[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23405]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      AMENDING UNITED STATES CODE TO AUTHORIZE APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
               ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE OF UNITED STATES

  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
immediate consideration of S. 2979 which was introduced earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 2979) to amend title 5, United States Code, to 
     authorize appropriations for the Administrative Conference of 
     the United States for fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007, and 
     for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time 
and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that 
any statement relating to the matter be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (S. 2979) was read the third time and passed, as follows:

                                S. 2979

       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 ``Federal Regulatory 
     Improvement Act of 2004''.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

       (a) Purposes.--Section 591 of title 5, United States Code, 
     is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 591 Purposes

       ``The purposes of this subchapter are--
       ``(1) to provide suitable arrangements through which 
     Federal agencies, assisted by outside experts, may 
     cooperatively study mutual problems, exchange information, 
     and develop recommendations for action by proper authorities 
     to the end that private rights may be fully protected and 
     regulatory activities and other Federal responsibilities may 
     be carried out expeditiously in the public interest;
       ``(2) to promote more effective public participation and 
     efficiency in the rulemaking process;
       ``(3) to reduce unnecessary litigation in the regulatory 
     process;
       ``(4) to improve the use of science in the regulatory 
     process; and
       ``(5) to improve the effectiveness of laws applicable to 
     the regulatory process.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Title 5 of the United States 
     Code is amended--
       (1) in section 594 by striking ``purpose'' and inserting 
     ``purposes''; and
       (2) in the table of sections of chapter 5 of part I by 
     amending the item relating to section 591 to read as follows:

``591. Purposes''.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 596 of title 5, United States Code, is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``Sec. 596. Authorization of appropriations

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     subchapter not more than $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, 
     $3,100,000 for fiscal year 2006, and $3,200,000 for fiscal 
     year 2007. Of any amounts appropriated under this section, 
     not more than $2,500 may be made available in each fiscal 
     year for official representation and entertainment expenses 
     for foreign dignitaries.''.

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