money for the future.
  In New Jersey, I am happy to say that many have already started the 
ball rolling on financial literacy education. My state allows local 
schools the option of offering financial education in high school, and 
the New Jersey Coalition for Financial Education is working with the 
New Jersey Department of Education to develop and implement core 
curriculum standards. Some in the business community have decided to 
help out as well. In South Orange and Maplewood, the Allegiance 
Community Bank has partnered with the Saturn Corporation to provide 
financial education to local schoolchildren. We in Congress ought to 
recognize and support more effort like these.
  I am not alone in advocating the importance of financial literacy. 
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said recently that ``Improving 
basic financial education at the elementary and secondary school levels 
is essential to providing a foundation for financial literacy that can 
help prevent younger people from making poor financial decisions.'' In 
Wisconsin, Governor Scott McCallum has introduced a program to help 
high school teachers integrate financial literacy into their 
classrooms.
  Today, I hope to elevate the discussion of this issue by introducing 
the Youth Financial Education Act, which

[[Page 6576]]

would provide grants to states to help them develop and implement 
financial education programs in elementary and secondary schools, 
including helping to prepare teachers to provide financial education. 
It would also establish a national clearinghouse for instructional 
materials and information regarding model financial education programs.
  We must not sit idly by while so many of our children lack financial 
literacy. So I ask for my colleagues to join me in support of the Youth 
Financial Literacy Act, to help ensure that our next generation is 
prepared to meet the challenges of the new economy.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. BAUCUS (for himself, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Craig, and Mr. 
        Burns):
  S. 808. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal 
the occupational taxes relating to distilled spirits, wine, and beer; 
to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I join my 
good friend and colleague, Senator Fred Thompson, today in introducing 
legislation that will repeal the Special Occupational Tax, SOT, on 
taxpayers who manufacture, distribute, and sell alcoholic beverages. 
The special occupational tax is not a tax on alcoholic products but 
rather operates as a license fee on businesses. The tax is imposed on 
those engaged in the business of selling alcohol beverages. This is an 
inequitable tax that has outlived it's original purpose and is a clear 
example of an antiquated approach to federal taxation. Believe it or 
not, this tax was originally implemented to help finance the Civil War.
  The SOT on alcohol was dramatically increased during a budget process 
in 1988 and has unfairly burdened business owners across the country. 
From Thompson Falls to Sidney, from Chinook to Billings, small 
businesses are burdened with yet another tax in the form of the (SOT). 
According to the AFT, there are 480,427 locations nationwide that pay 
SOT's every year, including 458,603 retailers. These retail 
establishments account for $114 million out of $126 million in SOT 
revenues.
  In Montana, there are 3,378 locations, including 3,172 retail 
businesses, which pay more than $1 million dollars in the SOT every 
year. Seasonal resorts in Whitefish and Yellowstone, ``mom and pop'' 
convenience stores in Butte, and bowling alleys, flower shops, and 
restaurants across Montana and the United States pay the Federal 
government almost $100 million per year for the privilege of running 
businesses that sell beer, wine, or alcoholic beverages. For example, a 
small business owner in Helena, Montana runs several convenience stores 
and a few restaurants. The SOT for each establishment is $250. As a 
result, he pays $1750 a year in SOT payments that are in the nature of 
business license fees. In fact, a chain of four neighborhood food 
stores pays the same annual tax as the nation's largest single site 
brewery or distillery $1,000. This is not what Congress had in mind 150 
years ago, and I don't believe it is a situation we want today.
  Repeal of the SOT on alcohol is supported by a broad-based group of 
business organizations enjoys wide-spread bipartisan support on Capitol 
Hill. Similar legislation has been introduced in the House this year 
and bills have been considered in previous Congresses, but for one 
reason or another, the laws were not enacted. The GAO has examined the 
efficacy of the SOT several times and found it fundamental flawed. The 
staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation recommended in its recently 
released study on tax simplification that this special occupational tax 
be eliminated.
  It is time for us to move forward and enact legislation to repeal the 
SOT on alcohol. We urge our colleagues to join us in this endeavor.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. REID (for himself and Mr. Ensign):
  S. 809. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to sell 
certain land to the town of Kingston, Nevada, for use as an emergency 
medical air evacuation site and for other public uses; to the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Town of 
Kingston Emergency Landing Strip Conveyance Act.
  The residents of Kingston in southern Lander County, NV, depend on an 
emergency landing strip owned by the Bureau of Land Management, BLM. 
Kingston is a small rural town of 780 people located on an island of 
private land in central Nevada, which is surrounded by public lands 
owned by the United States Forest Service and the BLM. Lack of private 
land around Kingston constrains the growth, economic diversity, and 
public services available to those who live in or visit Kingston. The 
local Fire and Rescue maintains an agreement with Medic Air of Reno to 
provide 24-hour emergency medical service to this landing strip. 
However, BLM cannot re-issue an airport lease to the Kingston Town 
because the strip does not meet FAA standards.
  This bill will convey 144.88 acres to the Town of Kingston. Seventy 
acres will be conveyed at fair market value and 74.88 acres at no cost. 
The 70 acres to be conveyed at fair market value includes the main 
landing strip. The 74.88 acres to be conveyed at no cost includes the 
balance of the approach; and the disposal of this land for no 
consideration will benefit the United States because it is an isolated, 
segregated parcel that would be difficult to manage for public use. I 
hope that Congress will pass the Town of Kingston Emergency Landing 
Strip Conveyance Act for the benefit of rural Nevadans, federal 
managers, and the residents of Kingston.
  I ask unanimous consent that the full text of the bill be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 809

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

     SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) the lease by the Secretary of the Interior of certain 
     land to the town of Kingston, Nevada, for use as an emergency 
     airstrip has expired;
       (2) rather than renew the airport lease (which would 
     require certification by the Federal Aviation 
     Administration), the Secretary and the Town desire that the 
     parcel on which the main landing strip is situated be sold to 
     the Town for fair market value as determined by the 
     Secretary;
       (3) adjacent to that parcel is other land, most of which, 
     if the airstrip parcel is sold to the Town, would be isolated 
     from other land administered by the Secretary and would 
     therefore be difficult for the Secretary to manage;
       (4) it would in the best interests of the United States and 
     the Town for the Secretary to convey to the Town both the 
     airstrip parcel and the adjacent parcel, at the fair market 
     value of the airstrip parcel; and
       (5) the parcels have been determined to be suitable for 
     disposal in the Shoshone-Eureka Resource Management Plan and 
     Environmental Impact Statement.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Adjacent parcel.--The term ``adjacent parcel'' means 
     the parcels of land in the State of Nevada, comprising 74.88 
     acres, described as Mount Diablo Meridian, T16N, R44E, 
     section 31, lot 4, E1/2NESE, S1/2SWNESE, S1/2S1/2NWSE.
       (2) Airstrip parcel.--The term ``airstrip parcel'' means 
     the parcel of land, with a landing strip running on an 
     easterly bearing and a portion of a landing strip running on 
     a southerly bearing, in the State of Nevada, comprising 70.00 
     acres, described as Mount Diablo Meridian, T16N, R44E, 
     section 31, N1/2SESW, N1/2SWSE, N1/2SESE, SESESE.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of 
     Land Management.
       (4) Town.--The term ``Town'' means the town of Kingston, 
     Nevada.
       (c) Conveyance.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights and 
     paragraph (2), the Secretary shall convey to the Town all 
     right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the 
     airstrip parcel and the adjacent parcel, totaling 144.8 
     acres.
       (2) Conditions.--
       (A) Airstrip parcel.--The Secretary shall convey the 
     airstrip parcel under paragraph (1) by direct sale, at fair 
     market value.
       (B) Adjacent parcel.--The Secretary shall convey the 
     adjacent parcel under paragraph (1) for no consideration.
       (d) No Reservations.--The patent by which the conveyance 
     under subsection (c) is made shall contain no reservations.

[[Page 6577]]


                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. McCONNELL (for himself and Mrs. Lincoln):
  S. 810. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify 
the amount of the charitable deduction allowable for contributions of 
food inventory, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
to remedy the shortage of food donations that plagues food banks and 
other organizations dedicated to ending hunger in America.
  It is a sad truth that hunger continues to persist even as our 
economy has broken records over the past decade. If we take a look at 
the dynamics of the restaurant industry, new construction, long lines 
for tables, oversized portions of food, it is obvious that food supply 
is not the problem.
  The problem is waste. America wastes 96 billion pounds of food each 
year. And in doing so, we allow 31 million people to go hungry. This is 
unacceptable in a society that has bountiful food resources and an 
infrastructure of local and national food banks willing to accept 
donations of surplus food. Perhaps the most awful statistic is that 
while many of us wait in line to purchase, or to be served, abundant 
amounts of food, many hungry American families will wait in line at 
food banks and never receive a meal. Last year we failed to meet more 
than 20 percent of the demand for food at area food banks. That means, 
in effect, one out of every five families is sent home hungry,
  Why is there such a shortage of donated food? Well, our Internal 
Revenue Service makes it more economical to throw food away rather than 
give it away. While the tax code permits restaurants to deduct half of 
the difference between the cost of donated food and its market value, 
the IRS often will tell a restaurant that donated food has no market 
value for deduction purposes simply because the food was not sold 
through normal retail distribution channels. For instance, a restaurant 
may have its own extra-stringent ``freshness'' standard where they 
proudly sell food that has been ``off the grill'' for less than 10 
minutes. Well, we all know that this same food, if properly maintained, 
will remain wholesome for much longer, and that area food banks have a 
desperate need for such food.
  But when the IRS fails to assign an appropriate market value to 
donated food, the deduction is meaningless. Donating food requires a 
business to incur additional costs of storage, transportation, and 
labor. If a business cannot, at the very least, recoup these additional 
costs, they actually lose money by donating food instead of throwing 
the food away. What we have then, Mr. President, is an IRS that is 
effectively administering tax policy that discourages, rather than 
encourages, private industry from helping to feed needy families. We 
all learned in church that it's better to give than to receive. 
Unfortunately, at the IRS, the motto seems to be: it's better to throw 
away than to give away.
  Another reason that excess food fails to reach needy families is that 
too many businesses are ineligible to deduct food donations because of 
an outdated restriction in the tax code. Many small restaurants, farms, 
and franchises are organized as ``s'' corporations, limited liability 
corporations, or sole proprietorships. The current law, however, limits 
the deduction to traditional ``c'' corporations. If we are serious 
about feeding needy families through charitable donations, then the 
Government needs to enlist a new army of small businesses in the fight 
against hunger.
  To eliminate these two major barriers in the fight against hunger, 
the Feeding Needy Families Act would define the market value of donated 
food without penalizing businesses for setting high internal standards. 
This codifies the decision of the United States Tax Court in Lucky 
Stores, Inc. v. Commissioner, 95 T.C. 420 (1995), where the court held 
that the market value of donated bread was the full retail price for 
purposes of calculating the deduction. The bill also expands the 
deduction to any entity that is kind enough to expend the effort 
necessary to donate surplus food, whether it be an ``s'' corporation, a 
limited liability corporation, or a sole proprietorship. Removing these 
legal, logistical, and financial roadblocks will go a long way to 
ensure that excess food flows from table to table rather than from 
table to trash.
  I am pleased to be joined by Senator Lincoln in introducing this 
important legislation. I ask unanimous consent to include in the 
Record, following the text of my statement, a copy of the bill. I also 
would ask unanimous consent that the Record include letters of support 
from the Salvation Army, USA Harvest, Kentucky Harvest, Northern 
Kentucky Harvest, the National Association of Chain Restaurants, and 
the National Restaurant Association.
  There being no objection, the additional material was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 810

       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 ``Feeding Needy Families 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. CHARITABLE DEDUCTION FOR CONTRIBUTIONS OF FOOD 
                   INVENTORY.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (e) of section 170 of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to certain 
     contributions of ordinary income and capital gain property) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(7) Special rule for contributions of food inventory.--
       ``(A) Contributions by non-corporate taxpayers.--In the 
     case of a charitable contribution of food, paragraph (3) 
     shall be applied without regard to whether or not the 
     contribution is made by a corporation.
       ``(B) Determination of fair market value.--For purposes of 
     this section, in the case of a charitable contribution of 
     food which is a qualified contribution (within the meaning of 
     paragraph (3), as modified by subparagraph (A) of this 
     paragraph) and which, solely by reason of internal standards 
     of the taxpayer, lack of market, or similar circumstances, 
     cannot or will not be sold, the fair market value of such 
     contribution shall be determined--
       ``(i) without regard to such internal standards, such lack 
     of market, or such circumstances, and
       ``(ii) if applicable, by taking into account the price at 
     which the same or similar food items are sold by the taxpayer 
     at the time of the contribution (or, if not so sold at such 
     time, in the recent past).''
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 
     2001.
                                  ____

                                                      May 1, 2001.
     Senator Mitch McConnell,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator: I am writing in support of your food donation 
     bill. It has been my experience over the last 14 years that 
     there is truly a need in our nation for the effort that is 
     put forth in this bill. Tragically the average age of 
     homelessness today is 9 years old. Your legislation will 
     certainly go a long way in assisting the 120 USA Harvest 
     chapters in helping feed our nation's less fortunate 
     children.
       The encouragement that this bill will provide those people 
     and organizations in the food business to partner with USA 
     harvest is going to make a significant difference in the 
     quality of life for many millions of Americans.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Stan Curtis,
      Founder and Chairman USA Harvest.
                                  ____



                                             Kentucky Harvest,

                                    Lexington, KY, April 26, 2001.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator McConnell: On behalf of our hunger relief 
     program, we write to thank you for your plan to introduce the 
     ``Good Samaritan Tax Act'' in the Senate. By clarifying the 
     charitable deduction allowable for contributions of food and 
     extending the deduction to all business entities willing to 
     donate food, the Good Samaritan Tax Act will help ensure that 
     our program will have access to additional wholesome food. 
     This food will be used to continue our fight against hunger.
       It is a shame for good food to go to waste. However, 
     significant costs are associated with the systematic 
     distribution of food by restaurants to those in need. 
     Distribution and transportation systems, quality control 
     assurances, record keeping and compliance systems must be 
     developed and maintained to safely get food to those who are 
     in need.
       We believe that the Good Samaritan Tax Act will help the 
     food service industry offset these costs, and therefore 
     encourage the contribution of their excess food to 
     organizations such as ours. This additional food will help to 
     ensure our ability to continue to assist those in need.

[[Page 6578]]

       Thank you for your support in the fight against hunger.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Ed Schaub,
     Chairman.
                                  ____



                                    Northern Kentucky Harvest,

                                       Covington, KY, May 1, 2001.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator McConnell: I am writing on behalf of the bill 
     you plan to introduce named ``The Feeding Needy Families 
     Act.'' By clarifying the charitable deduction allowable for 
     contributions of food and extending the deduction to all 
     business entities willing to donate, the Feeding Needy 
     Families Act will help ensure that our program will have 
     access to additional wholesome food.
       In fact, Northern Kentucky Harvest will benefit greatly by 
     your new bill. In the past, many company-owned restaurants 
     participated in our program where excess food was donated and 
     distributed to feed the homeless and less fortunate in 
     Northern Kentucky. However, when these restaurants were sold 
     to local franchisees, they no longer participated due to the 
     inability to receive ``credit'' for their food donation to 
     defray costs associated with the donation. As a result, many 
     homeless and less fortunate people went without food. This 
     bill gives us another opportunity to reclaim ``wasted'' food 
     and give the less fortunate ``hope'' for another day. Your 
     bill means a great deal to the success of eradicating hunger.
       Please support this bill and allow us to make a difference 
     in our community by trying to overcome hunger.
           Sincerely,
     William E. Henderson III.
                                  ____



                                           The Salvation Army,

                             Louisville, Kentucky, April 19, 2001.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator McConnell: On behalf of our hunger relief 
     program, we write today to thank you for your plan to 
     introduce the ``Good Samaritan Tax Act'' in the Senate. By 
     clarifying the charitable deduction allowable for 
     contributions of food and extending the deduction to all 
     business entities willing to donate food, the Good Samaritan 
     Tax Act will help ensure that our program will have access to 
     additional wholesome food. This food will be used to continue 
     our fight against hunger.
       It is a shame for good food to go to waste. However, 
     significant costs are associated with the systematic 
     distribution of food by restaurants to those in need. 
     Distribution and transportation systems, quality control 
     assurances, record keeping and compliance systems must be 
     developed and maintained to safely and efficiently get food 
     to those who are in need.
       We believe that the Good Samaritan Tax Act will help the 
     food service industry offset these costs, and therefore 
     encourage the contribution of their excess food to 
     organizations such as ours. This additional food will help to 
     ensure our ability to continue to assist those in need.
       Thank you for your support in the fight against hunger.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Howard Sparks,
     Director, The Salvation Army Service-unit.
                                  ____

                                               National Council of


                                            Chain Restaurants,

                                      Washington, DC, May 1, 2001.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     U.S. Senate Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator McConnell: On behalf of the National Council 
     of Chain Restaurants, we are writing to express our support 
     for the ``Feeding Needy Families Act''. This bill, which you 
     introduce today, provides tax incentives to encourage 
     business contributions of food items.
       The National Council of Chain Restaurants (``NCCR'') is a 
     national trade association representing forty of the nation's 
     largest multi-unit, multi-state chain restaurant companies. 
     These forty companies own and operate in excess of 50,000 
     restaurant facilities. Additionally, through franchise and 
     licensing agreements, another 70,000 facilities are operated 
     under their trademarks. In the aggregate, NCCR's member 
     companies and their franchisees employ in excess of 2.8 
     million individuals.
       Your legislation is necessary to clarify the charitable 
     deduction allowance for contributions for food, helping 
     ensure the nation's food banks and donation centers can 
     continue the fight against hunger. As welfare reform kicks 
     in, many people making the transition between public 
     assistance and independence are turning to charitable food 
     distribution programs for assistance.
       Unfortunately, the IRS is exacerbating the problem with its 
     interpretation of the charitable donation sections of the 
     Internal Revenue Code. The code is designed to encourage 
     charitable donations of food by allowing a deduction equal to 
     cost plus one-half the difference between cost and fair 
     market value. However, the IRS maintains that when food 
     cannot be sold through normal distribution channels (i.e., 
     food left over when a restaurant closes for the night), its 
     retail value is zero and the taxpayer's deduction is limited 
     to cost only.
       Distribution and transportation systems, quality control 
     assurances, record keeping and compliance systems must be 
     developed and maintained to safely and efficiently get food 
     to the needy. These processes involve significant costs. The 
     ``Good Samaritan Tax Act'' will help the food service 
     industry offset these costs, and therefore encourage the 
     contribution of food to the needy, by codifying the fair 
     market value of donated food. It also extends the deduction 
     to any trade or business, not just corporations.
       We thank you for introducing this common-sense legislation 
     and offer our assistance to ensure its enactment into law.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Terrie M. Dort,
     President.
                                  ____



                              National Restaurant Association,

                                   Washington, DC, April 25, 2001.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator McConnell: On behalf of the 844,000 restaurant 
     locations nationwide, the National Restaurant Association 
     offers it's support of the Feeding Needy Families Act, which 
     would provide more equitable tax treatment for food that is 
     donated to charities.
       As you know, under the current tax code, businesses do not 
     receive the same tax deduction for charitable donations of 
     food as they do for other inventory. Food that is not sold 
     through normal distribution channels is considered by the 
     Internal Revenue Service to have no market value. In effect, 
     businesses are penalized and charities suffer because it 
     makes more economic sense for businesses to discard the food 
     than to donate it. The Feeding Needy Families Act would 
     correct this discrepancy in the tax code by allowing 
     businesses to take deductions on a fair market value basis 
     rather than just deducting the cost of raw materials.
       As I am sure you can imagine, the effort and cost involved 
     in preparing perishable items to be donated can be 
     considerable. The food must be carefully collected, packaged, 
     and transported in a timely manner before it can be 
     distributed to food banks, soup kitchens, homeless shelters 
     and other organizations that serve the hungry. Because of the 
     additional work involved, we are concerned that it creates a 
     disincentive for businesses to donate food. That is why the 
     National Restaurant Association supports this legislation as 
     a means of providing strong incentives for businesses to 
     donate food--a much needed and valuable commodity.
       We appreciate your support in moving this issue forward and 
     we hope that you will be successful in enacting the bill 
     without any modifications this year as restaurants are an 
     important resource in helping the millions of Americans that 
     do not get enough food to meet their basic needs.
       Thank you for supporting the Feeding Needy Families Act and 
     we look forward to working with you in passing this 
     legislation.
           Sincerely,
     Steven C. Anderson,
       President and Chief Executive Officer.
     Lee Culpepper,
       Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Public 
     Policy.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. NELSON of Nebraska (for himself and Mr. Crapo):
  S. 811. A bill to amend title 36, United States Code to designate the 
oak tree as the national tree of the United States; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.
  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce 
legislation designating the oak tree as an official national emblem. 
This day bears especially great significance for me as a United States 
Senator from Nebraska, since Arbor Day was first celebrated in our 
great state.
  The original seed of this day was planted in 1872 by J. Sterling 
Morton, a newspaper executive and an environmentalist ahead of his 
time. Mr. Morton moved from Michigan to Nebraska City, where he 
discovered a tree-less prairie. In effort to bring some shade to the 
state, he collaborated with Robert Furnas to promote the idea of a 
statewide holiday dedicated to tree planting.
  Mr. Morton authored many articles on the benefits of trees as he 
garnered support for the idea of an Arbor Day. He also became active in 
Nebraska Territory politics, where he continued to voice his aspiration 
for a forested prairie. While Morton is revered as the Father of Arbor 
Day, it was then-Governor Furnas who made the observance official in 
1874 with the first proclamation designating Arbor Day in Nebraska.
  Since then, with the exception of one year, Nebraskans have 
celebrated

[[Page 6579]]

Arbor Day with pride. The one million trees that were said to have been 
planted on the very first Arbor Day--not to mention all the ones 
since--have had a tremendous impact on the landscape and on the lives 
of Nebraskans. The influence of that first observance has continued as 
each year, during planting season, people from around the globe observe 
the Nebraska-born tradition of Arbor Day.
  Considering the historical significance of Arbor Day to Nebraska, I 
am proud to sponsor this legislation to designate the oak tree, 
selected by Americans in a nationwide vote, as an official emblem of 
the United States. By formally designating a national tree, we honor 
the past and plant hope for an even greener future.
  After all, an oak tree is an appropriate metaphor for the history of 
our country. The United States has grown from the acorn of colonialism 
into a strong, branching entity. Like a maturing oak, our roots are 
deepening, and with each passing year, our core strengthens.
  J. Sterling Morton, as he expounded on the indifference of trees to 
their worldly surroundings, once wrote, ``There is no aristocracy in 
trees.'' To his sentiment, I would add that, ``Instead, there is only 
the humble root of democracy.'' The oak, the symbol of our democracy, 
will always serve as reminder of the vitality and strength that 
permeates our national--as well as natural--history.
  In closing, I would like to thank Senator Mike Crapo for cosponsoring 
this legislation and for his support of this effort. I also want to 
commend each of the voters who participated in the selection process, 
sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The involvement of 
these American citizens has made this legislation possible.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to join Senator Ben Nelson in 
introducing legislation to designate the oak tree as America's National 
Tree.
  I am pleased to support an effort that recognizes the importance of 
trees in our lives and our nation's heritage. Trees provide a number of 
societal benefits and, as a renewable resource, can provide these 
benefits generation after generation when properly managed. From our 
nation's reliance on wood and wood products to the environmental 
benefits of cleaner air and water, trees are an integral part of our 
lives.
  Trees produce oxygen, lower ambient air temperature, release moisture 
into the air, retain particulates, create habitat for wildlife, and 
store carbon-dioxide. Trees can produce wind breaks, provide shade, and 
stabilize soils. Trees provide a multitude of products that are used in 
our daily lives.
  In a national effort that culminated in a nationwide vote, the public 
chose the oak tree as America's National Tree. I appreciate the 
public's involvement in this effort and recognize that the oak tree is 
America's most widespread hardwood. As an Idahoan, I am partial to 
Idaho's state tree, the White Pine, but support the people's choice. 
The ``King of Trees'' has long been valued for its shade, beauty, and 
lumber and is a fitting symbol of America's strength and diversity.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to support the public's 
choice for a national tree. I appreciate Senator Nelson's efforts to 
add a national tree to the list of national observances, which includes 
our national anthem, motto, floral emblem, and march.

                          ____________________