[House Report 104-871]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Union Calendar No. 474
104th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Report 104-871
(104-82)
SUMMARY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES--COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
ONE HUNDRED FOURTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
Convened January 5, 1995
Adjourned January 3 (Legislative day of Dec. 22, 1995), 1996
SECOND SESSION
Convened January 3, 1996
Adjourned October 4, 1996
__________
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 20, 1996.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
BUD SHUSTER, Pennsylvania,
Chairman
JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota\5\ DON YOUNG, Alaska
NORMAN Y. MINETA, Califonia\6\ WILLIAM F. CLINGER, Jr.,
NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia Pennsylvania
ROBERT A. BORSKI, Pennsylvania THOMAS E. PETRI, Wisconsin
WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI, Illinois SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT, New York
ROBERT E. WISE, Jr., West Virginia HERBERT H. BATEMAN, Virginia
JAMES A. TRAFICANT, Jr., Ohio BILL EMERSON, Missouri\14\
PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina
JAMES A. HAYES, Louisiana\9\ JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee
BOB CLEMENT, Tennessee SUSAN MOLINARI, New York
JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois WILLIAM H. ZELIFF, Jr., New
PETE GEREN, Texas\8\ Hampshire
MIKE PARKER, Mississippi\7\ THOMAS W. EWING, Illinois
GREG LAUGHLIN, Texas\3\ WAYNE T. GILCHREST, Maryland
GLENN POSHARD, Illinois Y. TIM HUTCHINSON, Arkansas
ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, Jr., Alabama BILL BAKER, California
BARBARA-ROSE COLLINS, Michigan JAY KIM, California
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of ColumbiaN HORN, California
JERROLD NADLER, New York BOB FRANKS, New Jersey
PAT DANNER, Missouri PETER BLUTE, Massachusetts
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey JOHN L. MICA, Florida
JAMES E. CLYBURN, South Carolina JACK QUINN, New York
CORRINE BROWN, Florida TILLIE K. FOWLER, Florida
NATHAN DEAL, Georgia\1\ VERNON J. EHLERS, Michigan
JAMES A. BARCIA, Michigan SPENCER BACHUS, Alabama
BOB FILNER, California JERRY WELLER, Illinois
WALTER R. TUCKER III, California\10\ ZACH WAMP, Tennessee
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas TOM LATHAM, Iowa
BILL K. BREWSTER, Oklahoma STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio
KAREN McCARTHY, Missouri\2\ ANDREA H. SEASTRAND, California
FRANK MASCARA, Pennsylvania\4\ RANDY TATE, Washington
THOMAS C. SAWYER, Ohio\11\ SUE W. KELLY, New York
GENE TAYLOR, Mississippi\11\ RAY LaHOOD, Illinois
JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD, California\12\AM J. MARTINI, New Jersey
ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland\13\ DAN FRISA, New York\15\
TODD TIAHRT, Kansas\15\
RICHARD H. BAKER, Louisiana\16\
------
David A. Heymsfeld, Minority Staff Director. Schenendorf, Chief of
Sante J. Esposito, Minority Chief Counself
Joy B. Bryson, Minority AdministratorRobert A. Bergman, Deputy Chief of
Eric K. Federing, Minority Director of Communications
Erla S. Youmans, Administrator
Jeff Nelligan, Director of
Communications
----------
\1\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated May 10, 1995
\2\ Elected June 13, 1995 (H.Res. 166)
\3\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated July 10, 1995
\4\ Elected July 12, 1995 (H.Res. 168)
\5\ Elected Committee Ranking Minority Member Sept. 27, 1995 (H.Res.
229)
\6\ Resigned from Congress Oct. 10, 1995
\7\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated Nov. 15, 1995
\8\ Elected Nov. 20, 1995 (H.Res. 281)
\9\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated Dec. 12, 1995
\10\ Resigned from Congress Dec. 15, 1995
\11\ Elected Feb. 28, 1996 (H.Res. 367)
\12\ Elected Apr. 22, 1996 (H.Res. 408)
\13\ Elected Apr. 25, 1996 (H.Res. 414)
\14\ Died June 22, 1996
\15\ Elected June 25, 1996 (H.Res. 462)
\16\ Elected June 26, 1996 (H.Res. 467)
SUBCOMMITTEES
(Listed Alphabetically)
The Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee are ex
officio voting members of all Subcommittees.
The Member of the Majority Party ranking immediately after the Chairman
shall be Vice Chairman or Chairwoman of the Subcommittee, and the
ranking Member of the Minority Party shall serve as Subcommittee
Ranking Minority Member for the 104th Congress.
AVIATION
JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee,
Chairman
WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI, Illinois\2\ JERRY WELLER, Illinois
JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota\1\ WILLIAM F. CLINGER, Jr.,
JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois Pennsylvania
ROBERT E. WISE, Jr., West Virginia\3\HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina
JAMES A. TRAFICANT, Jr., Ohio\4\ WILLIAM H. ZELIFF, Jr., New
PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon Hampshire
JAMES A. HAYES, Louisiana\5\ THOMAS W. EWING, Illinois
BOB CLEMENT, Tennessee\3\ Y. TIM HUTCHINSON, Arkansas
ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, Jr., Alabama\4\Y KIM, California
BARBARA-ROSE COLLINS, Michigan VERNON J. EHLERS, Michigan
JERROLD NADLER, New York SPENCER BACHUS, Alabama
PAT DANNER, Missouri ANDREA H. SEASTRAND, California
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey RANDY TATE, Washington
JAMES E. CLYBURN, South Carolina SUE W. KELLY, New York
CORRINE BROWN, Florida\4\ RAY LaHOOD, Illinois
PETE GEREN, Texas\6\ WILLIAM J. MARTINI, New Jersey
----------
\1\ Elected Committee Ranking Minority Member Sept. 27, 1995 (thereby
becoming Subcommittee ex officio member and vacating position as
Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member)
\2\ Elected Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member Nov. 1, 1995
\3\ Resigned from Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
\4\ Elected to Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
\5\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated Dec. 12, 1995
\6\ Elected to Subcommittee May 9, 1996
COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina,
Chairman
BOB CLEMENT, Tennessee\3\ TILLIE K. FOWLER, Florida
JAMES A. TRAFICANT, Jr., Ohio\2\ DON YOUNG, Alaska
WALTER R. TUCKER III, California\6\ SUSAN MOLINARI, New York
BILL K. BREWSTER, Oklahoma\4\ BILL BAKER, California
ROBERT A. BORSKI, Pennsylvania\5\ VERNON J. EHLERS, Michigan
JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota\1\
PETE GEREN, Texas\7\ \8\
ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland\7\
GENE TAYLOR, Mississippi\9\
----------
\1\ Elected Committee Ranking Minority Member Sept. 27, 1995 (thereby
becoming Subcommittee ex officio member and vacating position as
Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member)
\2\Resigned from Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995 (thereby vacating position
of Ranking Minority Member)
\3\Elected to Subcommittee as Ranking Minority Member Nov. 1, 1995
\4\Resigned from Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
\5\Elected to Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
\6\Resigned from Congress Dec. 15, 1995
\7\Elected to Subcommittee May 9, 1996
\8\Resigned from Subcommittee Sept. 12, 1996
\9\Elected to Subcommittee Sept. 12, 1996
------
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
WAYNE T. GILCHREST, Maryland,
Chairman
JAMES A. TRAFICANT, Jr., Ohio\2\ ANDREA H. SEASTRAND, California
ROBERT E. WISE, Jr., West Virginia\1\JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of ColumbiaBLUTE, Massachusetts
CORRINE BROWN, Florida\3\ STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas\4\ DAN FRISA, New York\5\
FRANK MASCARA, Pennsylvania\4\
----------
\1\ Resigned from Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995 (thereby vacating position
of Ranking Minority Member)
\2\ Elected Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member Nov. 1, 1995
\3\ Resigned from Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
\4\ Elected to Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
\5\ Elected to Subcommittee Aug. 1, 1996
------
RAILROADS
SUSAN MOLINARI, New York,
Chairwoman
ROBERT E. WISE, Jr., West Virginia\2\SUE W. KELLY, New York
BARBARA-ROSE COLLINS, Michigan\4\ SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT, New York
JERROLD NADLER, New York JAY KIM, California
NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia BOB FRANKS, New Jersey
ROBERT A. BORSKI, Pennsylvania\3\ JOHN L. MICA, Florida
ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, Jr., Alabama\3\CK QUINN, New York
WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI, Illinois\1\ SPENCER BACHUS, Alabama
BOB CLEMENT, Tennessee
----------
\1\ Vacated position of Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member Nov. 1,
1995
\2\ Elected to Subcommittee as Ranking Minority Member Nov. 1, 1995
\3\ Resigned from Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
\4\ Elected to Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
THOMAS E. PETRI, Wisconsin,
Chairman
NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia RAY LaHOOD, Illinois
PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon WILLIAM F. CLINGER, Jr.,
GREG LAUGHLIN, Texas\2\ Pennsylvania\10\
GLENN POSHARD, Illinois HERBERT H. BATEMAN, Virginia
ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, Jr., Alabama BILL EMERSON, Missouri\9\
PAT DANNER, Missouri WILLIAM H. ZELIFF, Jr., New
JAMES E. CLYBURN, South Carolina Hampshire
WALTER R. TUCKER III, California\7\ Y. TIM HUTCHINSON, Arkansas
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas BILL BAKER, California
BILL K. BREWSTER, Oklahoma JAY KIM, California
MIKE PARKER, Mississippi\6\ STEPHEN HORN, California
BARBARA-ROSE COLLINS, Michigan\4\ BOB FRANKS, New Jersey
CORRINE BROWN, Florida PETER BLUTE, Massachusetts
NATHAN DEAL, Georgia\1\ JOHN L. MICA, Florida
JAMES A. BARCIA, Michigan JACK QUINN, New York
BOB FILNER, California TILLIE K. FOWLER, Florida
KAREN McCARTHY, Missouri\3\ JERRY WELLER, Illinois
FRANK MASCARA, Pennsylvania\3\ TOM LATHAM, Iowa
ROBERT A. BORSKI, Pennsylvania\5\ STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio
THOMAS C. SAWYER, Ohio\8\ RANDY TATE, Washington
JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD, California\8\IAM J. MARTINI, New Jersey
DAN FRISA, New York\11\
TODD TIAHRT, Kansas\11\
----------
\1\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated May 10, 1995
\2\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated July 10, 1995
\3\ Elected to Subcommittee August 2, 1995
\4\ Resigned from Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
\5\ Elected to Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
\6\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated Nov. 15, 1995
\7\ Resigned from Congress Dec. 15, 1995
\8\ Elected to Subcommittee May 9, 1996
\9\ Died June 22, 1996
\10\ Resigned from Subcommittee Aug. 1, 1996
\11\ Elected to Subcommittee Aug. 1, 1996
WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT, New York,
Chairman
ROBERT A. BORSKI, Pennsylvania ZACH WAMP, Tennessee
JAMES A. HAYES, Louisiana\8\ DON YOUNG, Alaska
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey THOMAS E. PETRI, Wisconsin
JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota\4\ HERBERT H. BATEMAN, Virginia
ROBERT E. WISE, Jr., West Virginia\3\BILL EMERSON, Missouri\10\
JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois WILLIAM H. ZELIFF, Jr., New
MIKE PARKER, Mississippi\7\ Hampshire
GREG LAUGHLIN, Texas\2\ THOMAS W. EWING, Illinois
GLENN POSHARD, Illinois WAYNE T. GILCHREST, Maryland
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of ColumbiaN HORN, California
NATHAN DEAL, Georgia\1\ BOB FRANKS, New Jersey
JAMES A. BARCIA, Michigan JACK QUINN, New York
BOB FILNER, California TOM LATHAM, Iowa
BILL K. BREWSTER, Oklahoma\6\ STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio
WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI, Illinois\3\ \5\ WILLIAM J. MARTINI, New Jersey
KAREN McCARTHY, Missouri\6\ RICHARD H. BAKER, Louisiana\11\
GENE TAYLOR, Mississippi\9\
ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland\9\
----------
\1\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated May 10, 1995
\2\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated July 10, 1995
\3\ Elected August 2, 1995
\4\ Elected Committee Ranking Minority Member Sept. 27, 1995 (thereby
becoming Subcommittee ex officio member and vacating position as
Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member)
\5\ Resigned from Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
\6\ Elected to Subcommittee Nov. 1, 1995
\7\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated Nov. 15, 1995
\8\ Election to Committee as Democrat vacated Dec. 12, 1995
\9\ Elected to Subcommittee May 9, 1996
\10\ Died June 22, 1996
\11\ Elected to Subcommittee Aug. 1, 1996
Staff
Jack L. Schenendorf, Chief of
Staff
Robert A. Bergman, Deputy Chief of
Staff
Erla S. Youmans, Administrator
Carol Wood, Administrator-
Designate
Mary Moll, Deputy Administrator/
Financial Officer
William J. Hughes, Senior
Professional Staff Member for
Budget and Economic Development
Patricia Law, Professional Staff
Member for Outreach
Suzanne Te Beau, Associate Counsel
Darrell Wilson, Special Assistant
to the Chairman
Kathy Guilfoy, Special Assistant
to the Chief of Staff
Jimmy Miller, Director of
Committee Facilities/
Transportation
Keven Sard, Computer Systems
Manager
Barbara S. Bannister, Executive
Staff Assistant
Cheryl McCullough, Executive Staff
Assistant
Jennifer Baret, Staff Assistant
Jeffrey Fedorko, Staff Assistant
Kevin Blose, Staff Assistant
Hannah Howe, Staff Assistant
Leneal Scott, Staff Assistant
------
David A. Heymsfeld, Minority Staff
Director
Sante J. Esposito, Minority Chief
Counsel
Joy B. Bryson, Minority
Administrator
Sheila R. Lockwood, Minority
Executive Staff Assistant
Dara M. Schlieker, Minority Staff
Assistant
------
Investigations
Paul Rosenzweig, Counsel
Peter Loughlin, Assistant Counsel
Mary Beth Will, Staff Assistant
------
Press Information
Jeff Nelligan, Director of
Communications
Eric K. Federing, Minority
Director of Communications
------
Editorial
Joan H. Botuck, Editor/Legislative
Calendar Clerk
Gilda Shirley, Associate Editor/
Legislative Calendar Clerk
Edna Lanier, GPO Print Specialist
------
AVIATION
David Schaffer, Counsel
Donna McLean, Professional Staff
Member
Jim Coon, Professional Staff
Member
Dianne Rogers, Staff Assistant
David F. Traynham, Minority Senior
Professional Staff Member
Mary Walsh, Minority Counsel
Michelle K. Mihin, Minority Staff
Assistant
------
COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
Rebecca Dye, Counsel
Edward Lee, Professional Staff
Member
Marsha Canter, Staff Assistant
John Cullather, Minority Senior
Professional Staff Member
Rose M. Hamlin, Minority Staff
Assistant
------
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Richard C. Barnett, Senior
Professional Staff Member
Charles C. Ziegler, Counsel
Michael Robinson, Staff Assistant
Susan F. Brita, Minority Senior
Professional Staff Member
Ward McCarragher, Minority Counsel
Rose M. Hamlin, Minority Staff
Assistant
------
RAILROADS
Glenn Scammel, Counsel
Alice Tornquist, Professional
Staff Member
Jennifer Southwick, Staff
Assistant
John V. Wells, Minority Senior
Professional Staff Member
Trinita Brown, Minority Counsel
Michelle K. Mihin, Minority Staff
Assistant
------
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
Roger Nober, Counsel
Susan Lent, Counsel
Debra A. Gebhardt, Professional
Staff Member
Christopher Bertram, Professional
Staff Member
Adam Tsao, Professional Staff
Member
Linda D. Scott, Staff Assistant
Kenneth House, Minority Senior
Professional Staff Member
Rosalyn Millman, Minority
Transportation Economist
Ward McCarragher, Minority Counsel
------
WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
Michael Strachn, Senior
Professional Staff Member
Benjamin H. Grumbles, Counsel
Susan Bodine, Counsel
Marcus Peacock, Professional Staff
Member
Jeffrey T. More, Professional
Staff Member
D. Lee Forsgren, Assistant Counsel
Donna Campbell, Staff Assistant
Timothy Landis, Staff Assistant
Kenneth J. Kopocis, Minority
Counsel
Barbara Rogers, Minority Assistant
Counsel
Arthur Chan, Minority Chief
Economist
Pamela Stevens Keller, Minority
Staff Assistant
CONTENTS
------
Page
Letter of Submittal.............................................. XIII
Jurisdiction of the House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure................................................. 1
Foreword by Chairman Bud Shuster................................. 3
Bills enacted into law........................................... 7
Bills and resolutions passed by the House but not acted upon by
the Senate..................................................... 15
Bill reported to the House but not acted upon.................... 17
Resolutions approved by the House and the Senate (and cleared)... 17
Bills and resolutions approved by the Senate but not approved by
the Committee.................................................. 18
Bills enacted into law (summaries of public laws):
104-21 District of Columbia Emergency Highway Relief Act of
1995......................................................... 19
104-50 Department of Transportation and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1996..................................... 19
104-55 Edible Oil Regulatory Reform Act........................ 19
104-58 Alaska Power Administration Asset Sale and Termination
Act.......................................................... 20
104-59 National Highway System Designation Act of 1995......... 20
104-68 To Designate the Ronald Reagan Building and
International Trade Center................................... 21
104-75 To Designate the Bruce R. Thompson United States
Courthouse and Federal Building.............................. 21
104-77 To Designate the Romano L. Mazzoli Federal Building..... 21
104-80 To Designate the Howard H. Baker, Jr., United States
Courthouse................................................... 22
104-85 To Designate the Seybourn H. Lynne Federal Courthouse... 22
104-86 To Designate the Albert V. Bryan United States
Courthouse................................................... 22
104-88 Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995.. 23
104-99 Authorizing the sale of 501 First Street, S.E........... 24
104-101 To Designate the David J. Wheeler Federal Building..... 24
104-106 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 24
104-108 To Designate the Frank Hagel Federal Building.......... 25
104-112 To Designate the Max Rosenn United States Courthouse... 25
104-132 Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996.. 26
104-135 To Designate the James Lawrence King Federal Justice
Building..................................................... 26
104-136 To Designate the Thomas D. Lambros Federal Building and
United States Courthouse..................................... 26
104-137 To Designate the Judge Isaac C. Parker Federal Building 26
104-138 To Designate the Timothy C. McCaghren Customs
Administration Building...................................... 27
104-139 To Redesignate the Vincent E. McKelvey Federal Building 27
104-151 To Designate the E. Barrett Prettyman United States
Courthouse................................................... 28
104-154 To Designate the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.......... 28
104-160 To Designate the William J. Nealon United States
Courthouse................................................... 28
104-182 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996............. 29
104-201 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 29
104-208 Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations for Fiscal Year
1997......................................................... 30
104-221 To Designate the Mark O. Hatfield United States
Courthouse................................................... 31
104-222 To Authorize Construction of the Smithsonian
Institution National Air and Space Museum Dulles Center at
Washington Dulles International Airport...................... 31
104-225 To Designate the Veach-Baley Federal Complex........... 31
104-228 To Designate the Sammy L. Davis Federal Building....... 32
104-229 To Designate the Roman L. Hruska United States
Courthouse................................................... 32
104-230 To Designate the Sam M. Gibbons United States
Courthouse................................................... 32
104-251 Railroad Unemployment Insurance Amendments Act of 1996. 33
104-264 Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996........... 33
104-277 To Designate the L. Clure Morton United States Post
Office and Courthouse........................................ 36
104-291 National Transportation Safety Board Amendments of 1996 36
104-298 Water Desalination Act of 1996......................... 36
104-303 Water Resources Development Act of 1996................ 36
104-304 Accountable Pipeline Safety and Partnership Act of 1996 38
104-324 Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996.................. 39
104-332 National Invasive Species Act of 1996.................. 41
104-333 Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996.. 42
Committee views and estimates report............................. 43
Summary of activities:
Full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure............ 45
Subcommittee on Aviation....................................... 47
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation........ 57
Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development...... 67
Subcommittee on Railroads...................................... 77
Subcommittee on Surface Transportation......................... 81
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment................ 89
Oversight Activities............................................. 105
Public building project resolutions approved pursuant to the
Public Buildings Act of 1959, as amended....................... 113
Resolutions adopted to authorize the Corps of Engineers to
conduct feasibility studies.................................... 121
Resolution adopted to authorize the Corps of Engineers to
construct projects............................................. 122
Publications..................................................... 123
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL
----------
December 20, 1996.
Hon. Robin H. Carle,
The Clerk, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Ms. Carle: In compliance with Rule XI, Clause 1(d) of
the Rules of the House of Representatives, there is transmitted
herewith the Summary of Activities of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure for the 104th Congress.
The purpose of the report is to provide the Members of the
House of Representatives, and the general public, with an
overview of the legislative and oversight activities conducted
by this committee, pursuant to Rule X, Clause 1(q) of the Rules
of the House of Representatives.
This document is intended as a general reference tool, and
not as a substitute for the hearing records, reports, and other
committee files.
Sincerely yours,
Bud Shuster,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Enclosure.
Union Calendar No. 474
104th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 104-871
_______________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES--COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
_______
December 20, 1996.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______________________________________________________________________
Mr. Shuster, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
PROVISIONS OF THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPLICABLE TO
COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES; JURISDICTION OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON
TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
``Rule X
``Establishment and jurisdiction of standing committees
``The Committees and Their Jurisdiction
``1. There shall be in the House the following standing
committees, each of which shall have the jurisdiction and
related functions assigned to it by this clause and clauses 2,
3, and 4; and all bills, resolutions, and other matters
relating to subjects within the jurisdiction of any standing
committee as listed in this clause shall (in accordance with
and subject to clause 5) be referred to such committees, as
follows:
``(q) Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
``(1) Coast Guard, including lifesaving service,
lighthouses, lightships, ocean derelicts, and the Coast Guard
Academy.
``(2) Federal management of emergencies and natural
disasters.
``(3) Flood control and improvement of rivers and harbors.
``(4) Inland waterways.
``(5) Inspection of merchant marine vessels, lights and
signals, lifesaving equipment, and fire protection on such
vessels.
``(6) Navigation and the laws relating thereto, including
pilotage.
``(7) Registering and licensing of vessels and small boats.
``(8) Rules and international arrangements to prevent
collisions at sea.
``(9) Measures relating to the Capitol Building and the
Senate and House office buildings.
``(10) Measures relating to the construction or maintenance
of roads and post roads, other than appropriations therefor;
but it shall not be in order for any bill providing general
legislation in relation to roads to contain any provision for
any specific road, nor for any bill in relation to a specific
road to embrace a provision in relation to any other specific
road.
``(11) Measures relating to the construction or
reconstruction, maintenance, and care of the buildings and
grounds of the Botanic Gardens, the Library of Congress, and
the Smithsonian Institution.
``(12) Measures relating to merchant marine, except for
national security aspects of merchant marine.
``(13) Measures relating to the purchase of sites and
construction of post offices, customhouses, Federal
courthouses, and Government buildings within the District of
Columbia.
``(14) Oil and other pollution of navigable waters,
including inland, coastal, and ocean waters.
``(15) Marine affairs (including coastal zone management)
as they relate to oil and other pollution of navigable waters.
``(16) Public buildings and occupied or improved grounds of
the United States generally.
``(17) Public works for the benefit of navigation,
including bridges and dams (other than international bridges
and dams).
``(18) Related transportation regulatory agencies.
``(19) Roads and the safety thereof.
``(20) Transportation, including civil aviation, railroads,
water transportation, transportation safety (except automobile
safety), transportation infrastructure, transportation labor,
and railroad retirement and unemployment (except revenue
measures related thereto).
``(21) Water power.
FOREWORD
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee: A Track Record of
Success in the 104th Congress
``Building for America's Future''
This simple phase is emblematic of the House Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee's work and remarkable record in
the 104th Congress. Indeed, building and maintaining a
transportation infrastructure that enables our economy to
thrive and providing communities with a safe and reliable
environmental infrastructure is what the Committee is all
about.
In the 104th Congress, the Committee undertook an ambitious
agenda. Not only was its jurisdiction expanded to include
railroads, Coast Guard, and maritime issues--giving it one of
the largest jurisdictions in the U.S. House of
Representatives--but, working together on a bipartisan basis,
the Committee tackled a multitude of important issues,
providing national leadership in all aspects of our
transportation systems and environmental infrastructure.
Through its six subcommittees--Aviation, Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation, Public Buildings and Economic
Development, Railroads, Surface Transportation, and Water
Resources and Environment--the 64-Member T&I Committee held 137
hearings and markups, heard testimony from over 1,200 public
witnesses, and conducted 51 legislative mark-ups. The total of
188 Committee meetings in a single Congress is a testament to
the efforts and dedication of Members and staff.
On a substantive level, the Committee shaped legislation to
finance the development of our nation's infrastructure into the
next century. In doing so, it reaffirmed the important Federal
role in developing both transportation and environmental
infrastructure to help create jobs and spur economic growth. At
the same time, the Committee reviewed long-standing Federal
agencies and programs, reforming or modifying those that no
longer served the country well. It sought to streamline Federal
regulatory requirements and to return power to States and local
communities where appropriate. The Committee also examined the
safety of our various transportation modes and developed
several legislative reforms to address shortcomings. Finally,
the Committee worked to achieve progress in protecting our
environment through a sound policy and environmental framework.
Ever since this country was founded, the importance of our
transportation system has been a nationally recognized
priority. Beginning with our ocean ports, and then later
canals, railways, highways, and airports, wherever there were
transportation links, communities prospered. Given today's
increasingly global marketplace, where just-in-time
manufacturing is becoming a major competitive requirement, the
need for an efficient intermodal transportation system is more
important than ever before.
Unfortunately, the current budget inhibits investments in
infrastructure. Unlike most state governments, the Federal
budget does not differentiate between capital and consumption
spending. If it did, much of the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee's expenditures would fall under a
capital investment budget. Although four user-financed
transportation trust funds (aviation, highway, inland
waterways, and harbor maintenance) were established to ensure
continued capital investment in roads, bridges, transit,
airports, harbors, locks, and canals, they are tied to a
unified budget. As Federal entitlements grow and pressure to
balance the budget increases, spending from the ever-growing
trust funds erodes.
To break this destructive status quo, T&I Committee Members
unanimously sponsored H.R. 842, the ``Truth In Budgeting Act,''
bipartisan legislation adopted by the full House on an
overwhelming 284-143 vote, that would free the transportation
trust funds from the Federal budget, thereby allowing them to
operate on a pay-as-you-go basis as originally intended. The
goal of the legislation is to ensure that money collected from
system users is spent as the Federal Government promised--to
maintain and improve the infrastructure relied upon to
transport goods, services, and people.
With enactment of H.R. 2274/S.440, the ``National Highway
System Designation Act,'' the National Highway System (NHS) was
established. The NHS, comprised of 160,000 of the most
important miles of highway in America, will be to the 21st
Century what the Interstate Highway System was to the 20th
Century. The Act made available to the States nearly $12
billion in National Highway System (NHS) and Interstate
maintenance funds. This represents a major investment in our
economy, creating jobs and ensuring that our network of
highways can meet the challenges of the 21st Century. The U.S.
Department of Transportation estimates that every $1 billion
invested in highway infrastructure directly creates 42,000
high-paying jobs. But the benefits of our transportation
infrastructure extend beyond job creation. Transportation is
the lifeblood of our economy. One only needs to recall the
historic blizzard that engulfed the Northeast in early January
1996 to understand the vital role transportation plays in our
daily lives. Indeed, many cities in the Northeast and Middle
Atlantic States were utterly paralyzed. The losses in terms of
productivity to all business sectors was pronounced. Imagine if
our economy relied on a crippled transportation system year-
round.
Another critical transportation investment was made in our
aviation system with the successful passage of H.R. 3539,
authorizing the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). This bill
provides $7 billion from Aviation Trust Fund receipts for
capital expansion projects. Already, 23 airports experience
more than 20,000 hours of delays annually. The number of
airports with significant delays is expected to grow to 33 by
2002. Moreover, growth in passenger travel is expected to
double in the next fifteen years, from 500 million to one
billion passengers annually. AIP funds are critical to ensuring
our system can safely meet the needs of the flying public.
The Committee also reaffirmed its commitment to our
nation's environmental infrastructure. In H.R. 961, the ``Clean
Water Amendments of 1995,'' the Committee authorized $2.3
billion a year for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF)
to finance wastewater infrastructure and source water
protection. In H.R. 3604/S. 1316, the ``Safe Drinking Water Act
Amendments,'' which became law on August 6, 1996, the Committee
was instrumental in assuring that $1 billion a year would be
available to States and communities for an SRF to help fund
improved drinking water infrastructure. Communities are able to
leverage SRF money in bond markets to reap benefits several
times greater than they would through a conventional grant
program. Both loan programs allow small and disadvantaged
communities to acquire low- or no-interest loans. Moreover,
these innovative accounts will become self-sustaining as
communities begin to repay the loans.
H.R. 3593/S. 640, the ``Water Resources Development Act,''
makes further investments in both our economic and
environmental infrastructure by providing a $3.8 billion
Federal authorization for navigation, flood control, and
environmental restoration projects carried out by the Army
Corps of Engineers. Navigation projects undertaken by the Corps
and authorized through this legislation represent the backbone
of the nation's waterborne commerce. In the environmental
arena, the Corps is uniquely capable to undertake efforts in
hurricane and flood protection as well as programs that improve
our environment, such as wetlands restoration. The economic and
social benefits to the American people are significant and
cannot be fully quantified.
In addition to the key role of the Committee in improving
the nation's infrastructure, the Committee advanced a number of
other goals in a variety of pieces of legislation:
Downsizing Federal bureaucracy: through the ICC
Termination Act (enacted into law) and the Ocean
Shipping Reform Act, the Committee addressed the need
to eliminate wasteful government spending by downsizing
the government where possible.
Making government work better: the House approved
legislation to reauthorize and reform Amtrak so that it
would be able to operate more as a business. In
addition the Committee initiated legislation which was
enacted to establish the FAA as an independent agency
with greater flexibility in the areas of personnel and
procurement and to modernize the Railroad unemployment
insurance system.
Streamlining and improving Federal regulations: In a
variety of pieces of legislation (e.g. the Deepwater
Port Modernization Act and the Pipeline Safety Act) the
Committee sought to streamline the regulatory process.
Empowering State and local governments: The Committee
found opportunities to return power to the States where
appropriate (e.g. the National Highway System
Designation Act, which eliminated Federal requirements
for management systems and crumb rubber usage).
Promoting Safety: Safety was an important element of
many of the Committee's bills (e.g. the National
Highway System Designation Act, which requires States
to establish and enforce a ``zero tolerance'' level for
alcohol for drivers under age 21) as well as the
oversight activities of the Committee.
Thus is the outstanding record of the Committee during the
104th Congress--and the foundation for our efforts to build for
America's future in the 105th Congress.
Few of these many concrete achievements could have been
realized without the strong bipartisan commitment of our
membership and the leadership of our Ranking Democrat on the
Committee, Rep. James Oberstar. Special recognition is also due
to the Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John J. Duncan, and
Ranking Democrat William O. Lipinski; Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Howard Coble and Ranking
Democrat Bob Clement; Public Buildings and Economic Development
Subcommittee Chairman Wayne Gilchrest and Ranking Democrat
James Traficant; Railroads Subcommittee Chairwoman Susan
Molinari and Ranking Democrat Bob Wise; Surface Transportation
Subcommittee Chairman Thomas Petri and Ranking Democrat Nick
Rahall; and Subcommittee on Water Resources Subcommittee
Chairman Sherwood Boehlert and Ranking Democrat Robert Borksi.
As productive as the 104th Congress was for our Committee,
the 105th promises to be even more so as we continue to develop
transportation and environmental programs to meet our nation's
needs.
With my good friend James Oberstar, I look forward to
building upon the success of the Committee's considerable
endeavors in the 104th Congress.
BUD SHUSTER,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
BILLS ENACTED INTO LAW
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC LAW NO. DATE ENACTED BILL NO. TITLE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104-21............................. Aug. 4, 1995.......... H.R. 2017............. To authorize an increased
Federal share of the costs
of certain transportation
projects in the District
of Columbia for fiscal
years 1995 and 1996, and
for other purpose.
District of Columbia
Emergency Highway Relief
Act.
104-50............................. Nov. 15, 1995......... H.R. 2002............. Making appropriations for
the Department of
Transportation and related
agencies for the fiscal
year ending September 30,
1996, and for other
purposes (incorporating
provisions relating to
Federal Aviation
Administration personnel
and procurement regulation
reforms). Department of
Transportation and Related
Agencies Appropriations
Act, 1996.
104-55............................. Nov. 20, 1995......... H.R. 436.............. To require the head of any
Federal agency to
differentiate between
fats, oils, and greases of
animal, marine, or
vegetable origin, and
other oils and greases, in
issuing certain
regulations.
104-58............................. Nov. 28, 1995......... S. 395................ To authorize and direct the
Secretary of Energy to
sell the Alaska Power
Administration, and to
authorize the export of
Alaska North Slope crude
oil, and for other
purposes. Alaska Power
Administration Asset Sale
and Termination Act.
104-59............................. Nov. 28, 1995......... S. 440 (H.R. 2274).... To amend title 23, United
States Code, to provide
for the designation of the
National Highway System,
and for other purposes.
National Highway System
Designation Act of 1995;
Woodrow Wilson Memorial
Bridge Authority Act of
1995 (Title IV).
104-68............................. Dec. 22, 1995......... H.R. 2481............. To designate the Federal
Triangle Project under
construction at 14th
Street and Pennsylvania
Avenue, Northwest, in the
District of Columbia, as
the ``Ronald Reagan
Building and International
Trade Center''.
104-75............................. Dec. 28, 1995......... H.R. 395.............. To designate the United
States courthouse and
Federal building to be
constructed at the
southeastern corner of
Liberty and South Virginia
Streets in Reno, Nevada,
as the ``Bruce R. Thompson
United States Courthouse
and Federal Building''.
104-77............................. Dec. 28, 1995......... H.R. 965.............. To designate the Federal
building located at 600
Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Place in Louisville,
Kentucky, as the ``Romano
L. Mazzoli Federal
Building''.
104-80............................. Dec. 28, 1995......... H.R. 2547............. To designate the United
States courthouse located
at 800 Market Street in
Knoxville, Tennessee, as
the ``Howard H. Baker, Jr.
United States
Courthouse''.
104-85............................. Dec. 28, 1995......... S. 369................ To designate the Federal
Courthouse in Decatur,
Alabama, as the ``Seybourn
H. Lynne Federal
Courthouse'', and for
other purposes.
104-86............................. Dec. 28, 1995......... S. 965................ To designate the United
States Courthouse for the
Eastern District of
Virginia in Alexandria,
Virginia, as the ``Albert
V. Bryan United States
Courthouse''.
104-88............................. Dec. 29, 1995......... H.R. 2539............. To abolish the Interstate
Commerce Commission, to
amend subtitle IV of title
49, United States Code, to
reform economic regulation
of transportation, and for
other purposes. ICC
Termination Act of 1995.
104-99............................. Jan. 26, 1996......... H.R. 2880............. Making appropriations for
fiscal year 1996 to make a
downpayment toward a
balanced budget
(incorporating provisions
directing the Architect of
the Capitol to sell the
parcel of real property
located at 501 First
Street, Southeast, in the
District of Columbia).
Balanced Budget
Downpayment Act, I.
104-101............................ Feb. 1, 1996.......... H.R. 2061............. To designate the Federal
building located at 1550
Dewey Avenue, Baker City,
Oregon, as the ``David J.
Wheeler Federal
Building''.
104-106............................ Feb. 10, 1996......... S. 1124............... To authorize appropriations
for fiscal year 1996 for
military activities of the
Department of Defense, and
to prescribe personnel
strengths for such fiscal
year for the Armed Forces
(incorporating provisions
relating to the
establishment of the
Midewin Tallgrass Prairie
in Illinois; Armed Forces
vessel discharge;
Department of Defense
emergency preparedness;
and the leasing of
property requiring
environmental
remediation). National
Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 1996.
104-108............................ Feb. 12, 1996......... H.R. 2111............. To designate the Social
Security Administration's
Western Program Service
Center located at 1221
Nevin Avenue, Richmond,
California, as the ``Frank
Hagel Federal Building''.
104-112............................ Mar. 5, 1996.......... H.R. 1718............. To designate the United
States courthouse located
at 197 South Main Street
in Wilkes-Barre,
Pennsylvania, as the ``Max
Rosenn United States
Courthouse''.
104-135............................ Apr. 30, 1996......... H.R. 255.............. To designate the Federal
Justice Building in Miami,
Florida, as the ``James
Lawrence King Federal
Justice Building''.
104-136............................ Apr. 30, 1996......... H.R. 869.............. To designate the Federal
building and U.S.
Courthouse located at 125
Market Street in
Youngstown, Ohio, as the
``Thomas D. Lambros
Federal Building and U.S.
Courthouse''.
104-137............................ Apr. 30, 1996......... H.R. 1804............. To designate the United
States Post Office-
Courthouse located at
South 6th and Rogers
Avenue, Fort Smith,
Arkansas, as the ``Judge
Isaac C. Parker Federal
Building''.
104-138............................ Apr. 30, 1996......... H.R. 2415............. To designate the United
States Customs
Administration Building at
the Ysleta/Zaragosa Port
of Entry located at 797
South Ysleta in El Paso,
Texas, as the ``Timothy C.
McCaghren Customs
Administration Building''.
104-139............................ Apr. 30, 1996......... H.R. 2556............. To redesignate the Federal
building located at 345
Middlefield Road in Menlo
Park, California, and
known as the Earth
Sciences and Library
Building, as the ``Vincent
E. McKelvey Federal
Building''.
104-151............................ July 1, 1996.......... H.R. 3029............. To designate the United
States courthouse in
Washington, District of
Columbia, as the ``E.
Barrett Prettyman United
States Courthouse''.
104-154............................ July 2, 1996.......... S. 1903............... To designate the bridge
estimated to be completed
in the year 2000 that
replaces the bridge on
Missouri highway 74
spanning from East
Girardeau, Illinois, to
Cape Girardeau, Missouri,
as the ``Bill Emerson
Memorial Bridge'', and for
other purposes.
104-160............................ July 9, 1996.......... H.R. 3364............. To designate a United
States courthouse in
Scranton, Pennsylvania, as
the ``William J. Nealon
United States
Courthouse''.
104-182............................ Aug. 6, 1996.......... S. 1316 (H.R. 3604, To amend title XIV of the
H.R. 2747). Public Health Service Act
(the ``Safe Drinking Water
Act''), and for other
purposes. Safe Drinking
Water Act Amendments of
1996.
104-201............................ Sept. 23, 1996........ H.R. 3230............. To authorize appropriations
for fiscal year 1997 for
military activities of the
Department of Defense, for
military construction, and
for defense activities of
the Department of Energy,
to prescribe personnel
strengths for such fiscal
year for the Armed Forces,
and for other purposes
(incorporating provisions
relating to shipboard
solid waste control
(Section 324), authority
to withhold listing of
Federal facilities on the
National Priorities List
(Section 330),
clarification of the
meaning of uncontaminated
property for purposes of
transfer by the United
States (Section 331), the
Navy program to monitor
ecological effects of
organotin (Section 333),
contaminated Federal
property transfers
(Section 334), military
pay raise for fiscal year
1997 (Section 601),
limitation on the use of
DOD funds transferred to
the Coast Guard (Section
1007), designation and
liability of disbursing
and certifying officials
for the Coast Guard
(Section 1009), authority
to suspend or terminate
collection actions against
deceased members of the
Coast Guard (Section
1010), senior career
service reenlistments
(Section 511),
reimbursement for adoption
expenses (Section 652),
defense against weapons of
mass destruction (Title
XIV), and fiscal year 1998
funding for the Greenville
Road improvement project,
Livermore, California
(Section 3165). National
Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 1997.
104-208............................ Sept. 30, 1996........ H.R. 3610............. Making appropriations for
the Department of Defense
for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1997, and
for other purposes
(incorporating provisions
relating to a land
conveyance for Hopewell
Township (Beaver County,
Pennsylvania) (Section 410
of the Treasury-Postal
Appropriations for Fiscal
Year 1997); and the
California Bay-Delta
Environmental Enhancement
and Water Security Act
(Division E, Title I)).
104-221............................ Oct. 1, 1996.......... S. 1636 (H.R. 3134)... To designate the United
States Courthouse under
construction at 1030
Southwest 3rd Avenue,
Portland, Oregon, as the
``Mark O. Hatfield United
States Courthouse''.
104-222............................ Oct. 1, 1996.......... S. 1995 (H.R. 3933)... To authorize construction
of the Smithsonian
Institution National Air
and Space Museum Dulles
Center at Washington
Dulles International
Airport.
104-225............................ Oct. 2, 1996.......... H.R. 2504............. To designate the Federal
Building located at the
corner of Patton Avenue
and Otis Street, and the
United States Courthouse
located on Otis Street, in
Asheville, North Carolina,
as the ``Veach-Baley
Federal Complex''.
104-228............................ Oct. 2, 1996.......... H.R. 3186............. To designate the Federal
building located at 1655
Woodson Road in Overland,
Missouri, as the ``Sammy
L. Davis Federal
Building''.
104-229............................ Oct. 2, 1996.......... H.R. 3400............. To designate the United
States courthouse to be
constructed at a site on
18th Street between Dodge
and Douglas Streets in
Omaha, Nebraska, as the
``Roman L. Hruska United
States Courthouse''.
104-230............................ Oct. 2, 1996.......... H.R. 3710............. To designate a United
States courthouse located
in Tampa, Florida, as the
``Sam M. Gibbons United
States Courthouse''.
104-251............................ Oct. 9, 1996.......... H.R. 2594............. To amend the Railroad
Unemployment Insurance Act
to reduce the waiting
period for benefits
payable under that Act,
and for other purposes.
Railroad Unemployment
Insurance Amendments Act
of 1996.
104-264............................ Oct. 9, 1996.......... H.R. 3539............. To amend title 49, United
States Code, to
reauthorize programs of
the Federal Aviation
Administration, and for
other purposes. Federal
Aviation Reauthorization
Act of 1996 (Title II, Air
Traffic Management System
Performance Improvement
Act of 1996; Title V,
Pilot Records Improvement
Act of 1996; Title VI,
Child Pilot Safety Act;
Title VII, Aviation
Disaster Family Assistance
Act of 1996; Title VIII,
Airport Revenue Protection
Act of 1996; Title IX,
Metropolitan Washington
Airports Amendments Act of
1996; and Title XI, FAA
Research, Engineering, and
Development Management
Reform Act of 1996).
104-277............................ Oct. 9, 1996.......... S. 1931............... To provide that the United
States Post Office and
Courthouse building
located at 9 East Broad
Street, Cookeville,
Tennessee, shall be known
and designated as the ``L.
Clure Morton United States
Post Office and
Courthouse''.
104-291............................ Oct. 11, 1996......... H.R. 3159............. To amend title 49, United
States Code, to authorize
appropriations for fiscal
years 1997, 1998, and 1999
for the National
Transportation Safety
Board. National
Transportation Safety
Board Amendments of 1996
(Title II, Intermodal Safe
Container Transportation
Amendments Act of 1996).
104-298............................ Oct. 11, 1996......... S. 811................ To authorize the Secretary
of the Interior to conduct
studies regarding the
desalination of water and
water reuse. Water
Desalination Act of 1996.
104-303............................ Oct. 12, 1996......... S. 640 (H.R. 3592).... To provide for the
conservation and
development of water and
related resources, and to
authorize the Secretary of
the Army to construct
various projects for
improvements to rivers and
harbors of the United
States. Water Resources
Development Act of 1996.
104-304............................ Oct. 12, 1996......... S. 1505 (H.R. 1323)... To reduce risk to public
safety and the environment
associated with pipeline
transportation of natural
gas and hazardous liquids,
and for other purposes.
Accountable Pipeline
Safety and Partnership Act
of 1996.
104-324............................ Oct. 19, 1996......... S. 1004 (H.R. 1361)... To authorize appropriations
for the United States
Coast Guard, and for other
purposes. Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 1996
(Title V, Deepwater Port
Modernization Act; Title
VI, Coast Guard Regulatory
Reform Act of 1996).
104-332............................ Oct. 26, 1996......... H.R. 4283............. To provide for ballast
water management to
prevent the introduction
and spread of
nonindigenous species into
the waters of the United
States, and for other
purposes. National
Invasive Species Act of
1996.
104-333............................ Nov. 12, 1996......... H.R. 4236............. To provide for the
administration of certain
Presidio properties at
minimal cost to the
Federal taxpayer, and for
other purposes
(incorporating the
provisions of H.R. 2636,
relating to a memorial in
the District of Columbia
honoring Japanese-American
patriotism in World War II
(Division I, Section 514);
and provisions relating to
the California Bay Delta
Environmental Enhancement
(Division I, Title XI).
Omnibus Parks and Public
Lands Management Act of
1996.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE HOUSE BUT NOT ACTED UPON BY THE
SENATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILL NO. DATE PASSED HOUSE TITLE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R. 653........................ Dec. 5, 1995...... To designate the
United States
courthouse under
construction in
White Plains, New
York, as the
``Thurgood
Marshall United
States
Courthouse''.
H.R. 840........................ Dec. 5, 1995...... To designate the
Federal building
and United States
courthouse
located at 215
South Evans
Street in
Greenville, North
Carolina, as the
``Walter B. Jones
Federal Building
and United States
Courthouse''.
H.R. 842........................ Apr. 17, 1996..... To provide off-
budget treatment
for the Highway
Trust Fund, the
Airport and
Airway Trust
Fund, the Inland
Waterways Trust
Fund, and the
Harbor
Maintenance Trust
Fund.
H.R. 961........................ May 16, 1995...... To amend the
Federal Water
Pollution Control
Act. Clean Water
Amendments of
1995.
H.R. 1788....................... Nov. 30 1995...... To reform the
statutes relating
to Amtrak, to
authorize
appropriations
for Amtrak, and
for other
purposes.
H.R. 1943....................... July 25, 1995..... To amend the
Federal Water
Pollution Control
Act to deem
certain municipal
wastewater
treatment
facilities
discharging into
ocean waters as
the equivalent of
secondary
treatment
facilities.
H.R. 2149....................... May 1, 1996....... To reduce
regulation,
promote
efficiencies, and
encourage
competition in
the international
ocean
transportation
system of the
United states, to
eliminate the
Federal Maritime
Commission, and
for other
purposes.
H.R. 2567....................... Jan. 23, 1996..... To amend the
Federal Water
Pollution Control
Act relating to
standards for
constructed water
conveyances.
H.R. 2689....................... Dec. 18, 1995..... To designate the
United States
Courthouse
located at 301
West Main Street
in Benton,
Illinois, as the
``James L.
Foreman United
States
Courthouse''.
H.R. 3153....................... Sept. 24, 1996.... To amend title 49,
United States
Code, to exempt
from regulation
the
transportation of
certain hazardous
materials by
vehicles with a
gross vehicle
weight rating of
10,000 pounds or
less.
H.R. 3348....................... Sept. 18, 1996.... To direct the
President to
establish
standards and
criteria for the
provisions of
major disaster
and emergency
assistance in
response to snow-
related events.
H.R. 3535....................... Sept. 26, 1996.... To redesignate a
Federal building
in Suitland,
Maryland, as the
``W. Edwards
Deming Federal
Building''.
H.R. 3560....................... Aug. 2, 1996...... To designate the
Federal building
located at 290
Broadway in New
York, New York,
as the ``Ronald
H. Brown Federal
Building''.
H.R. 3572....................... June 18, 1996..... To designate the
bridge on United
States Route 231
which crosses the
Ohio River
between Maceo,
Kentucky, and
Rockport,
Indiana, as the
``William H.
Natcher Bridge''.
H.R. 3576....................... Sept. 27, 1996.... To designate the
United States
courthouse
located at 401
South Michigan
Street in South
Bend, Indiana, as
the ``Robert K.
Rodibaugh United
States Bankruptcy
Courthouse''.
H.R. 4042....................... Sept. 27, 1996.... To designate the
United States
courthouse
located at Pearl
Street in New
York City, New
York, as the
``Ted Weiss
United States
Courthouse''.
H.R. 4119....................... Sept. 27, 1996.... To designate the
Federal building
and United States
courthouse
located at 475
Mulberry Street
in Macon,
Georgia, as the
``William
Augustus Bootle
Federal Building
and United States
Courthouse''.
H.R. 4133....................... Sept. 27, 1996.... To designate the
United States
courthouse to be
constructed at
the corner of
Superior and
Huron Roads, in
Cleveland, Ohio,
as the ``Carl B.
Stokes United
States
Courthouse''.
H.Con.Res. 39................... Mar. 14, 1995..... Expressing the
sense of the
Congress
regarding Federal
disaster relief.
H.Con.Res. 150.................. May 7, 1996....... Authorizing the
use of the
Capitol Grounds
for an event
sponsored by the
Specialty
Equipment Market
Association.
H.Con.Res. 198.................. July 12, 1996..... Authorizing the
use of the
Capitol grounds
for the first
annual
Congressional
Family Picnic.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILL REPORTED TO THE HOUSE BUT NOT ACTED UPON
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILL NO. REPT. DATE REPTD. TITLE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R. 2145............................ H.Rept. 104-693, Part I July 18, 1996.......... To reauthorize and make
reforms to programs
authorized by the
Public Works and
Economic Development
Act of 1965 and the
Appalachian Regional
Development Act of
1965.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESOLUTIONS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE (AND CLEARED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE AGREED TO BY
H.CON.RES. NO. DATE AGREED TO BY HOUSE SENATE TITLE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.Con.Res. 34........................ Mar. 14, 1995.......... Apr. 3, 1995........... Authorizing the use of
the Capitol Grounds
for the Ringling Bros.
and Barnum & Bailey
Circus Anniversary
Commemoration.
H.Con.Res. 38........................ June 27, 1995.......... June 28, 1995.......... Authorizing the use of
the Capitol Grounds
for the Greater
Washington Soap Box
Derby.
H.Con.Res. 64........................ May 9, 1995............ May l2, 1995........... Authorizing the 1995
Special Olympics Torch
Relay to be run
through the Capitol
Grounds.
H.Con.Res. 146....................... Mar. 26, 1996.......... Mar. 27, 1996.......... Authorizing the 1996
Special Olympics Torch
Relay to be run
through the Capitol
Grounds.
H.Con.Res. 147....................... Mar. 26, 1996.......... Mar. 27, 1996.......... Authorizing the use of
the Capitol Grounds
for the fifteenth
annual National Peace
Officers' Memorial
Service.
H.Con.Res. 153....................... June 10, 1996.......... June 21, 1996.......... Authorizing the use of
the Capitol Grounds
for the Greater
Washington Soap Box
Derby.
H.Con.Res. 166....................... Apr. 23, 1996.......... Apr. 25, 1996.......... Authorizing the use of
the Capitol Grounds
for the Washington for
Jesus 1996 Prayer
Rally.
H.Con.Res. 172....................... June 10, 1996, June 12, June 11, 1996.......... Authorizing the 1996
1996. Summer Olympics Torch
Relay to be run
through the Capitol
Grounds, and for other
purposes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS APPROVED BY THE SENATE BUT NOT APPROVED BY THE
COMMITTEE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILL NO. DATE PASSED SENATE TITLE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. 1005......................... May 16, 1996...... To amend the
Public Buildings
Act of 1959 to
improve the
process of
constructing,
altering, and
acquiring public
buildings, and
for other
purposes.
S. 1875......................... Sept. 24, 1996.... To designate the
United States
courthouse in
Medford, Oregon,
as the ``James A.
Redden Federal
Courthouse''.
S. 1936......................... July 31, 1996..... To amend the
Nuclear Waste
Policy Act of
1982.
S.Con.Res. 17................... June 15, 1995..... Authorizing the
use of the
Capitol Grounds
for the
exhibition of the
RAH-66 Comanche
helicopter.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILLS ENACTED INTO LAW
(Summaries of Public Law)
------
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HIGHWAY RELIEF ACT OF 1995
(Public Law 104-21)
The District of Columbia Highway Relief Act permits certain
Federal-aid highway projects undertaken by the District of
Columbia to have a Federal share of 100 percent for fiscal
years 1995 and 1996 due to the District's difficult financial
situation and its inability to contribute the 20 percent match.
Without this relief, the District of Columbia would have been
unable to use its Federal-aid highway funds for 1995 and 1996.
As a condition of the increased Federal share, the Act directs
the District to set up a dedicated account for gas tax receipts
in an amount sufficient to repay the temporarily waived local
match and to meet future local match requirements. The Act also
requires that the District's trust fund accounting be analyzed
by the General Accounting Office.
------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT,
1996
(Public Law 104-50)
In addition to providing funding for the Department of
Transportation (DOT), the 1996 DOT appropriations law includes
legislation to reform the Federal Aviation Administration's
(FAA) personnel and procurement rules. The law exempts FAA from
many personnel and procurement requirements and allows FAA to
establish a unique approach to its personnel and procurement
regulations.
------
EDIBLE OIL REGULATORY REFORM ACT
(Public Law 104-55)
The Edible Oil Regulatory Reform Act responds to a concern
that Federal regulatory agencies, acting under the Oil
Pollution Act, the Clean Water Act, the Hazardous Materials
Transportation Act and other laws, did not adequately
distinguish between toxic and petroleum-based oils on the one
hand and animal fats and vegetable oils on the other. The law
requires Federal agencies other than the Food and Drug
Administration and the Food Safety Inspection Service to
differentiate between and establish separate classes for such
oils and to consider their different properties and
environmental effects in implementing such regulatory statutes.
------
ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATION ASSET SALE AND TERMINATION ACT
(Public Law 104-58)
The primary purpose of this Act is to authorize the export
of Alaska North Slope crude oil and to authorize the Secretary
of Energy to sell the Alaska Power Administration. The Act
required vessels carrying Alaska North Slope crude oil to be
carried aboard U.S.-flag, U.S. manned vessels.
Title IV of this Act requires that the Commandant of the
Coast Guard submit to Congress a plan on the most cost
effective means of implementing an international private-sector
tug-of-opportunity system. This plan must utilize existing
towing vessels to provide emergency response services to any
vessel in distress transiting the waters within the boundaries
of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary of the Strait of
Juan de Fuca.
------
NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM DESIGNATION ACT OF 1995
(Public Law 104-59)
The National Highway System Designation Act of 1995
approves the 160,000 mile National Highway System (NHS) and
permits nearly $13 billion in Interstate Maintenance and NHS
highway funds to be distributed to the States in 1996 and 1997.
While comprising only 4 percent of all highways in America, the
NHS will carry 40 percent of all traffic, 75 percent of all
freight and 80 percent of all tourism.
In addition to approving the NHS, this legislation
eliminates several Federal grant conditions, that had been
imposed on the States in ISTEA and other transportation laws.
These would have resulted in State highway fund penalties,
including the national maximum speed limit, compulsory
motorcycle helmet use laws, the requirement that States use
crumb rubber in asphalt, States' utilization of certain
management systems, preemployment alcohol testing, highway sign
metrification and certain transportation conformity
requirements. Second, the legislation creates a motor carrier
safety pilot program that will permit carriers that utilize
commercial motor vehicles between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds
flexibility in complying with Federal motor carrier safety
regulations if they devise a program of safety management
controls that DOT determines will provide an equal or greater
level of safety. It also creates a pilot program to permit
extended winter deliveries of home heating oil. Third, the
legislation amends the hours of service regulations for certain
motor carriers whose activities tend to be seasonal, including
farmers and farm suppliers during planting and harvesting
seasons, water well drillers, construction vehicles and utility
service vehicles, and provides waivers from commercial drivers
license requirements for part-time employees of small towns and
townships during snow emergencies.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE RONALD REAGAN BUILDING AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER
(Public Law 104-68)
This law designates the Federal Triangle Project under
construction at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in
Washington, D.C., as the ``Ronald Reagan Building and
International Trade Center''. Ronald Reagan was the 40th
President of the United States and one of the Country's and the
world's most famous and beloved citizens. President Reagan
began his career as president of the Screen Actor's Guild, in
1947. He became a Republican in 1962 and the leader of
political conservatism in 1964. He was elected Governor of
California in a landslide victory in 1966 and handily won
reelection in 1968. Winning the Presidential election in 1980,
President Reagan revived the Nation's patriotic spirit with the
optimism and dignity he brought to office. The Reagan
presidency stood for the message of economic growth and a faith
in a future full of opportunity, and it is a fitting tribute to
designate this building in his honor.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE BRUCE R. THOMPSON UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE AND FEDERAL
BUILDING
(Public Law 104-75)
This law designates the United States Courthouse and
Federal Building to be constructed at the southeastern corner
of Liberty and South Virginia Streets in Reno, Nevada, as the
``Bruce R. Thompson United States Courthouse and Federal
Building''. Judge Thompson served as Assistant U.S. Attorney
for the District of Nevada from 1942 to 1952, and as special
master for the U.S. District Court of the District of Nevada
from 1952 to 1953. In 1963, he was appointed U.S. District
Judge by President John F. Kennedy. From 1975 to 1977, Judge
Thompson was president of the Ninth Circuit District Judges.
Virtually every legal organization in Nevada has unanimously
passed a resolution in favor of naming the courthouse after
Judge Thompson.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE ROMANO L. MAZZOLI FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 104-77)
This law designates the Federal building in Louisville,
Kentucky as the ``Romano L. Mazzoli Federal Building''. Romano
Mazzoli was elected to the Kentucky State Senate where he
served until 1970. In 1970, he was elected to the United States
House of Representatives, where he represented Kentucky's Third
Congressional District. He was reelected to 11 consecutive
terms until his retirement in 1994. Congressman Mazzoli is,
perhaps, best known for his work on immigration issues. During
his tenure in Congress, he became known as one of the most
dedicated, ethical and courageous Members ever to serve.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE HOWARD H. BAKER, JR., UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 104-80)
This law designates the United States Courthouse in
Knoxville, Tennessee, as the ``Howard H. Baker, Jr., United
States Courthouse''. Howard Baker began his career in public
service in 1966 when he became the first Republican popularly
elected to the United States Senate from Tennessee. He was
reelected in both 1972 and 1978. In 1980, Senator Baker was a
candidate for the Republican Presidential Nomination. He closed
out his Senatorial career by serving two terms as Minority
Leader and two terms as Majority Leader. From 1987 to 1988,
Howard Baker served as President Reagan's Chief of Staff.
Additionally, Mr. Baker is a noted author and recipient of both
the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Jefferson Award.
Howard Baker is one of the most distinguished and accomplished
men ever to serve his country and it is fitting to name this
building in his honor.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE SEYBOURN H. LYNNE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 104-85)
This law designates the Federal Courthouse in Decatur,
Alabama, as the ``Seybourn H. Lynne Federal Courthouse''. Judge
Lynne was first elected to serve on the bench in 1934, as the
Judge of Morgan County. He later served on the Eighth Judicial
Circuit Court of Alabama until stepping down in 1942 to
volunteer for service in the United States military. In 1946,
he was appointed to the United States District Court by
President Harry S. Truman. Judge Lynne became Chief Judge of
the Federal Court in 1953 and Senior Judge in 1973. He has
served on the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Alabama for 49 years. Judge Lynne is respected for
his wisdom, integrity and perseverance.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE ALBERT V. BRYAN UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 104-86)
This law designates the United States Courthouse in
Alexandria, Virginia, as the ``Albert V. Bryan United States
Courthouse''. Judge Albert V. Bryan is one of Virginia's most
distinguished jurists. He was appointed to the United States
District Court in 1947 by President Harry S. Truman and was
then appointed to the Court of Appeals by President John F.
Kennedy in 1961. Judge Bryan is most widely recognized for his
decisions regarding school desegregation. In fact, his efforts
toward the desegregation of Prince Edward County Schools were
included in the Supreme Court's landmark Brown v. Board of
Education decision. In his years on the Federal bench, Judge
Bryan earned a reputation as a legal conservative and strict
constructionist.
------
THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION TERMINATION ACT OF 1995
(Public Law 104-88)
This legislation substantially deregulates the rail and
motor carrier industries and abolishes the 108-year-old
Interstate Commerce Commission. The rail portions of the bill
eliminate obsolete rail provisions and transfer remaining
functions to a 3-member board (the Surface Transportation
Board) within the Department of Transportation. Provisions and
activities that are repealed or eliminated by this law include:
tariff filing, securities jurisdiction, minimum rate
regulation, State certification, the commodities clause,
recyclable commodities rate regime, and valuation jurisdiction.
Functions that are transferred to the Department of
Transportation include: maximum rate regulation, rail mergers
and consolidations, various intercarrier transactions,
abandonments, and labor protection.
The motor carrier provisions of the ICC Termination Act of
1995 eliminates some functions of the ICC and transfers most
remaining motor carrier regulatory oversight functions to the
Federal Highway Administration. The bill eliminates nearly all
tariff filings and rate regulation, Federal grants of operating
authority, Federal and State regulation for office and exhibit
moves, Federal resolution of routine commercial disputes, any
possibility of future undercharge claims, restrictions on
intermodal ownership, review of motor carrier mergers, State
regulation of transportation intermediaries and restrictions on
interlining between buses and rail carriers.
The Act broadens administrative exemption authority,
modifies the financial reporting requirement to permit carriers
to apply for an exemption from publication or filing of
confidential business information, eliminates regulation of
interstate bus routes and discontinuances, amends household
goods dispute resolution procedure, streamlines Federal
regulation of chemical pipelines and directs that registration
and insurance filings be merged into a single Federal
registration and insurance system to minimize filing
requirements. The Act also barred State taxation of interstate
bus tickets.
Motor carrier functions transferred to DOT will be carried
out with no increase in personnel or funding. The primary DOT
responsibility will be registration of motor carriers and the
establishment and enforcement of minimum financial
responsibility requirements. The other major function
transferred is maintenance of background industry commercial
rules (such as cargo loss and damage rules and leasing rules).
Subchapter II of chapter 135 of the Act transfers to the
Secretary of Transportation and the Surface Transportation
Board the jurisdiction of the ICC over water carrier
transportation. The jurisdiction was expanded to include port-
to-port water carrier transportation and transportation to the
U.S. territories that had been regulated by the Federal
Maritime Commission (FMC).
Title IV of the ICC Termination Act includes a requirement
for the Secretary of Transportation to complete a study of the
noncontiguous domestic trades within 6 months of enactment of
this Act to analyze the competition and rate structure in the
trades, the impact of tariff filing on the trades, the problems
of parallel pricing and its impact in the domestic trades,
whether additional protections are needed to protect shippers
from the abuse of market power, and whether additional
legislative changes are necessary.
------
AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF 501 FIRST STREET, S.E.
(Public Law 104-99)
This bill authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to sell
the parcel of real property located at 501 First Street, S.E.
This building, known as the House Annex Building, was acquired
by Congress in 1984. The Architect of the Capitol was to direct
the sale of the House Annex Building under the direction of the
House Office Building Commission at fair market value and
relocate current tenants to suitable space. Proceeds from the
sale are to be placed into the Treasury of the United States as
miscellaneous receipts with the moving costs of the Capitol
Child Care Center and the Architect of the Capitol Employees
currently located in the building to come from this account.
The marketing costs of the sale are limited to $75,000.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE DAVID J. WHEELER FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 104-101)
This law designates the Federal Building in Baker City,
Oregon, as the ``David J. Wheeler Federal Building''. David J.
Wheeler of Baker City, Oregon, was a civil engineer with the
United States Forest Service who lost his life while performing
his duties in the Payettee National Forest. On April 26, 1995,
Mr. Wheeler was on a work detail in the forest inspecting
bridges, a trip scheduled to last fewer than six weeks. While
inspecting a bridge at a guard station, he was murdered by two
boys who had walked away from a detention center. At the time
of his death, Mr. Wheeler was president-elect of the Baker City
Rotary Club; a leader in the United Methodist Church; coach at
the local YMCA; and a member of the Baker City County Community
Choir. In 1994, Mr. Wheeler had been selected by the Baker
County Chamber of Commerce as the Baker County Father of the
Year.
------
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1996
(Public Law 104-106)
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996
(Public Law 104-106) amends section 312 of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act to add a subsection to establish uniform
national standards for certain discharges from vessels of the
Armed Forces. This Act also amends section 120(h) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980 to allow the Federal government to lease
Federal property prior to completion of any necessary cleanup
of that property.
The legislation also contains several provisions to bring
Coast Guard personnel benefits and other matters into line with
those of the Department of Defense.
Illinois Land Conservation Act
Title XXIX of the Act contains the Illinois Land
Conservation Act, to establish the Midewin National Tallgrass
Prairie (MNP) near Joliet, Illinois, and to provide for the
disposal of certain real property at the Joliet Army Ammunition
Plant subject to the requirements of Superfund and other
environmental laws. Land transfers allow for establishment of
the MNP as well as the transfer of lands for economic
redevelopment, a National Veterans Cemetery, and a landfill.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE FRANK HAGEL FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 104-108)
This law designates the Social Security Administration's
Western Program Service Center in Richmond, California, as the
``Frank Hagel Federal Building''. Frank Hagel began his
government service as a file clerk with the Social Security
Administration in 1965. In 1986, he came to the Western Program
Service Center in Richmond, California, and was promoted to
Assistant Regional Commissioner for Processing Center
operations. After the 1991 Legionnaire's disease outbreak among
center staff, Mr. Hagel received his second Social Security
Commission's Citation. He was appointed the Assistant Regional
Commissioner for Management and Budget in 1994. Mr. Hagel
passed away on January 1, 1995.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE MAX ROSENN UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 104-112)
This law designates the U.S. Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre,
Pennsylvania, as the ``Max Rosenn United States Courthouse''.
Judge Rosenn began his long and distinguished career in public
service in 1941 as Assistant District Attorney for Luzerne
County, Pennsylvania. During World War II, he served in the
South Pacific as a member of the Judge Advocate General Corps.
Judge Rosenn served as a member of the State Welfare Board from
1964 to 1966 and was appointed by Governor Scranton to become
Secretary of Public Welfare. He was reappointed by Governor
Shafer and also served on the Governor's Commission to Revise
the Public Employee Laws, as Chairman of the Executive-
Legislative Task Force Restructure Human Delivery Services, and
on the Committee on Children and Youth for the 1970 White House
Conference. On October 7, 1970, Judge Rosenn was appointed to
the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
------
ANTITERRORISM AND EFFECTIVE DEATH PENALTY ACT OF 1996
(Public Law 104-132)
This law covers a variety of provisions to support
antiterrorism measures. Section 322 requires foreign airlines
to have a security program which provides the same level of
safety that is required of U.S. domestic airlines.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE JAMES LAWRENCE KING FEDERAL JUSTICE BUILDING
(Public Law 104-135)
This law designates the Federal Justice Building in Miami,
Florida as the ``James Lawrence King Federal Justice
Building''. James Lawrence King served as a United States
District Judge for the Panama Canal Zone and as Chief Judge. He
acted as an advocate for improved judicial administration, and
devoted countless hours to the improvement of our justice
system. He served on the Judicial Conference of the United
States and as the Chairman of the Conference's Implementation
Committee on Admission of Attorneys to Federal Practice. He
also served as a member of the Conferences' Judicial Ethics
Committee, a member of the Judicial Counsel of the Eleventh
Circuit Administrative Conference, and as a member of the Long
Range Planning Committee for the Federal Judiciary.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE THOMAS D. LAMBROS FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES
COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 104-136)
This law designates the Federal Building and United States
Courthouse located in Youngstown, Ohio, as the ``Thomas D.
Lambros Federal Building and United States Courthouse''. In
1960, Mr. Lambros was elected Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas in Ohio's Ashtabula County. President Lyndon B. Johnson
nominated him to preside on the U.S. District Court in the
Northern District of Ohio. Judge Lambros was responsible for
many important reforms, such as the voluntary public defender
program to provide indigent criminals with free counsel. His
work in this area preceded the Supreme Court's landmark Gideon
v. Wainwright decision, assuring free counsel to indigent
criminal defendants. Judge Lambros was appointed Chief Judge in
the Northern District of Ohio in 1990. He retired in 1995.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE JUDGE ISAAC C. PARKER FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 104-137)
This law designates the United States Post Office-
Courthouse in Fort Smith, Arkansas as the ``Judge Isaac C.
Parker Federal Building''. Judge Parker is a legendary figure
in Arkansas and the surrounding States. In 1875 after his
retirement from Congress, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed
Judge Parker Chief Justice of the Utah territory. He later
resigned and accepted an appointment as Judge of the United
States Court for the Western District of Arkansas. When he
assumed office, Judge Parker dedicated himself to the
reestablishment of the court as a power in the land. It was a
court of no vacations, except for Sundays and Christmas. He
disposed of 13,500 cases, of which 12,000 were criminal. 8,600
resulted in convictions either by jury trials or guilty pleas.
He held this position for 21 years until his death in November
of 1896.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE TIMOTHY C. McCAGHREN CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
(Public Law 104-138)
This law designates the United States Customs
Administration Building in El Paso, Texas, as the ``Timothy C.
McCaghren Customs Administration Building''. Timothy McCaghren
was one of the top narcotics interdiction officers at the
Yselta Port of Entry in El Paso. On February 19, 1990, Officer
McCaghren attempted to stop a van at the port. The driver of
the van accelerated through the border crossing, dragging
Officer McCaghren until he was flung from the vehicle. Officer
McCaghren died the following day from head injuries sustained
in the incident. Reportedly, with every seizure he made,
Officer McCaghren was known to comment ``That's one load that
won't reach my kids.'' This is a fitting tribute and memorial
to Officer McCaghren and his devoted service to his family,
community and country.
------
TO REDESIGNATE THE VINCENT E. McKELVEY FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 104-139)
This law redesignates the Federal Building in Menlo Park,
California, known as the Earth Sciences and Library Building,
as the ``Vincent E. McKelvey Federal Building''. Vincent E.
McKelvey was a distinguished American geologist and the ninth
Director of the United States Geological Survey. He was an
internationally recognized scientist in his field and received
numerous honors for his contributions to the geological
sciences, including the naming of a 7,000 foot high peak in
Antarctica in his honor. During his tenure as director of the
USGS, he oversaw its transformation from a war time uranium
research team to a highly effective mapping and research
agency, which provides early warning for natural disasters,
assists local authorities in land surveys and helps save lives.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE E. BARRETT PRETTYMAN UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 104-151)
This law designates the United State Courthouse in
Washington, D.C., as the ``E. Barrett Prettyman United States
Courthouse''. E. Barrett Prettyman served on the Federal Bench
for 26 years. He was first appointed in 1945 and then sat as
Chief Judge of the U.S. Circuit Court from 1953 to 1960. Judge
Prettyman also served as chairman of the Judicial Conference.
As a jurist, his most notable decision came when he ruled that
the State Department has the right to bar travel by U.S.
citizens to certain areas. He was also a strong advocate of
providing legal assistance to the indigent, establishing a
program at Georgetown University to train attorneys to better
assist indigent clients. Judge Prettyman passed away August 4,
1971.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE BILL EMERSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE
(Public Law 104-154)
This Act names the bridge crossing the Mississippi River
between Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and East Girardeau, Illinois,
on Missouri Highway 74, as the ``Bill Emerson Memorial
Bridge.'' Bill Emerson, a Congressman who represented the 8th
District in southeastern Missouri for many years, died in 1996
after a long bout with cancer. He was a longtime member of the
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, one of whose top
transportation priorities was the reconstruction of the Cape
Girardeau Bridge.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE WILLIAM J. NEALON UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 104-160)
This law designates the United States Courthouse to be
constructed in Scranton, Pennsylvania, as the ``William J.
Nealon United States Courthouse''. Judge Nealon was first
appointed to the bench as Judge of the Lackawanna County Court
of Common Pleas in January 1960. In 1962, President John F.
Kennedy appointed him the United States District Judge for the
Middle District of Pennsylvania, making him the youngest
Federal judge in the country. He has been a member of the
Federal Bench for 33 years, the longest tenure ever for a judge
in the Middle District. He currently serves as a Senior Judge.
Judge Nealon has received numerous awards including being named
the ``Most Outstanding Federal Judge in the United States'' by
the American Trial Lawyers Association.
------
SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1996
(Public Law 104-182)
This law reauthorizes and amends the Safe Drinking Water
Act of 1974. Major provisions affecting the jurisdiction of the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure include
establishment of a new $9.6 billion drinking water State
Revolving Loan Fund (SRF), modeled on the SRF established under
the Clean Water Act; establishment of a $350 million program
for grants for water infrastructure and watershed protection;
infrastructure grants for hardship communities and for Alaska
and the ``colonias'' along the U.S.-Mexico border; programs for
source water protection and ground water protection;
modernization of, and authority to transfer from Federal
ownership, the Washington Aqueduct facilities of the Corps of
Engineers; and authority to transfer a percentage of funds
between the drinking water SRF and the Clean Water Act SRF. The
law also includes various regulatory reforms, reporting and
consumer protection requirements, and scientific research
provisions to protect the Nation's public water supplies.
------
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997
(Public Law 104-201)
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997
amends section 3(c) of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships,
which is the implementing legislation for Annex V to the
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships, to allow Navy vessels to discharge certain non-plastic,
nonfloatable solid wastes, where the Secretary of the Navy
determines that the vessel has a unique military design and
that full compliance with Annex V is not technologically
feasible or would impair the operation or operational
capability of the ship.
This Act also amends the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Section
120(d) provides the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency with the authority under section 105 of
CERCLA to defer listing a Federal facility on the National
Priorities List if the site is being cleaned up under other
law. Section 120(h)(3) allows the Federal government to
transfer Federal property prior to completion of a required
response action necessary to protect human health and the
environment, if the property is suitable for the use intended
by the transferee, if the use is consistent with the protection
of human health and the environment, the deed or other
agreement governing the transfer contains the response action
assurances specified in this section, if public notice is
provided, and the deferral and transfer will not substantially
delay cleanup. Section 120(h)(4)(A) clarifies that Federal
property is not considered contaminated if hazardous substances
were merely stored on the property, without any release to the
environment.
This Act also requires the Navy to develop and implement,
and EPA to pay for, a program to monitor the concentrations of
organotin in coastal waters.
Other provisions address preparedness regarding certain
emergencies and include roles for the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA).
This legislation also contains several provisions to bring
Coast Guard personnel benefits and other matters into line with
those of the Department of Defense. In addition, the Act
includes a requirement that the Secretary of Transportation
certify that all funds transferred from the Secretary of
Defense to the Coast Guard are used for national defense
purposes.
------
OMNIBUS CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997
(Public Law 104-208)
The Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act includes an
amendment to the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to clarify when
lenders and fiduciaries may be held liable under section 107 of
CERCLA for the cleanup of contaminated property.
Hopewell Township Land Conveyance
Section 410 of the Treasury-Postal Appropriations section
provides for the conveyance of certain lands and improvements
in Hopewell, Township, Pennsylvania, to a non-profit
organization known as the ``Beaver County Corporation for
Economic Development'' to provide for economic development. The
bill requires that the General Services Administration transfer
this land designated as surplus in 1993 at no cost. The goal of
the land transfer is to utilize this property as the
centerpiece of a Hopewell Aliquippa Airport Industrial Park and
thereby promote economic development and create needed jobs for
the people of Hopewell Township.
superfund liability
Title II of Division A of the Omnibus Consolidated
Appropriations bill includes the ``Economic Growth and
Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996,'' a banking
regulatory reform bill. Subtitle E of the banking bill consists
of the `Asset Conservation, Lender Liability, and Deposit
Insurance Protection Act of 1996.' This Act amends the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to clarify when lenders and
fiduciaries may be held liable under section 107 of CERCLA for
the cleanup of contaminated property.
CALIFORNIA BAY-DELTA ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT
Division E includes provisions to support the California-
Federal Bay-Delta Program in developing, funding, and
implementing solutions to problems regarding ecosystem quality,
water quality, water supply and reliability, and system
vulnerability affecting the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta Watershed in California.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE MARK O. HATFIELD UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 104-221)
This legislation designates the United States Courthouse
under construction at 1030 Southwest 3rd Avenue, Portland,
Oregon, as the ``Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse''.
Senator Mark O. Hatfield was born on July 12, 1922, in Dallas,
Oregon. Senator Hatfield is a dedicated public servant, who
began his career with a tour of duty in World War II as a Navy
Lieutenant, j.g. He served in the Oregon Legislature, both
House and Senate. He became the youngest Secretary of State in
Oregon history, and in 1958 was elected Governor.
In 1966, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served
with distinction for 30 years. Senator Hatfield is known for
his work on international human rights and environmental issues
as well as his leadership as Chairman of the Senate
Appropriations Committee.
------
TO AUTHORIZE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NATIONAL AIR
AND SPACE MUSEUM DULLES CENTER AT WASHINGTON DULLES INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
(Public Law 104-222)
The legislation authorizes the Board of Regents of the
Smithsonian Institution to construct an extension to the air
and space museum on a 185 acre site at Dulles Airport. The new
facility will house airplanes, spacecraft, and related
aeronautical artifacts currently stored outdoors or at the
Garber facility in suburban Maryland. The extension will also
provide a restoration facility capable of handling large
aircraft such as the Enola Gay B-29 bomber. No federally
appropriated funds will be used to pay for the construction and
the Commonwealth of Virginia will provide infrastructure
support with funding, loans, and a bond issue. The Smithsonian
is responsible for raising funds from the private sector for
its share of the construction project.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE VEACH-BALEY FEDERAL COMPLEX
(Public Law 104-225)
This legislation designates the Federal building located at
the corner of Patton Avenue and Otis Street, and the U.S.
courthouse located on Otis Street, in Asheville, North
Carolina, as the ``Veach-Baley Federal Complex''. Veach-Baley
is a combination of the names of two distinguished men from
western North Carolina who committed their lives to public
service: John B. ``Jack'' Veach and Judge James M. ``Jim''
Baley, Jr. Jack Veach was a pioneer in North Carolina's timber
industry, and a community leader who served as Chairman of the
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County. He also was co-
founder and Chairman of Western Carolina Bank and a past
director of Carolina Power and Light Company. Judge Jim Baley
was a lawyer, State Representative, a naval officer, U.S.
Attorney and Judge to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He
also served as Special Judge for the Superior Court. Judge
Baley was active in church and civic activities. He was a
deacon in his church, President of the Asheville Civitan Club,
and a member of the Daniel Boone Council of the Boy Scouts.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE SAMMY L. DAVIS FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 104-228)
This bill designates the Federal Building in Overland,
Missouri, as the ``Sammy L. Davis Federal Building''. In 1966,
Sammy Davis enlisted in the United States Army and was
stationed in Viet Nam with the ninth Infantry Division. In
November 1967, Private First Class Davis distinguished himself
above and beyond the call of duty. At a remote fire support
base west of Cai Lay, PFC Davis' position came under heavy
attack. During a direct enemy assault, his gun crew was killed.
Sammy Davis took up ranks behind the gun and began returning
fire himself. After surviving several more attacks and
sustaining injuries, PFC Davis crossed the river on an air
mattress to rescue three wounded comrades. After returning to
the base, he refused medical attention and joined another
Howitzer crew continuing its assault on the enemy. For his
gallantry, PFC Davis received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Today, Sammy L. Davis travels the country speaking extensively
on the plight of POW's, Agent Orange and other veterans'
issues.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE ROMAN L. HRUSKA UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 104-229)
This bill designates the United States Courthouse to be
constructed in Omaha, Nebraska, as the ``Roman L. Hruska United
States Courthouse''. Roman L. Hruska began his career in public
service as a member and then Chairman of the Douglas County
Board of Commissioners. In 1952, he was elected to serve in the
United States House of Representatives. After serving 1 year in
the House Chamber, he was elected to fill a vacancy in the U.S.
Senate where he served from 1954 until his retirement in 1976.
Senator Hruska rose to prominence as the Ranking Republican
member of the Judiciary Committee. In that position he took
part in the review of over 300 appointments to the Federal
Bench. He remained active in local civic affairs.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE SAM M. GIBBONS UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 104-230)
This law designates the United States Courthouse in Tampa,
Florida, as the ``Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse''.
After graduating from the University of Florida in 1941, Mr.
Gibbons enlisted in the United States Army, where he earned a
bronze star for his role as part of the initial assault force
on D-Day. He began his career in public service in 1952 as a
member of the Florida House of Representatives and was elected
to the United States House of Representatives in 1962.
Congressman Gibbons served 17 consecutive terms in Congress
until his retirement in 1996. In 1994, he was appointed acting
Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. During the 104th
Congress he served as ranking Democrat on that Committee.
Through his 34 years of service to Congress, Sam Gibbons has
conducted himself with dignity and earned the respect of those
who served with him. This law was amended to include an
effective date of January 3, 1997, to correspond with
Congressman Gibbon's retirement from Congress.
------
RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1996
(Public Law 104-251)
This law amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to
increase the daily unemployment benefits for railroad workers
from $36 to $42 and reduces the waiting period before benefits
begin to accrue from 14 days to 7 days.
------
FEDERAL AVIATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1996
(Public Law 104-264)
This law is an omnibus aviation bill dealing with numerous
issues including FAA reauthorization, FAA reform, aviation
security, aviation safety, pilot record sharing, child pilot
safety, family disaster assistance, airport revenue protection,
and the Metropolitan Washington Airports issue (P.L. 104-264).
The bill authorizes three of FAA's four accounts for 2
years. The total authorization amount is $19.5 billion for 2
years. The following table shows the funding levels by account.
FAA AUTHORIZED LEVELS FOR 1997 AND 1998
(dollars in billions)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations...................... 5.158............. 5.344
Facilities and Equipment........ 2.068............. 2.129
Airport Improvement Program..... 2.28.............. 2.347
Research, Engineering, and 0.208............. ----
Development.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................... 9.714............. 9.820
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Research, Engineering, and Development (RE&D) account
is the jurisdiction of the House Science Committee. That
Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee chose to reauthorize RE&D for only 1 year.
The bill also simplifies the Airport Improvement Program
(AIP) grant formula for 2 years. The new formula assures that
Letters of Intent (LOIs) are funded, but the discretionary fund
will be $300 million in 1997 instead of the $325 million
previously guaranteed. This allows airport entitlement grants
to increase in 1997 because FAA will no longer need to reduce
entitlement grants to pay for the discretionary grants.
The law also establishes an airport privatization pilot
program. Five airports may volunteer to enter into long-term
leases or privatization contracts. The program is limited to
one large airport and three medium, small, or non-hub airports
that can enter long-term leases and one general aviation
airport that can enter either a long-term lease or a sale
agreement. An airport's application for this program has to be
approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and by a
supra-majority of airlines operating at the airport. This
program is an attempt to allow private funds to supplement the
growth of airports since it appears that both local and federal
funds for airport growth do not satisfy the current needs of
airports. The program will be audited by the Secretary of
Transportation.
Various safety issues were dealt with in this law including
eliminating FAA's current dual mandate to both regulate and
promote civil aviation. The law reforms FAA by making FAA more
independent of DOT and by assuring that the new procurement and
personnel laws are working effectively. Under the law, FAA
needs DOT approval only on regulations that impose more than
$100 million per year in cost. Less expensive regulations can
be approved by FAA without DOT interference. The law also
establishes a Management Advisory Council with representatives
from the aviation industry to advise the FAA Administrator on
how to improve FAA. This law establishes the National Civil
Aviation Review Commission, which will study various FAA
funding and safety issues. FAA's needs; the benefits of taking
the Aviation Trust Fund off-budget; the establishment of user
fees; and aviation safety issues will be some of the issue
reviewed.
Antiterrorism
The law incorporates many security provisions passed by the
House shortly before the August 1996 recess including requiring
criminal history background checks for the people who screen
carry-on luggage at airports. The effectiveness of weapon and
explosive detection systems will be studied including the
effectiveness of bomb sniffing dogs as a result of this law.
The law also requires the FAA Administrator to certify
companies providing security screening services and to improve
the training and testing of screeners by establishing uniform
performance standards for the screeners.
airline pilot hiring and safety act
The law also requires that airlines must request and
receive the performance records of pilots they are interested
in hiring. Currently, airlines do not share the records of
pilots. Although the vast majority of pilots are excellent,
pilots whose performance may present a safety problem need to
be weeded out. This law will protect the public from pilots
with questionable performance records.
child pilot safety act
The law also includes the Child Pilot Safety Act passed by
the House in July. In the spring of 1996, we all witnessed the
aircraft wreckage after 7-year old Jessica Dubroff tried and
failed to set a world record by becoming the youngest person to
fly across the country. The law forbids a flight instructor
from allowing someone without a pilot's licence to attempt to
set a record or engage in aeronautical feats. Since one must be
16 years old to hold a pilots licence, and anyone without a
pilot's licence has to fly with a certified flight instructor,
this will ensure that children cannot be used to set records.
aviation disaster family assistance act
The law incorporates the bill to assist families of
passengers involved in aircraft accidents. The law requires the
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to be responsible
for acting as a point of contact within the Federal Government
for the families of passengers involved in the accident. After
a major accident, NTSB will designate an independent non-profit
agency, such as the American Red Cross, to have primary
responsibility for coordinating the emotional care and support
of the families of passengers involved in the accident. The law
requires that airlines provide the passenger manifest with the
best available information to the non-profit organization
designated for the accident, if requested. The non-profit
organization can use the passenger manifest to help family
members with information about their loved ones. The law
requires airlines to submit plans to DOT to address the needs
of families of passengers involved in an airline accident. In
addition, the bill establishes a task force to develop
guidelines for such plans. The law also prohibits unsolicited
communication from lawyers to families of victims or passengers
who were injured in an accident until 30 days after the
accident.
metropolitan washington airports amendments act
The law also dealt with issues surrounding the Metropolitan
Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). The law terminates the
Board of Review, but increases the Board of Directors from 11
to 13 by increasing the Presidentially appointed members from 1
to 3. The law also guarantees that the Dulles Airport Access
Highway remains dedicated for use to Dulles Airport. Congress
will have to revisit this issue by October 1, 2001, when the
FAA will no longer be able to issue Airport Grants or approve
new Passenger Facility Charges for MWAA. Congress has more
involvement with the Washington airports because National and
Dulles are the only Federally owned commercial airports in the
country.
Finally, the law includes some miscellaneous provisions,
including an amendment to restore the legal standards for
coverage under the Railway Labor Act which existed prior to the
enactment of the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination
Act.
------
TO DESIGNATE THE L. CLURE MORTON UNITED STATES POST OFFICE AND
COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 104-277)
This law designates the United States Post Office in
Cookeville, Tennessee, as the ``L. Clure Morton United States
Post Office and Courthouse''. Judge Morton began his career
with the government as an agent with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation from 1941 to 1945. In 1970, Judge Morton was
appointed U.S. District Judge by President Richard M. Nixon. He
was elevated to Chief Judge in 1977 and took Senior Status in
1984. Judge Morton is best remembered for his decision ordering
the massive cross-town busing in Nashville which led to the
desegregation of the Nashville public school system. During his
tenure on the bench, Judge Morton also ordered sweeping reforms
in the Tennessee State prison, and welfare and health systems.
------
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD AMENDMENTS OF 1996
(Public Law 104-291)
This law reauthorizes the National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB) for 3 years with funding levels of $42.407 million
in 1997, $44.46 million for 1998, and $45.04 million for 1999.
The law also makes several legislative changes which were
originally requested by NTSB including: (1) permitting NTSB to
withhold foreign accident information which will promote
cooperation with foreign aviation safety authorities and
improve NTSB's ability to make safety recommendations regarding
information from foreign aviation accidents; (2) permitting
NTSB to withhold voluntarily-provided safety information
allowing NTSB to review safety information that previously the
airlines would not share with NTSB for fear that the government
would release it; and (3) allowing NTSB to conduct accident
investigation classes and charge non-NTSB employees who attend,
thereby recouping some of its costs.
------
WATER DESALINATION ACT OF 1996
(Public Law 104-298)
The Water Desalination Act of 1996 authorizes the Secretary
of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of the Army
and other Federal agencies, to carry out various projects,
programs, and activities regarding water desalination and
reuse.
------
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1996
(Public Law 104-303)
The Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (WRDA)
authorizes water resources development and conservation
projects of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. It also modifies
Corps water projects and policies and modifies the agency's
water resources programs. The WRDA reflects a continuing
Federal commitment to water infrastructure maintenance and
development, responds to initiatives to update water policies,
and takes advantage of opportunities to strengthen the Corps'
role in protecting and restoring the Nation's aquatic
environment. It also resumes the biennial authorization of
Corps water resources programs and projects. It authorizes
approximately $3.8 billion in Federal appropriations for water
resources projects and programs. The total estimated cost
(Federal and non-Federal) is $5.4 billion.
Title I of the bill authorizes 31 projects which have
received final reports of the Chief of Engineers. To address
projects for which reports were nearly complete, it authorizes
an additional 13 projects subject to the completion of a final
Chief of Engineers' report by not later than December 31, 1996.
Title I also directs the Secretary of the Army to study and, if
feasible, carry out projects for flood control, navigation,
stream bank stabilization, shoreline protection, snagging,
clearing and sediment removal, and improvement of the
environment under the Corps of Engineers' ``continuing
authorities'' program.
Title II contains provisions that are generally applicable
to Corps of Engineers projects and policies. Among the more
significant provisions are changes to cost-sharing requirements
and procedures applicable to the development and implementation
of flood control projects. The minimum non-Federal share for
such projects is raised from 25 percent to 35 percent,
applicable to projects authorized after WRDA '96 and to
continuing authority projects where project approval occurs
after enactment of this Act. Procedures relating to the non-
Federal sponsor's ``ability to pay'' are also revised, as are
requirements for floodplain management plans. In both
instances, the changes are designed to respond to the evolving
needs of non-Federal interests in the reduction of damages
resulting from flooding. Title II also modifies the cost
sharing applicable to dredged material disposal areas
associated with navigation projects. The non-Federal share will
be the same for all methods of disposal, regardless of whether
the dredged material is placed in open water or in containment
areas on-shore or near-shore. Title II also modifies or creates
``environmental'' authorities for the Corps. For example, it
broadens authority given to the Corps in section 1135 of WRDA
'86 to modify Corps projects to restore environmental quality,
thus allowing the Corps to undertake measures where benefits
may accrue off project lands. It also creates a new
``continuing authority'' for the Corps by authorizing
$25,000,000 annually for cost-effective projects to improve the
quality of the environment, provided the Federal cost for
individual projects does not exceed $5,000,000. Title II also
creates a new national dam safety program to facilitate
improvements in the design and operation of dams. This program
consolidates within the Federal Emergency Management Agency the
lead role in coordinating Federal dam safety efforts and in
providing incentives to States for the effective implementation
of State programs. Title II addresses numerous other policies
relating to water resources programs of the Corps, including
provisions restating Congressional support of, and the Federal
interest in, the Corps role in shoreline protection, assuring
fairness to non-Federal sponsors in the cost sharing of
feasibility studies, facilitating construction of flood control
projects by non-Federal interests, privatizing the Federal
hopper dredge fleet, and strengthening current requirements for
removing obstructions to navigation.
Title III contains provisions relating to previously
authorized projects. It modifies projects to reflect changed
physical, economic and environmental conditions at project
sites, changing local priorities, and increased project costs.
It also reauthorizes several projects that were previously
deauthorized but for which local support has returned. In
addition, several projects or portions of projects are
deauthorized to accommodate local desires.
Title IV authorizes various studies of potential water
resources projects and requires several reviews of Corps
policies and capabilities. Although most Corps studies of
potential water resources projects are authorized by Committee
resolution, the nature and scope of most of these study
proposals are beyond that which could be authorized in this
manner.
Title V contains provisions responding to miscellaneous
water resources issues and problems within the Corps program.
It allows for conveyances of unneeded parcels at existing Corps
projects to local entities; changes the names of selected Corps
projects or project features; addresses unique site-specific
water resources problems; requires the conditional Federal
assumption of maintenance of locally constructed navigation
channels; reaffirms the Corps responsibility in periodically
maintaining beach projects; addresses regional environmental
issues, such as the restoration and protection of the
Chesapeake Bay, the Great Lakes, and the New York City
watershed; establishes a major new program to restore the
Everglades ecosystem; and creates a new authority to address
water resource issues on a watershed basis.
Title VI makes a conforming amendment to the Internal
Revenue Code to accompany the changes made to the cost-sharing
requirements for dredged material disposal for navigation
projects.
------
ACCOUNTABLE PIPELINE SAFETY AND PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 1996
(Public Law 104-304)
The Act reauthorizes the pipeline safety program for fiscal
years 1996 through 2000. A total of $103.841 million is
authorized for hazardous liquid and gas pipeline programs, and
$71 million is authorized for the State grant program. Most of
the funding is provided through industry user fees.
The bill incorporates risk assessment and cost-benefit
analysis in the setting of new pipeline safety standards, based
on current Office of Pipeline Safety practices in accordance
with the recent Executive Order regarding cost-benefit
analysis. In order to focus resources on the greatest risks,
the bill establishes a risk management demonstration program
whereby pipeline operators may be exempted from any or all
safety requirements if the operator submits, and DOT approves,
a safety plan which will achieve a level of safety equal to, or
greater than, that which would be achieved through following
the regulations. The Secretary may revoke any exemption for
substantial noncompliance or in the case of emergencies. The
bill also expands criminal penalties to persons who damage
pipelines and do not report the damage, removes the requirement
that every pipeline be inspected every 2 years (leaving it in
the discretion of the Secretary), and makes a series of minor
and technical changes and corrections.
------
COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1996
(Public Law 104-324)
The primary purpose of this legislation is to authorize the
expenditures of the U.S. Coast Guard for fiscal years 1996 and
1997. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996 authorizes the
portion of the Coast Guard budget that requires an
authorization at the level of $3.9 billion in fiscal year 1997,
as requested by the President.
Title I of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996
authorizes Coast Guard appropriations, active-duty military
strengths, and military training student loads for fiscal years
1996 and 1997. Title I also requires the Coast Guard to submit
quarterly reports to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure in the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the
Senate concerning the level of expenditures on illegal drug
interdiction. These reports will allow Congress to ensure that
resources are not diverted from this vital mission to support
other Coast Guard functions.
Title II contains many provisions related to internal Coast
Guard management matters, including personnel management,
recruiting, and Coast Guard housing.
Title III includes various amendments concerning marine
safety and waterways services management. This title extends
the charter of several important maritime advisory groups,
authorizes electronic filing of commercial instruments with the
Secretary of Transportation, establishes or increases civil
penalties for violations of certain maritime laws, requires
emergency locating devices on vessels operating on the Great
Lakes, provides guidelines for future closures of Coast Guard
small boat stations, prohibits the repair of Coast Guard
vessels in foreign shipyards, and limits the use of Coast Guard
casualty investigations in civil litigation.
Title IV contains amendments to allow the U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary, a 36,000 member voluntary organization, to provide
greater assistance to the Coast Guard and the boating public.
This provision clarifies the organization, legal status, and
mission of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
DEEPWATER PORT MODERNIZATION ACT
Title V which will promote greater construction and use of
deepwater ports by improving the statutory and regulatory
framework under which deepwater ports operate. Since the
Deepwater Port Act of 1974 was enacted, only one deepwater port
has been licensed, the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), off
the coast of Louisiana. The Secretary of Transportation's 1993
Deepwater Ports study reported that deepwater ports are the
least environmentally risky of the four modes of delivering oil
to the United States. This provision reduces unnecessary
government regulation and will increase the use of LOOP, while
encouraging the future development of deepwater ports in other
areas off our Nation's coasts.
Coast Guard Regulatory Reform Act
Title VI implements the new international convention
entitled the ``International Safety Management Code'' and
establishes U.S. ship construction and operational standards
that are comparable to international standards. These
provisions will allow the U.S. maritime industry to be more
competitive with foreign ocean carriers, and increase the size
of the U.S.-flag fleet.
Title VII contains various technical and conforming
amendments related to implementation of international tonnage
measurement (ITC) requirements and other matters, to allow the
Coast Guard to use ITC tonnage measurements for the application
of various U.S. laws instead of the old regulatory tonnage
system used by the Coast Guard.
Title VIII contains additional requirements related to
prevention of plastics pollution from ships, including new
requirements for inspections of port or terminal reception
facilities and the establishment of a marine debris
coordinating committee to provide a forum to coordinate
national and international research, monitoring, education, and
regulatory actions addressing problems associated with marine
debris.
Title IX contains several amendments concerning towing
vessel safety. These amendments include requirements that the
Secretary of Transportation issue regulations requiring single-
hull, non-self-propelled tank vessels and towing vessels to
have additional protections against oil spills following the
grounding of the vessel and allowing the Secretary to require
fire suppression devices aboard towing vessels. Title IX also
requires the Secretary of Transportation to perform several
studies involving oil pollution.
Title X contains conveyances of Coast Guard lighthouses and
other excess property to various organizations.
Title XI contains several common-sense amendments to the
Oil Pollution Act of 1990. These amendments relieve thousands
of marina owners from the burden of securing $150 million in
oil spill liability insurance. Most marina owners are small
``mom and pop'' businesses which would be forced out of
business without this change in the law. The provision also
provides important insurance relief for oil refineries,
pipelines, and traditional offshore oil facilities from
unnecessary and burdensome insurance requirements. The
legislation reduces the financial responsibility required for
traditional offshore facilities to $35 million, with the
authority for the President to increase that amount if he
determines that the risks require such a result. The provision
also amends the authority for an oil spill claimant to proceed
directly against an oil spill insurer to allow ``direct
action'' only in cases in which the claimant is the Federal
government, or when the offshore facility owner is insolvent or
bankrupt.
Title XI includes limited double hull exemptions for
certain vessels carrying refined oil in some parts of Alaska;
eliminates several trust requirements for mortgagees of U.S.-
flag vessels; eliminates the U.S. stock ownership requirement
for leasing companies financing U.S.-flag vessels engaged in
the coastwise trade; provides authority for the Secretary of
Transportation to establish manning requirements for oil spill
response vessels; includes amendments to the Johnson Act
affecting gambling aboard vessels in California, Indiana, and
Alaska; provides authority to charge certain Coast Guard user
fees for services to foreign passenger vessels; provides a cap
on Coast Guard user fees for the inspection of certain small
passenger vessels; includes new vessel financing provisions to
allow greater foreign investment in the U.S.-flag fleet;
eliminates certain towing vessel manning and watch requirements
for the Great Lakes; repeals the requirement for vessels to
obtain a Great Lakes endorsement; authorizes eight U.S.-flag
vessels to be placed under foreign registry; provides the
authority to use foreign flag oil spill response vessels under
emergency circumstances; and authorizes ``Jones Act'' waivers
(exemptions from the coastwise trading laws) for approximately
140 vessels.
Title XI contains authority for vessel mortgagees to use
extrajudicial remedies to enforce preferred mortgage liens or
the outstanding indebtedness secured by the mortgaged vessel;
amendments to maritime law involving liability of cruise vessel
operators in certain circumstances; a sense of the Congress
resolution regarding Coast Guard regulations differentiating
between petroleum oils and vegetable oils; a requirement for
the Secretary of Transportation to submit a plan and cost
estimate to the relevant Congressional Committees for the
engineering, design, and retrofitting of the Coast Guard
icebreaker MACKINAW; ``cross-border'' financing authority for
owners of U.S.-flag vessels; authority for the Secretary of
Transportation to issue certificates of inspection for certain
vessels currently under foreign registry; additional law
enforcement authority for the Coast Guard against vessels
suspected of drug smuggling on the high seas; amendments to the
Title XI loan guarantee program administered by the Maritime
Administration to provide for reactivation of certain U.S.
shipyards; and amendments to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
regarding interim payments for oil spill damages, compliance
with oil spill response plans, and information on scientists
with oil spill expertise.
------
NATIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES ACT OF 1996
(Public Law 104-332)
The National Invasive Species Act of 1996 reauthorizes and
amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and
Control Act of 1990 (NANPCA). NANPCA established a program for
preventing, researching, monitoring and controlling
infestations of nonindigenous aquatic species as well as set up
the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to develop and oversee
the program. It also created the Great Lakes Aquatic Nuisance
Species Panel to help coordinate Federal, State, local and
private efforts concerning nonindigenous species within the
Great Lakes basin. NANPCA required the Coast Guard to establish
voluntary ballast water exchange guidelines for the Great Lakes
which later became mandatory.
Public Law 104-332 reauthorizes the NANPCA through the year
2002 and amends NANPCA to establish a national ballast water
management program to address concerns about the unintentional
introductions of aquatic nuisance species in many parts of the
country. Currently, the exchange of ballast water on the high
seas is the primary method to prevent the introduction of alien
species into U.S. waters. Under this Act, the Coast Guard must
establish voluntary ballast water exchange guidelines which may
become mandatory for certain vessels throughout the United
States.
------
OMNIBUS PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1996
(Public Law 104-333)
TRANSFER OF FEDERAL PROPERTY FOR JAPANESE-AMERICAN PATRIOTISM MEMORIAL
Section 514 of this bill transfers parcels of land from the
Architect of the Capitol to the Interior Department, from the
Interior Department to the Architect of the Capitol and from
the Federal Government to the District of Columbia for the
purpose of setting aside land suitable for the proposed
memorial to honor Japanese-American patriotism during World War
II. It also clarifies the jurisdiction of property near the
Capitol Grounds. The proposed memorial was authorized in 1992
by H.J.Res. 271. There are two parcels of land to be
transferred from the Architect of the Capitol to the Interior
Department. The first, slated for the proposed memorial, is
31,775 square feet and is located at the intersection of New
Jersey Avenue, Louisiana Avenue and D Street, N.W. The other
parcel is 11,550 square feet and is bounded by Louisiana Avenue
and D Street, N.W. This parcel will be set aside for future use
for a memorial. The land transfer to the District is a portion
of New Jersey Avenue adjacent to the memorial. The land to be
transferred to the Architect of the Capitol from the Interior
Department is land adjacent to, and south of, the Hart Senate
Office Building.
CALIFORNIA BAY-DELTA ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT
The provisions of the California Bay-Delta Enhancement and
Water Security Act were incorporated into Public Law 104-208,
the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations for fiscal year 1997.
Title XI of this Act authorizes $429,900,000 for fiscal years
1998 through 2000 for Federal activities and support of the
program.
COMMITTEE VIEWS AND ESTIMATES REPORTS
Pursuant to section 310(d) of the Congressional Budget Act,
the Committee submitted its Views and Estimates Reports to the
Committee on the Budget for fiscal years 1996 and 1997 on March
1, 1995, and February 25, 1994, respectively.
These reports, intended to provide the Budget Committee
with an early and comprehensive indication of Committee
legislation plans for the next fiscal year, contained the views
and estimates of new budget authority and outlays to be
authorized in legislation under the Committee's jurisdiction
which would become effective during the next fiscal year.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
Taking Transportation Trust Funds Off-Budget
The Committee's top legislative priority was taking the
four transportation trust funds off-budget. This legislation
fulfills a promise made by Congress when it levied user fees on
transportation and dedicated these fees for an intended
purpose--transportation and not to mask the size of the
deficit.
H.R. 842, the Truth in budgeting Act, was ordered reported
by the Full Committee by unanimous voice vote on May 3, 1995.
The legislation eventually had 226 cosponsors, including every
member of the Committee and passed the House on April 17, 1996,
by a 284-143 vote.
The legislation takes off-budget four self-financed trust
funds: the Highway Trust Fund, the Airport and Airways Trust
Fund, the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, and the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund. Under the current budget process,
spending out of these four trust funds is held down to mask the
size of the general fund deficit. Currently, the accumulated
cash balances from all four trust funds is over $30 billion.
Taking the transportation trust funds off-budget restores
faith with the taxpayers. The transportation taxes that go into
the trust funds were levied on the express promise that they
would be used only for transportation purposes. Under the law,
amounts in these trust funds cannot be used for anything else.
In addition, the law provides that interest on the amounts in
the trust funds will be credited to and become part of the
trust funds. While these funds cannot be used for other
purposes, if spending is held down under the unified budget,
the general fund deficit will appear to be smaller. H.R. 842
treats these trust funds from a budget standpoint as they were
intended to be treated when the taxes were enacted.
On March 10, 1995, the Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation held a hearing on H.R. 842 and heard testimony
from Members of Congress and outside witnesses. In addition to
testimony on the size of the withheld balances, witnesses
described the high level of transportation needs waiting to be
funded and the link between transportation investments and
improved productivity and economic growth.
Streamlining and Improving Efficiency of Transportation and
Infrastructure Programs
On January 31, 1995, the Committee held a hearing to
identify opportunities for streamlining and improving
efficiency of transportation and infrastructure programs.
Testimony was received from a panel of governors, including
Governor Nelson of Nebraska speaking on behalf of the National
Governors' Association, Governor Schafer of North Dakota,
Governor Thompson of Wisconsin, Governor Dean of Vermont,
Governor Whitman of New Jersey, and Governor Branstad of Iowa.
The testimony of the witnesses specifically focussed on
mandates and inefficiencies in environmental programs within
the Committee's jurisdiction (including the Clean Water Act,
Superfund, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Clean Air Act
as it applies to transportation) and in transportation programs
(including the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
of 1991 and Amtrak). In addition, witnesses addressed the
importance of taking the transportation trust funds off budget
for achieving infrastructure improvement.
Illinois Land Conservation Act
On April 17, 1995, the Full Committee held a field hearing
on H.R. 714, the Illinois Land Conservation Act of 1995 in
Elwood, Illinois. Testimony was received from Federal, State
and local officials and representatives of veterans,
conservation, economic development and educational
organizations. H.R. 714 provides for the conversion of the
Joliet Ammunition Plant to the Midewin National Tallgrass
Prairie (MNP) and provides for disposal of real property at the
Arsenal. The Subcommittee was discharged and H.R. 714, as
amended, was ordered reported by the Full Committee on June 14,
1995. H.R. 714 passed the House on July 31, 1995. The bill was
signed into law as part of Public Law 104-106.
The Proposed CSX-Conrail Merger
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a
hearing on the proposed acquisition of Conrail by other major
rail carriers on November 19, 1996. This hearing focused on the
standards and procedures employed by the Surface Transportation
Board (STB) in evaluating major rail merger applications,
including situations where multiple carriers seek approval to
acquire the same railroad. The hearing also explored the
various Federal laws still in force which are limited in their
application solely to Conrail. No further action was taken on
the issue during the remainder of the 104th Congress.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON AVIATION
During the 104th Congress, the Subcommittee on Aviation was
chaired by Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. Congressman James L.
Oberstar served as the Ranking Democrat Member of the
Subcommittee from the beginning of the 104th Congress until he
assumed the ranking Democrat position for the Full Committee.
Congressman William O. Lipinski served as the Ranking Democrat
Member of the Subcommittee for the remainder of the 104th
Congress. The Aviation Subcommittee held 37 hearings and
developed significant legislation on Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) reform and reauthorization, and
reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety Board.
------
Enacted Legislation
(For a description of the enacted legislation, see section
on ``Bills Enacted into Law.'')
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT,
1996
In addition to providing funding for the Department of
Transportation (DOT), Public Law 104-50 includes legislation to
reform the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) personnel
and procurement rules. The law exempts FAA from many personnel
and procurement requirements and allows FAA to establish a
unique approach to its personnel and procurement regulations.
These provisions were nearly identical to the personnel and
procurement reform in the Committee's bill, H.R. 2276, the
Federal Aviation Administration Revitalization Act of 1995. One
difference between the two bills was that H.R. 2276 required
that FAA's new personnel and procurement rules be submitted to
Congress. If Congress did not like the new rules, legislation
would have to be passed to change them. If Congress took no
action, FAA's new personnel and procurement rules would have
gone into effect. P.L. 104-50 did not require any Congressional
approval.
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ANTITERRORISM AND EFFECTIVE DEATH PENALTY ACT OF 1996
Public Law 104-132 covers a variety of provisions to
support antiterrorism measures. Section 322 requires foreign
airlines to have a security program which provides the same
level of safety that is required of U.S. domestic airlines.
Prior to this law, foreign airlines could have security
programs which provided a similar level of safety. U.S.
airlines believed the previous law allowed foreign airlines to
provide a less secure system for U.S. travelers, which cost
less and provided the foreign airline with a competitive
advantage.
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FEDERAL AVIATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1996
Public Law provides a 2-year authorization for three of the
accounts in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and a 1-
year authorization for FAA's Research, Engineering, and
Development (RE&D) account. The total authorization level was
$19.5 billion for fiscal years 1997 and 1998. Several other
aviation bills were incorporated into this law addressing
issues such as FAA reform, aviation security, aviation safety,
pilot record sharing, child pilot safety, assistance to
families of victims after aviation accidents, and the
Metropolitan Washington Airports.
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NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD AMENDMENTS OF 1996
Public Law 104-291 reauthorizes the National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB) for 3 years with funding levels of $42.407
million in 1997, $44.46 million for 1998, and $45.04 million
for 1999. The law also makes several legislative changes which
were originally requested by NTSB.
The law permits NTSB to withhold foreign accident
information from public disclosure. Before this law, foreign
aviation authorities would not give accident information to
NTSB for fear that the Board would have to release it under the
Freedom of Information Act. As a result, Board employees had to
travel to foreign countries or embassies to review data. This
was inefficient and costly. The law allows NTSB to receive the
data without having to release it. This will promote
cooperation with foreign aviation safety authorities. It will
not deny the public any information that is currently
available. NTSB will use the data to make safety
recommendations.
The law also permits NTSB to withhold voluntarily-provided
safety information. Before this law, NTSB would learn of safety
problems only after an accident occurred. A major initiative in
the aviation community is to try to spot trends or unsafe
practices before they cause an accident. This would be
accomplished by voluntarily sharing data among airlines and
with the government. In the past, this effort was stymied by
the airlines reluctance to share information with the
government for fear that the government would then have to
release it. Protecting voluntarily-provided safety information
from public disclosure would not deny the public any
information they now receive and could lead to safety
improvements. This proposal was strongly supported by the FAA
and the aviation community. (Similar provisions of law for the
FAA were included in the Federal Aviation Revitalization Act.)
The law also allows NTSB to conduct accident investigation
classes and charge non-NTSB employees who attend. NTSB conducts
classes for its employees. Sometimes States or foreign
countries send employees for training. This law allows NTSB to
charge outsiders for safety training and thereby recoup some of
its costs.
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Other Legislation
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REVITALIZATION ACT OF 1995
The Committee reported and the House passed H.R. 2276, to
reform the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Portions of
this bill were included in the Federal Aviation Reauthorization
Act of 1996. This bill would reorganize FAA so that it would be
independent of the Department of Transportation (DOT). In
addition, the FAA would be run by a board and a chief executive
officer, reflecting a structure similar to a private business.
By reducing the amount of unnecessary management by DOT and
restructuring FAA's management, this structure would allow FAA
to run more efficiently and effectively. The bill would have
established a Management Advisory Committee consisting of
aviation industry and interested parties to provide advice and
counsel to the Administration on issues regarding FAA and the
industry. A similar advisory committee was included in the
Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996.
The bill would have removed DOT from FAA's rulemaking
process, except in cases of regulations that would likely have
a significant effect on other modes of transportation or the
Secretary' aviation responsibilities.
The bill would have reformed FAA' personnel system by
exempting FAA from parts II and III of Title 5. FAA would have
to establish its own personnel management system which would
then have to be submitted to Congress for review. The goals of
the new personnel management system would have to include:
hiring and firing employees as in the private sector; promoting
and paying employees based on merit; providing market-based
salaries to attract the best qualified employees within
available resources; and moving personnel to those facilities
where they are most needed. Certain provisions of Title 5 were
specifically identified as still pertaining to FAA' new
personnel system, including: whistle-blower protection;
veterans' preference; limitations on the right to strike;
certain anti-discrimination provisions; and certain retirement,
life insurance, and health insurance provisions.
The bill would have also reformed FAA's procurement system
by exempting FAA from parts of various procurement laws.
Exemptions in the bill included: Title III of the Federal
Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949; the Office of
Federal Procurement Policy Act; the Federal Acquisition
Streamlining Act of 1994; and the Small Business Act (except
that the Administration shall provide reasonable opportunities
to small business concerns). FAA would then have to establish
its own procurement rules.
The Department of Transportation and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-50) included provisions on
procurement and personnel reforms very similar to those that
appeared in H.R. 2276. Other portions of the bill, including
the Management Advisory Committee, were included in the Federal
Aviation Reauthorization Act (FARA) of 1996.
PILOT RECORD SHARING
The Committee reported and the House passed H.R. 3536, to
require airlines to request and receive the performance records
of pilots they are interested in hiring. Although the vast
majority of pilots are excellent, pilots whose performance may
present a safety problem need to be weeded out. The bill would
protect the public from pilots with questionable performance
records. It was modified and included as Title V of the Federal
Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996, P.L. 104-264.
CHILD PILOT SAFETY ACT
The Committee reported and the House passed H.R. 3267 which
forbids someone without a pilots license from attempting to set
a record or engage in aeronautical feats. This will ensure that
children cannot be used to set aviation records. The bill was
included as Title VI of the Federal Aviation Reauthorization
Act of 1996, P.L. 104-264.
AVIATION DISASTER FAMILY ASSISTANCE ACT
The Committee reported and the House passed H.R. 3923 which
requires that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
act as a point of contact within the Federal Government for the
families of passengers involved in an accident.
After a major accident, NTSB will designate an independent
non-profit agency, such as the American Red Cross, to have
primary responsibility for coordinating the emotional care and
support of the families of passengers involved in the accident.
The bill requires that airlines provide the passenger
manifest with the best available information to the non-profit
organization designated for the accident if requested. The non-
profit organization can use the passenger manifest to help
family members with information about their loved ones.
The bill requires airlines to submit plans to DOT to
address the needs of families of passengers involved in an
airline accident. In addition, the bill establishes a task
force to develop guidelines for such plans. The bill also
prohibits unsolicited communication from lawyers to families of
victims or passengers who were injured in an accident until 30
days after the accident. This legislation, with minor changes,
was included in the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act as
Title VII.
METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON AIRPORTS AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1995
The Committee reported H.R. 1036. The bill was needed to
address a constitutional problem with the Metropolitan
Washington Airports Board of Review. This bill eliminates the
Board of Review, adds four Presidential appointees to the
airport board, replaces the Board of Review with a nine member
Federal Advisory Commission, subjected to periodic
congressional reauthorization the eight airport actions that
were formerly subject to review by the Board of Review, freezes
current airport regulations governing the Dulles access road,
and liberalizes the slot rules at National Airport. A scaled
down version of this bill was included in the Federal Aviation
Reauthorization Act of 1996 as Title IX.
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Hearings
During the 104th Congress, the Aviation Subcommittee held
37 days of hearings covering 25 different topics. Many of these
hearings related to legislation developed by the Subcommittee.
Other hearings described below enabled the Subcommittee to
carry out its oversight responsibilities.
On February 1, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
ways to reduce Federal mandates and regulatory burdens on the
aviation industry without affecting the safety of the traveling
public. Representatives from airports and airlines testified at
the hearing and offered examples of existing regulations whose
costs were underestimated by DOT and FAA. FAA Administrator
David Hinson testified that FAA is doing its best to estimate
potential costs of regulations, but that improvements can
always be made. A few weeks prior to the hearing, FAA requested
public comments on what regulations could be examined and
improved to reduce unnecessary burdens on the industry.
On February 9, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Review. The
Board of Review was found to be unconstitutional, so the
hearing focused on the role of Congress regarding the two
airports owned by the Federal Government; National and Dulles
Airports.
On February 14, 15, and 23, 1995, the Subcommittee held
hearings on restructuring the air traffic control system as a
private or government corporation. Over 3 days, many witnesses
testified including representatives from DOT, the Air Line
Pilots Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and
the German Air Traffic Control Corporation. Many of the
witnesses and most of the members of Congress were more
interested in making FAA an independent organization rather
than a private corporation.
On March 22, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
financial condition of the airline industry; present and
future, focusing on the continuation of the fuel tax exemption.
The airlines testified that they were paying several types of
Federal taxes and they should not have to pay additional taxes
to reduce the deficit. In addition, the airlines had
experienced several years of losses and, therefore, they felt
they should be exempted from an additional tax that could force
some airlines into bankruptcy. DOT testified that the airlines'
economic situation was improving and, therefore, they could pay
the fuel tax without detrimental consequences.
On May 11, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled,
``Denver Airport: What Went Wrong?'' The hearing looked at the
original design and cost of the Denver Airport versus the
actual costs and design. Witnesses included DOT and
representatives from the Denver Airport. Denver airport
representatives testified that flight delays were down due to
the new airport. The automated baggage system was not fully
operational, but the Denver airport representatives were
confident that the airport would run smoothly even with the
limited automated system.
On May 18, 1995, the Subcommittee met in executive session
for a briefing on aviation security and the FAA's anti-
terrorism program in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing.held
hearings on
On June 8 and November 30, 1995, the Subcommittee held
hearings on preventing delays and cost overruns in the FAA's
new global positioning (satellite navigation) system. The
hearing included testimony from various members of the aviation
industry, FAA, the Department of Defense, and Wilcox, the
company that won the initial Wide Area Augmentation System
(WAAS) contract. The government and Wilcox representatives
assured the Subcommittee that the program was being managed
properly and they were confident the project would run
smoothly.
On July 20, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
aviation relations between the United States and Japan.
Witnesses included representatives from United Air Lines,
Federal Express, and the General Aviation Manufacturers
Association. The day after the hearing, DOT Secretary Pena
announced that Japan had acknowledged the rights of U.S. cargo
companies and that an agreement was imminent.
On July 27, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
reasons for, and reporting of, airline flight delays. The
hearing was held, in part, because DOT had changed its position
on whether or not to report mechanical problems as a delay, or
exclude delays caused by mechanical problems because of safety
concerns. DOT testified at the hearing along with airline
representatives and consumer representatives. DOT now includes
delays due to mechanical problems in the on-time calculations.
On September 26, 1995, the Subcommittee held a field
hearing in Aurora, Illinois on computer outages at the FAA's
air traffic control center. FAA air traffic control equipment
had been experiencing several outages; some that left the
controllers with limited information on their computers and
other, more serious outages that left the controllers with only
voice communication with aircraft. The Subcommittee heard from
FAA, controllers, FAA employees that maintain the air traffic
computers, and airline representatives. FAA will be replacing
the failing equipment, but it may take years in some cases.
On September 28, and October 11, 1995, the Subcommittee
held hearings on H.R. 2276, the Federal Aviation Administration
Revitalization Act. After the 3 days of hearings in February on
restructuring the FAA and air traffic control, many members of
the Subcommittee introduced H.R. 2276. This bill would make FAA
independent of DOT; would establish a new personnel and
procurement system to make FAA more effective and efficient;
and reorganize FAA to be run by a board and a Chief Executive
Officer similar to a business. Witnesses included
representatives from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association, the air traffic controllers union, the Association
of Flight Attendants, the airlines, and DOT. Most supported the
bill.
On October 19 and December 7, 1995, the Subcommittee held
hearings on the regulation of public aircraft and on H.R. 1320,
the Special Purpose Aircraft Safety Act. Prior to 1994,
government agencies operated their aircraft without having to
comply with certain Federal regulations. Legislation passed in
1994 changed the definition of a public aircraft which forced
many State and local agencies to comply with FAA rules when
their planes carry people for transport; not for certain types
of duties, such as fire fighting. The hearing allowed many
witnesses to testify about the difficulties of the change in
law and how the law was imposing significant costs on certain
State and local governments.
On November 9, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
FAA's Expanded East Coast Plan. In an attempt to increase
capacity, improve safety, and reduce delays, the FAA altered
the flight patterns of aircraft in the East Coast in 1987. The
change in flight paths created increased aircraft noise for
residents in New Jersey and New York. The hearing provided an
opportunity for several members of Congress and local residents
to testify about their problems with aircraft noise. FAA also
testified at the hearing.
On December 13 and 14, 1995, the Subcommittee held hearings
on aviation safety and whether airlines should be required to
share pilot performance records. At the time of the hearing,
airlines did not have to share a pilot's record when hiring.
The hearings allowed representatives from airlines, the
National Transportation Safety Board, FAA, and pilot unions to
discuss the pros and cons of record sharing and how best to
develop legislation requiring pilot record sharing. Legislation
regarding this subject was included in the Federal Aviation
Authorization Act of 1996.
On February 29, March 7, 13,14, and 20, 1996, the
Subcommittee held hearings on the reauthorization of the
Airport Improvement Program and the FAA. On February 29, the
hearing addressed the pros and cons of privatizing airports. On
March 7, the hearing focused on airport revenue diversion. On
March 13, the hearing focused on airport needs. On March 14,
the hearing addressed the State block grant program which
allows States to distribute and administer Airport Improvement
Grants to general aviation airports. On March 20, the hearing
provided an opportunity for FAA to testify about FAA
reauthorization issues and other miscellaneous items. These
hearings helped to shape the Federal Aviation Reauthorization
Act of 1996.
On March 6, 1996, the Aviation Subcommittee and the
Railroad Subcommittee held a joint hearing on the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The hearing was part of the
Committee's general oversight effort and ultimately led to
legislation reauthorizing that agency. The Subcommittee heard
testimony from NTSB Chairman Jim Hall and other top agency
officials.
On March 18, 1996, the Subcommittee held a field hearing in
Des Moines, Washington, on the proposed third runway at the
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The hearing allowed
representatives from the airport, airlines, and the surrounding
communities to testify about the potential impacts of building
the third runway.
On March 27 and April 30, 1996, the Subcommittee held
hearings on problems in the United States aviation relationship
with the United Kingdom and Japan. The concerns discussed at
the hearing included the fifth freedom rights from Japan. The
lack of slots and the desire to have open skies with the United
Kingdom were also discussed. The hearing allowed airline
representatives to voice their opinions on these issues.
On May 1, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.
3267, the Child Pilot Safety Act. After the tragic death of 7-
year-old Jessica Dubroff, her father, and a flight instructor,
while they were trying to make Jessica the youngest person to
fly across the country, the Subcommittee held a hearing to
discuss the possibility of protecting children from unnecessary
aviation accidents. The hearing allowed pilots and other
interested parties to discuss the pros and cons of limiting
children from participating in flying general aviation
aircraft. A bill was introduced on the subject and incorporated
into the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996.
On May 29, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
high-performance take-offs by military aircraft at civilian
airports. This hearing was held after a serious accident
occurred on January 29, 1996. A U.S. Navy air crew was
preparing to depart on a cross-country flight in their F-14
Tomcat from Nashville International Airport to Miramar Naval
Air Station in San Diego, California. Shortly after take-off,
the F-14 crashed into a residential community killing the
pilot, his radar intercept officer, and three individuals who
were inside a home. The hearing offered an opportunity to
discuss the potential problems of high-performance take-offs.
On June 19, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
treatment of families after airline accidents. The hearing
allowed families that had lost loved ones due to airline
accidents to testify about their interaction with the airlines
and how improvements could be made. The hearing also allowed
the airlines and the National Transportation Safety Board to
comment on potential approaches to improve the treatment of
families after airline accidents.
On June 25, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
aviation safety and specifically on issues raised by the crash
of ValuJet Flight 592. ValuJet is a new entrant airline known
for its competitive air fares. ValuJet had experienced several
minor incidents, but did not have a major accident until Flight
592. The hearing focused on the possible cause of the accident,
and ValuJet's ability to operate safely. FAA conducted an
extensive investigation of ValuJet and decided to ground the
airline. ValuJet is now operating again with a limited number
of aircraft.
On July 10, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.
3187, the Aviation Safety Protection Act. The hearing focused
on whether or not airline employees should have whistle blower
protection. Witnesses who work for airlines testified that
without whistle blower protection, the employees would lose
their jobs if they reported a potential safety violation.
On July 16, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.
969, the Airliner Cabin Air Quality Act. Witnesses testified
for and against banning smoking on international flights.
Currently, smoking is banned on most domestic flights.
On August 1, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.
1309, regarding child safety restraint system requirements on
commercial aircraft. Currently, children under 2 years old may
sit on an adult's lap during a flight for no additional charge.
Representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board
and flight attendant unions testified in favor of requiring
child safety restraint systems on board aircraft.
Representatives from the FAA testified that according to their
studies if families were required to purchase seats for
infants, the additional cost would force some families to drive
instead of fly, placing the entire family at higher risk.
On September 5, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
H.R. 3923, the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act. After
the hearing on June 19 regarding the treatment of families
after airline accidents, the Subcommittee introduced
legislation on this issue. The September 5th hearing allowed
family members to comment on ways the legislation could be
improved. The FAA reauthorization bill did include language on
improving the treatment of families of victims of aviation
accidents based on the testimony received.
On September 11, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
aviation security and anti-terrorism. The hearing was, in part,
a reaction to the TWA accident where investigators originally
suspected terrorism as the cause. The airlines, airports, bomb
detection companies, and a British airport representative
testified on ways to improve aviation safety. Part of the
hearing was conducted in executive session.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON COAST GUARD AND MARITIME
TRANSPORTATION
During the 104th Congress, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation, Chaired by Congressman Howard
Coble with Congressman James A. Traficant, Jr., and later
Congressman Bob Clement, serving as Ranking Minority Members,
developed major legislation dealing with the U.S. Coast Guard
and U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. This legislation involved
the Coast Guard's responsibilities to ensure safety of life and
property at sea, enforce all Federal laws on the high seas and
U.S. waters, maintain aids to navigation, protect the marine
environment, and ensure the safety and security of vessel,
ports, waterways, and related facilities. Major legislation to
eliminate the Federal Maritime Commission and deregulate
international ocean shipping was also developed. The Federal
laws amended under these initiatives include the Oil Pollution
Act of 1990, the Shipping Act of 1984, the Deepwater Port Act
of 1974, the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and
Control Act of 1990, and many other miscellaneous laws. The
Subcommittee held oversight hearings on the President's
National Drug Control Strategy and drug interdiction, the Coast
Guard's vessel traffic service systems, and the Coast Guard
acquisitions, research and development, and icebreaking
missions. During the 104th Congress, the Subcommittee also held
oversight hearings on the natural resource damages assessment
regulations implemented under ``Superfund'' and the Oil
Pollution Act, the impact of U.S. coastwise trade laws (``Jones
Act'') on the transportation system in the United States, and
the Federal requirements for evidence of financial
responsibility for oil spill liability under the Oil Pollution
Act.
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Enacted Legislation
(For a more detailed desription pof the enacted
legislation, see the ``Bills Enacted into Law'' section.)
ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATION ASSET SALE AND TERMINATION ACT
The primary purpose of Public Law 104-58 is to authorize
the export of Alaska North Slope crude oil and to authorize the
Secretary of Energy to sell the Alaska Power Administration.
The Act requires vessels carrying Alaska North Slope crude oil
to be carried aboard U.S.-flag, U.S. manned vessels.
Title IV of this Act requires that the Commandant of the
Coast Guard submit to Congress a plan on the most cost
effective means of implementing an international private-sector
tug-of-opportunity system. This plan must utilize existing
towing vessels to provide emergency response services to any
vessel in distress transiting the waters within the boundaries
of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary of the Strait of
Juan de Fuca.
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INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION TERMINATION ACT OF 1995
(Public Law 104-88)
The primary purpose of the Interstate Commerce Commission
(ICC) Termination Act of 1995 was to terminate the ICC and
transfer its remaining functions to a new Surface
Transportation Board within the Department of Transportation,
effective January 1, 1996.
Subchapter II of chapter 135 of the Act transferred to the
Secretary of Transportation and the Surface Transportation
Board the jurisdiction of the ICC over water carrier
transportation. The jurisdiction was expanded to include port-
to-port water carrier transportation and transportation to the
U.S. territories that has been regulated by the Federal
Maritime Commission (FMC).
Title IV of the ICC Termination Act includes a requirement
for the Secretary of Transportation to complete a study of the
noncontiguous domestic trades within 6 months of enactment of
this Act to analyze the competition and rate structure in the
trades, the impact of tariff filing on the trades, the problems
of parallel pricing and its impact in the domestic trades,
whether additional protections are needed to protect shippers
from the abuse of market power, and whether additional
legislative changes are necessary.
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NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1996
Public Law 104-106 contains several provisions to bring
Coast Guard personnel benefits and other matters into line with
those of the Department of Defense.
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NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997
Public Law 104-201 contains several provisions to bring
Coast Guard personnel benefits and other matters into line with
those of the Department of Defense. The Act also includes a
requirement that the Secretary of Transportation certify that
all funds transferred from the Secretary of Defense to the
Coast Guard are used for national defense purposes.
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COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1996
The primary purpose of Public Law 104-324 is to authorize
the expenditures of the U.S. Coast Guard for fiscal years 1996
and 1997. The Act authorizes the portion of the Coast Guard
budget that requires an authorization at the level of $3.9
billion in fiscal year 1997, as requested by the President.
This public law also contains provisions relating to the
illegal drug interdiction mission of the Coast Guard; marine
safety and waterways services management; the Deepwater Port
Modernization Act; the Coast Guard Regulatory Reform Act;
implementation of international tonnage measurement (ITC)
requirements; the prevention of plastics pollution from ships;
the conveyance of various Coast Guard lighthouses and other
excess properties; and amendments to the Oil Pollution Act of
1990.
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NATIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES ACT OF 1996
Public Law 104-332 reauthorizes and amends the
Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of
1990 (NANPCA). NANPCA establishes a program for preventing,
researching, monitoring and controlling infestations of
nonindigenous aquatic species as well as set up the Aquatic
Nuisance Species Task Force to develop and oversee the program.
It also creates the Great Lakes Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel
to help coordinate Federal, state, local and private efforts
concerning nonindigenous species within the Great Lakes basin.
NANPCA requires the Coast Guard to establish voluntary ballast
water exchange guidelines for the Great Lakes which later
became mandatory.
This Act reauthorizes the NANPCA through the year 2002 and
amends NANPCA to establish a national ballast water management
program to address concerns about the unintentional
introductions of aquatic nuisance species in many parts of the
country. Currently, the exchange of ballast water on the high
seas is the primary method to prevent the introduction of alien
species into U.S. waters. Under this Act, the Coast Guard must
establish voluntary ballast water exchange guidelines which may
become mandatory for certain vessels throughout the United
States.
Other Legislation
THE OCEAN SHIPPING REFORM ACT OF 1995
During the Second Session of the 104th Congress, the House
of Representatives passed H.R. 2149, the Ocean Shipping Reform
Act of 1995. H.R. 2149 deregulates international ocean shipping
and eliminates the need for the Federal Maritime Commission.
This bill would lower ocean shipping costs for American
exporters and importers, increase the flow of cargo through our
ports, improve our competitive position in the world, and keep
jobs in this country.
Specifically, H.R. 2149 authorizes private contracts for
ocean transportation, as provided in all other areas of
transportation, eliminates tariffs and tariff enforcement,
preserves common carriage for all sizes of shippers, and
strengthens the laws related to unfair trade practices. This
legislation also substantially weakens the ability of the ocean
shipping conferences to control U.S. shipping rates by removing
government enforcement of the conference rates, or tariffs, and
by removing the authority of the conferences to require
individual carriers to divulge their private contractual
negotiations with U.S. businesses.
The Senate failed to act on the House-passed bill.
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Hearings
During the 104th Congress, the Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Subcommittee, chaired by Congressman Howard
Coble, with Congressman James A. Traficant, Jr., and later
Congressman Bob Clement, serving as Ranking Minority Members,
held 15 hearings and other meetings. Many of the Subcommittee
hearings related to legislation developed by the Subcommittee.
Other hearings described below, covered a wide variety of
issues involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the President's National
Drug Control policy, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and water
transportation in general.
The Shipping Act of 1984
On February 2, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing to
determine whether the current regulatory scheme governing ocean
common carriage in the foreign commerce of the United States
should be reformed to provide a greater degree of competition
in ocean shipping. The Subcommittee received testimony from a
wide variety of witnesses representing all facets of the ocean
shipping industry.
The first panel of witnesses represented small, medium, and
large businesses that ship goods by water in international
commerce. These witnesses testified about their problems with
the current U.S. system which governs international ocean
shipping, and highlighted some of the reasons they support
elimination of U.S. economic regulation of the ocean liner
industry. Specifically, the witnesses on this panel testified
in favor of a repeal of U.S. laws granting antitrust immunity
for ocean carriers to collectively set rates and restrict
capacity. They also stated that the Federal Maritime Commission
(FMC) has failed to adequately protect U.S. shippers under the
current ocean shipping regime. Shippers on this panel testified
in favor of repealing the prohibition against shippers and
carriers signing confidential contracts, and in favor of
elimination of the requirement for ocean carriers to file
tariffs, or rates, with the FMC. One witness representing a
single company on the west coast testified in favor of the
current system of international ocean shipping.
The second panel of witnesses represented U.S. and foreign
liner operators. These witnesses testified in strong support of
the current system of ocean shipping regulation under the
Shipping Act of 1984. This panel agreed that abolishing the FMC
and antitrust immunity for ocean carriers would promote
significant rate instability, discourage investment in the
ocean shipping industry, and place U.S. carriers at a
competitive disadvantage with foreign ocean carriers.
On the third panel of witnesses were representatives of
freight ``intermediaries'', including ocean freight forwarders,
non-vessel operating common carriers, and customs brokers.
These witnesses described their suggestions for reform of the
current system of ocean shipping regulation, including
abolishing the distinction between freight forwarders and non-
vessel operating common carriers and abolishing tariff filing.
One of these witnesses testified in favor of retaining
antitrust immunity for ocean carriers.
Also on the third panel were a witness representing U.S.
ports and two witnesses who were former commissioners of the
FMC. The witness representing U.S. ports testified in support
of retaining the current system of ocean shipping regulation.
One of the former FMC commissioners testified in favor of the
current regulatory regime under the Shipping Act of 1984, and
the other former commissioner testified in favor of reform of
the current system.
The only witness on the fourth panel was William Hathaway,
Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission. Chairman Hathaway
argued against repeal of the Shipping Act of 1984, in
particular, the antitrust exemption. He also testified that the
FMC should remain an independent agency for the predictability,
the stability, and the perception by foreign governments that
the maritime laws of the U.S. are not being administered by the
White House or by an executive agency, but rather by an
independent agency.
Vessel Traffic Service Systems
The Subcommittee held a series of hearings to consider
whether any of the Coast Guard missions should be performed
differently, or even eliminated, to improve the overall level
of Coast Guard service to the public. The first of this series
of hearings occurred on June 29, 1995, when the Subcommittee
examined the Coast Guard's Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) 2000
initiative, and considered whether the private sector should be
involved to a greater extent in providing vessel traffic
information services (VTIS). Testimony was received from the
U.S. Coast Guard, port authority officials, marine pilots, a
private VTIS system in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach,
ocean going vessel operators, and inland vessel operators. The
Coast Guard reported on its progress with the VTS 2000
procurement and its opposition to changing user fees to finance
VTS systems. The Coast Guard views VTS services as an
inherently government function which should be financed by tax
dollars. The Marine Exchange of Los Angeles and Long Beach
Harbor, which operates the private vessel traffic information
service (VTIS) system in Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbor,
reported about the success of its VTIS system which is
supported by a specific harbor user fee related to VTIS use.
Several vessel operators, who use the private system in Los
Angeles, reported their satisfaction with the privately run
system. Inland vessel operators expressed their dissatisfaction
with the Coast Guard's plans for its new VTS-2000 system. These
operators felt the new systems would not result in a
significant increase in safety, but will result in a very large
public cost. These groups were very much opposed to user fees
to pay for a system that they believe may be unnecessary in
many ports.
Due to the Subcommittee's concerns about the issue,
Chairman Coble and Ranking Member Traficant asked the General
Accounting Office (GAO) to determine the degree to which
parties with an interest in marine transportation have a level
of interest in acquiring and funding VTS systems. GAO was also
asked to assess the key issues which could affect the
establishment of alternatively funded VTS systems. The Coast
Guard also contracted with the Marine Board of the National
Academy of Sciences to examine the issue of marine information
systems in general. Due to the concerns raised at our hearing
and the results of these two independent studies, the
conference report to the fiscal year 1997 Department of
Transportation appropriations bill prohibited funds for
continuing the VTS 2000 program. The appropriations law does
give the Coast Guard one million dollars to propose a viable
new production program, supported by local communities, which
will provide near-term safety benefits.
Natural Resource Damages under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
On July 7, 1995, the Subcommittee held a joint hearing with
the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee regarding the
implementation of the natural resource damages programs under
the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund) and the Oil Pollution Act of
1990 and considered comments on the fairness, effectiveness,
and efficiency of these programs. Under Superfund and the Oil
Pollution Act, trustees of publicly owned natural resources may
seek recovery of injury to those resources caused by the
release of hazardous substances or oil. The hearing focused on
serious concerns about how natural resource damages should be
estimated, what releases should trigger liability, and how the
trustees may use any monies they receive as part of a claim.
The four natural resource damages issues of particular concern
are the measurement of use and non-use damages, retroactive
liability, caps on damages, and rebuttable presumption.
The first panel of witnesses represented several Federal
and State agencies which deal with the natural resource damage
issue including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the U.S. Department of Interior, the U.S.
Department of Justice, and the States of New Jersey and New
Mexico. These agencies represent Federal and State natural
resources trustees. These trustees are responsible for
restoring injured natural resources which result from the
spilling of oil or hazardous substances. The Federal witnesses
testified that the Administration strongly supports the current
system of natural resource damage liability.
During the last two panels, the Subcommittees heard from
companies that have been subject to or affected by natural
resource damage claims, the environmental community, and
experts who have been on both sides of the claims process. The
Coalition for Legislative Natural Resource Damage Reform
testified that the natural resource damage program must be
reformed before it bankrupts industry and the government by
creating huge financial liabilities. The Natural Resources
Defense Council testified that it strongly supports the natural
resource damage recovery provisions of both Superfund and the
Oil Pollution Act.
National Drug Control Strategy
On August 1, 1995, and on September 12, 1996, the
Subcommittee held hearings to examine the effectiveness of the
Administration's National Drug Control Strategy in controlling
the use of illegal drugs in this country, and specifically the
Coast Guard's drug interdiction program. The 1995 hearing heard
from the U.S. Coast Guard, Office of National Drug Control
Policy, several other Federal agencies which are involved in
controlling the flow of illicit drugs, and several private
witnesses were critical of the Administration's drug control
policies. The 1996 hearing was a joint hearing with the Senate
Caucus on International Narcotics Control and focused on drug
interdiction and other matters related to the National Drug
Control Policy. The Subcommittee and the Caucus received
testimony from the Coast Guard, Office of National Drug Control
Policy, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Customs
Service, the Department of State, and several private
witnesses. While the Administration's witnesses strongly
supported the President's policies, John Walters, former Deputy
Director for Supply Reduction of the Office of National Drug
Control Policy, argued that after a decade of consistent
progress, almost every available indicator today shows that the
United States is losing the struggle against illegal drugs.
Coast Guard Acquisitions
On May 9, 1996, the Subcommittee held an oversight hearing
to review the Coast Guard's policies and procedures relating to
the Coast Guard's capital acquisition program, its research and
development program, as well as its domestic and international
icebreaking activities. The Coast Guard discussed its current
proposals for these programs, and also informed the
Subcommittee about the Coast Guard's long-range plans for these
areas. Several witnesses, including representatives from the
Lake Carriers Association, Great Lakes ports, and maritime
labor, testified about the importance of continuing the Coast
Guard's icebreaking mission on the Great Lakes.
Jones Act
On June 12, 1996, the Subcommittee held an extensive
hearing about the impact of U.S. coastwise trade laws on the
transportation system in the United States. These laws are
referred to as cabotage laws, or simply, the ``Jones Act'',
after its chief sponsor, Senator Wesley Jones. The Jones Act
requires that no merchandise may be transported by water, or by
land and water, between U.S. ports or points, either directly
or by a foreign port, or for any part of the transportation, in
any vessel except one that was built in the U.S., owned by U.S.
citizens (corporate ownership must be 75 percent U.S.-owned),
and documented under U.S. law.
The Subcommittee heard from five panels of witnesses. The
first panel included Federal government witnesses including the
U.S. Maritime Administration, which strongly supports the Jones
Act, the U.S. Customs Service, and the U.S. International Trade
Commission, which has issued an analysis of the Jones Act's
economic effects. The second panel included witnesses who
support reforms of the Jones Act. These included
representatives from the Jones Act Reform Coalition, the
American Farm Bureau, the National Cattleman Beef Association,
and several private businesses. These witnesses argued that the
Jones Act greatly increases U.S. water transportation costs and
has left the U.S. with only a small and aging deepwater fleet.
The third panel represented U.S. inland and ocean going vessel
operators who are strongly opposed to amending U.S. coastwise
trade laws. These witnesses included representatives from
Matson Navigation, SeaLand, the American Waterways Operators,
and the Lake Carriers Association. These witnesses argued that
U.S. cabotage laws are vital to safety on our waterways,
crucial to U.S. national defense, and provide for a competitive
balance in the transportation system. The fourth panel included
witnesses representing U.S. maritime labor unions and U.S.
shipyards which also support the retention of U.S. coastwise
trade laws. The fifth panel included witnesses who represented
the Steel Manufacturers Association, the Governor of Guam, the
Puerto Rico Jones Act Reform Coalition, and a U.S. maritime
company. These witnesses supported reforms to the Jones Act and
testified that these laws greatly increase water shipping costs
and prevent water transportation from effectively competing
with railroads and trucks.
Financial Responsibility under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
On June 26, 1996, the Subcommittee held an oversight
hearing about the Federal requirements for vessels to obtain
certificates of financial responsibility (COFRs) mandated by
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). The hearing focused on
the effectiveness of the Coast Guard's regulations in
implementing the OPA 90 COFR requirement, and whether the Coast
Guard's regulations provide additional coverage for oil
pollution liability. OPA 90 created a comprehensive national
scheme to compensate victims of oil spills for a broad range of
environmental damages, to prevent future oil spills in U.S.
waters, to clean up oil spills that do occur, and to punish
those who cause oil spills. OPA 90 imposes liability for oil
discharges from any source, including U.S.-flag and foreign-
flag vessels, onshore and offshore facilities, pipelines, and
deepwater ports. The Coast Guard regulations that implement the
OPA 90 COFR requirement provide that financial responsibility
can be established by insurance, surety bond guarantee, self-
insurance, or a combination of the four.
The Subcommittee heard from two panels of witnesses during
the COFR hearing. On the first panel Daniel Sheehan, Director
of the Coast Guard's National Pollution Funds Center which
wrote and implemented the Coast Guard's regulations, testified
that implementation of the COFR rule was very smooth, and that
the annual cost of obtaining COFRs for oceangoing vessels of
private shipping interests has been approximately $70 million
in gross combined annual premiums. Mr. Sheehan pointed out that
this amount is only about fifteen percent of the worst-case
scenario of $450 million identified by the Department of
Transportation in the final regulatory impact analysis.
The second panel of witnesses included representatives from
the Water Quality Insurance Syndicate, the American Institute
of Marine Underwriters, the International Chamber of Shipping,
the International Association of Independent Tankers Owners,
and a U.S. vessel operator. These witnesses, who represent the
international shipping community and insurance industry,
testified about their dissatisfaction with Coast Guard's
regulations. The industry believes that the U.S. should join
the international regime for oil spill liability established by
the 1992 International Oil Spill Protocols which significantly
increased the limits of oil spill compensation. The shipping
industry also believes that the direct action provision in OPA
90 greatly increases the cost of obtaining a COFR since the
Protection and Indemnity Clubs, the traditional maritime
insurers, have refused to issue COFRs due to concerns about
unlimited liability. These witnesses also testified that the
$70 million cost of this Federal requirement imposes a
significant expense on the industry while adding little or no
additional oil spill protection to the U.S. public.
SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
During the 104th Congress, the Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development was chaired by Republican
Congressman Wayne T. Gilchrest with Congressman James A.
Traficant, Jr. serving as ranking Democrat Member. The
Subcommittee held numerous hearings on a variety of issues,
including the General Services Administration Capital
Improvement Program, and the U.S. Court Construction Program,
procurement issues as a result of the Oklahoma City bombing,
security issues, sale of a House office building, construction
of a Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Annex, construction of a
Capitol visitor's center, numerous naming bills of Federal
buildings, and numerous requests for the use of the Capitol
Grounds. The Subcommittee began an in-depth review of GSA's
leasing program including oversight hearings on the delegation
of leasing authority by GSA.
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Enacted Legislation
(For a description of the enacted legislation, see section
on ``Bills Enacted into Law.'')
------
Other Legislation
In addition to the numerous bills and resolutions that were
enacted, the Subcommittee held hearings and reported several
bills that passed the House but did not pass the Senate. The
Subcommittee reported several resolutions authorizing the use
of the Capitol Grounds and supported similar measures that were
considered on the House Floor absent Committee consideration.
The Subcommittee also supported bills that were discharged from
Committee consideration and approved by the House.
Resolutions Authorizing the Use of the Capitol Grounds
Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus
H.Con.Res. 34 authorized the use of the Capitol Grounds by
Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus in commemoration of
the circus' 125th anniversary. Under the measure, Ringling
Brothers was required to undertake all costs and responsibility
for all liabilities incident to the activities of this event.
The Architect of the Capitol was authorized to prescribe the
conditions under which the event would be undertaken so as not
to interfere with Congressional activities. The resolution was
approved by the House on March 14, 1995. It was approved by the
Senate on April 3, 1995.
1995 Special Olympics Torch Relay
H.Con.Res. 64 authorized the 1995 Special Olympics Torch
Relay to be run through the Capitol Grounds under the
supervision of the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol
Police. The event was to take place on May 19, 1995, and was
part of the Torch Relay's journey to the District of Columbia
Special Olympics Summer Games held at Gallaudet University. By
law, open flames are prohibited on the Capitol Grounds. The
resolution would permit open flames on this special occasion.
The Special Olympics is a program which gives handicapped
children and adults the opportunity to compete in sporting
events and thereby enhance their self-esteem. This resolution
was approved by the House on May 9, 1995, and by the Senate on
May 12, 1995.
1995 Greater Washington Area Soap Box Derby
H.Con.Res. 38 authorized the use of the Capitol Grounds for
the 1995 Greater Washington Area Soap Box Derby. This was the
fourth time the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby was held on
the Capitol Grounds, and the 55th running of the event overall.
The resolution authorized the Architect of the Capitol and the
Capitol Police Board to prescribe conditions for the event,
including the approval of the erection of any stage, sound
amplification devices or related structures for the event. The
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association assumed full
responsibility for all expenses and liabilities associated with
the event. This resolution was passed by the House on June 27,
1995, and by the Senate on June 28, 1995.
1996 Special Olympics Torch Relay
H.Con.Res. 146 authorized the 1996 Special Olympics Torch
Relay to be run through the Capitol Grounds under the
supervision of the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol
Police. The event took place on May 24, 1996, and was part of
the Torch Relay's journey to the District of Columbia Special
Olympics Summer Games held at Gallaudet University. There is a
law that prohibits open flames on the Capitol Grounds. The
Resolution would permit open flames on this special occasion.
The Special Olympics is a program which gives handicapped
children and adults the opportunity to compete in sporting
events and thereby enhance their self-esteem. The resolution
was passed in the House on March 26, 1996, and was passed by
the Senate on March 27, 1996.
National Peace Officers' Memorial Service
H.Con.Res. 147 authorized the use of the Capitol Grounds on
May 15, 1996, for the fifteenth annual National Peace Officers'
Memorial Service. This public event honors those police
officers who have died in the line of duty during the past
year. In 1995, 155 peace officers died, many of them victims of
the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, bombing. The first annual
observance of the service took place on the Capitol Grounds in
1982. This year's observance drew over two thousand friends and
family members of officers killed in the line of duty. In
addition, fifteen thousand local, State, and Federal police
officers attended the event to honor their fallen comrades.
This year the United States Capitol Police had the honor of
serving as the host agency for the memorial service. The
resolution authorized the Architect of the Capitol and the
United States Capitol Police Board to set the governing
conditions for the memorial service. This resolution was passed
in the House on March 26, 1996, and approved in the Senate on
March 27, 1996.
Automobile and Truck Display
H.Con.Res. 150 authorized the use of the Capitol Grounds on
May 16, 1996, for a display of custom, antique, and racing
automobiles and trucks. An amendment to this resolution
permitted these vehicles to be displayed without alteration.
The sponsor would assume full responsibility for all expenses
and liabilities associated with the event. The resolution
provided that the event would be conducted only after the
Architect and the Capitol Police Board enter into an agreement
with the sponsor and the owners and manufacturers of vehicles
to be displayed prohibiting the use of photos taken at the
event for commercial purposes. This resolution passed the House
on May 7, 1996. No action was taken in the Senate.
1996 Greater Washington Area Soap Box Derby
H.Con.Res. 153 authorized the use of the Capitol Grounds
for the 1996 Greater Washington Area Soap Box Derby. This was
the fifth time the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby was held
on the Capitol Grounds, and the 56th running of the event
overall. The resolution authorized the Architect of the Capitol
and the Capitol Police Board to prescribe conditions for the
event, including the approval of the use of any stage, sound
amplification devices or related structures for the event. The
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association was to assume
full responsibility for all expenses and liabilities associated
with the event. The resolution passed the House on June 10,
1996, and passed the Senate on June 21, 1996.
Washington for Jesus Prayer Rally
H.Con.Res. 166 authorized the use of the Capitol grounds
for the Washington for Jesus Prayer Rally held on April 29 and
30, 1996. No admission was to be charged and the Architect of
the Capitol was responsible for establishing conditions for the
event. Liabilities and expenses associated with the rally were
to be assumed by the sponsor. The resolution specifically
disclaimed any governmental sponsorship or endorsement of the
rally. The House passed the resolution on April 23, 1996, and
it passed the Senate on April 25, 1996.
1996 Summer Olympics Torch Relay
H.Con.Res. 172 authorized the 1996 Summer Olympic Torch to
be run through the Capitol Grounds. This event was in
connection with the ceremony for the Centennial Olympic Games
held in Atlanta, Georgia. The event was held on June 20, 1996.
The Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board were
required to take any action necessary to prohibit the display
of advertisements for commercial products during the event,
including advertisements on vehicles accompanying the runners.
The resolution also permitted the Olympic Torch to be displayed
on the Capitol Grounds overnight, suspending laws which
prohibit open flames on the Capitol Grounds. Any commercial
sponsor of the relay may not represent directly or indirectly
that the resolution, or any activity carried out under the
resolution, constitutes approval or endorsement by the Federal
Government of the sponsor or any product or service offered by
the sponsor. The resolution passed the House on June 10, 1996,
and was passed by the Senate with an amendment on June 11,
1996. The House agreed to the Senate amendment on June 12,
1996.
Congressional Family Picnic
H.Con.Res. 198 authorized the use of the Capitol Grounds
for the first annual Congressional Family Picnic held on July
30, 1996, under the auspices of the Advisory Board of the
Member's and Family Room. The event would be arranged under
conditions prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol and the
Capitol Police Board. The erection of structures and equipment
(including cooking equipment) necessary to carry out the event
was authorized. The House agreed to the resolution on July 12,
1996. The Senate took no action.
Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse
H.R. 653 would designate the United States Courthouse under
construction in White Plains, New York, as the ``Thurgood
Marshall United States Courthouse''. Justice Marshall was one
of the most noted jurists in United States history. Upon his
graduation from law school, Justice Marshall embarked on a
legal career with the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP). In 1940, he became the head of the
newly formed NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, a post
that he held for 20 years. In 1961, Marshall was appointed to
the Second Circuit Court of Appeals by President John F.
Kennedy and was appointed the Nation's first African-American
solicitor general 4 years later by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
On June 13, 1967, President Johnson chose Marshall to become
the first African-American Supreme Court Justice where he
served with distinction until his retirement in 1991. Justice
Marshall passed away in 1993. The bill passed the House on
December 5, 1995.
Walter B. Jones Federal Building and United States Courthouse
H.R. 840 would designate the Federal Building and United
States Courthouse in Greenville, North Carolina, as the
``Walter B. Jones Federal Building and United States
Courthouse''. Walter Jones began his career in public service
in 1949, when he was elected mayor of Farmville, North
Carolina. In 1955, he was elected to the North Carolina State
Assembly and in 1965 was elected to the State Senate. In 1966,
he won a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the
death of former Congressman Herbert Bonner. Walter Jones became
a tireless advocate for the American worker and the American
Farmer. He was reelected to eleven successive Congresses,
serving in the United States House of Representatives until his
death in 1992. He was a member of the House Agriculture
Committee and served as Chairman of the Merchant Marine and
Fisheries Committee from the 97th through the 100th Congresses.
This bill passed the House on December 5, 1995.
James L. Foreman United States Courthouse
H.R. 2689 would designate the United States Courthouse in
Benton, Illinois, as the ``James L. Foreman United States
Courthouse''. Judge Foreman was appointed U.S. District Judge
in 1972 by President Richard M. Nixon and became Chief Judge in
1978. In 1992, he took senior status. Judge Foreman was
instrumental in implementing a formal case management system
long before the concept was mandated for all Federal courts. He
served on the Judicial Resource Committee of the Judicial
Conference of the United States. Judge Foreman has served with
honor and distinction during his tenure on the bench. This bill
passed the House on December 18, 1995.
W. Edwards Deming Federal Building
H.R. 3535 would designate the Federal Building in Suitland,
Maryland, as the ``W. Edwards Deming Federal Building''. W.
Edwards Deming began his career in public service with the
United States Department of Agriculture in 1928. In 1929, he
became the mathematical advisor to the Chief of the Population
Division in the Census Bureau. In this position, he helped to
design the statistical sampling techniques used in the census
as a quality-control measure. Mr. Deming left the Census Bureau
in 1945 and began a series of public and private consultancies,
helping to revolutionize modern management services. Many of
his ideas became precursors of today's theories on total
quality management. Mr. Deming passed away in 1993. This
legislation was passed by the House on September 26, 1996.
Ronald H. Brown Federal Building
H.R. 3560 would designate the Federal building located at
290 Broadway in New York City as the ``Ronald H. Brown Federal
Building''. Ron Brown was the first African-American Secretary
of Commerce in United States history. As Commerce Secretary,
Ron Brown served as a champion for expanded markets for U.S.
goods and services worldwide and increased employment at home.
He was a strong advocate of civil rights and served for 10
years as an officer in the National Urban League. Tragically,
Secretary Brown lost his life along with 32 others on April 3,
1996, when their Air Force jet crashed as it was attempting to
land during inclement weather. This bill passed the House on
August 2, 1996.
Robert K. Rodibaugh Bankruptcy Courthouse
H.R. 3576 would designate the United States Courthouse in
South Bend, Indiana, as the ``Robert K. Rodibaugh Bankruptcy
Courthouse''. Judge Rodibaugh was appointed as United States
Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Indiana in 1960.
On August 30, 1995, he was appointed Chief Bankruptcy Judge for
that region. During Judge Rodibaugh's tenure, he oversaw growth
in both the number of courtrooms and employees within his
district. Judge Rodibaugh has fulfilled his duties as a
Bankruptcy Judge with patience, fairness, dedication and legal
scholarship. This bill was passed in the House on September 27,
1996. The Senate took no action.
Ted Weiss United States Courthouse
H.R. 4042 would designate the United States Courthouse
located at 500 Pearl Street in New York City, New York, as the
``Ted Weiss United States Courthouse''. Ted Weiss immigrated
from Gava, Hungary, to the United States in 1938. He served in
the Army in 1946 as a news broadcaster. He later attended law
school at Syracuse University and practiced law in New York
City. After serving on the city council, he was elected to the
U.S. Congress where he sat on the Banking, Foreign Affairs, and
Government Operations Committees. While in Congress, he
authored military base conversion legislation and received
numerous awards including the Consumer Federation of America's
Public Service Award. The Committee was discharged and the bill
passed the House on September 27, 1996. The Senate took no
action.
William Augustus Bootle Federal Building and United States Courthouse
H.R. 4119 would designate the Federal Building and United
States Courthouse located at 475 Mulberry Street in Macon,
Georgia, as the ``William Augustus Bootle Federal Building and
United States Courthouse''. Judge Bootle was born in
Walterboro, South Carolina. He attended Mercer University,
where he received both his undergraduate and law degrees. In
1928, Judge Bootle served as U.S. Attorney. President Dwight
Eisenhower appointed him as a U.S. District Judge in 1954.
Judge Bootle was respected by lawyers for his keen intellect,
sense of humor and fairness. The Committee was discharged and
the bill passed the House on September 27, 1996. The Senate
took no action.
Carl B. Stokes United States Courthouse
H.R. 4133 would designate the United States courthouse to
be constructed at the corner of Superior and Huron Roads, in
Cleveland, Ohio, as the ``Carl B. Stokes United States
Courthouse''. Carl Stokes began his career in the Army. He
attended West Virginia State College where he earned the title
of middleweight division boxing champion. He later attended the
University of Minnesota, where he earned his law degree. Mr.
Stokes served in the Ohio General Assembly and was elected
Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio. After political office, Mr. Stokes
turned to journalism. He moved to New York City where he worked
as an anchorman for WNBC-TV and received an Emmy for his work.
In 1983, he returned to Cleveland where he was elected to the
Municipal Court. In 1994, President Clinton appointed him
Ambassador to the island republic of Seychelles. He passed away
on April 3, 1996. The Committee was discharged, and the bill
passed the House on September 27, 1996. The Senate took no
action.
Economic Development Partnership Act
The Committee reported H.R. 2145, to reauthorize and reform
the programs of the Economic Development Administration (EDA)
and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for 5 years. The
legislation improved the program delivery and decisions,
focused funds on cost-effective programs in truly distressed
areas, and contributed to deficit reduction. This legislation
continued a commitment by the Federal government to assist
distressed communities through locally derived projects meeting
local needs, improving the capacity for economic growth and
creating employment within distressed communities. Furthermore,
H.R. 2145 helped meet the needs of communities facing the
effects of defense downsizing and base closuRes. The
legislation continued EDA and ARC successes, utilizing an
atmosphere in which Federal, State, and local officials work
cooperatively, thereby reducing bureaucracy and enhancing the
regional approach to problem solving in order to provide a
greater accountability for project decisions. This ensures that
the best projects are selected for investment. The Committee
also concluded that there remained a need for a separate
regional commission to administer the programs of the ARC due
to continued economic distress in Appalachia.
------
Hearings
On February 10 and 22, 1995, the Subcommittee held hearings
on the reauthorization of the Economic Development
Administration and the Appalachian Regional Development Act. In
conducting oversight over both the Economic Development
Administration and the Appalachian Regional Commission, the
Committee heard strong endorsements in favor of the commission
approach utilized by the ARC as a model program for State-
Federal cooperation. Supportive testimony was received from the
13 Governors of States within the jurisdiction of the ARC. On a
bipartisan basis, they unanimously supported the ARC model. The
Committee also heard testimony from local government officials
and business people on the continued need of EDA programs to
provide Federal assistance to areas suffering economic distress
and from the effects of defense downsizing and base closures
and realignment.
On March 2, 6, and 9, 1995, the Subcommittee held hearings
on the General Services Administration's capital investment
plan, reform legislation, and related matters. The purpose of
these hearings was two-fold; one, to examine GSA's basic
authority to manage the Federal government's real estate, and
two, to review GSA's FY 1996 request for new construction,
repair and alteration to existing Federal buildings, and any
request for advance design for future projects. The first
hearing was devoted to legislative reform of GSA's basic
authority under the Public Buildings Act of 1959, as amended,
which was last reviewed in 1988. The second day was devoted to
a review of GSA's FY 1996 capital improvement program. The
requested amounts were $1.022 billion to construct new
buildings, of which over $630 million was for the construction
of new courthouses and $911 million to repair existing
buildings. The Subcommittee also heard from private sector
witnesses on ways to improve real property asset management.
On June 15, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
various naming bills and H.R. 308, the Hopewell Township
Investment Act. The purpose of this hearing was to inform the
Subcommittee about the individuals for whom the buildings were
to be named and to discuss the specifics of the land transfer
in Hopewell Township.
On June 22, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.
1230, the Capitol Visitor Center to be constructed under the
East Plaza of the United States Capitol. The Capitol was never
designed to adequately accommodate the growing influx of
visitors. There is a lack of amenities such as cafeteria
services, restrooms, telephones, or any organized educational
assistance. In the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of
1991, funds were provided to the Architect of the Capitol for
the conceptual design and planning for a Capitol Visitor
Center. This hearing focused on the various design and
construction aspects of the center, the financing of
construction and related matters.
On July 20, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
GSA court construction program. The Committee had deferred
taking action on approving the FY 1996 courthouse construction
program, because of concerns about the cost of courthouse
construction, and the size of the facilities and the finishes
that tended to add costs to already costly projects. The
Subcommittee expressed an interest in greater sharing of
facilities by the Courts, and urged the Judicial Conference to
revise its Design Guide to reflect modern building constraints.
This review continued through the 104th Congress. The
Subcommittee held additional hearings on courthouse
construction in 1995 and 1996.
On July 27, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on GSA's
leasing program and focused on the request to consolidate the
Patent and Trademark office, which will result in the
government leasing over 2 million square feet of space to house
the PTO.
On October 26, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
sale of 501 1st Street, an annex to the House Complex. The
purpose of the hearing was to provide an opportunity for
proponents of this action to urge approval of legislation
authorizing the sale of the property. Witnesses included
Members of Congress, the Architect of the Capitol and local
residents.
On April 17, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
payment of stipends to bidders relating to the construction of
Federal buildings. During the House consideration of H.R. 1670,
the Procurement Reform Act of 1995, an amendment was adopted
which created a two-step process for design-build projects for
Federal buildings. One part of this original amendment
authorized the payment of stipends to bidders. This provision
was ultimately dropped, with the understanding that the
Subcommittee would review that proposal. The hearing provided
the opportunity for proponents of the stipend measure to
express views on the matter. Witnesses from GSA were joined by
witnesses from the private sector, providing expert commentary
on the issue. To date, GSA has paid over $700,000 to bidders in
connection with three projects under existing authority.
On April 24, 1996, the Subcommittee held an oversight
hearing on Federal building security measures that have been
instituted since the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In the year since that tragic event,
the Federal Government had reviewed security measures in public
facilities and had released a report on ``Vulnerability
Assessment of Federal Facilities''. The Administration
recommended spending $280 million on improving security in
Federal facilities, including $40 million for new courthouses
and modifications to existing Federal buildings. The
Subcommittee heard from the FBI, Secret Service, Marshals
Service, as well as GSA, on measures underway to protect
Federal facilities.
During the Second Session of the 104th Congress, the
Subcommittee initiated a review of GSA's leasing program. GSA
had embarked upon an internal review of its program and hired a
consultant to analyze the cost of operation of leasing as
compared with private sector leasing costs. While the
consultant found that GSA was competitive in its leasing
program, an effort was made to contract out certain aspects of
the leasing program. That effort was opposed by the
Subcommittee, until GSA demonstrated that it would achieve
savings, promote efficiency or save time by contracting out
these functions.
During July 1996, the Subcommittee held hearings on GSA's
leasing program. By then, GSA had taken a new approach to its
leasing program and was structuring a plan to offer Federal
agencies a choice of using GSA to continue leasing space for
agency needs, or delegate the leasing authority to agencies
upon demand. During the hearings the Subcommittee heard from
the Department of the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), a
non-appropriated fund instrumentality (NAFI), regarding a lease
award where the Navy had no authority to enter into the lease,
but GSA provided a retroactive delegation of leasing authority.
In November 1994, Congresswoman Susan Molinari wrote to Navy
Secretary Dalton raising serious concerns about this lease. The
Department of the Navy opened a review of this lease
transaction. The fundamental question was whether or not NAFIs
have leasing authority. The purpose of this hearing was to
focus on what officials did during this series of events, when
they did it, and, why it had taken so long to respond to
concerns raised by Congresswoman Molinari.
On September 11, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
H.R. 1995, a bill to authorize construction of the Smithsonian
Institution National Air and Space Museum Dulles Center at
Washington-Dulles International Airport. Public Law 103-57
authorized the Smithsonian Institution to plan and design an
Air and Space Museum extension at Dulles International Airport.
S. 1995 authorized construction of this facility without the
use of Federal funds. The purpose of this hearing was to learn
more about plans to pay for the facility, its construction
details, and the commitment of the Commonwealth of Virginia to
aid in the facility's development.
Site Visits
On April 19, 1995, a home-made bomb exploded outside the
Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, killing 168
persons, and causing damage to 320 buildings in the area at an
estimated cost of $500 million. This act of domestic terrorism
was the worst in modern U.S. history. Two days after this
event, the Chairman of the Committee decided to personally
visit the site and meet with local and Federal officials in
Oklahoma City. After touring the devastation, the Chairman
committed to help in any way, and sponsored a resolution
directing GSA to survey Federal space in Oklahoma City with a
specific focus on the continuing need to house agencies
displaced by the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building. The
resolution, passed May 3, 1995, also requested GSA to review
security for Federal personnel affected by this event.
In conjunction with the Subcommittee review of the GSA
courthouse construction program, Subcommittee staff conducted
site visits to several recently completed projects and also
visited cities where court projects were being requested. A
total of 9 site visits were made. The results of theses visits
were summarized in a staff report which concluded that the
procedure GSA and the Courts followed to select courthouse
projects often results in courthouses that are either
unnecessary or excessive. The problems identified in the report
were due to the lack of detail in prospectuses; the flexible
nature of the U.S. Courts Design Guide, permitting wide
variance in design, features and finishes of a project; the
lack of priority setting by the Courts; and the influence of
the Judiciary in the design and construction process. The
report made several recommendations regarding the program,
including limiting funding for construction related finish work
and detail; reflecting budgeting constraints as urged by
Congress; and requiring GSA to submit prospectuses with more
in-depth information.
GAO Reviews
Finally, the Subcommittee has requested the General
Accounting Office to study two important matters. In November
1995, the Chairman, Vice-Chair and a senior Member of the
Subcommittee requested GAO to review the Federal Triangle
Building, a 3.1 million square foot building currently under
construction in downtown Washington, D.C. The request asked GAO
to review the housing plan, financing, construction costs, soft
costs and other related matters of this project. Secondly, the
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member asked GAO to review the
utilization of existing courthouses in cities where GSA
proposes to construct new courthouses or annexes to existing
courthouses. There is a growing concern that existing
facilities are under-utilized at a time when plans call for an
expansion of court facilities. Both reports are due in 1997.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON RAILROADS
During the 104th Congress, the Subcommittee on Railroads
chaired by Congresswoman Susan Molinari with Congressman Robert
E. Wise, Jr. serving as Ranking Democratic Member, developed
major legislation dealing with the reauthorization of Amtrak,
the termination of the Interstate Commerce Commission, and the
amendment of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.
Congressman William O. Lipinski served as the Subcommittee's
Ranking Democratic Member until the Fall of 1995. Due to
Committee reorganization, Congressman Wise assumed the position
of Ranking Member at that time. The Subcommittee also held
oversight hearings on a wide variety of railroad issues.
------
Enacted Legislation
(For a description of the enacted legislation, see section
on ``Bills Enacted into Law.'')
THE RAILROAD UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1996
Public Law 104-251 amends the Railroad Unemployment
Insurance Act to increase the daily unemployment benefits for
railroad workers from $36 to $42 and reduces the waiting period
before benefits begin to accrue from 14 days to 7 days. This
legislation enjoyed bipartisan support in the Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee as well as from rail labor and
rail management.
------
THE ICC TERMINATION ACT OF 1995
Public Law 104-88 substantially deregulated the rail and
motor carrier industries and abolishes the 108-year-old
Interstate Commerce Commission. The rail portions of the bill
eliminate obsolete rail provisions and transfer remaining
functions to a 3-member board (the Surface Transportation
Board) within the Department of Transportation. Provisions and
activities that are repealed or eliminated by this law include:
tariff filing, securities jurisdiction, minimum rate
regulation, State certification, the commodities clause,
recyclable commodities rate regime, and valuation jurisdiction.
Functions that are transferred to the Department of
Transportation include: maximum rate regulation, rail mergers
and consolidations, various intercarrier transactions,
abandonments, and labor protection.
------
Other Legislation
AMTRAK REFORM AND PRIVATIZATION ACT OF 1995
The Committee reported and the House passed H.R. 1788 by a
vote of 406-4. This legislation would place Amtrak in full
control of its assets and allow Amtrak to deploy their
resources where the opportunities are the most promising. The
restrictive Federal laws that dictate Amtrak's labor benefits
and practices would be replaced through an accelerated
collective bargaining process between labor and management.
Amtrak would be given the benefit of private sector business
expertise through a reform board of directors and a Temporary
Rail Advisory Council of business experts who would help Amtrak
develop its strategy for the future. The Senate failed to take
any action on this bill.
------
Hearings
The Subcommittee held hearings on January 26 and February
22, 1995, on sunsetting the Interstate Commerce Commission, and
the subsequent transfer of any retained functions to other
agencies. The need for legislation came in response to the FY
1995 DOT Appropriations bill which reduced funding for the ICC
by 30 percent, and the Clinton Administration's FY 1996 budget
which proposed complete elimination of the agency. A bill (H.R.
2539) was introduced on October 26, 1995, by Representatives
Shuster, Petri, Rahall, and Molinari. An amended bill was
ordered reported by the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure on November 1, 1995, and was passed by the House
on November 14, 1995, by a vote of 417-8. This legislation
became Public Law 104-88.
On February 7, 10, and 13, 1995, the Subcommittee held
hearings on the reauthorization of Amtrak. These hearings
focused on Amtrak's fiscal crisis; Member testimony on Amtrak's
situation; and an examination of the impediments to greater
efficiency imposed upon Amtrak by current Federal laws. H.R.
1788 was introduced on June 8, 1995, and ordered reported, as
amended, by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
on September 21, 1995. This bill was passed by the House on
November 30, 1995.
A hearing was held on September 14, 1995, concerning the
proposed renewal and expansion of Federal railroad safety user
fees. The renewal and expansion of fees was assumed in the
reconciliation assignments of the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee. Testimony was heard from the Federal
Railroad Administration as well as from freight and commuter
rail. The fees were not renewed, but the required revenues were
generated through other legislation.
In March 1996, oversight hearings were conducted concerning
railroad safety issues. These hearings came in response to
numerous railroad accidents which occurred during the month of
February. The first hearing, on March 5, 1996, dealt with human
factors and grade-crossing safety issues. The second was
related to equipment and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
regulatory procedures. The final hearing was jointly held with
the Technology Subcommittee of the Committee on Science
concerning high technology train control devices. Testimony was
heard from Federal safety agencies, rail labor, freight and
commuter railroads, the National Association of Rail
Passengers, Operation Lifesaver, Rockwell Railroad Electronics,
and GE-Harris Corporation.
The Subcommittee held oversight hearings on The Rails to
Trails Act on July 10 and September 18, 1996. The first hearing
focused on how the Surface Transportation Board and the Federal
Highway Administration administer the Federal transportation
laws and related programs that promote the conversion of
abandoned railroad lines to recreational trails. The second
hearing examined the actual conversion of rail rights-of-way to
recreational trails and their impact on adjacent landowners.
Testimony was heard from Federal agencies, landowners, and
trail advocates. There was no legislative action on this issue.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a
hearing on the proposed acquisition of Conrail by other major
rail carriers on November 19, 1996. This hearing focused on the
standards and procedures employed by the Surface Transportation
Board (STB) in evaluating major rail merger applications,
including situations where multiple carriers seek approval to
acquire the same railroad. The hearing also explored the
various Federal laws still in force which are limited in their
application solely to Conrail. No further action was taken on
the issue during the remainder of the 104th Congress.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
In the 104th Congress, the Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation was chaired by Thomas Petri of Wisconsin. Nick
Joe Rahall II of West Virginia was the Subcommittee's Ranking
Democratic Member. The Subcommittee developed and reported
significant legislation in all of its areas of jurisdiction,
including approval of the National Highway System, termination
of the Interstate Commerce Commission, a 5-year reauthorization
of the pipeline safety program, amendments to implement the
Intermodal Safe Container Act of 1992, and an accommodation for
the District of Columbia. Enacted Legislation
------
Enacted Legislation
(For a description of the enacted legislation, see section
on ``Bills Enacted into Law.'')
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HIGHWAY RELIEF ACT OF 1995
Public Law 104-21, the District of Columbia Highway Relief
Act permits a Federal share of 100 percent for certain projects
for the years 1995 and 1996 due to the District's financial
crisis and its inability to contribute its 20 percent match.
Without this relief, the District of Columbia would have been
unable to use its Federal-aid highway funds for 1995 and 1996.
As a condition of the increased Federal share, the Act directs
the District to set up a dedicated account for gas tax receipts
in an amount sufficient to repay the temporarily waived local
match and to meet future local match requirements. The Act also
requires that the District's trust fund accounting be analyzed
by the General Accounting Office.
H.R. 2017 was ordered reported, as amended, by the Full
Committee on July 27, 1995 (after the Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation was discharged). H.R. 2017, as amended, passed
the House on July 31, 1995, the Senate cleared the measure for
the President's signature on August 4, 1995.
------
NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM DESIGNATION ACT OF 1995
The Subcommittee's top priority was passage of legislation
that approved the National Highway System (NHS). In the
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991
(ISTEA), Congress directed that a network of roads of national
significance be designated by the States in cooperation with
DOT and metropolitan areas and submitted to the Congress for
approval. If Congress did not approve the NHS by September 30,
1995, then nearly $13 billion in NHS and Interstate Maintenance
funds would not be apportioned to the States.
Public Law 104-59, the National Highway System Designation
Act of 1995, approved the 160,000 mile National Highway System
and permitted nearly $13 billion in NHS and Interstate
Maintenance highway funds to be distributed to the States in
1996 and 1997. While comprising only 4 percent of all highways
in America, the NHS will carry 40 percent of all traffic, 75
percent of all freight, and 80 percent of all tourism traffic.
In addition to approving the NHS, this legislation
contained several other provisions. First, the legislation
provides flexibility to States to make up for the one-time
shortfall in funding in fiscal year 1996 that was caused by
section 1003 of ISTEA. Section 1003 results in a 13 percent
reduction in the amount of funds distributed to the States. The
NHS Designation Act allows States to mitigate these cuts by
giving them flexibility to utilize categorical funds for
different types of projects. The Act also rescinds nearly $500
million in unneeded or unused budget authority and
redistributes those funds to the States to help make up their
budget shortfall.
Second, the legislation eliminates several Federal mandates
that had been imposed on the States in ISTEA and other
transportation laws, including the national maximum speed
limit, motorcycle helmet laws, a requirement for States to use
crumb rubber in asphalt, a requirement that States adopt
certain management systems, preemployment alcohol testing for
transportation employees, and certain transportation conformity
requirements. The Act also prohibits any requirement that
highway signs be converted to metric prior to September 30,
1997.
Third, the legislation creates a motor carrier safety pilot
program that will permit carriers that utilize commercial motor
vehicles between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds flexibility in
complying with Federal motor carrier safety regulations if they
devise a program of safety management controls that DOT
determines will provide an equal or greater level of safety
than following the motor carrier safety regulations. Fourth,
the Act creates a pilot program for extended winter deliveries
of home heating oil. Fifth, the Act amends hours of service
regulations for certain motor carrier segments whose activities
are seasonal, including farmers and farm suppliers during
planting and harvesting seasons, water well drillers,
construction vehicles and utility service vehicles, and waives
commercial drivers license requirements for part-time employees
of small towns and townships during snow emergencies to ensure
that roads are plowed.
Finally, the NHS Designation Act contains several
innovative financing provisions that give States flexibility to
use scarce resources to leverage Federal-aid highway and
transit funds, including an infrastructure bank pilot project.
H.R. 2274 was approved by the Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation in draft form on September 7, 1995, and
forwarded to the Full Committee. The Full Committee ordered the
measure reported, as amended, on September 8, 1995. By a vote
of 419-7, the House passed H.R. 2274, as amended, on September
20, 1995. Subsequently, the House passed the Senate bill, S.
440, and requested a conference with the Senate. The conference
report was agreed to by the House on November 18, 1995; after
Senate approval on November 17, 1995. It was signed by the
President on November 28, 1995.
------
INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION TERMINATION ACT OF 1995
The motor carrier provisions of Public Law 104-88, the ICC
Termination Act of 1995, eliminate unnecessary functions of the
ICC and transferred remaining motor carrier oversight functions
to the Federal Highway Administration.
Motor carrier functions transferred to the Department of
Transportation will be carried out with no increase in
personnel or funding. The primary Department responsibility
will be registration of motor carriers and the establishment
and enforcement of minimum financial responsibility
requirements. Maintenance of industry commercial rules (such as
cargo loss and damage and leasing rules) is alao transferred to
DOT
H.R. 2539 was approved for Full Committee action by both
the Surface Transportation and Railroads Subcommittees on
October 31, 1995. The Full Committee met on November 1, 1995,
and ordered the bill to be reported, as amended, by a vote of
36-22. House passage took place on November 14, 1995, by a vote
of 417-8. The Senate passed the legislation, as amended by the
text of the Senate companion bill. After a conference, the
Senate agreed to the conference report on December 21, 1995;
and the House agreed to the conference report on December 22,
1995. The President signed the measure on December 29, 1995.
------
DESIGNATION OF THE BILL EMERSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE
Public Law 104-154 names the bridge crossing the
Mississippi River between Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and East
Girardeau, Illinois, on Missouri Highway 74 the ``Bill Emerson
Memorial Bridge.''
S.1903 would have been refered to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, but in response to the
untimely death of Congressman Emerson, it was taken directly to
the House and Senate Floors. It passed both Houses on June 25,
1996, and it was signed into law by the President on July 2,
1996.
------
INTERMODAL SAFE CONTAINER TRANSPORTATION ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1996
The Intermodal Safe Container Transportation Act Amendments
of 1996 became title II of Public Law 104-291. It made several
changes to the Intermodal Safe Container Act of 1992, to permit
that statute to be implemented. Industry and DOT agreed that
the 1992 Act would impede the transfer of intermodal containers
between ocean carriers, railroads and trucking companies, and
that modifications were necessary. DOT regulations making the
1992 Act effective were to go into effect on January 1, 1997.
H.R. 4040, the original bill, was ordered reported by the
Full Committee on September 12, 1996, and it was pased by the
House under suspension of the rules on September 18, 1996. The
Senate incorporated its provisions into an amendment to H.R.
3159, the National Transportation Safety Board Amendments of
1996, on September 18, 1996. The President signed H.R. 3159
into law on October 11, 1996.
ACCOUNTABLE PIPELINE SAFETY AND PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 1996
Public Law 104-304 reauthorizes the pipeline safety program
for fiscal years 1996 through 2000. Pipelines remain our safest
form of transportation. Fatalities from pipeline accidents
represent less than .003 percent of the total number of
fatalities of all modes of transportation on an annual basis.
Over the past 3 decades, the safety record of pipelines has
continued to improve while the total number of miles of
pipelines has steadily increased.
The Act moves the program to a new risk-based approach by
incorporating risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis in the
establishment of new pipeline safety standards, based on
current Office of Pipeline Safety practices in accordance with
Executive Order 12866, regarding cost-benefit analysis. The Act
establishes a risk management demonstration program, whereby
pipeline operators may be exempted from any or all safety
requirements if the operator submits, and DOT approves, a
safety plan that will achieve a level of safety equal to or
greater than that which would be achieved through following the
regulations. The Secretary may revoke any exemption for
substantial noncompliance or in emergencies.
The bill authorizes a total of $103.841 million for
hazardous liquid and gas pipeline programs, and $71 million for
the State grant program. The primary source of funding is
provided through industry user fees. The bill also expands
criminal penalties to persons who damage pipelines and do not
report the damage, removes the 2-year pipeline inspection
requirement (leaving it to the discretion of the Secretary),
and makes other minor and technical changes.
H.R. 1323, the Pipeline Safety Act of 1995 (the original
House bill) was reported by both the Committees on
Transportation and Infrastructure (on May 1, 1995), and
Commerce (on June 1, 1995). The Senate bill, S. 1505, was
passed by the Senate, as amended, on September 26, 1996, and
the House also passed S. 1505 on September 27, 1996. The
President signed S. 1505 into law on October 12, 1996.
------
Other Legislation
SMALL BUSINESS TRANSPORT CORRECTION ADVANCEMENT ACT
The Subcommittee reported H.R. 3153, a bill to direct the
Secretary of Transportation to complete by December 31, 1996, a
pending rulemaking concerning ``materials of trade'' exceptions
to hazardous materials regulation. The bill was amended during
consideration by the House to provide that if a final rule
extending Federal hazardous materials regulation to intrastate
transportation does not allow States to grant exceptions for
not-for-hire intrastate transportation by farmers and farm-
related service industries, then the portion of the rule
affecting farm vehicles cannot take effect before the earlier
of the date of the enactment of the reauthorization of the
hazardous materials program or the 180th day following the
effective date of the final rule. The bill passed the House on
the Corrections Calendar by voice vote on September 24, 1996,
but was not acted on by the Senate.
------
DESIGNATION OF THE WILLIAM NATCHER BRIDGE
H.R. 3572 named the bridge currently under construction on
U.S. 231 that would link U.S. 60 near Maceo, Kentucky, with
Rockport, Indiana, in honor of the late William Natcher.
William Natcher, a Congressman for over 40 years and former
Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, was well known for
casting over 18,000 consecutive votes. He died in 1994.
------
Hearings
During the 104th Congress, the Subcommittee held an
extensive series of hearings on programs under its jurisdiction
and on legislation developed and reported by the Subcommittee.
The Subcommittee held a total of 25 hearings--22 hearings in
Washington and 3 field hearings in Laredo and McAllen, Texas,
and in Buffalo, New York.
The Subcommittee held 9 hearings involving 124 witnesses
during the first session of the 104th Congress. The
Subcommittee held a comprehensive series of six hearings on
legislation to approve the National Highway System (NHS) and
other issues relating to highway and transit programs. On
February 8, 28, and March 1, 1995, the Subcommittee examined
mandates and burdens in the Federal-aid highway and transit
programs on States, municipalities and transit authorities and
private industry. The Subcommittee heard testimony from a wide
range of witnesses which included Governors, State Secretaries
of Transportation, heads of transit authorities, county and
municipal officials, private industry and labor, and safety and
environmental groups about the impact of Federal requirements.
On March 2, 1995, the Subcommittee heard testimony on the
designation of the National Highway System. On March 8, 1995,
the Subcommittee heard testimony from Members and local and
business officials on specific highway and transit needs in
their districts.
On March 10, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
behalf of the Full Committee on H.R. 842, the Truth in
Transportation Budgeting Act, a bill to take four
transportation trust funds off budget. The largest of the four
trust funds is the Highway Trust Fund, which contains the
Highway and Mass Transit Accounts. The Subcommittee heard
testimony on how the Congressional budget process has resulted
in the use of the trust funds to offset the overall size of the
Federal deficit, and has prevented the use of over $6 billion
of ISTEA-authorized funds.
In connection with the decision by Congress in the Budget
Resolution and the Administration budget to eliminate the
Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), the Subcommittee held a
hearing on March 3, 1995, on the disposition of the motor
carrier functions of the ICC. The Subcommittee heard testimony
from DOT, the ICC, the General Accounting Office, the trucking
industry, shippers and labor. Both DOT and the ICC submitted
reports to Congress recommending which functions should be
retained and transferred to DOT or an independent entity, which
functions should be eliminated, and which should be
streamlined.
On March 14, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
reauthorization of the Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquid
Pipeline Safety Acts. The statutory authorization for these
programs expired at the end of fiscal year 1995. The
Subcommittee heard testimony from the Office of Pipeline Safety
and from representatives of industry on pipeline transportation
safety and the need to ensure that safety resources are
directed toward their most efficient use.
On July 25, 1995, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
District of Columbia Emergency Highway Relief Act.
In the Second Session of the 104th Congress, the
Subcommittee held 16 hearings, including 3 field hearings, and
heard testimony from 279 witnesses.
In connection with the 1997 reauthorization of the
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991
(ISTEA), the Subcommittee held 12 days of oversight hearings on
ISTEA. On March 28, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing to
assess the importance of highway and transit infrastructure
investment to the Nation's future health and economic growth.
On May 2 and 7, 1996, the Subcommittee held hearings to examine
the Federal role for highway and transit transportation and
infrastructure programs. On May 16, 1996, the Subcommittee held
a hearing on the status of the Highway Trust Fund. On June 5,
1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the core
highway infrastructure programs, including the Interstate
maintenance, National Highway System, bridge and Interstate
reimbursement programs. On June 18, 1996, the Subcommittee
heard testimony on the Federal transit grant programs. On July
11, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the distribution
of Federal highway funding among the various States. On July
18, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing on provisions in the
NHS Designation Act and other initiatives to permit States and
localities to use innovative financing mechanisms for Federal-
aid highway and transit projects. On July 25, 1996, the
Subcommittee held a hearing on the surface transportation
program established in ISTEA. On July 30, 1996, the
Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the metropolitan and
Statewide planning processes established in ISTEA and the role
of metropolitan planning organizations. On September 19, 1996,
the Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the Federal highway
safety programs, including the section 402, 403 and 410 grant
programs, and other highway traffic safety issues. On September
26, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing examining ways to
improve the delivery of Federal highway and transit grant
programs and on the congestion mitigation and air quality
program (CMAQ) established in ISTEA.
The Subcommittee held a hearing on April 25, 1996, on
unauthorized highway and transit statutory changes requested by
the Administration in its fiscal year 1997 budget. In addition,
the Subcommittee heard testimony from transit agencies
requesting funding in fiscal year 1997 for transit projects not
authorized in ISTEA or that would exceed their ISTEA
authorizations.
The Subcommittee also held three field hearings. On August
8, 1996, the Subcommittee held a hearing in Laredo, Texas, on
the infrastructure and motor carrier safety and regulatory
issues related to the implementation of the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The Subcommittee heard testimony from
DOT, the Texas DOT, Texas motor carrier safety officials, local
officials, representatives of the trucking industry, and
representatives of labor groups from the US and Mexico.
On August 9, 1996, the Subcommittee held a second hearing
on the US-Mexican border in McAllen, Texas, to examine the
border infrastructure needs in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The
Subcommittee heard testimony from State, local, and Mexican
officials on the infrastructure needs of the rapidly growing
region.
On October 8, 1996, the Subcommittee held a field hearing
in Buffalo, New York, on the Route 219 high priority corridor
and its importance to international trade.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES AND
ENVIRONMENT
During the 104th Congress, the Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment, chaired by Congressman Sherwood L.
Boehlert with Congressman Robert A. Borski serving as Ranking
Minority Member, had referred to it or took action on 7 bills
which became public laws and 4 bills which were approved by the
House but not acted on by the Senate. In addition, 4 bills were
enacted which contained subject matter within the jurisdiction
of the Subcommittee but were not referred to the Committee. The
Committee also approved 56 Committee Resolutions authorizing
studies by the Corps of Engineers of potential water resources
projects. The Subcommittee held 24 hearings during the 104th
Congress.
------
Enacted Legislation
(For a description of the enacted legislation, see section
on ``Bills Enacted into Law.'')
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1996
Public Law 104-303, the Water Resources Development Act of
1996 (WRDA), authorizes water resources development and
conservation projects of the Army Corps of Engineers. It also
modifies Corps water policies and modifies the agency's water
resources programs. The WRDA reflects a continued Federal
commitment to water infrastructure, responds to initiatives to
update water polices, and takes advantage of opportunities to
strengthen the Corps' role in protecting and restoring the
aquatic environment.
The WRDA resumes the biennial authorization of Corps water
resources programs. It authorizes approximately $3.8 billion in
Federal appropriations for water projects and programs. The
total estimated cost (Federal and non-Federal) is $5.4 billion.
Highlights include: authorization of 44 projects with final or
pending reports of the Chief of Engineers; modification of
cost-sharing requirements for flood control projects,
navigation projects involving dredged material disposal
facilities, and feasibility studies; creation of a new
authority for the restoration of aquatic ecosystems; expansion
of authorities for modifications to existing projects for
environmental restoration and for environmental dredging;
authorization of construction of flood control projects by non-
Federal interests; modifications to the national dam safety
program; affirmation of the Federal role in shoreline
protection projects; modification of the Federal hopper dredge
fleet; modifications to projects to reflect changed conditions
and cost increases; and authorization of various water
resources studies.
Subcommittee hearings on water resources issues and
projects were held on February 7, 1995, February 27 and 28,
1996, and March 21, 1996. On June 6, 1996, Representatives
Shuster, Oberstar, Boehlert and Borski introduced H.R. 3592,
the House version of WRDA. The bill was referred to the
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. On June 27, 1996,
the amended bill was ordered reported by the committee. The
Senate version of the bill, S. 640, passed the Senate on July
11, 1996, and was referred in the House to the Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee. On July 30, 1996, H.R. 3592, as
amended, was passed by the House under suspension of the Rules.
The text of H.R. 3592 was then passed as an amendment to S. 640
in the form of a substitute. The conference report accompanying
S. 640 was approved by the House and Senate by voice vote. The
bill became Public Law 104-303.
WATER DESALINATION ACT OF 1996
S. 811, the Water Desalination Research and Development Act
of 1995, passed the Senate on May 3, 1996, and was referred to
the Resources Committee and, in addition, the Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee and the Science Committee. The
legislation authorized desalination research and demonstration
programs for the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of
the Army. On September 16, 1996, the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee agreed to be discharged from further
consideration of the bill. The House passed S. 811, as
modified, on September 24, 1996, and the Senate passed S. 811,
as modified by the House, on September 27, 1996. The final
version of the Water Desalination Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-
298) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation
with the Secretary of the Army and other Federal agencies, to
conduct various projects, programs, and activities for
desalination research, development and demonstration.
WATER SUPPLY INFRASTRUCTURE ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1995
Included as title V of the Safe Drinking Water Act
Amendments of 1996 (Public Law 104-182), this legislation
authorizes $350 million over 7 years for EPA grants to States
for drinking water infrastructure and watershed protection. Up
to 70 percent of the grants may be used for the construction,
rehabilitation, or improvement of water supply, treatment and
distribution facilities; up to 30 percent may be used for
certain watershed protection activities consistent with
nonpoint source pollution management programs under the Clean
Water Act.
Representatives Shuster, Oberstar, Boehlert and Borski
introduced the legislation, H.R. 2747, on December 7, 1995. The
Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing on
the bill on January 29, 1996. The bill passed the House on June
25, 1996, as title V of H.R. 3604, the Safe Drinking Water Act
Amendments of 1996. House and Senate conferees on the Safe
Drinking Water legislation included the water infrastructure
and watershed protection grants program in title V of the Safe
Drinking Water Act Amendments; other provisions in H.R. 2747,
relating to a drinking water SRF and grants for Alaska and the
New York City watershed, were included in other titles of the
drinking water law.
In addition, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
conferees agreed with other House and Senate conferees to
include provisions in the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of
1996 regarding, among other things: modernization of the
Washington Aqueduct facilities, source water and groundwater
protection programs, authority to transfer a percentage of
funds between the drinking water SRF and the Clean Water Act
SRF, and grants for wastewater assistance in ``colonias'' in
the U.S. along the Mexican border.
EDIBLE OIL REGULATORY REFORM ACT
Over the last several years, the Committee has received
testimony and other information regarding the regulation of
animal fats and vegetable oils, particularly regarding spill
prevention, response and cleanup requirements under the Oil
Pollution Act, Clean Water Act, and Hazardous Materials
Transportation Act. The concern was that regulatory agencies
were not adequately taking into account the differences between
toxic, petroleum-based oils and edible oils. In response,
Representatives Tom Ewing, Pat Danner and others introduced
H.R. 436 to require that agencies make such distinctions under
various laws.
H.R. 436 passed the House of Representatives on October 10,
1995, as part of the Corrections Day Calendar. The Committee
worked with the Commerce Committee and the Agriculture
Committee to develop an acceptable substitute to the bill
reported by the Commerce Committee. On November 7, 1995, the
House agreed by voice vote to accept minor revisions to H.R.
436 made by the Senate. The bill became Public Law 104-55.
DEEPWATER PORT MODERNIZATION ACT
Title V of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996
(Public Law 104-324) includes the Deepwater Port Modernization
Act, which updates and improves the Deepwater Port Act of 1974
to increase flexibility in the use of deepwater ports and to
coordinate various regulatory and licensing authorities under
the Act.
Title V of Public Law 104-324 is identical to H.R. 2940,
the Deepwater Port Modernization Act, as reported by the
Committee on July 18, 1996, and as passed by the House on
September 18, 1996. The bill was introduced on February 1,
1996, and referred to the Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee and in addition the Judiciary Committee. The Water
Resources and Environment Subcommittee and the Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation Subcommittee held a joint hearing on
the bill on March 28, 1996. On June 27, 1996, the Subcommittees
were discharged from further consideration and the full
Committee ordered the bill reported, as amended. On July 18,
1996, the Judiciary Committee agreed to be discharged from
further consideration of the bill. On September 18, 1996, the
House passed H.R. 2940 by voice vote under suspension of the
rules. House and Senate conferees on the Coast Guard
Authorization bill then included the House-passed bill as Title
V of Public Law 104-324.
NATIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES ACT
H.R. 4283, the National Invasive Species Act of 1996
(NISA), reauthorizes and amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic
Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to strengthen and
improve the Nation's response to threats posed by aquatic
nuisance plants and animals. The legislation provides for,
among other things, a Nationwide voluntary ballast water
management program and other measures to prevent the
introduction and spread of invasive species into waters of the
United States.
NISA originally was introduced, reported favorably by the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and passed the
House by voice vote on September 24, 1996, as H.R. 3217. The
Senate did not act on H.R. 3217 so in the last days of the
104th Congress, Congressman LaTourette reintroduced NISA, with
a few amendments to address concerns raised after passage of
H.R. 3217, as H.R. 4283. The House passed H.R. 4283 by voice
vote on September 28, 1996. The Senate cleared the measure for
Presidential signature on October 3, 1996. The bill was signed
into law on October 26, 1996, as Public Law 104-332.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1996
Public Law 104-106 includes several provisions within the
jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment.
Section 325 amends section 312 of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act to add a subsection to address certain
discharges from vessels of the Armed Forces. New section 312(n)
requires the Administrator of EPA and the Secretary of Defense
to identify those Armed Forces vessels for which it is
reasonable and practicable to require use of a marine pollution
control device. The Secretary of the Defense must then require
the use of these devices on such vessels. EPA and the Secretary
of Defense are required to jointly promulgate performance
standards for marine pollution control devices, taking into
consideration vessel class, types, and sizes. This subsection
also prohibits individual States from regulating such marine
pollution control devices, except that individual States may
prohibit discharges from vessels in waters identified by the
State if EPA agrees that such a prohibition is necessary to
protect and enhance water quality in those waters.
Section 2834 amends section 120(h) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980
to allow the Federal government to lease Federal property prior
to completion of any necessary cleanup of that property.
This bill was not referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure. However, the Committee
participated in the conference on this bill.
ILLINOIS LAND CONSERVATION ACT
As part of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 1996 (Public Law 104-106), this legislation
provides for the conversion of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant
to the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (MNP) and other uses,
and provides for the disposal of real property at the Arsenal.
The provision is based on a land use plan developed by the
Joilet Arsenal Planning Commission. The total acreage involved
is approximately 23,500 acres. Of this amount 3,000 acres will
be turned over to the State of Illinois for use in economic
redevelopment as an industrial park; 982 acres will be turned
over to the Department of Veterans Affairs for use as a
National Veterans Cemetery; 455 acres will be turned over to
Will County for use as a nonhazardous landfill; and the
remaining acreage will be turned over to the Department of
Agriculture for management as the MNP. The Secretary of the
Army retains the responsibility for cleaning up Superfund sites
and for compliance with environmental laws. Transfers are to be
made without consideration, except that the State is to pay
fair market value for lands transferred to it 20 years after
conveyance or upon subsequent conveyance of the property,
whichever occurs first. The Secretary of Agriculture is to
manage the MNP as part of the National Forest System and shall
manage its land and water resources to conserve and enhance the
native populations and habitats of fish, wildlife and plants.
Additional purposes of the MNP are to provide opportunities for
scientific, environmental, educational, recreational and
research uses.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997
Public Law 104-201 includes several provisions within the
jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment.
Section 324 amends section 3(c) of the Act to Prevent
Pollution from Ships to allow Navy vessels to discharge certain
nonfloatable non-plastic solid wastes, notwithstanding the
requirements of Annex V to the International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships, where the Secretary of the
Navy determines that the vessel has a unique military design
and full compliance with Annex V is not technologically
feasible or would impair the operation or operational
capability of the ship.
Section 330 amends section 120(d) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA) to provide the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency with the authority under section 105 of
CERCLA to withhold listing a Federal facility on the National
Priorities List. The section specifically States that the
Administrator may take into account the fact that a facility is
being cleaned up under another authority when deciding whether
or not to place a Federal facility on the National Priorities
List.
Section 331 amends section 120(h)(4)(A) of CERCLA to
clarify that Federal property is not considered contaminated if
hazardous substances were merely stored on the property,
without any release to the environment.
Section 333 requires the Navy to develop and implement a
program to monitor the concentrations of organotin in coastal
waters. Under the Organotin Anitfouling Paint Control Act of
1988, this monitoring program was originally to be developed
and implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Under this section, the Navy must consult with EPA and EPA must
pay the costs of the program.
Section 334 amends section 120(h)(3) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
to allow the Federal government to transfer Federal property
prior to completion of a required response action necessary to
protect human health and the environment, if the property is
suitable for the use intended by the transferee, the use is
consistent with the protection of human health and the
environment, the deed or other agreement governing the transfer
contains the response action assurances specified in this
section, public notice is provided, and the deferral and
transfer will not substantially delay cleanup.
This bill was not referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure. However, the Committee
participated in the conference on this bill.
OMNIBUS CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997
This law contains several provisions within the
jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment.
Title II of Division A of the Omnibus Consolidated
Appropriations Bill includes the ``Economic Growth and
Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996,'' a banking
regulatory reform bill. Subtitle E of the banking bill consists
of the ``Asset Conservation, Lender Liability, and Deposit
Insurance Protection Act of 1996.'' This Act amends the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to clarify when lenders and
fiduciaries may be held liable under section 107 of CERCLA for
the cleanup of contaminated property.
In 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a
rule specifying when lenders could be held liable under CERCLA.
In 1994, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated
this rule on the grounds that EPA has no statutory authority to
establish rules of liability. In the 104th Congress, several
bills were introduced and referred to the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee to address this issue by substantively
amending the statute to clarify when lenders and fiduciaries
can be held liable under CERCLA. Similar language also was
included in H.R. 1858, the banking regulatory reform bill that
was reported by the Banking Committee. However, at the request
of the Commerce Committee and the Transportation Committee, the
Banking Committee agreed to address lender liability through
``Sense of Congress'' language. This ``Sense of Congress''
language was included in Banking Committee regulatory reform
bills, H.R. 2520 and H.R. 4079, subsequently introduced by
Congressman Leach. The Senate banking regulatory reform bill,
S. 650, as reported by the Senate Finance Committee, included
substantive environmental liability provisions for lenders and
fiduciaries, including amendments to CERCLA.
Neither the House nor the Senate banking regulatory reform
bills, nor any other bills addressing lender liability, were
acted upon as stand-alone legislation by the full House or
Senate. Instead, a revised version of the Senate banking
legislation was incorporated into the Omnibus Consolidated
Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1997, H.R. 4278. Ultimately, the
Conference Report for H.R. 3610, the Department of Defense
Appropriations Act for FY 1997, was used as the legislative
vehicle for the omnibus appropriations bill, including the
lender and fiduciary liability provisions. In general, the
enacted legislation takes the approach of substantively
amending CERCLA to clarify the potential liability of lenders
and fiduciaries under CERCLA.
Title I of Division E of the Omnibus Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 1997 included the ``California Bay-Delta
Environmental Enhancement and Water Security Act.'' This Act
authorizes $429,900,000 for fiscal years 1998 through 2000 to
support the California-Federal Bay-Delta Program for
developing, funding, and implementing solutions to problems
regarding ecosystem quality, water quality, water supply and
reliability, and system vulnerability affecting the San
Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed. This Act
was introduced on September 19, 1996, by Congressman Bill Baker
and others, and was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure and, in addition, the Committee on
Resources. It was also enacted into law as Title XI of the
Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, Public
Law 104-333.
The bill making Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations for
Fiscal Year 1997 was not referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure. However, the Committee
participated in the negotiations over the language of the
lender liability provisions of this bill and the California
Bay-Delta Environmental Enhancement and Water Security Act.
------
Other Legislation
CLEAN WATER AMENDMENTS OF 1995
H.R. 961, the Clean Water Amendments of 1995, was developed
and introduced by a bipartisan coalition of certain Members
from the Committee. The legislation would have reauthorized and
amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972
(commonly referred to as the Clean Water Act(CWA)). The Act was
last amended comprehensively in 1987 and most of its
authorizations of appropriations expired in 1991.
During 7 days of hearings in February and March 1995, and
at hearings held in the 103rd Congress, the Committee heard
extensive testimony about specific areas to be addressed
through comprehensive Clean Water Act reauthorization
legislation, including the need to (1) respond to concerns
about unfunded mandates, (2) develop effective approaches to
reduce pollution from nonpoint and stormwater runoff and other
wet weather flows, (3) provide additional flexibility--with
accountability--and increased State and local roles in
implementation of the Act, (4) modify certain aspects of the
financing and regulatory authorities of the Act to address the
particular needs of smaller communities, (5) modify the way EPA
incorporates risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and
performance-based measures into the standard setting process,
and (6) comprehensively reform the regulatory process for
permitting activities that take place in wetlands.
Title I, Research and Related Programs, concerned various
research and related programs and authorizations for some core
programs in the Act. $150 million per year were authorized for
State program grants. In addition, title I authorized new grant
assistance for sanitation facilities in rural and Native Alaska
villages ($25 million per year), reauthorized Chesapeake Bay
programs ($18 million per year), and reauthorized Great Lakes
programs ($17.5 million per year). Additional provisions
addressed Great Lakes research and implementation of the Great
Lakes Water Quality Initiative.
Title II, Construction Grants, provided certain technical
amendments to the construction grants title of the Act
concerning assistance for construction of municipal wastewater
treatment plants. The bill also authorized title II grant funds
($300 million in FY 1996) to assist small communities with
construction of wastewater treatment works and to assist
economically disadvantaged or hardship coastal localities.
Title III, Standards and Enforcement, amended CWA title
III, concerning standards, regulation, and enforcement. Several
sections in this title allowed for some modification of point
source discharge requirements or permit limitations. The bill
also allowed for modifying CWA requirements imposed on
industrial facilities whose wastes are treated by municipal
wastewater treatment plants. Title III also reauthorized the
National Estuary Program.
Title III contained a number of amendments to section 319
of the Act, concerning management of nonpoint sources of
pollution. Section 319 grant funds would have been reauthorized
and increased from $100 million in FY 1996 to $300 million in
FY 2000 (a total of $1 billion). Title III also established a
new watershed management program in the Clean Water Act. The
bill would have allowed, among other things, pollutant trading
or transfer between sources or dischargers in a watershed. H.R.
961 added new section 322 to the Act which would significantly
modify the current stormwater permit program (section 402(p))
into a nonpoint source management-type program. In addition,
title III would have added new provisions to the CWA concerning
risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis.
Title IV, Permits and Licenses, contained amendments to
permit provisions of CWA title IV. Several of the proposed
amendments would have modified section 402 of the Act, the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, the principal
permit section of the law. Title IV also added provisions
concerning overflows from combined stormwater and sanitary
sewers (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).
Title V, General Provisions, provided miscellaneous
amendments to definitions and general provisions of the Act. It
also provided language clarifying that the Federal Government
may not use the CWA to supersede or otherwise impair the
allocation of water quantity rights by States. Another section
established a dispute resolution process involving section 401
water quality certifications by States and FERC licenses for
hydropower facilities.
Title VI, State Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds,
extended authorization for the SRF grants, at approximately
$2.3 billion per year level and provided a new State-by-State
allotment formula for SRF grant distribution. Title VI also
contained several provisions to assist small and disadvantaged
communities. H.R. 961 encouraged privatization of wastewater
treatment works owned by a municipality or other local
government entity.
Title VII, Miscellaneous Provisions, provided technical
amendments to the text of the CWA, as well as authorizing $50
million for grants to assist States along the U.S.-Mexico
border.
Title VIII, Wetlands Conservation and Management, concerned
wetlands regulatory programs, conservation, and management. It
incorporated language based on a wetlands proposal that Rep.
Jimmy Hayes and others introduced as H.R. 1330 in several
recent Congresses. H.R. 961 included provisions of legislation
passed by the House concerning private property owner
compensation. The revised section 404 would separate wetlands
into three categories according to ecological significance,
ranging from Type A (the most ecologically valuable) to Type C
(the least valuable).
Title IX, Navigational Dredging, amended portions of title
I of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (the
Ocean Dumping Act) to streamline regulatory requirements
applicable to navigational dredging.
Title X, Additional Provisions, reauthorized and amended
the coastal nonpoint pollution control program established in
the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990.
The Subcommittee considered and approved H.R. 961, as
amended, on March 29, 1995, by a vote of 19 to 5. The Full
Committee considered H.R. 961 on April 4, 5, and 6; the bill
was ordered reported, as amended, on April 6 by a vote of 42-
16. The House considered H.R. 961 on May 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, and
16, 1995, passing the measure by a final vote of 240 to 185. No
action was taken in the Senate.
Constructed Water Conveyances Reform Act
H.R. 2567, the Constructed Water Conveyances Reform Act,
was introduced on November 1, 1995, and referred to the
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The introduced
bill was virtually identical to provisions in section 305 of
H.R. 961, the Clean Water Amendments of 1995. The Water
Resources and Environment Subcommittee did not hold a separate
hearing on H.R. 2567, but did receive testimony on constructed
water conveyances and other issues of particular importance to
western, arid areas in its series of hearings on the Clean
Water Act and H.R. 961. The Committee ordered the bill
reported, as amended, on December 14, 1995, and filed its
report on December 21, 1995. The House passed H.R. 2567, as
amended, by voice vote on the Corrections Calendar on January
23, 1996. No further action was taken by the Senate.
As passed by the House, H.R. 2567 would have amended the
Clean Water Act to provide States greater flexibility in
setting water quality standards for constructed water
conveyances. The legislation also described various relevant
factors and uses for the States to take into account and
specified that constructed water conveyances were man-made
systems for transporting agricultural and municipal and
industrial water supplies in waterways that were not currently
or at any time in the past natural waterways.
San Diego Coastal Corrections Act of 1995
H.R. 1943, the San Diego Coastal Corrections Act of 1995,
was introduced on June 28, 1995, and referred to the
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The bill was
identical to section 309 (a) of H.R. 961, the Clean Water
Amendments of 1995. The Water Resources and Environment
Subcommittee did not hold a separate hearing on H.R. 1943 but
did receive testimony and other information on the legislative
proposal in its series of hearings on the Clean Water Act and
H.R. 961. On July 12, 1995, the Subcommittee was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 1943 and the Committee
ordered the bill reported. On July 25, 1995, the House passed
H.R. 1943 on the Corrections Calendar by a vote of 269 to 156.
No further action was taken by the Senate.
As passed by the House, H.R. 1943 would have amended the
Clean Water Act to treat certain municipal wastewater treatment
facilities discharging into ocean waters as the equivalent of
secondary treatment if certain conditions and requirements were
met. These included requirements to employ chemically enhanced
primary treatment, comply with local and State water quality
standards, and subject the discharge to an acceptable ocean
monitoring program.
Snow Removal Policy Act
In response to concerns about the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's (FEMA's) policies regarding disaster
declarations and eligible assistance for snow-related events,
Representative Jack Quinn and others introduced H.R. 3348, the
Snow Removal Policy Act. The legislation requires FEMA to
issue, not later than 9 months after enactment, a final rule
establishing criteria and standards for major disasters and
emergency declarations and eligibilities for assistance
regarding snow-related events.
The Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee held a
hearing on the bill on September 11, 1996. On September 12, the
Subcommittee was discharged from further consideration of the
bill and the Committee ordered the bill reported with minor
amendments. The House of Representatives passed the bill by
voice vote on September 18, 1996.
Reform of Superfund Act of 1995
H.R. 2500, the Reform of Superfund Act of 1995, was
developed by the Republican leadership of the Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee and of the Commerce Committee. The
bill was reported by the Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce,
Trade and Hazardous Materials, but was not marked up by either
the full Commerce Committee or by the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee or the Water Resources and Environment
Subcommittee.
H.R. 2500 would have reauthorized the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980, commonly known as ``Superfund,'' for a period of 5 years.
The bill also would have extended the corporate taxes which
fund the Superfund Trust Fund for 5 years. In addition to
reauthorizing the core Superfund program, the bill would have
made significant changes to the program.
Title I would have changed the remedy selection process by
providing that Superfund remedy decisions are not based on
compound conservative estimates that do not adequately take
risk into account; ensuring that risk assessments are based on
reasonably foreseeable future uses of land, water and other
resources, as recommended by a Community Assistance Group;
ensuring that the costs and benefits of cleanup options are
fully considered when selecting Superfund remedies to ensure
that remedies are not selected where the costs exceed the
benefits; eliminating a preference for treatment when selecting
among protective remedies; and eliminating a reliance on
generic cleanup standards from other Federal and State
statutes, regulations, and guidance, in favor of reliance upon
site-specific risk assessments.
Title II proposed changes to liability for response costs
including eliminating pre-1987 liability at all municipal and
co-disposal (mixed industrial and municipal) landfills to allow
these sites to proceed to cleanup through use of the Federal
fund, without engaging in lengthy debates over degrees of
liability among all the persons who sent waste materials to
such landfills. Title II also proposed eliminating liability
for parties that sent only a de minimis amount of waste to a
site (less than 1 percent). For all other sites, the bill would
have provided a fast-track allocation process, and, to
ameliorate the impacts of retroactive liability and to reduce
contention over allocation of liability, the Federal fund would
reimburse parties for 50 percent of response costs associated
with wastes disposed prior to January 1, 1987. In the Commerce
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Hazardous Materials, the
liability provisions were amended to eliminate pre-1987
liability at oil and battery recycling sites to help allow
those complex multi-party sites to proceed to cleanup through
use of the Federal fund.
Title III sought to encourage the return of abandoned
industrial sites to productive use by supporting State
brownfields and voluntary cleanup programs. The bill would have
barred EPA from subsequently reviewing State cleanup decisions,
clarified when lenders and fiduciaries could be held liable,
and eliminated liability for new property purchasers who did
not cause or contribute to any existing environmental problem
at a facility.
Title IV would have amended the statute's provisions
governing the recovery of natural resource damages to enhance
the role of cost-effectiveness in selecting restoration
measures; eliminate so-called ``non-use'' damages and thus the
need for or use of contingent valuation methodology; codified
the baseline for lost use damages as the date of enactment of
CERCLA; clarify the relationship between lost use damages and
restoration damages; cap liability for damages at $50 million
per facility; and eliminate the statutory rebuttable
presumption that the government's estimate of damages is
correct in instances where the natural resource trustee
conducts the damage assessment in accordance with applicable
regulations. The bill also would have required better
coordination among multiple natural resource trustees.
To encourage States to build up their own cleanup programs
to ultimately replace the Federal Superfund program, title V
would have allowed States to accept delegation of all or part
of the Superfund program, on a State-wide or site-by-site
basis; required State and local government concurrence to list
a site on the National Priorities List (NPL); reduced the State
cost share to 10 percent for all costs; and capped the NPL of
the Nation's worst toxic waste sites at 125 additional sites
over the next 7 years.
Title VI would have allowed qualified States to select
remedies at Federal facilities; expressly made interagency
agreements for the cleanup of Federal facilities enforceable in
court; encouraged use of Federal facilities to test innovative
remedies; and clarified that uncontaminated property at a
Federal facility is not part of an NPL listing.
Title VII of the bill would have made miscellaneous
amendments, including amendments to definitions.
Title VIII would have amended the Oil Pollution Act to
eliminate non-use natural resource damages and the need for
contingent valuation methodology, and made other changes
similar to the amendments to the CERCLA natural resource
damages provisions proposed in Title IV.
Title IX would have amended the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act to allow State cleanup agencies to select cleanup
criteria for remediation waste, in lieu of the federally
promulgated land disposal restrictions.
Finally, Title X would have reauthorized the Superfund
business taxes and required that new revenue collected from the
Superfund taxes be spent on cleanup activities.
Although H.R. 2500 was not marked up by the Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee, various proposals to amend the
bill were made during negotiations over the bill with the
Ranking Members of the Transportation and Infrastructure and
Commerce Committees and the Clinton Administration.
A similar bill, S. 1285, was introduced in the Senate. That
bill was never acted upon by the Senate Environment and Public
Works Committee.
Natural Disaster Protection Partnership Act of 1995
H.R. 1856, the Natural Disaster Protection Partnership Act,
was introduced by Representative Bill Emerson and others on
June 15, 1995. The legislation was similar to H.R. 2873, the
Natural Disaster Protection Partnership Act of 1994, which the
Committee reported in the 103rd Congress. The Subcommittee held
hearings on H.R. 1856 on October 18, 1995, and December 5,
1995. A comprehensive substitute bill was circulated for
comment in July 1996. No further action was taken in Committee.
Comparable legislation in the Senate was also the subject of
hearings but no further Committee action.
H.R. 1856 amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act and contained three basic
elements: (1) States must adopt hazard mitigation plans and
measures (such as building codes) that meet certain minimum
requirements, or lose some Federal disaster assistance; (2)
households earning in excess of $60,000 a year and all
businesses in disaster-prone States must purchase disaster
insurance or they will not be eligible for certain Federal
disaster assistance; and (3) creation of a federally-backed
private corporation that must offer seismic and volcano
insurance to homeowners and businesses, and seismic, volcano,
and hurricane reinsurance to insurers and State insurance
pools.
The intent of the bill was, among other things, to: (1)
place more emphasis on prevention, rather than response, which
will save lives and reduce losses in the long-term; (2) shift
the risk of natural disasters away from the Federal government
and overexposed insurers to those who benefit most from the
Federal government's involvement (property owners); and (3)
assure that disaster insurance would be more readily available.
------
Hearings
The Subcommittee held hearings on February 7, 1995,
February 27 and 28, 1996, and March 21, 1996, on proposals for
the Water Resources Development Act to provide for conservation
and development of water and related resources, to authorize
the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for
improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States and for
other purposes. These hearings were conducted to receive
testimony on the water resources programs of the Army Corps of
Engineers and on proposals for the upcoming Water Resources
Development Act. A bill (H.R. 3592) was introduced on June 6,
1996, by Congressmen Shuster, Oberstar, Boehlert and Borski. An
amended bill was ordered reported by the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure on June 27, 1996, and passed
by the House on July 30, 1996. The bill became Public Law 104-
303.
On February 9, 16, 21, 24, 1995, and March 7 and 9, 1995,
the Subcommittee held hearings on the reauthorization of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, focusing on State and
local perspectives; on business and economic development
perspectives; on the Administration's perspectives; on
agricultural, energy and environmental perspectives; on
wetlands and property rights; and on local and regional issues.
On March 11, 1995, the Subcommittee also held a field hearing
in Utica, New York on nonpoint source pollution. The hearing
was conducted to examine issues surrounding proposed changes to
the Nation's nonpoint source water policies, the importance of
using watershed planning to control nonpoint source pollution
and to address the scope of nonpoint source pollution and its
impact on recreation and the environment. H.R. 961, the Clean
Water Amendments of 1995, was introduced on February 15, 1995,
and ordered reported, as amended, by the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure on April 6, 1995, and passed
by the House on May 16, 1995.
On June 13, 20, 21, 22 and 27, 1995, the Subcommittee held
hearings on the reauthorization and reform of the Superfund
program, focusing on State and local perspectives; on business,
insurance and contractor perspectives; on environmental and
community group perspectives; on the perspectives of Members of
Congress and on miscellaneous issues; and on Federal agency
perspectives. A joint hearing was held on July 11, 1995, with
the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on
natural resource damages under Superfund and the Oil Pollution
Act. On November 2 and 8, 1995, hearings were held on H.R. 2500
(Reform of Superfund Act). The bill was not considered by the
Committee or the House before adjournment.
On October 18, 1995, and December 5, 1995, the Subcommittee
held hearings on H.R. 1856, the Natural Disaster Protection
Partnership Act of 1995. Testimony was received from Members of
Congress, the Administration, State representatives and other
entities including insurers, homebuilders, homeowners,
emergency response managers, consumer groups and others. The
hearings were conducted to obtain information on preparedness,
mitigation, response and recovery in reponse to emergencies and
natural disasters such as seismic events (earthquakes and
tsunamis), hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. No further action
was taken.
On January 29, 1996, a hearing was held on H.R. 2747, the
Water Supply Infrastructure Assistance Act of 1995. This
hearing was held to receive views of the Environmental
Protection Agency; State and local governments and
organizations involved in providing public water supplies and
agricultural and environmental interests and the construction
industry. The bill was modeled on the successful SRF
established under the Clean Water Act and authorizes grants to
States for establishment of new accounts within the SRFs for
funding water supply infrastructure systems. The Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee ordered the bill reported with
amendments on March 7, 1996. H.R. 2747 was included in H.R.
3604, the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments which passed the
House on June 25, 1996, and was signed into law as Public Law
104-183.
On March 28, 1996, the Subcommittee held a joint hearing
with the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation on H.R. 2940, the Deepwater Port Modernization
Act. The Subcommittee received testimony from Members of
Congress, officials from the Department of Transportation and
Coast Guard, State and local representatives, business
representatives, and representatives from the environmental
community. The Subcommittee received information on providing
greater use of deepwater ports, improving competitiveness of
the existing deepwater port, and encouraging the licensing and
construction of additional deepwater ports. On June 27, 1996,
the Subcommittee was discharged and the bill was ordered
reported, as amended, by the Full Committee. H.R. 2940 passed
the House on September 18, 1996, and was signed into law as
part of Public Law 104-324.
On July 17, 1996, a joint hearing was held with the Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee on H.R. 3217,
the National Invasive Species Act. Testimony was heard from
Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the
Corps of Engineers. Others testifying were vessel owners and
operators and representatives of Port Authorities. The focus of
the hearing was nonindigenous aquatic species that have moved
beyond their native ranges and methods to prevent or control
the introduction and spread of such species. The two
Subcommittees were discharged and H.R. 3217 was ordered
reported, as amended, by the Full Committee on September 12,
1996, and referred to the Committee on Science and to the
Committee on Resources on September 20, 1996. The House passed
H.R. 3217 on September 24, 1996. The bill was later
reintroduced and passed the House again as H.R. 4283 and was
signed into law as Public Law 104-332.
On September 11, 1996, a hearing was held on H.R. 3348, the
Snow Removal Policy Act. The Subcommittee received testimony
regarding FEMA's policies for providing assistance for snow
removal and to discuss the blizzards and storms that occurred
throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States during January
and February 1996. The Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure ordered reported H.R. 3348, as amended, on
September 12, 1996. The House passed the bill by voice vote on
September 18, 1996.
SUMMARY OF OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
The Committee submitted its oversight plan to the
Committees on Government Reform and Oversight and House
Administration in accordance with Rule X, clause 2(d) of the
Rules of the House. The following is a summary of the oversight
plan and a summary of actions taken with respect to each. A
more detailed discussion may be found under the section of this
report entitled ``Summary of Activities''.
------
AVIATION
1. Federal Aviation Administration. The plan included
evaluations of FAA operations, FAA safety programs, FAA's
facilities and equipment program, the Airport Improvement
Program, and the Airport and Airways Trust Fund. A number of
days of hearings were held on these programs, including
hearings on costs and benefits of FAA regulations, whether to
restructure the air traffic control system as a private or
government corporation, and preventing delays and cost overruns
in FAA's global positioning system. The results of these
hearings are reflected in legislation signed into law (Public
Law 104-264) reauthorizing FAA programs for 2 years.
2. Oversight of Activities of the Secretary of
Transportation. A number of hearings dealt with the aviation
functions of the Secretary of Transportation. For example, on
July 20, 1995, the subcommittee held a hearing on aviation
relations between the U.S. and Japan and on March 27 and April
30, 1996, hearings were held on problems in the aviation
relationship between the U.S. and the United Kingdom and Japan.
3. Oversight of the National Transportation Safety Board.
The Subcommittee held a hearing on March 6, 1996, on
reauthorization of the NTSB. The NTSB Reauthorization Act was
enacted into law as Public Law 104-291.
4. Oversight of the Metropolitan Washington Airports. On
February 9, 1995, the Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on
the Metropolitan Washington airports and legislation was
enacted as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act, reflecting the
findings of the Subcommittee.
Additional Oversight
Valujet: Between August 5 and August 16, 1996, the
Committee investigative staff conducted a 2-week field
examination of operations at the Atlanta and Dallas Flight
Standards District offices operated by the FAA. Over the course
of 7 days, staff interviewed 34 people, including 23 FAA
employees, six employees of a repair station, and five
employees of a major airline.
This investigative trip was prompted by information
developed during the Aviation Subcommittee's hearing on the
crash of ValuJet Flight 592, which suggested flaws in the FAA's
aviation safety oversight system. The examination was broadened
into a more wide-ranging review of FAA safety oversight
practices. The field examination allowed the committee to
develop an understanding of the FAA's safety program to
identify several broad topic areas which may be the subject of
further examination by the Subcommittee.
Denver Airport: The Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Denver Airport: What Went Wrong'', looking at the actual cost
and design of the airport versus the originally planned costs
and design.
Additional Safety Issues: The Subcommittee also conducted
oversight and held hearings on sharing pilot performance
records, child pilot safety, high performance takeoffs by
military aircraft at civilian airports, child restraint
systems, and aviation security and antiterrorism.
Treatment of Families of Victims of Airline Accidents: The
Subcommittee conducted oversight and held a hearing on the
issue of the treatment of families of victims of airline
accidents. This resulted in enactment of legislation in the FAA
Authorization Act.
------
COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
1. Coast Guard. The plan included an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the President's National Drug Control
Strategy, oversight of the Coast Guard's roles and missions,
oversight of the Oil Pollution Act, oversight of the Coast
Guard's vessel safety programs, and oversight of the U.S. role
in the International Maritime Organization.
The Subcommittee held two hearings (one jointly with the
Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control) examining the
effectiveness of the President's National Drug Control Strategy
and specifically the Coast Guard's drug interdiction program.
While Administration witnesses strongly supported the Strategy,
other witnesses were critical and concluded that the United
States is losing the battle against illegal drugs.
The Subcommittee held several days of hearings reviewing
the Coast Guard's roles and missions and legislation was
enacted reauthorizing Coast Guard programs through fiscal year
1997. Included among these hearings was an examination of
vessel traffic services and vessel safety.
On July 7, 1995, the Subcommittee held a joint hearing with
the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee on
implementation of the natural resources damages programs under
the Oil Pollution Act and under CERCLA. On June 26, 1996, the
Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on Federal requirements
for vessels to obtain certificates of financial responsibility.
2. Maritime Administration. The plan included oversight of
the U.S. Maritime Administration. The Subcommittee did not hold
any hearings specifically covering the Maritime Administration.
3. Federal Maritime Commission. The plan included oversight
of the Shipping Act of 1984 and other activities of the FMC.
The Subcommittee held a hearing on February 2, 1995, on the
Shipping Act. The House passed H.R. 2149, deregulating ocean
shipping and eliminating the need for the FMC.
Additional Oversight
Jones Act: The Subcommittee held a hearing with a broad
range of witnesses on the impact of U.S. coastwise trade laws
on the transportation system in the United States.
------
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
1. Economic Development Administration. The plan included
evaluation of the eligibility criteria used to determine the
basis for Economic Development Administration (EDA) assistance.
The Subcommittee held hearings on February 10 and 22, 1995,
which included oversight of EDA programs and an evaluation of
the continued need for EDA programs. The Committee reported
H.R. 2145, to reauthorize and reform both the programs of the
EDA and the ARC for 5 years.
2. Appalachian Regional Commission. The plan included
evaluation of the basic programs under the Appalachian Regional
Development Act. The Subcommittee held hearings on February 10
and 22, of 1995, which included oversight of the Appalachian
Regional Commission (ARC) and application of the ARC model to
EDA programs. The Committee reported H.R. 2145, to reauthorize
and reform the programs of both the EDA and the ARC for 5
years.
3. General Services Administration. The plan included
evaluation of the capital asset program and the construction
program, and a review of General Services Administration (GSA)
property management services.
The Subcommittee held several days of hearings on the
capital investment plan during the course of the First and
Second session of the 104th Congress. These hearings covered
the capital investment plan including leasing and construction,
as well as financing and long term acquisition strategies. For
example, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the payment of
stipends to construction bidders, and reviewed several
particular construction requests. In addition, the Subcommittee
specifically reviewed the courthouse construction program,
which included a number of site visits and resulted in the
deferment of approval of the FY 1996 courthouse construction
program.
In the wake of the bombing of the Federal building in
Oklahoma, the Subcommittee also held a hearing and took under
review Federal building security measures, following a visit to
the Oklahoma site.
During the Second session the Subcommittee initiated a
review specifically of the leasing program, including scrutiny
of several specific leases as well as an evaluation of GSA's
plan to embark on a new approach to leasing which involved a
plan to offer Federal agencies their choice of continuing to
use GSA services or to receive their own authority to lease.
The Subcommittee voiced its opposition to this effort until GSA
can produce further findings of success with this approach.
In addition, the Subcommittee has requested the General
Accounting Office to conduct further detailed studies, and
report its findings, on the Federal Triangle building project
and the courthouse construction program.
4. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The plan
included a review of the comprehensive capital improvement
plan. The Subcommittee staff reviewed the plan and reported
directly to the Chairman and Ranking Member, who are members of
the Board of Trustees of the Center. The 5-year plan is
currently in effect and reviewed quarterly by the Operations
Committee of the Board.
5. Smithsonian Institution. The plan included a review of
progress on development of new museums. On September 11, 1996,
the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 3933/S.1995, to
authorize construction of the Smithsonian Institution National
Air and Space Museum Dulles Center at Washington-Dulles
International Airport, which was signed into law (Public Law
104- 222). In addition, staff reviewed plans for the Museum of
the American Indian.
6. Architect of the Capitol. The plan included a review of
the proposed visitors center and chiller addition. The
Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 1230, the Capitol Visitor
Center, on June 22, 1995. The hearing focused on the various
design and construction aspects of the center, the financing of
construction and related matters.
Additional Oversight
Courthouse Construction: The Subcommittee conducted
extensive oversight of the courthouse construction program,
including 9 site visits and a number of hearings at which
courthouse issues were raised. The Subcommittee concluded that
the procedure GSA and the courts followed to select courthouse
projects often results in courthouses that are either
unnecessary or excessive. These conclusions resulted in the
Subcommittee limiting funding for construction related finish
work and detail on already approved projects and by not
approving additional projects for site acquisition and design.
NEXCOM: The Subcommittee conducted an investigation and
held a hearing on a lease award for the Navy Exchange Service
Command where the Navy had no authority to enter into the lease
but GSA provided a retroactive delegation of leasing authority.
------
RAILROADS
1. Interstate Commerce Commission. The plan included an
examination of the sunset of the ICC and disposition of its
functions. The Subcommittee held hearings on January 26 and
February 22, 1995, on sunsetting the Interstate Commerce
Commission (ICC) and the subsequent transfer of any retained
functions to other agencies. The Committee reported a bill
(H.R. 2539) on November 1, 1995, which, among other things,
transferred the rail merger jurisdiction to the newly created
Surface Transportation Board within the DOT, and sunset the
agency. This bill became Public Law 104-88.
2. Amtrak. The plan included oversight of Amtrak's
financial status and statutory mandates affecting Amtrak's
costs. The Subcommittee held hearings on February 7, 10, and
13, 1995, on the reauthorization of Amtrak. The hearings
focused on Amtrak's financial position and operating
impediments, and resulted in the Committee reporting to the
House H.R. 1788. H.R. 1788, as amended, was passed by the House
on November 30, 1995; however, no action was taken by the
Senate.
3. Overview of Railway Labor Act. The plan included review
and application of the Railway Labor Act to commuter railroads,
secondary picketing and the Dunlop Commission recommendations.
The Subcommittee did not have an opportunity to address this
review.
4. Railroad Unemployment Insurance Modernization. The plan
included a review of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance
system, a Federal system of unemployment and sickness benefits
unique to the railroad industry. As a result of a joint
legislative proposal by labor and management to update and
increase benefit levels in the 103rd Congress, the Railroad
Unemployment Insurance Amendments Act of 1996 was enacted as
Public Law 104-88.
5. Railroad Safety ``user fees''. The plan included an
intent to examine the impact of user fees on small railroads,
and on the industry at large. The Subcommittee held a hearing
on September 14, 1995, concerning the proposed renewal and
expansion of Federal railroad safety user fees. The fees were
not renewed.
6. Local Rail Freight Assistance Program. The plan included
a review of the Local Rail Freight Assistance Program, a
program which provides matching funds to State and local
governments for use in upgrading rail infrastructure. No
specific oversight was conducted on this issue.
7. Federal Employers Liability Act of 1908. The plan
included an evaluation of Federal Employers Liability Act. The
Subcommittee did not have the opportunity to conduct this
evaluation.
8. Railroad Retirement System. The plan included oversight
of the Railroad Retirement System. No specific oversight was
conducted on this issue.
9. Railroad Safety Oversight. The plan included oversight
of the railroad safety programs administered by the DOT's
Federal Railroad Administration. In March 1996, the
Subcommittee conducted oversight hearings on safety issues,
particularly in response to the railroad accidents which
occurred during the month of February.
Additional Oversight
Rails to Trails: The Subcommittee conducted oversight and
held two hearings on the Rails to Trails Act, which promotes
conversion of abandoned railroad lines to recreational trails.
------
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
1. Federal Highway and Federal Transit Administration. The
plan included an evaluation of approval of the National Highway
System (NHS); of burden inefficiencies and unfunded mandates in
the Federal-aid highway, safety research and transit programs;
of the DOT restructuring proposal; provisions of the Clean Air
Act relating to surface transportation; effects of deregulation
of State economic regulation of motor carriers of property;
effects of implementation of the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA); and reauthorization of the Intermodal
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). In addition, it
included oversight of fuel tax evasion and oversight of
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The Subcommittee held a series of six hearings on
legislation to approve the NHS. The hearings ranged from
examining mandates and burdens in the Federal-aid highway
program to designation of the NHS. Within these hearings
oversight was conducted on the ADA. These hearings eventually
culminated in the timely enactment of the National Highway
System Designation Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-59).
In connection with reauthorization of ISTEA, the
Subcommittee held 12 days of oversight hearings during the
104th Congress, with the possibility of holding additional
hearings in the 105th in preparation for reauthorizing ISTEA in
1997. Within these hearings, issues concerning Clean Air Act
provisions within the context of the CMAQ program were
addressed; as well as oversight of fuel tax evasion within the
discussion on the status of the Highway Trust Fund.
Additionally, the Subcommittee held two field hearings, in
Laredo and Pharr, Texas, to evaluate the impact of NAFTA.
The effects of deregulation of State economic regulation of
motor carriers of property was considered within the context of
the review of the ICC.
2. Research and Special Programs Administration. The plan
included evaluation of Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquid
Pipeline Safety Programs. The Subcommittee held a hearing on
the reauthorization of the Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquid
Pipeline Safety Act, which resulted in the enactment of the
Accountable Pipeline Safety and Partnership Act of 1996 (Public
Law 104-304).
3. Interstate Commerce Commission. The plan included
evaluation of elimination or transfer of certain ICC functions
pertaining to motor carrier operations. The Subcommittee held a
hearing on March 3, 1995, on the disposition of the motor
carrier functions of the ICC. This effort, in combination with
the review and considerations of the Railroads Subcommittee,
resulted in legislation sunsetting the ICC in 1995 (Public Law
104-88).
Additional Oversight
LA Metro: On September 20, 1995, during consideration of
H.R. 2274, the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995,
Representative George Miller offered an amendment to add a new
section to the Act, section 354. Proposed section 354 would
have prohibited the payment of safety and performance bonuses
from the Highway Trust Fund and was prompted by allegations
that safety bonuses had been paid to contractors by the Los
Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (LACMTA) in
connection with the construction of the Red Line,
notwithstanding the contractors' comparatively high reported
rates of construction-related injuries. Responding to the
concerns expressed by Representative Miller, Chairman Shuster
directed Committee investigative staff to conduct an
examination of the legal and policy questions relating to
safety incentive programs.
Committee staff conducted a 3-month long examination,
interviewing more than 20 witnesses, reviewing extensive
documentation and concluding that the LACMTA program was, in
all material aspects, similar to safety incentive programs
operated by other major transit authorities Nationwide and that
LACMTA's safety record, as reflected in its Lost Time and OSHA
200 Case Rates, was not materially different from that
experienced by other benchmark transit authorities surveyed.
Staff also noted that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
did not provide any general guidance to transit grantees on the
implementation of an effective safety incentive program and
recommended that the Committee encourage FTA to provide
guidelines on safety incentive programs as part of its overall
program management and construction guidance for transit
grantees.
------
WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
1. Army Corps of Engineers--Water Resources Program. The
plan included a review of the Corps' efforts to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of the organization and management
of the water resources program; and the efforts of the Corps to
improve the efficiency, effectiveness and fairness of the
agency's regulatory program, especially in the area of wetlands
and dredging activities. The Subcommittee held hearings in
February 1995, and February and March 1996 in connection with
the Water Resources Development Act and to review the water
resources programs of the Army Corps of Engineers. As a result,
H.R. 3592, The Water Resources Development Act of 1996, was
reported from the Committee and passed the House in July 1996,
and became Public Law 104-33.
2. Environmental Protection Agency--Clean Water Act. The
plan included a review of innovative financing and wastewater
treatment methods; a review of market-based and watershed-based
approaches to regulation; and a review of efforts to improve
the management of storm water and nonpoint source pollution
from inland and coastal areas. The Subcommittee held seven
hearings, including a field hearing, in the spring of 1995, on
the reauthorization of the Federal Water Pollution Act. The
focus of these hearings ranged from addressing issues related
to nonpoint source water policies to wetlands concerns; and
testimony was received from all interested parties comprising
the water policy community. The result of this effort
culminated in the Clean Water Amendments of 1995, H.R. 961,
which was reported from the Committee and passed the House in
May 1995.
3. Environmental Protection Agency--Superfund/CERCLA. The
plan included a review of efforts to improve the efficiency,
effectiveness and fairness of the cleanup process; a review of
the liability and financing mechanisms under the current
Superfund program; a review of the ground water protection
provisions under the current Superfund program; and a review of
the relationships among the States, Federal facilities and the
EPA, in conducting Superfund cleanups. The Subcommittee held
seven hearings throughout 1995 on the reauthorization and
reform of the Superfund program. The Subcommittee received and
reviewed testimony from all parties interested in Superfund.
4. Federal Emergency Management Agency--Disaster Relief
Program. The plan included a review of hazard mitigation
activities currently being promoted by FEMA; review of disaster
response efforts by FEMA; and a review of efforts to improve
the insurance available for catastrophic natural disasters. The
Subcommittee held 2 days of hearings on H.R. 1856, the Natural
Disaster Protection Partnership Act of 1995, at which testimony
was taken from a wide variety of witnesses on preparedness,
mitigation, response and recovery in response to emergencies
and natural disasters. In addition, the Subcommittee held a
hearing on H.R. 3348, the Snow Removal Policy Act which
examined FEMA's policy for providing assistance for snow
removal in snow emergencies.
5. Coast Guard--Oil Pollution Act. The plan included a
review, along with the Coast Guard and Maritime Subcommittee,
of the oil spill liability provisions and insurability
requirements under OPA; and a review of oil spill technologies
and response mechanisms now available within the industry. The
Subcommittee held a joint hearing with the Subcommittee on
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on natural resource
damages under Superfund and the Oil Pollution Act on July 11,
1995.
6. Tennessee Valley Authority. The plan included a review
of the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) energy generation
program and the impact of TVA debt on its rate payers. No
oversight was conducted on this issue.
PUBLIC BUILDING PROJECT RESOLUTIONS APPROVED PURSUANT TO THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS ACT OF 1959
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Referred Date Approved Location Project
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 3, 1995............ Oklahoma City, OK................ Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
for acquiring,
constructing, or
reconstructing a Federal
building, and to perform
an assessment of security
measures for the area's
Federal buildings.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Little Rock, AR.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Federal Building
located at 700 West
Capitol Street.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Fresno, CA....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Internal
Revenue Service.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Southwest Los Angeles County, CA. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for multiple
agencies of the Department
of Defense.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Menlo Park, CA................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the U.S.
Geological Survey.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... San Jose, CA..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Internal
Revenue Service District
Office.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Denver, CO....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Internal
Revenue Service.
June 22, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Denver, CO....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Western Area
Power Administration.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Lakewood, CO..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
Building 25, Denver
Federal Center.
May 20, 1994........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease in the vicinity of
the General Accounting
Office (GAO) Headquarters
Building for the Human
Resources Audit Division,
GAO.
May 11, 1993........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
heating plant stacks and
related ductwork in the
central and west (steam)
heating plants.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Department
of Veterans Affairs.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
purchase, lease purchase,
lease with an option to
purchase, or lease of
space for the Equal
Employment Opportunity
Commission.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
purchase, lease purchase,
lease with an option to
purchase, or lease of
space for the Federal
Election Commission.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Immigration
and Naturalization
Service.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Internal
Revenue Service.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Interstate Commerce
Commission-U.S. Customs
connecting wing.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Lafayette Building,
located at 811 Vermont
Avenue, NW.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Department of the
Interior's main
headquarters building.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
purchase, lease purchase,
lease with an option to
purchase, or lease of
space for the U.S.
Attorney for the District
of Columbia.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the United
States Information Agency.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the U.S. Secret
Service Washington Field
Office.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Fort Lauderdale, FL.............. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Internal
Revenue Service.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Miami, FL, Area.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Immigration
and Naturalization Service
and the Executive Office
of Immigration Review,
Department of Justice.
Sept. 8, 1995.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Kansas City, KS/MO, Metropolitan Resolution authorizing
Area. appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the collocation
of seven agencies of the
U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Boston, MA....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
purchase, lease purchase,
lease with an option to
purchase, or lease of
space for the
Environmental Protection
Agency.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Boston, MA, western suburbs...... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the laboratory
operation of the
Environmental Protection
Agency.
June 22, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Boston, MA....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Satellite
Outpatient Clinic of the
Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sept. 8, 1995.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Southbridge, MA.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Center for
Financial Management
Education and Training,
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Newark, NJ....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
purchase, lease
purchase,lease with an
option to purchase, or
lease of space for
multiple agencies
currently located in
multiple locations.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Newark and Elizabeth, NJ......... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the U.S. Customs
Service, near the Newark
International Airport.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Eastern Region, NY............... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
purchase, lease purchase,
lease with an option to
purchase, or lease of
space for the Federal
Aviation Administration.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... New York, NY..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Drug
Enforcement Agency.
Nov. 16, 1995.......... Research Triangle Park, NC....... Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
for acquiring,
constructing, or leasing
space for the existing
Environmental Protection
Agency facilities.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Bismarck, ND..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the U.S. Federal Building,
Post Office, and
Courthouse.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Philadelphia, PA................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Social Security
Administration's Mid-
Atlantic Program Service
Center.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Old San Juan, PR................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the U.S. Post Office-
Courthouse.
Sept. 8, 1995.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Providence, RI................... Amendment to a previously
approved resolution (May
13, 1993) authorizing
additional appropriations
for the repair and
alteration of the J.O.
Pastore Federal Building-
U.S. Post Office.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Dallas, TX....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the A. Maceo Smith Federal
Building.
Sept. 8, 1995.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Highgate Springs, VT............. Amendment to two previously
approved resolutions (Feb.
4, 1992 and May 13, 1993)
authorizing additional
appropriations for site
acquisition, design, and
construction of the U.S.
Border Station.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Arlington, VA.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
May 25, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Arlington, VA.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Department
of Defense currently
located at Crystal Mall 2,
3, and 4.
June 22, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Arlington, VA.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Department
of Defense currently
located at 400 Army-Navy
Drive.
Sept. 22, 1994......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Northern VA...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the National
Technical Information
Service (NTIS) of the
Department of Commerce.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Northern VA...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
purchase, lease purchase,
lease with an option to
purchase, or lease of
space for the Executive
Office of the President.
July 20, 1995.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Northern VA...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Patent and
Trademark Office of the
Department of Commerce.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Richland, WA..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Federal Building, U.S.
Post Office and
Courthouse, located at 825
Jadwin Avenue.
Apr. 26, 1994.......... Nov. 16, 1995.......... Seattle, WA...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
purchase, lease purchase,
lease with an option to
purchase, or lease of
space for the
Environmental Protection
Agency.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... ................................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design of 16 alteration
projects scheduled for
construction in future
years.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... ................................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for energy
retrofit projects in
various locations.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... ................................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
modernization or
replacement of existing
elevators in three Federal
Buildings (U.S.
Courthouse, 40 Foley
Square, and Federal
Building, 201 Varick
Street, New York, NY; and
Rodino Federal Building,
970 Broad Street, Newark,
NJ).
Mar. 6, 1995........... Nov. 16, 1995.......... ................................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for
alterations included in
the chlorofluorocarbon
(CFC) replacement program
in various Federal
Buildings.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Dec. 14, 1995.......... Lakewood, CO..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a U.S.
Geological Survey National
Water Quality Laboratory.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Dec. 14, 1995.......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
preparation of the
Southeast Federal Center
site.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Dec. 14, 1995.......... Sweetgrass, MT................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
site acquisition and
design of a Border
Station.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Dec. 14, 1995.......... Austin, TX....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of an annex
to the Department of
Veterans Affairs
Automation Center.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Dec. 14, 1995.......... Blaine-Pacific Highway, WA....... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a Border
Station.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Dec. 14, 1995.......... Point Roberts, WA................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a Border
Station.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Dec. 14, 1995.......... Martinsburg, WV.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a
computing center for the
Internal Revenue Service.
Sept. 8, 1995.......... May 9, 1996............ Tucson, AZ....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a Federal
building and U.S.
courthouse.
Mar. 6, 1995........... May 9, 1996............ Tallahassee, FL.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a U.S.
courthouse annex.
Feb. 24, 1995.......... May 9, 1996............ Albany, GA....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a U.S.
courthouse.
Mar. 6, 1995........... May 9, 1996............ Lafayette, LA.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a Federal
building and U.S.
courthouse.
Apr. 4, 1995........... May 9, 1996............ Beltsville, MD................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a building
for the U.S. Secret
Service Office of
Training.
Mar. 6, 1995........... May 9, 1996............ Omaha, NE........................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a Federal
building and U.S.
courthouse.
Mar. 6, 1995........... May 9, 1996............ Las Vegas, NV.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site for
the construction of a U.S.
courthouse.
Mar. 6, 1995........... May 9, 1996............ Albuquerque, NM.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a Federal
building and U.S.
courthouse.
Mar. 6, 1995........... May 9, 1996............ Central Islip, NY................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a Federal
building and U.S.
courthouse.
Mar. 27, 1996.......... May 9, 1996............ Research Triangle Park, NC....... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a
consolidated research
facility for the
Environmental Protection
Agency.
Mar. 6, 1995........... May 9, 1996............ Columbia, SC..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design of a U.S.
courthouse.
Mar. 6, 1995........... May 9, 1996............ Brownsville, TX.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a Federal
building and U.S.
courthouse.
June 27, 1996.......... Las Vegas, NV.................... Amendment to a previously
approved (May 9, 1996)
resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design of a U.S.
courthouse.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Department of
Justice's main
headquarters building.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the State Department
Building, 2201 C Street,
Northwest.
Aug. 1, 1996........... Washington, DC................... Amendment to a previously
approved resolution (May
17, 1994) authorizing
additional appropriations
for the repair and
alteration of the 13th
Street facade of the Ariel
Rios Federal Building.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Ariel Rios Federal
Building.
(June 28, 1996)........ Aug. 1, 1996........... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease at the John A.
Wilson Building, 1350
Pennsylvania Avenue,
Northwest.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Honolulu, HI..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Prince Jonah Kuhio
Kalanianaole Federal
Building and U.S.
Courthouse..
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Chicago, IL...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Everett M. Dirksen
Building, 219 South
Dearborn..
..................... Aug. 1, 1996........... Baltimore, MD, Metropolitan Area. Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
for Federal facilities.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Andover, MA...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design of alterations for
the Internal Revenue
Service Center.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Concord, NH...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the James C. Cleveland
Federal Building.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug 1, 1996............ Camden, NJ....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Federal Building and
U.S. Courthouse.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Albany, NY....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the James T. Foley Post
Office and U.S.
Courthouse.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Brookhaven, NY................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design of alterations to
the Internal Revenue
Service Center located at
1040 Waverly Avenue,
Village of Holtsville.
Aug. 1, 1996........... Charlotte, NC.................... Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
for U.S. courthouse
facilities.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Scranton, PA..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Federal Building and
U.S. Courthouse.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Providence, RI................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
the Federal Building and
U.S. Courthouse.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... Fort Worth, TX................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
repair and alteration of
seven buildings at the
Fort Worth Federal Center.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... ................................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for repair
and alterations included
in the chlorofluorocarbon
replacement program (CFC)
for various Federal
buildings.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... ................................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for energy
retrofit projects in
various locations.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Aug. 1, 1996........... ................................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
modernization or
replacement of existing
elevators and escalators
in five Federal buildings.
(July 8, 1996)......... Aug. 1, 1996........... ................................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for
security enhancements in
various Federal buildings.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Birmingham, AL................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
purchase, lease purchase,
lease with an option to
purchase, or lease of
space for the Social
Security Administration
Southeastern Program
Service Center.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Huntsville, AL................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
purchase, lease purchase,
lease with an option to
purchase, or lease of
space for the Department
of Defense, U.S. Army
Space and Strategic
Defense Command.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Sept. 27, 1996......... Fresno, CA....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
preparation of a donated
site for the construction
of a Federal building and
U.S. courthouse.
(June 10, 1996)........ Sept. 27, 1996......... Los Angeles, CA.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the
consolidation and
relocation of the
Immigration and
Naturalization Service and
the Executive Office for
Immigration Review in the
central business downtown
area.
(June 10, 1996)........ Sept. 27, 1996......... San Diego, CA.................... Amendment to a previously
approved resolution (Aug.
4, 1988) authorizing
additional appropriations
for the acquisition of
space by lease for the
Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Denver, CO....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site for
the construction of an
expansion building to the
Byron G. Rogers Federal
Building and U.S.
Courthouse.
Sept. 27, 1996......... Washington, DC................... Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to acquire a facility to
house the U.S. Department
of Transportation
headquarters.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Department
of Justice-Criminal
Division, currently
located in the Bond
Building, 1400 New York
Avenue, Northwest.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Department
of Justice, currently
located at 1425 New York
Avenue, Northwest.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Department
of Justice-Criminal
Division, currently
located in the Washington
Center, 1001 G Street,
Northwest.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Diplomatic
Office of the Security of
the Department of State.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Washington, DC................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Peace Corps
Headquarters.
Sept. 27, 1996......... Fort Myers, FL................... Amendment to previously
approved resolutions (May
21, 1991 and Feb. 4, 1992)
authorizing appropriations
for the construction of a
Federal building and U.S.
courthouse.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Miami, FL........................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site for
a U.S. courthouse.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Covington, KY.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a U.S.
courthouse.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... London, KY....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a U.S.
courthouse.
Sept. 27, 1996......... Suburban MD...................... Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
for construction or
acquisition of a facility
for the consolidation of
the Food and Drug
Administration.
(July 19, 1996)........ Sept. 27, 1996......... Suburban MD...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
site acquisition and
design of a Federal
building to house the
National Laboratory Center
and a Fire Investigation
Research and Education
facility for the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, and
Firearms.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Burlington, MA................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Federal
Aviation Administration.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Las Vegas, NV.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a U.S.
courthouse.
Mar. 6, 1995........... Sept. 27, 1996......... Brooklyn, NY..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a U.S.
courthouse annex.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Cleveland, OH.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a U.S.
courthouse.
(June 28, 1996)........ Sept. 27, 1996......... Cleveland, OH.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.
(July 19, 1996)........ Sept. 27, 1996......... Portland, OR..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site for
the construction of a
building to consolidate
law enforcement
activities.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Philadelphia, PA................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of the second
phase of the Department of
Veterans Affairs project.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Columbia, SC..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a U.S.
courthouse.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Austin, TX....................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Internal
Revenue Service Austin
Compliance Center.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Corpus Christi, TX............... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a U.S.
courthouse.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Salt Lake City, UT............... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
site acquisition of an
annex to the Frank E. Moss
U.S. Courthouse.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Arlington, VA.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Marine
Corps, Department of
Defense, currently located
at Clarendon Square.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Arlington, VA.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Drug
Enforcement Administration
and the U.S. Marshals
Service.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Northern VA...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Department
of Defense, currently
located at the Skyline VI
Building.
May 30, 1996........... Sept. 27, 1996......... Northern VA...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Department
of Defense, currently
located at the Crystal
Park 1 Building.
May 30, 1996........... Sept. 27, 1996......... Northern VA...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Department
of Defense, currently
located at the James Polk
Building and the Zachary
Taylor Building.
May 30, 1996........... Sept. 27, 1996......... Northern VA...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of space by
lease for the Defense
Information Systems
Agency, Department of
Defense.
Apr. 15, 1996.......... Sept. 27, 1996......... Seattle, WA...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
site acquisition and
design of a U.S.
courthouse.
(July 8, 1996)......... Sept. 27, 1996......... ................................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for
security enhancements at
nine new construction
projects.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED TO AUTHORIZE THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO CONDUCT
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Docket No Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2456................................ Savannah/Chatham County, Georgia
2457................................ Duck River Watershed, Tennessee
2458................................ Lido Key, Sarasota County, Florida
2459................................ Elizabeth River Basin, Virginia
2460................................ West Branch Susquehanna River,
Pennsylvania
2461................................ Dade County Water Reuse Facility
2462................................ Barnegat Bay, New Jersey
2463................................ Tioga River, Pennsylvania
2464................................ Oakland Inner and Outer Harbors,
California
2465................................ Aleutians Islands, Alaska
2466................................ Cumberland River, Tennessee
2467................................ Mid-Cumberland Region, Tennessee
2468................................ Kankakee River Basin, Illinois
2469................................ Ventura Harbor, California
2470................................ Ballwin, Missouri
2471................................ San Diego Harbor, California
2472................................ Hocking River Basin, Ohio
2473................................ Bolinas Lagoon, California
2474................................ Ft. Pierce Harbor, Florida
2475................................ Memphis Metro Area, Tennessee &
Mississippi
2476................................ Mississippi River, Quincy,
Illinois
2477................................ Village Creek, Jefferson County,
Alabama
2478................................ Hillsborough County, Florida
2479................................ Mojave River Forks Dam, San
Bernardino County, California
2480................................ Mississippi River, Alexander
County, Illinois and Scott
County, Missouri
2481................................ Mercer County, West Virginia
2482................................ Susquehanna River, New York and
Pennsylvania
2483................................ Lake Apopka Watershed, Florida
2484................................ Ohio River, Southeastern, Illinois
2485................................ Santa Paula Creek, California
2486................................ Chicopit Bay, St. Johns, Florida
2487................................ San Joaquin River Basin,
California
2488................................ Beaver River Basin, Pennsylvania
2489................................ Connoquenessing Creek Basin,
Pennsylvania
2490................................ Turtle Creek Watershed,
Pennsylvania
2491................................ Pajaro River Watershed, California
2492................................ South Shore of Long Island, New
York
2493................................ Tacoma Harbor, Washington
2494................................ West Tennessee Tributaries,
Tennessee
2495................................ Upper Delaware River Watershed,
New York
2496................................ Maumee River, Ohio
2497................................ Cahaba River, Alabama
2498................................ Yadkin-Pee Dee River Watershed,
South Carolina and North Carolina
2499................................ Lower Potomac Estuary, Virginia
and Maryland
2500................................ Illinois River, Peoria Riverfront,
Illinois
2501................................ Big Cypress Reservation Watershed,
Florida
2502................................ Port Everglades Harbor, Florida
2503................................ Sabine Diversion Canal, Louisiana
2504................................ Bayou Blanc, Crowley, Louisiana
2505................................ St. Lucie County, Florida
2506................................ Tennessee River Basin Watershed,
Tennessee
2507................................ Chickamauga Creek Watershed,
Tennessee
2508................................ Tia Juana River, California
2509................................ Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
2510................................ New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway,
New Jersey
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESOLUTION ADOPTED TO AUTHORIZE THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO CONSTRUCT
PROJECTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under Section 201 of the Flood Control Act of 1965
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Docket No. Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------
104-88.............................. Section 201--A project for storm
damage reduction at the South
Water Treatment Plant in Chicago,
Illinois, a separable feature of
the plan recommended by the Chief
of Engineers on April 14, 1994.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Publications
104-1--Streamlining and Improving Efficiency of
Transportation and Infrastructure Programs. Hearing before the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, January 31,
1995.
104-2--Shipping Act of 1984. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation,
February 2, 1995.
104-3--Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of
Review. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, February
9, 1995.
104-4--Ways to Reduce Unfunded Federal Mandates and
Regulatory Burdens on the Aviation Industry without Affecting
the Safety of the Traveling Public. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Aviation, February 1, 1995.
104-5--The Water Resources Development Act of 1995. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment,
February 7, 1995.
104-6--Compilation of Selected Aviation Laws (Selected
Provisions of Title 49, United States Code; Tax Provisions
Relating to Air Transportation; Airport and Airway Trust Fund;
Acts Relating to Washington Area Airports; Selected Provisions
of Title VIII of the Trade Act of 1974; International Security
and Development Cooperation Act of 1985; Railway Labor Act;
Miscellaneous Provisions). May 1995. (Committee Print.)
104-7--Coast Guard Budget Authorization for Fiscal Year
1996. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation, February 14 and 15, 1995.
104-8--Reauthorization of the Economic Development
Administration and the Appalachian Regional Development Act.
Hearings before the Subcommittee on Public Buildings and
Economic Development, February 10 and 22, 1995.
104-9--General Services Administration Capital Investment
Programs, Reform Legislation, and Related Matters. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic
Development, March 2, 6, and 9, 1995.
104-10--Amtrak's Current Situation. Hearings before the
Subcommittee on Railroads, February 7, 10, and 13, 1996.
104-11--Disposition of the Railroad Authority of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. Hearings before the
Subcommittee on Railroads, January 26, and February 22, 1995.
104-12--Compilation of Selected Surface Transportation Laws
(Title 23, U.S.C.--Highways; Subtitle I of Title 49, U.S.C.--
Department of Transportation; Subtitle III of Title 49,
U.S.C.--General and Intermodal Programs; Subtitle VI of Title
49, U.S.C.--Motor Vehicle and Driver Programs; Subtitle VIII of
Title 49, U.S.C.--Pipelines; Intermodal Surface Transportation
Efficiency Act of 1991; Selected Provisions of the Surface
Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987;
Selected Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
Section 108(b) of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956; Titles
II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;
Miscellaneous Provisions). June 1995.
104-13--Reauthorization of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (2 volumes). Hearings before the Subcommittee on
Water Resources and Environment, February 9, 1995 (State and
Local Perspectives); February 16, 1995 (Business, Economic
Development Perspectives); February 21, 1995 (Administration's
Perspectives); February 24, 1995 (Agricultural, Energy and
Environmental Perspectives); March 7, 1995 (Wetlands and
Property Rights); March 9, 1995 (Local and Regional Issues);
and March 11, 1995 (Nonpoint Source Pollution--hearing held in
Utica, New York).
104-14--The Financial Condition of the Airline Industry:
Present and Future (Focus on Continuation of the Fuel Tax
Exemption). Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, March
22, 1995.
104-15--Legislation to Approve the National Highway System
and Ancillary Issues Relating to Highway and Transit Programs.
Hearings before the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation,
February 8, 28, and March 1, 2, and 8, 1995; March 10, 1995
(H.R. 842, Truth in Budgeting Act).
104-16--H.R. 714, the Illinois Land Conservation Act of
1995. Hearing before the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, April 17, 1995, in Elwood, Illinois.
104-17--Restructuring Air Traffic Control as a Private or
Government Corporation. Hearings before the Subcommittee on
Aviation, February 14, 15, and 23, 1995.
104-18--Reauthorization of Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquid
Pipeline Safety Acts. Hearing before the Subcommittee on
Surface Transportation, March 14, 1995.
104-19--The Disposition of the Interstate Commerce
Commission's Motor Carrier Functions. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, March 3, 1995.
104-20--Denver International Airport: What Went Wrong?
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, May 11, 1995.
104-21--H.R. 1230, Capitol Visitor Center. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development,
June 22, 1995.
104-22--Superfund Reauthorization. Hearings before the
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, June 13, 1995
(State and Local Perspectives); June 20, 1995 (Business,
Insurance, and Contractor Perspectives); June 21, 1995
(Environmental and Community Groups); June 22, 1995 (CBO, GAO,
and Superfund ``Think Tanks''); June 27, 1995 (Federal Agency
Perspectives); July 11, 1995 (Natural Resource Damages under
Superfund and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990--Joint Hearing with
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation).
104-23--Preventing Delays and Cost Overruns in the FAA's
New Global Positioning (Satellite Navigation) System. Hearings
before the Subcommittee on Aviation, June 8, and November 30,
1995.
104-24--Privatization of Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service
Systems. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation, June 29, 1995.
104-25--Coast Guard Drug Interdiction Mission. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, August 1, 1995.
104-26--U.S. General Services Administration Leasing
Program. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Public Buildings
and Economic Development, July 27, 1995.
104-27--Aviation Relations between the United States and
Japan. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, July 20,
1995.
104-28--Naming Bills and U.S. General Services
Administration Court Construction Program. Hearings before the
Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development, June
15, and July 20, 1995.
104-29--Reasons for, and Reporting of, Airline Flight
Delays. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, July 27,
1995.
104-30--1995 Status of the Nation's Surface Transportation
System: Condition and Performance. Report of the Secretary of
Transportation, Pursuant to Section 307(h) of Title 23, United
States Code, and Section 308(e) of Title 49, United States
Code. (Committee Print.)
104-31--H.R. 2017, the District of Columbia Emergency
Highway Relief Act. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation, July 25, 1995.
104-32--Computer Outages at the Federal Aviation
Administration's Air Traffic Control Center in Aurora,
Illinois. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation,
September 26, 1995, in Aurora, Illinois.
104-33--H.R. 2276, the Federal Aviation Administration
Revitalization Act of 1995. Hearings before the Subcommittee on
Aviation, September 28 and October 11, 1995.
104-34--The Proposed Expansion and Renewal of Rail Safety
User Fees. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Railroads,
September 14, 1995.
104-35--H.R. 2500: Reform of Superfund Act of 1995. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment,
November 2 and 8, 1995.
104-36--H.R. 1856, Natural Disaster Protection Partnership
Act of 1995. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment, October 18 and December 5, 1995.
104-37--Public Aircraft and Special Purpose Aircraft.
Hearings before the Subcommittee on Aviation, October 19 and
December 7, 1995.
104-38--The Proposed Sale of House Building Annex Located
at 501 First Street, SE, Washington, DC. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development,
October 26, 1995.
104-39--The Federal Aviation Administration's Expanded East
Coast Plan. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation,
November 9, 1995.
104-40--Aviation Safety: Should Airlines Be Required to
Share Pilot Performance Records? Hearings before the
Subcommittee on Aviation, December 13 and 14, 1995.
104-41--Impact of the President's Budget on Transportation
Trust Funds. Hearing before the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, March 21, 1996.
104-42--Compilation of Laws Relating to Railroad
Retirement, Unemployment, and Labor, Volume I (Railroad
Retirement Act of 1974; Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act;
Railway Labor Act; Federal Employers' Liability Act; Labor
Dispute Resolutions). (Committee Print.)
104-43--National Transportation Safety Board
Reauthorization. Joint hearing before the Subcommittee on
Aviation and the Subcommittee on Railroads, March 6, 1996.
104-44--Naming Bills. Hearings before the Subcommittee on
Public Buildings and Economic Development, December 7 and 13,
1995.
104-45--H.R. 2747, the Water Supply Infrastructure
Assistance Act of 1995. Hearing before the Subcommittee on
Water Resources and Environment, January 31, 1996.
104-46--Reauthorization of the Airport Improvement Program.
Hearings before the Subcommittee on Aviation, February 29, 1996
(Airport Privatization); March 7, 1996 (AirportRevenue
Diversion); March 13, 1996 (Airport Needs); March 14, 1996
(State Block Grant Programs); March 20, 1996 (FAA Views and
Miscellaneous Issues).
104-47--Rail Safety Oversight. Hearings before the
Subcommittee on Railroads, March 5 and 6, 1996 (Human Factors
and Grade Crossing Issues); March 12, 1996 (Equipment and FRA
Regulatory Procedures); March 27, 1996 (Joint hearing with the
Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Technology (Serial No.
55)--High Technology Train Control Devices.)
104-48--Aviation Safety: Issues Raised by the Crash of
ValuJet Flight 592. Hearing before the Subcommittee on
Aviation, June 25, 1996.
104-49--The Water Resources Development Act of 1996.
Hearings before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment, February 27, 28, and March 21, 1996.
104-50--H.R. 2940: The Deepwater Port Modernization Act.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation and the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment, March 28, 1996.
104-51--Budget Authorizations for Fiscal Year 1997 for the
U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Maritime Commission. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, April 25, 1996.
104-52--Coast Guard Missions Review: Acquisitions, Research
and Development, and Domestic and International Icebreaking.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, May 9, 1996.
104-53--The Proposed Third Runway at Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport. Hearing before the Subcommittee on
Aviation on March 18, 1996, at Des Moines, Washington.
104-54--General Services Administration Fiscal Year 1997
Capital Investment Program. Hearing before the Subcommittee on
Public Buildings and Economic Development, May 2, 1996.
104-55--General Services Administration Courthouse
Construction Program. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development, March 20, 1996.
104-56--Payment of Stipends to Bidders Relating to the
Construction of Federal Buildings. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development,
April 17, 1996.
104-57--H.R. 3187, Aviation Safety Protection Act. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Aviation, July 10, 1996.
104-58--H.R. 3267, The Child Pilot Safety Act. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Aviation, May 1, 1996.
104-59--Problems in the U.S. Aviation Relationship with the
United Kingdom and Japan. Hearings before the Subcommittee on
Aviation, March 27 and April 30, 1996.
104-60--High Performance Take-Offs By Military Aircraft At
Civilian Airports. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation,
May 29, 1996.
104-61--Aviation Safety: Treatment of Families After
Airline Accidents. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation,
June 19, 1996.
104-62--H.R. 969, Airliner Cabin Air Quality Act. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Aviation, July 16, 1996.
104-63--H.R. 1309, Child Safety Restraint Systems
Requirement on Commercial Aircraft. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Aviation, August 1, 1996.
104-64--H.R. 3923, Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, September 5, 1996.
104-65--Aviation Security and Anti-Terrorism. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Aviation, September 11, 1996.
104-66--Impact of the U.S. Coastwise Trade Laws on the
Transportation System in the United States. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, June
12, 1996.
104-67--Federal Requirements for Evidence of Financial
Responsibility for Oil Spill Liability Under the Oil Pollution
Act of 1990. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation, June 26, 1996.
104-68--H.R. 3217, National Invasive Species Act. Joint
hearing before the Subcommittees on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, and Water Resources and Environment, July 17,
1996.
104-69--Drug Interdiction and Other Matters Related to the
National Drug Control Policy. Joint hearing before the
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, and
the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, September
12, 1996.
104-70--Federal Building Security. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development,
April 24, 1996.
104-71--Consolidation of the Food and Drug Administration.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Public Buildings and
Economic Development, May 23, 1996.
104-72--Oversight of the General Services Administration
Leasing Program. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development, July 12 and 18, 1996.
104-73--Department of the Navy Exchange Service Command
(NEXCOM) Lease. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development, August 1, 1996.
104-74--H.R. 3933, Construction of the Smithsonian
Institution National Air and Space Museum Dulles Center.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Public Buildings and
Economic Development, September 11, 1996.
104-75--Rails to Trails Act. Hearings before the
Subcommittee on Railroads, July 10 and September 18, 1996.
104-76--H.R. 3348, Snow Removal Policy Act. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, September
11, 1996.
104-77--Reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). Hearings before
the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, March 28 (The
Importance of Transportation Infrastructure Investments to the
Nation's Future); May 2 and 7 (The Federal Role for
Transportation and National Interests); May 16 (Transportation
Finance in an Era of Scarce Resources); June 5 (Maintaining
Adequate Infrastructure: The Interstate Maintenance, National
Highway System, Bridge, and Reimbursement Programs); June 18
(Federal Transit Grant Programs); July 11 (Federal Funding
Distribution Formulas); July 18 (Transportation Finance in an
Era of Scarce Resources: Innovative Financing); July 25 (The
surface Transportation Program); July 30 (Metropolitan and
Statewide Planning: Metropolitan Planning Organizations and the
Planning Process); September 19 (Highway Safety: the Section
402, 403, and 410 Programs and Other Traffic Safety Issues);
and September 26 (Improving Program Delivery of Federal Surface
Transportation Programs and the Congestion Mitigation and Air
Quality Program (CMAQ)), 1996.
104-78--Proposed CSX-Conrail Merger. Hearing before the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, November 19,
1996.
104-79--Unauthorized Transit Projects and Legislative
Requests for Fiscal Year 1997. Hearing before the Subcommittee
on Surface Transportation, April 25, 1996.
104-80--Reauthorization of ISTEA: North American Free Trade
Agreement, Border Infrastructure, and Motor Carrier Safety.
Field hearings before the Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation on August 8, 1996, in Laredo, Texas; and on
August 9, 1996, in Pharr, Texas.
104-81--Reauthorization of ISTEA: Route 219 High Priority
Corridor and Its Importance to International Trade. Field
hearing before the Subcommittee on Transportation on October 8,
1996, in Buffalo, New York.
104-82--Summary of Legislative and Oversight Activities of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 104th
Congress.