[House Report 106-1038]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Union Calendar No. 600
106th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Report 106-1038
(106-115)
SUMMARY
OF
LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
__________
ONE HUNDRED SIXTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
Convened January 6, 1999
Adjourned November 22, 1999
SECOND SESSION
Convened January 24, 2000
Adjourned December 15, 2000
__________
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 2, 2001.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
00-000 WASHINGTON : 2000
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
BUD SHUSTER, Pennsylvania, Chairman
DON YOUNG, Alaska JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota
THOMAS E. PETRI, Wisconsin NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia
SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT, New York ROBERT A. BORSKI, Pennsylvania
HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI, Illinois
JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee ROBERT E. WISE, Jr., West Virginia
THOMAS W. EWING, Illinois JAMES A. TRAFICANT, Jr., Ohio
WAYNE T. GILCHREST, Maryland PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon
STEPHEN HORN, California BOB CLEMENT, Tennessee
BOB FRANKS, New Jersey JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois
JOHN L. MICA, Florida ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of
JACK QUINN, New York Columbia
TILLIE K. FOWLER, Florida JERROLD NADLER, New York
VERNON J. EHLERS, Michigan PAT DANNER, Missouri
SPENCER BACHUS, Alabama ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio CORRINE BROWN, Florida
SUE W. KELLY, New York JAMES A. BARCIA, Michigan
RAY LaHOOD, Illinois BOB FILNER, California
RICHARD H. BAKER, Louisiana EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas
CHARLES F. BASS, New Hampshire FRANK MASCARA, Pennsylvania
ROBERT W. NEY, Ohio GENE TAYLOR, Mississippi
JACK METCALF, Washington JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD,
EDWARD A. PEASE, Indiana California
ASA HUTCHINSON, Arkansas ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland
MERRILL COOK, Utah EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon
JOHN COOKSEY, Louisiana MAX SANDLIN, Texas
JOHN R. THUNE, South Dakota ELLEN O. TAUSCHER, California
FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey BILL PASCRELL, Jr., New Jersey
JERRY MORAN, Kansas LEONARD L. BOSWELL, Iowa
JOHN T. DOOLITTLE, California JAMES P. McGOVERN, Massachusetts
LEE TERRY, Nebraska TIM HOLDEN, Pennsylvania
DON SHERWOOD, Pennsylvania NICK LAMPSON, Texas
GARY G. MILLER, California JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI, Maine
JOHN E. SWEENEY, New York MARION BERRY, Arkansas
JIM DeMINT, South Carolina RONNIE SHOWS, Mississippi
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska BRIAN BAIRD, Washington
STEVEN T. KUYKENDALL, California SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada
MICHAEL K. SIMPSON, Idaho
JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia
DAVID VITTER, Louisiana
MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ, California
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 106th Congress.
Subcommittee on Aviation
JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee, Chairman
JOHN E. SWEENEY, New York, Vice WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI, Illinois
Chairman JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois
DON YOUNG, Alaska CORRINE BROWN, Florida
THOMAS E. PETRI, Wisconsin EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas
THOMAS W. EWING, Illinois JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD,
JOHN L. MICA, Florida California
JACK QUINN, New York ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland
VERNON J. EHLERS, Michigan LEONARD L. BOSWELL, Iowa
SPENCER BACHUS, Alabama JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI, Maine
RAY LaHOOD, Illinois MARION BERRY, Arkansas
CHARLES F. BASS, New Hampshire ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of
JACK METCALF, Washington Columbia
EDWARD A. PEASE, Indiana ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
ASA HUTCHINSON, Arkansas ELLEN O. TAUSCHER, California
MERRILL COOK, Utah JAMES P. McGOVERN, Massachusetts
JOHN COOKSEY, Louisiana NICK LAMPSON, Texas
JOHN R. THUNE, South Dakota NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia
FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey JAMES A. TRAFICANT, Jr., Ohio
JERRY MORAN, Kansas PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon
JOHN T. DOOLITTLE, California PAT DANNER, Missouri
DON SHERWOOD, Pennsylvania BOB FILNER, California
GARY G. MILLER, California MAX SANDLIN, Texas
JIM DeMINT, South Carolina TIM HOLDEN, Pennsylvania
STEVEN T. KUYKENDALL, California JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota
MICHAEL K. SIMPSON, Idaho (Ex Officio)
JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia
DAVID VITTER, Louisiana
BUD SHUSTER, Pennsylvania
(Ex Officio)
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
WAYNE T. GILCHREST, Maryland, Chairman
FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey, PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon
Vice-Chairman GENE TAYLOR, Mississippi
DON YOUNG, Alaska BRIAN BAIRD, Washington
HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota
DAVID VITTER, Louisiana (Ex Officio)
BUD SHUSTER, Pennsylvania
(Ex Officio)
Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous
Materials and Pipeline Transportation
BOB FRANKS, New Jersey, Chairman
JOHN COOKSEY, Louisiana, Vice ROBERT E. WISE, Jr., West Virginia
Chairman ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of
THOMAS W. EWING, Illinois Columbia
STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio RONNIE SHOWS, Mississippi
BUD SHUSTER, Pennsylvania JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota
(Ex Officio) (Ex Officio)
Subcommittee on Ground Transportation
THOMAS E. PETRI, Wisconsin, Chairman
BOB FRANKS, New Jersey, Vice NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia
Chairman BOB CLEMENT, Tennessee
SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT, New York JERROLD NADLER, New York
HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina PAT DANNER, Missouri
JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee JAMES A. BARCIA, Michigan
STEPHEN HORN, California BOB FILNER, California
JOHN L. MICA, Florida FRANK MASCARA, Pennsylvania
JACK QUINN, New York MAX SANDLIN, Texas
TILLIE K. FOWLER, Florida BILL PASCRELL, Jr., New Jersey
SPENCER BACHUS, Alabama TIM HOLDEN, Pennsylvania
STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio RONNIE SHOWS, Mississippi
SUE W. KELLY, New York SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada
RAY LaHOOD, Illinois ROBERT A. BORSKI, Pennsylvania
RICHARD H. BAKER, Louisana WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI, Illinois
CHARLES F. BASS, New Hampshire ROBERT E. WISE, Jr., West Virginia
ROBERT W. NEY, Ohio CORRINE BROWN, Florida
JACK METCALF, Washington EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas
EDWARD A. PEASE, Indiana JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD,
MERRILL COOK, Utah California
JOHN R. THUNE, South Dakota ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland
JERRY MORAN, Kansas EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon
LEE TERRY, Nebraska MARION BERRY, Arkansas
GARY G. MILLER, California JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota
JOHN E. SWEENEY, New York (Ex Officio)
JIM DeMINT, South Carolina
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska
VACANT
BUD SHUSTER, Pennsylvania
(Ex Officio)
Herbert H. Bateman, Virginia (Died
9/11/00)
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency Management
TILLIE K. FOWLER, Florida, Chairman
LEE TERRY, Nebraska, Vice Chairman JAMES A. TRAFICANT, Jr., Ohio
JOHN T. DOOLITTLE, California JERROLD NADLER, New York
JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada
BUD SHUSTER, Pennsylvania JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota
(Ex Officio) (Ex Officio)
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT, New York, Chairman
DON SHERWOOD, Pennsylvania Vice ROBERT A. BORSKI, Pennsylvania
Chairman GENE TAYLOR, Mississippi
DON YOUNG, Alaska EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon
WAYNE T. GILCHREST, Maryland BRIAN BAIRD, Washington
STEPHEN HORN, California BOB CLEMENT, Tennessee
BOB FRANKS, New Jersey JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois
JACK QUINN, New York ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
VERNON J. EHLERS, Michigan JAMES A. BARCIA, Michigan
STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio FRANK MASCARA, Pennsylvania
SUE W. KELLY, New York ELLEN O. TAUSCHER, California
RICHARD H. BAKER, Louisiana BILL PASCRELL, Jr., New Jersey
ROBERT W. NEY, Ohio LEONARD L. BOSWELL, Iowa
ASA HUTCHINSON, Arkansas JAMES P. McGOVERN, Massachusetts
FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey NICK LAMPSON, Texas
JOHN DOOLITTLE, California JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI, Maine
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota
STEVEN T. KUYKENDALL, California (Ex Officio)
MICHAEL K. SIMPSON, Idaho
VACANT
BUD SHUSTER, Pennsylvania
(Ex Officio)
Herbert H. Bateman, Virginia (Died
9/11/00)
Majority Full Committee Staff
Jack L. Schenendorf, Chief of Staff
Mike Strachn, Deputy Chief of Staff
Roger Nober, General Counsel
Carol Wood, Administrator
Mary Moll, Deputy Administrator/Financial Officer
John Murphy, Senior Assistant to the Chairman
Kathy Guilfoy, Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff
Jimmy Miller, Director of Committee Facilities/Travel
Cheryl McCullough, Executive Staff Assistant
Alex DelPizzo, Assistant to the Chief of Staff
Jeremy Sickman, Staff Assistant
Mike McEleney, Staff Assistant
Christopher Walters, Staff Assistant
Minority Full Committee Staff
David A. Heymsfeld, Minority Staff Director
Ward McCarragher, Minority Chief Counsel
Joy B. Bryson, Minority Administrator
Sheila R. Lockwood, Minority Executive Staff Assistant
Dara M. Schlieker, Minority Staff Assistant
------
Budget
Sharon Barkeloo, Senior Professional Staff Member for Budget and
Economic Development
------
Information Systems
Keven Sard, Computer Systems Manager
Chris Hewett, Assistant, Information Systems
Sonia Tutiven, Assistant, Information Systems
------
Press Information
Scott M. Brenner, Director of Communications
Justin Harclerode, Assistant to the Director of Communications
Tricia Law, Director for Outreach
Jim Berard, Minority Director of Communications
------
Editorial Office
Tracy G. Mosebey, Legislative Calendar Clerk
Gilda Fuentez, Editor
SUBCOMMITTEE ON AVIATION
Majority Staff
David Schaffer, Counsel
Adam Tsao, Professional Staff Member
John Glaser, Staff Assistant
Minority Staff
Stacie Soumbeniotis, Senior Minority Counsel
Tricia Loveland, Minority Professional Staff Member
Amy Denicore, Counsel
Rachel Carr, Minority Staff Assistant
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
Majority Staff
Rebecca Dye, Counsel
Edward Lee, Professional Staff Member
Marsha Canter, Senior Staff Assistant
Minority Staff
John Cullather, Minority Senior Professional Staff Member
Rose M. Hamlin, Minority Staff Assistant
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS, AND PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION
Majority Staff
Suzanne M. Te Beau, Counsel
Matthew Wallen, Junior Professional Staff Member
Terry McNaughton, Staff Assistant
Minority Staff
Susan F. Brita, Minority Senior Professional Staff Member
Rose M Hamlin, Minority Staff Assistant
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Majority Staff
Rail Issues
Glenn Scammel, Counsel, Rail
Alice Tornquist, Professional Staff Member, Rail
Minority Staff
Rail Issues
Francis Patrick Mulvez, Minority Senior Professional Staff Member, Rail
Issues
Rachel Carr, Minority Staff Assistant, Rail7
Majority Staff
Surface Issues
Christopher Bertram, Senior Professional Staff Member, Ground
Greg Cohen, Counsel, Ground
Linda Scott, Senior Staff Assistant, Ground
Jess Sharpe, Staff Assistant, Ground
Minority Staff
Surface Issues
Clyde Woodle, Senior Professional Staff Member, Ground
Kenneth House, Minority Senior Professional Staff Member, Surface
Issues
Marek Krzyzowski, Minority Staff Assistant, Ground
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT, INVESTIGATIONS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Majority Staff
Marcus Peacock, Senior Professional Staff Member
Charles Ziegler, Counsel
Miki White, Investigator
Dan Shullman, Investigator
Denise Beshaw, Staff Assistant
Minority Staff
Ward McCarragher, Minority Chief Counsel Oversight and Investigations
Kenneth Kopocis, Minority Counsel Emergency Management
Trinita Brown, Minority Counsel Oversight
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
Majority Staff
Benjamin H. Grumbles, Senior Counsel
Susan Bodine, Counsel
Carrie Jelsma, Professional Staff Member
John Anderson, Professional Staff Member
Donna Campbell, Senior Staff Assistant
Corry Marshall, Staff Assistant
Minority Staff
Kenneth J. Kopocis, Minority Senior Counsel
Arthur Chan, Minority Chief Economist
Ryan Seiger, Minority Counsel
Pamela Stevens Keller, Minority Staff Assistant
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL
----------
January 2, 2001.
Hon. Jeff Trandahl,
Clerk, House of Representatives,
The Capitol, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Trandahl: 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 106th Congress.
The purpose of this 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 the 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.
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Letter of Submittal.............................................. IX
Jurisdiction of the House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure................................................. 1
Bills enacted into law........................................... 3
Bills and resolutions passed by the House but not acted upon by
the Senate..................................................... 6
Bills reported to the House but not acted upon................... 8
Resolutions approved by the House and the Senate................. 9
Bills and resolutions approved by the Senate but not acted upon
by the Committee............................................... 9
Bills enacted into law (summaries of public laws):
106-10 To designate the Hiram H. Ward Federal Building and
United States Courthouse..................................... 11
106-11 To designate the James F. Battin Federal Courthouse..... 11
106-12 To designate the Richard C. White Federal Building...... 12
106-13 To designate the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building..... 12
106-23 To designate the Terry Sanford Federal Building......... 13
106-27 To designate the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building..... 14
106-28 To designate the Robert K. Rodibaugh United States
Bankruptcy Courthouse........................................ 14
106-32 To declare a portion of the James River and Kanawha
Canal in Richmond, VA, to be non-navigable waters of the
United States for the purposes of title 46, U.S.C., and the
other maritime laws of the United States..................... 15
106-33 To designate the Lewis R. Morgan Federal Building and
United States Courthouse..................................... 15
106-48 To designate the Thomas S. Foley Federal Building and
United States Courthouse, and the Walter F. Horan Plaza...... 15
106-53 To provide for the conservation and development of water
and related resources, to authorize the United States Army
Corps of Engineers to construct various projects for
improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, and
for other purposes........................................... 16
106-72 To designate the J.J. ``Jake'' Pickle Federal Building.. 16
106-73 To provide interim continuation of administration of
motor carrier functions by the Federal Highway Administration 17
106-77 To designate the Jose V. Toledo United States Post
Office and Courthouse........................................ 17
106-91 To designate the Lloyd D. George United States
Courthouse................................................... 17
106-92 To designate the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office
Building..................................................... 18
106-109 To make technical corrections to the Water Resources
and Development Act of 1999.................................. 19
106-159 To amend title 49, U.S.C., to establish the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and for other purposes.. 19
106-162 To designate the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building..... 19
106-166 To designate the Sandra Day O'Connor United States
Courthouse................................................... 20
106-181 To amend title 49, U.S.C., to reauthorize programs of
the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes.. 20
106-196 To designate the C.B. King United States Courthouse.... 21
106-203 To designate the E. Ross Adair Federal Building and
United States Courthouse..................................... 22
106-204 To designate the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States
Courthouse................................................... 22
106-218 To designate the Harry S. Truman Federal Building...... 23
106-005 To deem the vessel M/V MIST COVE to be less than 100
gross tons, as measured under chapter 145 of title 46, U.S.C. 11
106-266 To designate the Pamela B. Gwinn Hall.................. 23
106-267 To designate the Kika de la Garza United States Border
Station...................................................... 24
106-268 To designate the Adrian A. Spears Judicial Training
Center....................................................... 24
106-269 To designate the James H. Quillen United States
Courthouse................................................... 25
106-284 To amend the Federal Water Pollution Act to improve the
quality of coastal recreation waters, and for other purposes. 25
106-295 To designate the William H. Natcher Bridge............. 25
106-296 To designate the Judge J. Smith Henley Federal Building 26
106-304 To designate the Carl Elliott Federal Building......... 26
106-305 To designate the Owen B. Pickett United States
Customhouse.................................................. 27
106-308 To designate the Clifford P. Hansen Federal Courthouse. 27
106-390 To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act to authorize a program for
predisaster mitigation, to streamline the administration of
disaster relief, to control the Federal cost of disaster
assistance, and for other purposes........................... 28
106-407 To authorize the Administrator of General Services to
provide for redevelopment of the Southeast Federal Center in
the District of Columbia..................................... 28
106-424 To amend title 49, U.S.C., to authorize appropriations
for the National Transportation Safety Board for the fiscal
years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, and for other purposes..... 29
106-457 Estuary Habitat Restoration Partnership Act of 1999.... 29
106-477 To designate the George E. Brown, Jr. United States
Courthouse................................................... 30
106-478 To designate the William Kenzo Nakamura United States
Courthouse................................................... 31
106-528 To amend title 49, United States Code, to improve
airport security............................................. 31
Committee Views and Estimates Report............................. 37
Summary of activities:
Full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure............ 1
Subcommittee on Aviation....................................... 39
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation........ 45
Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings,
Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation.............. 71
Subcommittee on Ground Transportation.......................... 91
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency
Management................................................... 95
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment................ 103
Public Building Project Resolutions and 11(b) Resolutions
Approved Pursuant to the Public Buildings Act of 1959.......... 120
Water Survey Resolutions Adopted................................. 132
Watershed Projects Adopted....................................... 133
Publications..................................................... 135
Union Calendar No. 600
106th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 106-1038
======================================================================
SUMMARY OF LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES--COMMITTEE ON
TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
_______
January 2, 2001.--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.
BILLS ENACTED INTO LAW
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Law No. Date Enacted Bill No. Title
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
106-6.................... Mar. 31, 1999................ S. 643....................... To authorize the
Airport Improvements
Program for two
months, and for other
purposes.
106-10................... Apr. 5, 1999................. H.R. 92...................... To designate the
Federal building and
United States
courthouse located at
251 North Main Street
in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina, as the
``Hiram H. Ward
Federal Building and
United States
Courthouse''.
106-11................... Apr. 5, 1999................. H.R. 158..................... To designate the
Federal courthouse
located at 316 North
26th Street in
Billings, Montana, as
the ``James F. Battin
Federal Courthouse''.
106-12................... Apr. 5, 1999................. H.R. 233..................... To designate the
Federal building
located at 700 East
San Antonio Street in
El Paso, Texas, as the
``Richard C. White
Federal Building''.
106-13................... Apr. 5, 1999................. H.R. 396..................... To designate the
Federal building
located at 1301 Clay
Street in Oakland
California, as the
``Ronald V. Dellums
Federal Building''.
106-23................... Apr. 19, 1999................ H.R. 911..................... To designate the
Federal building
located at 310 New
Bern Avenue in
Raleigh, North
Carolina, as the
``Terry Sanford
Federal Building''.
106-27................... May 17, 1999................. S. 453....................... To designate the
Federal building
located at 709 West
9th Street in Juneau,
Alaska, as the ``Hurff
A. Saunders Federal
Building''.
106-28................... May 17, 1999................. S. 460....................... 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''.
106-31................... May 21, 1999................. H.R. 1141.................... Making emergency
supplemental
appropriations for the
fiscal year ending
September 30, 1999.
106-32................... June 1, 1999................. H.R. 1034.................... To declare a portion of
the James River and
Kanawha Canal in
Richmond, Virginia, to
be non-navigable
waters of the United
States for the
purposes of title 46,
United States Code,
and the other maritime
laws of the United
States.
106-33................... June 7, 1999................. H.R. 1121.................... To designate the
Federal building and
United States
courthouse located at
18 Greenville Street
in Newnan, Georgia, as
the ``Lewis R. Morgan
Federal Building and
United States
Courthouse''.
106-48................... Aug. 17, 1999................ H.R. 211..................... To designate the
Federal building and
United States
courthouse located at
West 920 Riverside
Avenue in Spokane,
Washington, as the
``Thomas S. Foley
Federal Building and
United States
Courthouse'', and the
plaza at the south
entrance of such
building and
courthouse as the
``Walter F. Horan
Plaza''.
106-53................... Aug. 17, 1999................ S. 507....................... To provide for the
conservation and
development of water
and related resources,
to authorize the
United States Army
Corps of Engineers to
construct various
projects for
improvements to rivers
and harbors of the
United States, and for
other purposes.
106-59................... Sept. 29, 1999............... S. 1637...................... To extend through the
end of the current
fiscal year certain
expiring Federal
Aviation
Administration
authorizations.
106-68................... Oct. 6, 1999................. S. 1072...................... To make certain
technical and other
corrections relating
to the Centennial of
Flight Commemoration
Act.
106-72................... Oct. 19, 1999................ S. 559....................... To designate the
Federal building
located at 300 East
8th Street in Austin,
Texas, as the ``J.J.
`Jake' Pickle Federal
Building''.
106-73................... Oct. 19, 1999................ H.R. 3036.................... To provide interim
continuation of
administration of
motor carrier
functions by the
Federal Highway
Administration.
106-77................... Oct. 22, 1999................ H.R. 560..................... To designate the
Federal building
located at 300 Recinto
Sur Street in Old San
Juan, Puerto Rico, as
the ``Jose V. Toledo
United States Post
Office and
Courthouse''.
106-91................... Nov. 9, 1999................. S. 437....................... To designate the United
States courthouse
under construction at
333 Las Vegas
Boulevard in Las
Vegas, Nevada, as the
``Lloyd D. George
United States
Courthouse''.
106-92................... Nov. 19, 1999................ S. 1652...................... To designate the Old
Executive Office
Building located at
17th Street and
Pennsylvania Avenue,
Northwest, in
Washington, District
of Columbia, as the
``Dwight D. Eisenhower
Executive Office
Building''.
106-109.................. Nov. 24, 1999................ H.R. 2724.................... To make technical
corrections to the
Water Resources and
Development Act of
1999.
106-159.................. Dec. 9, 1999................. H.R. 3419.................... To amend title 49,
United States Code, to
establish the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety
Administration, and
for other purposes.
106-162.................. Dec. 9, 1999................. S. 67........................ To designate the
headquarters building
of the Department of
Housing and Urban
Development in
Washington, District
of Columbia, as the
``Robert C. Weaver
Federal Building''.
106-166.................. Dec. 9, 1999................. S. 1595...................... To designate the United
States courthouse
located at 401 West
Washington Street in
Phoenix, Arizona, as
the ``Sandra Day
O'Connor United States
Courthouse''.
106-181.................. Apr. 5, 2000................. H.R. 1000.................... To amend title 49,
United States Code, to
reauthorize programs
of the Federal
Aviation
Administration, and
for other purposes.
106-196.................. May 2, 2000.................. S. 1567...................... To designate the United
States courthouse
located at 223 Broad
Street in Albany,
Georgia, as the ``C.B.
King United States
Courthouse''.
106-203.................. May 22, 2000................. H.R. 2412.................... To designate the
Federal building and
United States
courthouse located at
1300 South Harrison
Street in Fort Wayne,
Indiana, as the ``E.
Ross Adair Federal
Building and United
States Courthouse''.
106-204.................. May 22, 2000................. S. 2370...................... To designate the
Federal building
located at 500 Pearl
Street in New York
City, New York, as the
``Daniel Patrick
Moynihan United States
Courthouse''.
106-218.................. June 21, 2000................ H.R. 3639.................... To designate the
Federal building
located at 2201 C
Street, Northwest, in
the District of
Columbia, currently
headquarters for the
Department of State,
as the ``Harry S.
Truman Federal
Building''.
106-005.................. July 6, 2000................. H.R. 3903.................... To deem the vessel M/V
MIST COVE to be less
than 100 gross tons,
as measured under
chapter 145 of title
46, United States
Code.
106-266.................. Sept. 22, 2000............... H.R. 1729.................... To designate the
Federal facility
located at 1301 Emmet
Street in
Charlottesville,
Virginia, as the
``Pamela B. Gwinn
Hall''.
106-267.................. Sept. 22, 2000............... H.R. 1901.................... To designate the United
States border station
located in Pharr,
Texas, as the ``Kika
de la Garza United
States Border
Station''.
106-268.................. Sept. 22, 2000............... H.R. 1959.................... To designate the
Federal building
located at 743 East
Durango Boulevard in
San Antonio, Texas, as
the ``Adrian A. Spears
Judicial Training
Center''.
106-269.................. Sept. 22, 2000............... H.R. 4608.................... To designate the United
States courthouse
located at 220 West
Depot Street, in
Greeneville,
Tennessee, as the
``James H. Quillen
United States
Courthouse''.
106-284.................. Oct. 10, 2000................ H.R. 999..................... To amend the Federal
Water Pollution Act to
improve the quality of
coastal recreation
waters, and for other
purposes.
106-295.................. Oct. 13, 2000................ H.R. 1162.................... To designate the bridge
on United States Route
231 that crosses the
Ohio River between
Maceo, Kentucky, and
Rockport, Indiana, as
the ``William H.
Natcher Bridge''.
106-296.................. Oct. 13, 2000................ H.R. 1605.................... To designate the United
States courthouse
building located at
402 North Walnut
Street and Prospect
Avenue in Harrison,
Arkansas, as the
``Judge J. Smith
Henley Federal
Building''.
106-304.................. Oct. 13, 2000................ H.R. 4806.................... To designate the
Federal building
located at 1710
Alabama Avenue in
Jasper, Alabama, as
the ``Carl Elliott
Federal Building''.
106-305.................. Oct. 13, 2000................ H.R. 5284.................... To designate the United
States customhouse
located at 101 East
Main Street in
Norfolk, Virginia, as
the ``Owen B. Pickett
United States
Customhouse''.
106-308.................. Oct. 13, 2000................ S. 1794...................... To designate the
Federal courthouse
located at 145 East
Simpson Avenue in
Jackson, Wyoming, as
the ``Clifford P.
Hansen Federal
Courthouse''.
106-390.................. Oct. 30, 2000................ H.R. 707..................... To amend the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act to
authorize a program
for predisaster
mitigation, to
streamline the
administration of
disaster relief, to
control the Federal
cost of disaster
assistance, and for
other purposes.
106-407.................. Nov. 1, 2000................. H.R. 3069.................... To authorize the
Administrator of
General Services to
provide for
redevelopment of the
Southeast Federal
Center in the District
of Columbia.
106-424.................. Nov. 1, 2000................. S. 2412...................... To amend title 49,
United States Code, to
authorize
appropriations for the
National
Transportation Safety
Board for the fiscal
years 2000, 2001,
2002, and 2003, and
for other purposes.
106-457.................. Nov. 7, 2000................. S. 835....................... To encourage the
restoration of estuary
habitat through more
efficient project
financing and enhanced
coordination of
Federal and non-
Federal restoration
programs, and for
other purposes.
106-477.................. Nov. 9, 2000................. H.R. 5110.................... To designate the United
States courthouse
located at 3470 12th
Street in Riverside,
California, as the
``George E. Brown, Jr.
United States
Courthouse''.
106-478.................. Nov. 9, 2000................. H.R. 5302.................... To designate the United
States courthouse
located at 1010 Fifth
Avenue in Seattle,
Washington, as the
``William Kenzo
Nakamura United States
Courthouse''.
106-489.................. Nov. 9, 2000................. S. 893....................... To amend title 46,
United States Code, to
provide equitable
treatment with respect
to State and local
income taxes for
certain individuals
who perform duties on
vessels.
106-502.................. Nov. 13, 2000................ H.R. 1444.................... To authorize the
Secretary of the Army
to develop and
implement projects for
fish screens, fish
passage devices, and
other similar measures
to mitigate adverse
impacts associated
with irrigation system
water diversions by
local governmental
entities in the States
of Oregon, Washington,
Montana, and Idaho.
106-506.................. Nov. 13, 2000................ H.R. 3388.................... To promote
environmental
restoration around the
Lake Tahoe basin.
106-528.................. Nov. 22, 2000................ S. 2440...................... To amend title 49,
United States Code, to
improve airport
security.
106-541.................. Dec. 11, 2000................ S. 2796...................... A bill to provide for
the 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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE HOUSE BUT NOT ACTED UPON BY THE
SENATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Number Passed House Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R. 130.............. 3/23/99.............. To designate the United
States Courthouse
located at 40 Centre
Street in New York, New
York as the ``Thurgood
Marshall United States
Courthouse''.
H.R. 603.............. 3/3/99............... To amend title 49, United
States Code, to clarify
the application of the
Act popularly known as
the ``Death on the High
Seas Act'' to aviation
incidents.
H.R. 661.............. 3/3/99............... To direct the Secretary
of Transportation to
prohibit the commercial
operation of supersonic
transport category
aircraft that do not
comply with stage 3
noise levels if the
European Union adopts
certain aircraft noise
regulations.
H.R. 673.............. 5/4/00............... To authorize the
Administrator of the
Environmental Protection
Agency to make grants to
the Florida Keys
Aqueduct Authority and
other appropriate
agencies for the purpose
of improving water
quality throughout the
marine ecosystem of the
Florida Keys.
H.R. 686.............. 5/4/99............... To designate a United
States courthouse in
Brownsville, Texas, as
the ``Garza-Vela United
States Courthouse''.
H.R. 717.............. 9/27/99.............. To amend title 49, United
States Code, to regulate
overflights of national
parks, and for other
purposes.
H.R. 728.............. 7/17/00.............. To amend the Watershed
Protection and Flood
Prevention Act to
authorize the Secretary
of Agriculture to
provide cost share
assistance for the
rehabilitation of
structural measures
constructed as part of
water resource projects
previously funded by the
Secretary under such Act
or related laws.
H.R. 751.............. 3/23/99.............. To designate the Federal
building and United
States courthouse
located at 504 Hamilton
Street in Allentown,
Pennsylvania, as the
``Edward N. Cahn Federal
Building and United
States Courthouse''.
H.R. 809.............. 6/27/00.............. To amend the Act of June
1, 1948, to provide for
reform of the Federal
Protective Service.
H.R. 910.............. 3/28/00.............. To authorize the
Secretary of the Army,
acting through the Chief
of Engineers and in
coordination with other
Federal agency heads, to
participate in the
funding and
implementation of a
balanced, long-term
solution to the problems
of groundwater
contamination, water
supply, and reliability
affecting the San
Gabriel groundwater
basin in CA, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 1106............. 5/4/00............... To authorize the
Administrator of the
Environmental Protection
Agency to make grants to
State agencies with
responsibility for water
source development for
the purpose of
maximizing available
water supply and
protecting the
environment through the
development of
alternative water
sources.
H.R. 1237............. 5/8/00............... To amend the Federal
Water Pollution Control
Act to permit grants for
the national estuary
program to be used for
the development and
implementation of a
comprehensive
conservation and
management plan, to
reauthorize
appropriations to carry
out the program, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 1279............. 3/28/00.............. To designate the Federal
building and United
States post office
located at 223 Sharkey
Street in Clarksdale,
Mississippi, as the
``Aaron E. Henry Federal
Building and United
States Post Office''.
H.R. 1359............. 4/3/00............... To designate the Federal
building and United
States courthouse to be
constructed at 10 East
Commerce Street in
Youngstown, Ohio, as the
``Frank J. Battisti and
Nathaniel R. Jones
Federal Building and
United States
Courthouse''.
H.R. 1405............. 5/3/00............... To designate the Federal
building located at 143
West Liberty Street,
Medina, Ohio, as the
``Donald J. Pease
Federal Building''.
H.R. 2328............. 4/12/00.............. To amend the Federal
Water Pollution Control
Act to reauthorize the
Clean Lakes Program.
H.R. 2513............. 11/2/99.............. To direct the
Administrator of General
Services to acquire a
building located in
Terre Haute, Indiana,
and for other purposes.
H.R. 2679............. 10/14/99............. To amend title 49, United
States Code, to
establish the National
Motor Carrier
Administration in the
Department of
Transportation, to
improve the safety of
commercial motor vehicle
operators and carriers,
to strengthen commercial
driver's licenses, and
for other purposes.
H.R. 2681............. 10/14/99............. To establish a program,
coordinated by the
National Transportation
Safety Board, of
assistance to families
of passengers involved
in rail passenger
accidents.
H.R. 2957............. 5/3/00............... To amend the Federal
Water Pollution Control
Act to authorize funding
to carry out certain
water quality
restoration projects for
Lake Pontchartrain
Basin, Louisiana, and
for other purposes.
H.R. 3039............. 4/12/00.............. To amend the Federal
Water Pollution Control
Act to assist in the
restoration of the
Chesapeake Bay, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 3313............. 5/9/00............... To amend section 119 of
the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act to
reauthorize the program
for Long Island Sound,
and for other purposes.
H.R. 3323............. 6/27/00.............. To designate the Federal
building located at 158-
15 Liberty Avenue in
Jamaica, Queens, New
York, as the ``Floyd H.
Flake Federal
Building''.
H.R. 3378............. 9/12/00.............. To authorize certain
actions to address the
comprehensive treatment
of sewage emanating from
the Tijuana River in
order to substantially
reduce river and ocean
pollution in the San
Diego border region.
H.R. 4052............. 4/3/00............... To preserve certain
reporting requirements
under the jurisdiction
of the Committee on
Transportation and
Infrastructure of the
House of
Representatives, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 4104............. 9/12/00.............. To amend the Federal
Water Pollution Control
Act to authorize funding
to carry out certain
water quality and
barrier island
restoration projects for
the Mississippi Sound,
and for other purposes.
H.R. 4210............. 7/25/00.............. To amend the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance
Act to provide for
improved Federal efforts
to prepare for and
respond to terrorist
attacks, and for other
purposes.
H.R. 4441............. 10/10/00............. To amend title 49, United
States Code, to provide
a mandatory fuel
surcharge for
transportation provided
by certain motor
carriers, and for other
purposes.
H.R. 4519............. 9/26/00.............. To amend the Public
Buildings Act of 1959
concerning the safety
and security of children
enrolled in childcare
facilities located in
public buildings under
the control of the
General Services
Administration.
H.R. 4844............. 9/7/00............... To modernize the
financing of the
railroad retirement
system and to provide
enhanced benefits to
employees and
beneficiaries.
H.R. 5111............. 11/13/00............. To direct the
Administrator of the
Federal Aviation
Administration to treat
certain property
boundaries as the
boundaries of the
Lawrence County Airport,
Courtland, Alabama, and
for other purposes.
H.R. 5637............. 12/4/00.............. To provide that an amount
available for fiscal
year 2001 for the
Department of
Transportation shall be
available to reimburse
certain costs incurred
for clean-up of former
Coast Guard facilities
at Cape May, New Jersey,
and to authorize the
Coast Guard to transfer
funds and authority for
demolition and removal
of a structure at former
Coast Guard property in
Traverse City, Michigan.
H.R. 5267............. 10/2/00.............. To designate the United
States courthouse
located at 100 Federal
Plaza in Central Islip,
New York, as the
``Theodore Roosevelt
United States
Courthouse''.
H. Con. Res. 48....... 4/12/99.............. Authorizing the use of
the Capitol Grounds for
the opening ceremonies
of Sunrayce 99.
H. Con. Res. 91....... 6/14/99.............. Authorizing the use of
the Capitol Grounds for
a clinic to be conducted
by the United States
Luge Association.
H. Con. Res. 171...... 10/4/99.............. Congratulating the
American Public Transit
Association for 25 years
of commendable service
to the transit industry
and the Nation.
H. Con. Res. 187...... 9/27/99.............. Expressing the sense of
Congress regarding the
European Council noise
rule affecting
hushkitted and reengined
aircraft.
H. Con. Res. 372...... 7/25/00.............. Expressing the sense of
the Congress regarding
the historic
significance of the
210th anniversary of the
establishment of the
Coast Guard, and for
other purposes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILLS PASSED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE THAT DID NOT BECOME PUBLIC LAW
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Number Passed House Passed Senate Title
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R. 45/ S. 1287........... 3/22/00 (H.R. 45).......... 2/10/00 (S 1287).......... To amend the Nuclear Waste
Policy Act of 1982.
H.R. 819................... 3/16/99.................... 7/29/99................... To authorize
appropriations for the
Federal Maritime
Commission for fiscal
years 2000 and 2001.
H.R. 820................... 3/17/99.................... 7/27/00................... To authorize
appropriations for fiscal
years 2000 and 2001 for
the Coast Guard, and for
other purposes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILLS REPORTED TO THE HOUSE BUT NOT ACTED UPON
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Number Report Number Date Reported Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R. 828..... 106-943............. 10/6/00...... To amend the Federal
Water Pollution
Control Act to
require that
discharges from
combined storm and
sanitary sewers
conform to the
Combined Sewer
Overflow Control
Policy of the
Environmental
Protection Agency,
and for other
purposes.
H.R. 855..... 106-595............. 5/2/00....... To amend the Marine
Protection,
Research, and
Sanctuaries Act of
1972 relating to
the dumping of
dredged material in
Long Island Sound,
and for other
purposes.
H.R. 938..... 106-537............. 3/23/00...... To designate the
Federal building
located at 290
Broadway in New
York, New York, as
the ``Ronald H.
Brown Federal
Building''.
H.R. 1300.... 106-353, Part I..... 9/30/99...... To amend the
Comprehensive
Environmental
Response,
Compensation, and
Liability Act of
1980 to promote
brownfields
redevelopment, to
reauthorize and
reform the
Superfund program,
and for other
purposes.
H.R. 1571.... 106-588............. 4/13/00...... To designate the
Federal building
under construction
at 600 State Street
in New Haven,
Connecticut, as the
``Merrill S. Parks,
Jr., Federal
Building''.
H.R. 2163.... 106-827............. 9/7/00....... To designate the
United States
courthouse located
at 500 Pearl Street
in New York City,
New York, as the
``Ted Weiss United
States
Courthouse''.
H.R. 3171.... 106-590............. 4/13/00...... To direct the
Administrator of
General Services to
convey a parcel of
land in the
District of
Columbia to be used
for construction of
the National Health
Museum, and for
other purposes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESOLUTIONS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Number Passed House Passed Senate Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H. Con. Res. 44..... 3/23/99...... 4/14/99...... Authorizing the use
of the Capitol
Grounds for the
18th annual
National Peace
Officers' Memorial
Service.
H. Con. Res. 47..... 3/23/99...... 4/14/99...... Authorizing the use
of the Capitol
Grounds for the
Greater Washington
Soap Box Derby.
H. Con. Res. 49..... 4/12/99...... 4/30/99...... Authorizing the use
of the Capitol
Grounds for a bike
rodeo to be
conducted by the
Earth Force Youth
Bike Summit.
H. Con. Res. 50..... 3/23/99...... 4/14/99...... Authorizing the 1999
District of
Columbia Special
Olympics Law
Enforcement Torch
Run to be run
through the Capitol
Grounds.
H. Con. Res. 52..... 3/23/99...... 4/19/99...... Authorizing the use
of the East Front
of the Capitol
Grounds for
performances
sponsored by the
John F. Kennedy
Center for the
Performing Arts.
H. Con. Res. 105.... 6/14/99...... 6/18/99...... Authorizing the Law
Enforcement Torch
Run for the 1999
Special Olympics
World Games to be
run through the
Capitol Grounds.
H. Con. Res. 158.... 7/20/99...... 7/21/99...... Designating the
Document Door of
the United States
Capitol as the
``Memorial Door''.
H. Con. Res. 167.... 8/3/99....... 8/5/99....... Authorizing the
Architect of the
Capitol to permit
temporary
construction and
other work on the
Capitol Grounds
that may be
necessary for
construction of a
building on
Constitution Avenue
Northwest, between
2nd Street
Northwest and
Louisiana Avenue
Northwest.
H. Con. Res. 277.... 4/10/00...... 5/9/00....... Authorizing the use
of the Capitol
Grounds for the
Greater Washington
Soap Box Derby.
H. Con. Res. 278.... 4/3/00....... 4/12/00...... Authorizing the use
of the Capitol
Grounds for the
19th annual
National Peace
Officers' Memorial
Service.
H. Con. Res. 279.... 4/3/00....... 4/12/00...... Authorizing the use
of the Capitol
Grounds for the
200th birthday
celebration of the
Library of
Congress.
H. Con. Res. 280.... 4/10/00...... 5/25/00...... Authorizing the 2000
District of
Columbia Special
Olympics Law
Enforcement Torch
Run to be run
through the Capitol
Grounds.
H. Con. Res. 281.... 4/3/00....... 4/12/00...... Authorizing the use
of the East Front
of the Capitol
Grounds for
performances
sponsored by the
John F. Kennedy
Center for the
Performing Arts.
H. Con. Res. 314.... 5/3/00....... 5/9/00....... Authorizing the use
of the Capitol
Grounds for a bike
rodeo to be
conducted by the
Earth Force Youth
Bike Summit.
H. Con. Res. 423.... 10/12/00..... 10/13/00..... Authorizing the use
of the Capitol
Grounds for the
Million Family
March.
S. Con. Res. 139.... 10/23/00..... 10/28/00..... A concurrent
resolution
authorizing the use
of the Capitol
Grounds for the
dedication of the
Japanese-American
Memorial to
Patriotism.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILLS APPROVED BY THE SENATE BUT NOT ACTED UPON BY THE COMMITTEE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Number Passed Senate Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. 1534................ 9/28/00................ A bill to reauthorize
the Coastal Zone
Management Act, and
for other purposes.
S. 2417................ 10/10/00............... A bill to amend the
Federal Water
Pollution Control Act
to increase funding
for State nonpoint
source pollution
control programs, and
for other purposes.
S. Con. Res. 29........ 4/22/99................ A concurrent
resolution
authorizing the use
of the Capitol
Grounds for concerts
to be authorized by
the National Symphony
Orchestra.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILLS ENACTED INTO LAW
(Summaries of Public Law)
------
AN ACT TO DEEM THE VESSEL M/V MIST COVE TO BE LESS THAN 100 GROSS TONS,
AS MEASURED UNDER CHAPTER 145 OF TITLE 46, UNITED STATES CODE
(Private Law 106-005)
Public Law 106-5 requires the Secretary of Transportation
to prescribe a tonnage measurement as a small passenger vessel,
as defined in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code, for
the M/V MIST COVE. This will require the MIST COVE to comply
with current safety requirements applicable to small passenger
vessels. The law also includes a restriction that the vessel
may not be constructed larger than 157 feet.
------
HIRAM H. WARD FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-10)
This law designates the Federal Building and United States
courthouse located at 251 North Main Street in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina, as the ``Hiram H. Ward Federal Building and
United States Courthouse.'' Hiram Ward was born in Thomasville,
North Carolina on April 29, 1923. He served as a Lieutenant
Colonel Pilot, in the United States Army Air Force, Civil Air
Patrol from 1940 until 1945. For his efforts during World War
II, Judge Ward received an Air Medal and Purple Heart. He
turned his sights to law and graduated with honors from the
Wake Forest School of Law in 1950. Later that same year Judge
Ward was admitted to the North Carolina Bar Association. In
1972, President Nixon appointed Judge Ward to the Federal bench
for the Middle District of North Carolina. He served the Middle
District from 1972, achieving the status of Chief Judge in
1982, until 1988. In 1988, Judge Ward elected to take senior
status, retaining all of his pending cases, and continued to
sit for an additional six years with the Fourth Circuit Court
of Appeals.
------
JAMES F. BATTIN UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-11)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 316
North 26th Street in Billings, Montana as the ``James F. Battin
United States Courthouse.'' James Battin enlisted in the United
States Navy and served for three years, a majority of this time
being spent during World War II in the Pacific theater. After
serving his country in the Pacific, Congressman Battin earned
his J.D. at the George Washington University Law School in
Washington, D.C., in 1951. He was admitted to the Washington,
D.C. bar in 1951. In 1958, Judge Battin was elected to the
Montana State House of Representatives. He then pursued
national office and was elected to represent Montana in the
United States House of Representatives in the 87th Congress,
and was returned to office for four succeeding terms, from
January 3, 1961 until February 27, 1969. During his tenure in
Congress, Judge Battin served on the Committee on Committees,
the Executive Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Foreign
Affairs Committee, and the Ways and Means Committee. On
February 27, 1969, President Nixon appointed Judge Battin to
the United States district court for District of Montana. Judge
Battin became Chief Judge in 1978 and held the position until
1990, when he elected to take senior status. From the bench he
diligently served the District of Montana.
------
RICHARD C. WHITE FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 106-12)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 700
East San Antonio Street in El Paso, Texas as the ``Richard C.
White Federal Building.'' Richard White was a native-born Texan
from El Paso. He attended Texas Western College from 1940 until
1942, and graduated from the University of Texas, at El Paso in
1946. Later, he went on to receive his law degree from the
University of Texas at Austin in 1949. Congressman White served
the United States in World War II, with the U.S. Marine Corps
in the Pacific theater from 1942 to 1945, as a rifleman and
Japanese interpreter, earning a Purple Heart. In 1955,
Congressman White was elected to the Texas State House of
Representatives, where he served until 1958. From 1963 to 1965,
Congressman White served as El Paso County Democratic Chairman.
In 1965, Congressman White was elected to his first of nine
successive terms in Congress, representing the 16th District of
Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a Member, he
served on the Committee on Armed Services, Interior and Insular
Affairs, Post Office and Civil Service, and Science and
Technology. In 1983, Congressman White returned to El Paso,
choosing not to run for reelection, to resume his legal career
and serve as a civic leader. This is a fitting tribute to a
dedicated public servant.
------
RONALD V. DELLUMS FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 106-13)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 1301
Clay Street in Oakland, California as the ``Ronald V. Dellums
Federal Building.'' Congressman Dellums served on the Berkeley
City Council from 1967 to 1970. On November 3, 1970 he was
elected to the United States House of Representatives to
represent northern Alameda County. Congressman Dellums' first
major effort in Washington was directed toward bringing an end
to the war in Indochina. This experience led him to be a strong
advocate for arms reduction throughout his entire career. In
addition, Congressman Dellums championed issues involving civil
rights, equal rights for women, human rights, and the
environment. At the time of his resignation, Congressman
Dellums was the Ranking Member on the House National Security
Committee. During his tenure in Congress, Congressman Dellums
held the chairmanship of the Committee on Armed Services, and
the Committee on the District of Columbia. Throughout his 27-
year career, Congressman Dellums served on a variety of other
committees and caucuses; including the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, the Committee on the Post Office and Civil Service,
the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the
Congressional Black Caucus. Congressman Dellums resigned in
January 1998 to return to private life.
------
TERRY SANFORD FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 106-23)
This law designates the Federal building located at 310 New
Bern Avenue in Raleigh, North Carolina as the ``Terry Sanford
Federal Building.'' Terry Sanford was born in Laurinburg, North
Carolina in 1917. He attended the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill for his undergraduate studies as well as his law
degree, graduating in 1946. Senator Sanford also served in
World War II, initially as a special agent for the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, and then later as a volunteer recruit
in the United States Army. He began his service in the Army as
a private, however he later served as a paratrooper in five
European campaigns, including Normandy, and was discharged as a
first lieutenant. In addition to founding three law firms, two
in Raleigh and one in Fayetteville, Senator Sanford held a
number of public offices. He was a member and Secretary-
Treasurer of the North Carolina State Ports Authority from 1950
until 1953. In 1953, Senator Sanford was elected to the North
Carolina State Senate and served until 1955. Later, after
founding one of three law firms, Senator Sanford was elected
Governor of North Carolina, in 1961. Following his term as
governor, he returned to private practice until 1986, when he
made a successful bid to represent North Carolina in the United
States Senate, serving until 1993. Senator Sanford was also
dedicated to academia. He was the President of Duke University
from 1969 to 1984, and continued as President Emeritus from
1995 until 1998. Senator Sanford was the recipient of numerous
honorary degrees, and served on the boards of universities,
colleges and educational associations, as well as on the boards
of a number of corporations in the technology industry.
------
HURFF A. SAUNDERS FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 106-27)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 709
West 9th Street in Juneau, Alaska as the ``Hurff A. Saunders
Federal Building.'' Hurff Saunders was a resident of Alaska who
played an instrumental role in the state's history both as a
territory and as a state. He moved from South Dakota to
Ketchikan, Alaska, prior to World War II, where he accepted a
civilian engineering position with the United States Coast
Guard. During the war he played a critical role in the ability
of the United States Navy and Coast Guard to navigate the North
Pacific waters by correctly determining the latitude and
longitude of various key aids to navigation that were
misidentified on official charts at that time. Following the
war, Mr. Saunders returned to a civil engineering position with
the Federal Government. In this position, he supervised several
public works projects throughout what was at that time the
Territory and later the State of Alaska, completing the
projects on schedule and within budget. In 1966, just prior to
his retirement, Mr. Saunders successfully completed his final
federal construction project, the Juneau Federal Building, Post
Office and United States Courthouse, which this bill now
designates in his honor. This is a fitting tribute to a
dedicated public servant.
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ROBERT K. RODIBAUGH UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-28)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 401
South Michigan St. in South Bend, Indiana as the ``Robert K.
Rodibaugh United States Bankruptcy Courthouse.'' Judge
Rodibaugh was born in Elkhart County, near Goshen, Indiana. He
received his undergraduate and doctorate degrees from the
University of Notre Dame. After graduation he worked in the
private sector before serving in the United States Army during
World War II, and returned to private practice in 1946. In
1948, Judge Rodibaugh served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for
Indiana's 60th Judicial Circuit. He served in this capacity
from 1948 to 1950, and again from 1953 to 1957. Judge Rodibaugh
also served as the Attorney for the St. Joseph County Board of
Zoning Appeals, in 1958. In 1960, Judge Rodibaugh began his
service to the bankruptcy court when he was appointed a United
States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Indiana.
Judge Rodibaugh presided over the growth of the bankruptcy
court from one small courtroom with a part time referee and a
clerk's office of four employees in South Bend, Indiana, to
four courtroom locations in the cities of South Bend, Fort
Wayne, Gary, and Lafayette, Indiana, with four full time judges
and a clerk's office of over forty employees. In 1985, he was
appointed Chief Bankruptcy Judge, and assumed senior status in
1986. Judge Rodibaugh fulfilled his duties as a referee in
bankruptcy proceedings and bankruptcy judge with patience,
fairness, dedication and legal scholarship which is most worthy
of recognition. It is a fitting tribute to name this building
in his honor.
------
AN ACT TO DECLARE A PORTION OF THE JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA CANAL TO BE
NONNAVIGABLE WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES
(Public Law 106-32)
Public Law 106-32 declares the portion of the James River
and the Kanawha Canal in Richmond, Virginia, to be nonnavigable
waters of the United States for purposes of subtitle II of
title 46, United States Code. The law also provides the
Secretary of Transportation with the authority to remove the
nonnavigability declaration if necessary to protect public
safety.
LEWIS R. MORGAN FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-33)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 18
Greenville Street in Newnan, South Carolina as the ``Lewis R.
Morgan Federal Building and United States Courthouse.'' Morgan
was born in LaGrange, Georgia on July 14, 1913. He received his
education in the LaGrange public schools and at the University
of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He received his law degree from the
University of Georgia. Judge Morgan was in private practice
from 1935 until 1961. During that time he was elected to the
Georgia General Assembly to represent Troup County. He also
served as the Administrative Assistant to the Honorable A.
Sidney Camp. During World War II he served in the Signal Corps
of the United States Army. Following the war Judge Morgan was
the City Attorney for LaGrange, and was County Attorney for
Troup County. Judge Morgan was appointed as a United States
District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia in 1961. He
served as Chief Judge from 1965 until 1968, at which time he
was appointed to theUnited States Court of Appeals for the
Fifth Judicial Circuit. In 1981, Judge Morgan was appointed to the
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He maintained an active caseload
until illness forced him to retire in 1996.
THOMAS S. FOLEY FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-48)
This law designates the Federal Building located at West
920 Riverside Avenue in Spokane, Washington as the ``Thomas S.
Foley Federal Building and United States Courthouse.''
Ambassador Foley was born on March 6, 1929. He attended the
University of Washington, where he received both his
undergraduate degree and JD. He served as the Assistant
Attorney General in Washington State, and later was elected to
Congress in 1965. Due to the great respect held for him by all
the Members of Congress, he was elected the 49th Speaker of the
House on June 6, 1989 and held that post until his departure
from Congress in December 1994. After a short time in the
private sector, President Clinton named him Ambassador to Japan
in 1997. Ambassador Foley has received acclaim from across the
globe, garnering tributes such as being named honorary Knight
Commander of the British Empire, awarded the Japanese Grand
Cordon of the Rising Sun, and named a member of the French
Legion of Honor.
------
THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1999
(Public Law 106-53)
The Water Resources Development Act of 1999 addresses the
Civil Works program of the Army Corps of Engineers, providing
water related engineering services related to navigation, flood
control, environmental restoration, shore protection,
hydropower, water supply, and recreation. It authorizes new
projects and makes modifications to existing projects. It
directs that new studies be conducted to determine the
feasibility and federal interest in addressing water related
issues at various locations. Other provisions create new
programs for the Corps to implement and make improvements to
existing ones.
------
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000
(Public Law 106-65)
This legislation allows the Secretaries of the Military
Departments and the Secretary of Transportation for the Coast
Guard to install and operate telephones in private residences
of certain persons providing voluntary services. The Act also
provides for a military pay raise of 4.8 percent for the year
2000 as well as additional future military pay raises, extends
Coast Guard authority for drug interdiction to include Naval
aircraft, includes Coast Guard personnel in existing GI Bill
educational programs, and prohibits the release of Coast Guard
contractor proposals under the Freedom of Information Act.
Finally, Public Law 106-65 provides for war risk insurance for
commercial vessels under section 1214 of the Merchant Marine
Act, 1936, and establishes an Office of the Coast Guard Reserve
as well as a Director of the Coast Guard Reserve.
------
J.J. ``JAKE'' PICKLE FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 106-72)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 300 E.
8th Street in Austin, Texas as the ``J.J. `Jake' Pickle Federal
Building.'' James Jarrell ``Jake'' Pickle served three and a
half years with the United States Navy in the Pacific during
World War II. After serving in the Navy, Congressman Pickle
served as the Director of the Texas State Democratic Executive
Committee. In 1961, he was appointed to the Texas Employment
Commission and served on the commission until his resignation
in 1963. In 1963, Congressman Pickle was elected to the United
States House of Representatives in a special election to fill a
vacant seat. He was then re-elected to the next fifteen
succeeding Congresses until his retirement on January 3, 1995.
During his tenure in Congress, Congressman Pickle provided a
strong voice on civil rights issues. He vigorously advocated
and supported such historical legislation as the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act, in addition, as Chair of
the Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee and the Social
Security Subcommittee, he worked to shape the system of
Medicare and assured the continuance of Social Security.
Congressman Pickle was a dedicated public servant who remained
close to his Texas constituents.
------
A BILL TO RESTORE THE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF
TRANSPORTATION
(Public Law 106-73)
Restores the safety enforcement authority of the Secretary
of Transportation, which was inadvertently omitted because of a
provision in H.R. 2084, the fiscal year 2000 Department of
Transportation Appropriations bill.
------
JOSE V. TOLEDO FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-77)
This law designates the Federal Building and United States
courthouse located at 300 Recinto Sur Street in Old San Juan,
Puerto Rico as the ``Jose V. Toledo Federal Building and United
States Courthouse.'' Jose V. Toldeo was born in Arecibo, Puerto
Rico. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University
of Florida in 1952, and a Juris Doctor in law from the
University of Puerto Rico Law School in 1955. Judge Toledo
served on the Federal bench of the United States District
Court, District of Puerto from December 1, 1970 until February
1980, when he died in office at the age of 49. At the time of
his death, Judge Toledo was the Chief Judge for the Puerto Rico
district. Prior to his appointment to the Federal bench, Judge
Toledo served as an Assistant United States Attorney, as a
lawyer in local government in Puerto Rico, as a partner in
private law practice, and served in the United States Army as a
member of the Judge Advocate Corps.
------
LLOYD D. GEORGE UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-91)
This law designates the United States courthouse located at
333 Las Vegas Boulevard South in Las Vegas, Nevada as ``Lloyd
D. George United States Courthouse.'' Judge George was born on
February 22, 1930, in Montpelier, Idaho. Judge George earned
his B.S. degree from Brigham Young University in 1955. Later
that same year, Judge George entered the United States Air
Force. When he concluded his military service in 1958 he held
the rank of Captain. In 1961, Judge George earned his J.D.
degree from the University of California at Berkeley. In 1974,
Judge George was appointed by the Ninth Circuit to preside over
the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada
for a term of fourteen years. In 1980, he became a member of
the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panels. In 1984,
President Ronald Reagan appointed Judge George to the United
States District Court for the District of Nevada. On July 15,
1992, Judge George was elevated to Chief Judge of the Nevada
District. He was a board member on the Federal Judicial Center,
a member of the National Bankruptcy Conference, the Chair of
the Judicial Advisory for Bankruptcy Rules, the Chair of the
Judicial Committee on Administration of Bankruptcy System, a
Fellow at the American College of Bankruptcy, and a member of
the Judicial Committee on International Judicial Relations.
------
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(Public Law 106-92)
This law designates the Old Executive Office Building
located at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in
Washington, DC as the ``Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office
Building.'' President Eisenhower distinguished himself in the
military before being elected 34th President of the United
States. After graduating from the United States Military
Academy at West Point, Dwight Eisenhower was promoted to
Captain and assigned to command tank training at Camp Colt in
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. For his efforts in World War I, he
was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1919, President
Eisenhower continued his tank training command, this time at
Camp Meade, Maryland, where he met Colonel George Patten, who
would become a lifelong friend. Before World War II, President
Eisenhower spent time in the Panama Canal Zone, France and in
the Philippines as chief of staff to General MacArthur. Before
going to the Philippines, Eisenhower's office was located in
the Old Executive Office Building. In 1944, Eisenhower was
named Supreme Commander of the Allied expeditionary forces.
After the successful Normandy invasion, on December 15, 1944,
Eisenhower was promoted to the Army's highest rank, General of
the Army. In 1952, after serving as president of Columbia
University and Commander of NATO forces, Eisenhower sought and
won the Republican nomination for President. President
Eisenhower was overwhelmingly to serve two terms as President.
His accomplishments span from the peaceful resolution of the
Korean War, desegregation, and the implementation of the
interstate highway system. As a soldier and statesman President
Eisenhower's service to his country has had a profound effect
on the world. Considering his achievements as Chief Executive
and his direct involvement in the Old Executive Office
Building, this is an especially fitting tribute.
------
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1999 TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS
(Public Law 106-109)
The technical corrections bill for the Water Resources
Development Act of 1999 addressed the need to make minor
changes to the Public Law 106-53.
------
THE MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1999
(Public Law 106-159)
Transfers motor carrier safety functions and oversight of
the motor carrier safety assistance program (MCSAP) out of the
Federal Highway Administration at the U.S. Department Of
Transportation to the new Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration. Provides the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration with an additional $65 million per year in
guaranteed funding for the MCSAP program for fiscal years 2001
through 2003, and tightens the statutes governing issuance and
revocation of commercial drivers licenses to unqualified
drivers.
------
ROBERT C. WEAVER FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 106-162)
This law designates the Department of Health and Human
Services headquarters located in Washington, District of
Columbia, as the ``Robert C. Weaver Federal Building.'' Dr.
Weaver was born on December 23, 1907 in Washington, DC. He
attended Harvard University and earned three degrees, including
a doctorate in economics. In addition to his work as an aid to
Secretary of Interior Ickes, he served as special assistant in
the housing division in the Works Progress Administration, the
National Defense Advisory Commission, the War Production Board
and the War Manpower Commission. Dr. Weaver was instrumental
within the Roosevelt Administration in securing appointments
for the first black General in the Army. Robert C. Weaver went
on to serve as New York State's Rent Commissioner and National
Chairman of the NAACP. In the early 1960's President Kennedy
appointed Dr. Weaver Administrator of the Housing and Home
Financing Agency, the predecessor to the Department of Housing
and Urban Development. President Johnson designated HUD a
cabinet level agency. Dr. Weaver advocated more attractive
public housing and increased funding for small businesses
displaced by urban renewal. He also revived federal rent
subsidies for the elderly. Following service in the federal
government Dr. Weaver became a professor at Hunter College, a
member of the Visiting Committee at Carnegie-Mellon University,
and held visiting professorships at Columbia Teachers' College,
and the New York University School of Education. Dr. Weaver
passed away in July 1997.
------
SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-166)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 401
West Washington St. in Phoenix, Arizona as the ``Sandra Day
O'Connor United States Courthouse.'' Justice O'Connor grew up
on a ranch founded by her grandfather in southeastern Arizona.
She entered Stanford University and in 1950 and earned a degree
in economics graduating magna cum laude. Upon graduation she
entered Stanford Law School and graduated third in her class in
1952. She then spent three years in Frankfurt, Germany as a
civilian lawyer for the Quartermaster Corps while her husband
was serving in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps. In
1965, Justice O'Connor became an assistant state attorney
general and continued her volunteer work. In 1969, she was
appointed to fill a vacated seat in the state Senate. She won
re-election in two successive terms and served as majority
leader in 1972. In 1974, O'Connor was elected to a state
judgeship on the Maricopa County Superior Court before being
appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals. In 1981, while
serving on the Court of Appeals Ronald Reagan fulfilled his
campaign pledge of nominating a female Justice to sit on the
Supreme Court and nominated Sandra Day O'Connor. Justice
O'Connor was confirmed 99-0 by the Senate as the Supreme
Court's first female Justice. Justice O'Connor has had a major
impact on the Court and has distinguished herself, as a
Justice, public servant, volunteer, and mother.
------
WENDELL H. FORD AVIATION INVESTMENT AND REFORM ACT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
(Public Law 106-181)
The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for
the 21st Century (AIR 21), Public Law 106-181, authorizes
funding for the Federal Aviation Administration and related
programs and provided several programmatic changes to Federal
civil aviation programs.
AIR 21 unlocks the Aviation Trust Fund and ensures that the
taxes paid the flying public go towards improving our nation's
airports and airways. The authorized funding for federal
aviation programs for fiscal years 2001-2003 will total $40
billion, $33 billion of which will be guaranteed from the trust
fund through a series of points-of-order, while $6.7 billion
will be available to be appropriated from the general fund.
AIR 21 increases the FAA's facilities & equipment budget by
almost 50 percent. It provides the FAA sufficient funding to
hire and retain the air traffic controllers, maintenance
technicians, and safety inspectors necessary for the safety of
the aviation system. It creates a cost-sharing program for
airports and airlines to purchase air traffic control
equipment. AIR 21 authorizes funding to improve the training of
airport screeners, requires cargo airlines to install collision
avoidance systems on their aircraft, and makes runway incursion
prevention devices and wind shear detection devices eligible
for AIP funding. It provides whistleblower protection for both
the FAA and airline employees, and it ensures that funding is
available to raise safety standards at small airports.
AIR 21 provides substantially more money to build
terminals, gates, taxiways, and other infrastructure. It
increases funding for the Airport Improvement Program by over
50%. AIR 21 increases funding for noise abatement projects. It
also directs the Secretary of Transportation to study methods
for streamlining the environmental approval process and
establishes guidelines for air tours over our national parks.
AIR 21 increases the minimum funding for non-hub airports
from $500 thousand to $1.0 million per year. It also created a
program that guarantees funds for general aviation airports.
Additionally, it doubles the small airport fund; creates a new
discretionary set-aside for reliever airports; authorizes a
contract tower cost-sharing program; creates an incentive
program to help airlines buy regional jets if they agree to use
them to serve small airports; and creates a new funding program
to help small, under-served airports market and promote their
air service.
AIR 21 doubles the minimum amount of the annual passenger
funding for primary airports (airports with 10,000 or more
passengers per year). It raises the cap on the amount of annual
funding that a large airport can receive from $22 million to
$26 million. It doubles the funding for cargo airports and
raises the cap on the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) to $4.50.
AIR 21 creates a board to oversee the management of the air
traffic control system similar to the one established in the
recent IRS reform legislation. It also strengthens the
provisions of the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act that
was created following the ValuJet and TWA 800 crashes. It also
allows pilots to appeal an emergency revocation of their
license to the safety board.
AIR 21 also increases access and competition to Chicago
O'Hare, New York Kennedy and New York LaGuardia airports by
phasing out slot restrictions. AIR 21 also creates 24 new slots
at Washington Reagan National Airport, 12 of which slots may be
used for flights within the 1,250 mile perimeter and 12 of
which may be used for flights outside of the perimeter.
------
C.B. KING UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-196)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 223
Broad Street in Albany, Georgia as the ``C.B. King United
States Courthouse.'' Chevene Bowers ``C.B.'' King was born in
Albany, Georgia on October 12, 1923. King served in the Navy
and graduated from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. He
later earned his law degree from Case Western University in
Cleveland, Ohio. C.B. King was a cooperating attorney with the
NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund starting in 1964. He was
the lead attorney in three school desegregation cases
throughout Georgia. In an early civil rights movement in
Albany, Georgia known as the ``Albany Movement,'' King lead the
way to ensure the right to peaceably assemble and demonstrate.
He also represented African American voters and candidates for
office in the fight against unconstitutional segregation and
discrimination. In rural Georgia, King argued a series of
lawsuits that exposed discriminatory practices in the selection
of jurors violating the Fourteenth Amendment.Through these
lawsuits racial and sex discrimination were eliminated from jury
selection. His actions lead to the passage of the Jury Selection and
Service Act of 1968. King also argued a number of cases that
strengthened provisions in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 regarding equal
opportunities for African Americans.
------
E. ROSS ADAIR FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-203)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 1300
South Harrison Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the ``E. Ross
Adair Federal Building and United States Courthouse.''
Ambassador Adair was born on December 14, 1907. He graduated
from Albion High School in Noble County, Indiana and continued
his education at Hillsdale College in Michigan. He went on to
study law at George Washington University Law Center and was
admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1933. Adair volunteered to serve
as lieutenant in World War II and was awarded battle stars for
Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhine and Central European
campaigns. In 1951, Adair began his 20-year tenure in the U.S.
House of Representatives. He was an active member on the
Veterans Affairs Committee and Committee on Committees and was
the Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
After leaving Congress, President Nixon appointed Adair U.S.
Ambassador to Ethiopia, a post he held until 1974. Adair
received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the Indiana
Institute of Technology and Indiana University. He was a member
of the Southgate Masonic Lodge, Forest Park United Methodist
Church, Scottish Rite Cathedral, and Mizpah Temple. In 1966,
Adair received the 33rd Degree, the highest honor in Scottish
Rite. E. Ross Adair died in 1983.
------
DANIEL PATRICK MOYNIHAN UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-204)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 500
Pearl Street in New York City, New York as the ``Daniel Patrick
Moynihan United States Courthouse.'' Senator Moynihan was born
in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended public and parochial schools in
New York City, and adopted New York as his home. He served in
the United States Navy during World War II, and completed
twenty years in the naval reserve. He earned his bachelor's
degree from Tufts University with honors, and received his M.A.
and Ph.D. from Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and
Diplomacy. Senator Moynihan was first elected to the United
States Senate in 1976, and re-elected for three successive
terms. His early work on inner-city poverty was decades ahead
of its time. In 1993 he became the first New Yorker in 150
years to chair the Senate Finance Committee. He also chaired
the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Before serving
in the Senate, Senator Moynihan was a member of the cabinet or
sub-cabinet of Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford. He
authored legislation that led to the construction of the Ronald
Reagan building, the largest civilian Federal building in the
country. He is a former U.S. Ambassador to India and U.S.
Representative to the United Nations. In 1976 he represented
the United States as President of the United Nations Security
Council. In so doing, he set a standard for democratic
principles that brought pride to this country. He has taught at
Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, as well as Syracuse University, Wesleyan
University, Russell Sage College and Cornell University.
Senator Moynihan is the recipient of 62 honorary degrees, as
well as numerous awards for his dedication to public service.
He was a board member of various scholastic institutions and
continues to serve as Regent of the Smithsonian Institution.
------
HARRY S. TRUMAN FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 106-218)
This law designates the U.S. State Department Building
located at 2201 C Street, NW, in Washington, D.C. as the
``Harry S. Truman Federal Building.'' Thrust into the waning
days of World War II, Truman was faced with some of the most
difficult decisions a world leader could face. President Truman
was an integral figure on the post-World War II international
stage. He put into place the Marshall Plan, bolstering Europe's
economic recovery in the face of an aggressive Communist
Russia. His Truman Doctrine established the United States as a
bulwark against the onrush of Communism in Asia and Eastern
Europe, standing up for the democratic rights of people
worldwide. Despite many politically difficult and certainly
unpopular choices, President Truman is remembered as one of the
most significant and distinguished men to ever hold the office
of President. Thanks to his innumerable contributions to
foreign policy leading to the United States' current position
in the international community, associating Truman's name with
the U.S. State Department is a suitable and sensible tribute.
------
PAMELA B. GWIN HALL
(Public Law 106-266)
This law designates the facility known as the Federal
Executive Institute Annex located at 1301 Emmet Street in
Charlottesville, Virginia as the ``Pamela B. Gwin Hall.'' After
receiving her Ph.D from Duke University, Dr. Gwin began her
distinguished career as an educator. In 1983, she became a
faculty member at the Federal Executive Institute. She
specialized in public policy, imbuing her students with her
love for presidential politics and love of learning. Dr. Gwin
became the Assistant Director of Academic Programs in 1987, and
initiating a wide array of special programs at the FEI's Center
for Executive Leadership. She worked tirelessly to improve her
students and herself, and even after a heart transplant in
1996, she returned to the FEI and continued her work for two
more years. She passed away in 1998.
------
KIKA DE LA GARZA UNITED STATES BORDER STATION
(Public Law 106-267)
This law designates the Federal Building in Pharr, Texas as
the ``Kika de la Garza United States Border Station.'' Kika De
La Garza was born in Mercedes, Texas, on September 22, 1927. He
attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, earning
his law degree in 1952. He also served in the United States
Navy from 1945 to 1946, and in the United States Army from 1950
to 1952. Congressman de la Garza began his political career in
1953 when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives.
He served in the Texas State Legislature until his election to
the United States House ofRepresentatives in 1964. Congressman
de la Garza became a member of the Committee on Agriculture when he was
first elected to Congress in 1965, and served as chairman of the
Committee from 1981 to 1994. He was the first Hispanic-American to
serve as the chair of a major Congressional Committee. As chairman, he
compiled an impressive record of achievement and dedicated service to
America's farming community. Under his leadership the Agriculture
Committee was able to form a consensus on a number of important and
intricate agriculture issues, and played a lead role in the enactment
of legislation restructuring the United States Department of
Agriculture. Throughout his 32 years in Congress, Congressman de la
Garza fought tirelessly for his constituents and the American farmers.
It is a fitting tribute to honor Congressman de la Garza with this
designation in his home state.
------
ADRIAN A. SPEARS JUDICIAL TRAINING CENTER
(Public Law 106-268)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 743
East Durango Boulevard in San Antonio, Texas as the ``Adrian A.
Spears Judicial Training Center.'' Adrian Spears was born in
Darlington, South Carolina on July 8, 1910. He attended local
schools and graduated from the University of North Carolina in
1929, and the South Carolina School of Law in 1934. He moved to
San Antonio in 1937, and practiced law until his appointment by
President Kennedy to the Federal bench in 1961. While he
received a recess appointment initially, the Senate confirmed
his appointment in 1962, the same year he became Chief Judge, a
position he held until 1979. He was Chief Judge longer than
anyone else, and will hold that honor indefinitely, since
current law prohibits a judge serving as chief judge longer
than seven years. He assumed senior status in 1979, and retired
from the Federal bench in 1982, when he became vice president
of an oil company, a position he held until his death in 1991.
Judge Spears was a member of the Texas State bar, a member of
the Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of
Criminal Law, served on the Federal Judicial Center Board, and
was the recipient of the Rosewood Gavel Award, St. Mary's
School of Law.
------
JAMES H. QUILLEN UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-269)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 220
West Depot Street in Greenville, Tennessee as the ``James H.
Quillen United States Courthouse.'' Congressman Quillan was
born in Wayland, Virginia one of 10 children. In 1942
Congressman Quillen entered military service during World War
II. He served in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS
Antietam. He served in both theaters of operation and was
discharged a Lieutenant in 1946. Upon returning from the war,
Congressman Quillen was involved in construction, real estate
and insurance businesses. He went on to serve for eight years
in the Tennessee Legislature from 1954 until 1962. Congressman
Quillen was elected to serve the first district of Tennessee in
the United States House of Representatives in 1962. He became a
member of the House Rules Committee in 1965 and later served as
the Committee's Ranking Member. He later served as Chairman
Emeritus, the first such Member of Congress to serve in this
capacity. He served as Vice Chairman of the Legislative and
Budget Process Subcommittee and Chairman of the Tennessee
Valley Authority Caucus. During his Congressional service, he
was a champion for the American flag, always protecting the
values and principles embodied in America's symbol of freedom,
and established ``The Stars and Stripes Forever'' as America's
national march and companion to the National Anthem.
Congressman Quillen served the first district of Tennessee for
34 years, retiring at the end of the 104th Congress.
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BEACHES ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND COASTAL HEALTH ACT OF 2000
(P.L. 106-284)
The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act
of 2000 establishes a program for monitoring beach water
quality to ensure safe recreational waters and provides grants
to states who implement monitoring programs that are consistent
with federal criteria. Also provides for updating of water
quality standards for pathogens and pathogen indicators.
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A BILL TO DESIGNATE THE BRIDGE ON UNITED STATES ROUTE 231 THAT CROSSES
THE OHIO RIVER BETWEEN MACEO, KENTUCKY, AND ROCKPORT, INDIANA, AS THE
``WILLIAM H. NATCHER BRIDGE.''
(Public Law 106-295)
Names the bridge on U.S. 231 that crosses the Ohio River
between Maceo, Kentucky, and Rockport, Indiana, the ``William
H. Natcher Bridge.''
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J. SMITH HENLEY FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-296)
This law designates the Federal Building and United States
courthouse located at 402 North Walnut Street and Prospect
Avenue in Harrison, Arkansas as the ``J. Smith Henley Federal
Building and United States Courthouse.'' Judge Henley was born
on May 18, 1917 in St. Joe, Arkansas. Judge Henley received his
LLB from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1941. He
was a member of the American Bar Association, Arkansas Bar
Association, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, and
the American Judicature Society. Judge Henley engaged in
private practice from 1941 until 1954. He was a former Referee
in Bankruptcy for the Western District of Arkansas from 1943
until 1945. In 1954 he was an Associate General Counsel for the
Federal Communications Commission and served as Director of the
Office of Administrative Procedure, Department of Justice from
1956 until 1958. In 1958 Judge Henley was appointed United
States District Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of
Arkansas. He served as Chief Judge of the Eastern District
during his entire tenure on the Federal bench. He was appointed
United States Circuit Judge for the United States Court of
Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in March 1975. Judge Henley took
senior status in May 1982 and continued to carry an active
docket until his death in 1987.
------
CARL ELLIOTT FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 106-304)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 1710
Alabama Avenue in Jasper, Alabama as the ``Carl Elliott Federal
Building.'' Congressman Elliott was born in Vina, Alabama in
1913. He received his JD from the University of Alabama Law
School, and became the judge of the Recorders Court in Jasper,
Alabama. After serving in the Second World War, he was elected
to the 81st Congress in 1948. He served seven more terms, and
was a champion for education throughout the country, advocating
federal financial assistance for students from elementary to
the college level. As a member of the House Rules Committee, he
was an unwavering supporter of racial integration, a stand that
was not popular in his home state of Alabama. It was this
position that cost him not only his seat in the House, but
later his election for Governor in 1966. Congressman Elliott
served as a member of President Johnson's Library Commission in
1967 and 1968 and also served under President Johnson and Nixon
as chairman of the Public Evaluation Committee, Office of State
Technical Services and as a member of the Technical Advisory
Board within the Department of Commerce. He retired to Jasper,
Alabama and continued his private law practice.
------
OWEN B. PICKETT UNITED STATES CUSTOMHOUSE
(Public Law 106-305)
This law designates the United States customhouse located
at 101 East Main Street in Norfolk, Virginia as the ``Owen B.
Pickett United States Customhouse.'' Congressman Pickett was
born in Richmond, Virginia in 1930. He attended public schools
and graduated from Virginia Tech. In 1955, he graduated from
the University of Richmond School of Law, and was admitted to
the Virginia Bar. In addition to practicing law, Congressman
Pickett is a certified public accountant. Congressman Pickett
began his distinguished career in public service in 1972 by
serving in the Virginia House of Delegates where he gained a
reputation for his fiscal conservatism. While in the House of
Delegates, Congressman Pickett served on numerous boards and
committees, including the Virginia Democratic State Central
Committee, Democratic City Committee Virginia Beach, and on the
executive committee of the Southern Growth Policies Board. In
1986 Congressman Pickett was elected to the 100th Congress to
represent Virginia's Second District. Virginia's Second
District is home to the nation's largest military complex with
facilities serving commands of the Navy, Army, Coast Guard, and
the NATO Atlantic Command. Appropriately, Congressman Pickett
serves on the Armed Services Committee. He is the Ranking
Member on the Military Research and Development Subcommittee
and also serves on the Readiness Subcommittee. Congressman
Pickett is a member of the Congressional Study Group on
Germany, as well as the Congressional Study Groups on Japan and
the Duma-Congress. He participated in the first Congress-
Bundestag-Japanese Diet Trilateral Seminar. Congressman Pickett
is retiring at the conclusion of the 106th Congress.
------
CLIFFORD P. HANSEN FEDERAL BUILDING
(Public Law 106-308)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 145
East Simpson Avenue in Jackson, Wyoming as the ``Clifford P.
Hansen Federal Building.'' Senator Hansen was born on October
16, 1912 in Zenith, Wyoming. He attended the University of
Wyoming, and later became a member of the Board of Trustees
from 1946 until 1966. He served as president of the University
from 1955 to 1962. While a member of the Board of Trustees, he
became involved in cattle ranching, which led to his
involvement in land rights advocacy. He served as an officer on
the American National Cattlemen's Association and the Livestock
Research and Marketing Advisory Committee, and commissioner of
the Columbia Interstate Compact and the Snake River Compact.
Senator Hansen was elected Governor of Wyoming in 1963, where
he served for a single term. After serving as Governor, he was
elected to the United State Senate in 1966. He served from 1967
until he resigned from the Senate on New Year's Eve, 1978.
During his tenure in the Senate, he was a leader in granting
states fair compensation for their natural resources. President
Reagan appointed him to the Committee on Federalism in 1981,
where he studied a variety of ways to reform the federal
government. Senator Hansen currently is a member of the board
of several financial and civic organizations and has received
the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Wyoming.
THE DISASTER MITIGATION ACT OF 2000
(Public Law 106-390)
Public Law 106-390, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000,
authorizes funding for a pre-disaster mitigation program and
makes cost saving changes to the current disaster assistance
program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). The legislation allows the President to increase post-
disaster mitigation funding up to 33 percent above current
levels, makes it easier for disaster victims to apply for
assistance, and streamlines the process for state and local
governments to be reimbursed for disaster management costs. The
law also conditions FEMA grants to many private nonprofit
organizations on requesting a disaster loan from the Small
Business Administration. On March 4, 1999, the House passed
H.R. 707 by a margin of 415-2. After a series of both Senate
and House amendments, the bill was cleared for the President's
signature on October 10, 2000 and signed into law on October
30, 2000.
------
THE FLOYD D. SPENCE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR
2001
(Public Law 106-398)
Public Law 106-398 provides for a military pay raise of 3.7
percent for the year 2001. The Act also amends title 14, United
States Code, to allow the Coast Guard to establish the size of
promotion zones for Reserve Officers and to promote from below
the promotion zone.
------
SOUTHEAST FEDERAL CENTER PUBLIC-PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2000
(Public Law 106-407)
This law authorizes the Administrator of the General
Services Administration to provide for the development of the
Southeast Federal Center in the District of Columbia. P.L. 106-
407, the ``Southeast Federal Center Public-Private Development
Act of 2000'' authorizes the Administrator of the General
Services Administration to enter into agreements, including
leases, contracts, partnerships, joint venture trusts and
limited liability agreements with private entities to provide
for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, operation,
maintenance or use of land at the Southeast Federal Center. The
law will allow GSA to leverage private capital and expertise to
develop this site for use by the government and private sector,
including retail, commercial and other uses. It provides
latitude by the Administrator in valuing any agreements,
including the valuation of in-kind exchanges.
------
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2000
(Public Law 106-424)
The National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of
2000 authorizes funding for the National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB) at $57 billion for fiscal year 2000, at $65
billion for fiscal year 2001, and at $72 billion for fiscal
year 2002.
The National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of
2000 clarifies the jurisdiction of the NTSB in accidents that
occur within 12 miles of the coast of the United States. It
also authorizes the NTSB to enter into an agreement with
private entities and governments for technical services and
training. It also requires the NTSB and the Coast Guard to
revise their memorandum of understanding governing major
maritime accidents to clarify when NTSB has investigative
priority. This Act also requires the NTSB to relinquish
priority in an investigation if the U.S. Attorney General
determines, in consultation with NTSB Chairman, that an
accident may have been caused by a criminal act.
The National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of
2000 established overtime pay for employees holding a position
defined as GS-10 and higher for work done related to accident
investigations. It caps the amount of overtime at 15% above
basic pay per employee and limits the total amount of overtime
to no more than 1.5% of the annual NTSB appropriation.
The National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of
2000 protects information obtained through the use of cockpit
video recorders from disclosure and provides confidentiality
for surface vehicle recorders.
The National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of
2000 authorized the Department of Transportation Inspector
General to review the financial management and business
operations of the NTSB. It also requires the Chairman of the
Board to establish a budget for non-accident-related travel of
Board members and submit an annual report to the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the House
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Furthermore, it
requires the NTSB Chairman to designate a Chief Financial
Officer to report on the financial management of the Board.
------
THE ESTUARIES AND CLEAN WATERS ACT OF 2000
(Public Law 106-457)
The Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000 authorizes $1.8
billion in funding for new and existing programs to restore and
enhance estuaries, lakes, and other waters across the U.S. The
Act: establishes a new national estuary restoration program
under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with
other federal, state and local interests; reauthorizes existing
Clean Water Act programs, including the Chesapeake Bay, the
National Estuary, the Long Island Sound, and the Clean Lakes
Programs; establishes two new Clean Water Act programs,
including the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program and
an alternative water sources pilot program; authorizes the U.S.
to enter into a public-private partnership to treat sewage
generated in Tijuana, Mexico that flows north untreated into
the U.S.; and, reauthorizes the Alaska rural sanitation grants
program under the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996.
------
THE GRAIN STANDARDS AND WAREHOUSE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000/SMALL
WATERSHED REHABILITATION AMENDMENTS OF 2000
(Public Law 106-472)
Section 313 of the Grain Standards and Warehouse
Improvement Act of 2000 enacts the Small Watershed
Rehabilitation Amendments of 2000. This legislation provides
protection and assistance for rural communities and farms all
over the United States by authorizing the Natural Resources
Conservation Service to rehabilitate small dams built by the
Federal government that have reached or are soon to reach the
end of their useful life.
------
GEORGE E. BROWN JR. UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-477)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 3470
12th Street in Riverside, California as the ``George E. Brown
Jr. United States Courthouse.'' George Edward Brown Jr. was
born in Holtville, California on March 6, 1920. He graduated
from the University of California at Los Angeles. Congressman
Brown spent a lifetime in public service working for the
betterment of this country. Although he first registered as a
conscience objector to the war, Congressman Brown went on to
serve as a Second Lieutenant in the Army during World War II.
He returned from the war and began his career with the Civil
Service Department of the City of Los Angeles. In 1954, he was
elected to the city council and in 1955, he was elected Mayor
of Monterey Park, a Los Angeles suburb, in 1958, he was elected
to the California State Assembly and served in the assembly
until 1962. While in the assembly he introduced a bill to ban
the use of lead in gasoline. In 1962, he was elected to the
United States House of Representatives. He served for four
terms and was an ardent fighter for civil rights legislation in
1964. In1970 he ran for the U.S. Senate and was defeated. He
returned to the House with a successful election in 1972 and served in
the House for the next 13 succeeding Congresses. With a degree in
Industrial Physics, Congressman Brown was a strong advocate for the
advancement of science and technology policy. He was the Chairman of
the Science Committee for the 102nd and 103rd Congresses. He also
worked on policies for energy and resource conservation, sustainable
agriculture, national information systems, and the integration of
technology in education. Congressman Brown died in his 18th term at the
age of 79, on July 14, 1999.
------
WILLIAM KENZO NAKAMURA UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
(Public Law 106-478)
This law designates the Federal Building located at 1010
Fifth Avenue in Seattle, Washington, as the ``William Kenzo
Nakamura United States Courthouse.'' William Nakamura was born
in the International District of Seattle. A month after the
bombing of Pearl Harbor and two months before the Nakamura's
were evacuated to the Minidika Relocation Center in Hunt,
Idaho, William's mother passed away. At the time of the
relocation William was enrolled at the University of
Washington. After arriving at the relocation center, in a show
of patriotism to the United States, Nakamura volunteered for
the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. On July 4, 1944 near
Castellina, Italy, Private First Class Nakamura's acts of
heroism freed his platoon's position from gunfire twice. He
first advanced an enemy's machine gun nest and allowed his
platoon to move forward with minimal casualties. Later that day
Nakamura provided cover against machine gun fire to slow the
enemy, which allowed his platoon to retreat to safety. Private
First Class Nakamura suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head
while the platoon returned to safety. More than 100 members of
the 442nd, including Nakamura received the Distinguished
Service Cross, and 55 years later Nakamura rightfully received
the Congressional Medal of Honor.
------
TRANSPORTATION EMPLOYEE FAIR TAXATION ACT OF 1999
(Public Law 106-489)
Public Law 106-489 is designed to clarify the taxing status
of certain types of interstate waterway workers, which under
current law is ambiguous. This uncertainly in taxing status
allows States to tax the income of interstate waterway workers
in a worker's State of residence and in any State in which the
worker earns 50 percent or more of his annual income. The law
resolves this ambiguity by prohibiting any State from taxing
the income of a non-resident interstate waterway worker.
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AIRPORT SECURITY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000
(Public Law 106-528)
The Airport Security Improvement Act of 2000 requires
criminal history record checks (i.e. FBI fingerprint check) for
all people who apply for a job as baggage and checkpoint
security screeners or that will give them access to the air
field. It also requires FAA to expand the electronic
fingerprint transmission pilot program to the whole aviation
industry. It also expands the list of crimes that would
disqualify a person from being employed as a security screener
and increases the amount of classroom training required of
security screeners.
The Airport Security Improvement Act of 2000 would increase
the use of explosive detection system (EDS) equipment for
checked baggage by increasing the random selection rate only
where it finds the EDS equipment is underused. It also requires
a final rule in April on certification of screening companies.
The Airport Security Improvement Act of 2000 requires FAA
to work with airports and airlines to strengthen procedures to
prevent unauthorized access to aircraft and the airfield. It
would hold security screeners responsible for security lapses
through progressive disciplinary measures and require FAA to
improve security at its own air traffic control facilities.
------
THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2000
(Public Law 106-541)
The Water Resources Development Act of 2000 addresses the
Civil Works program of the Army Corps of Engineers, providing
water related engineering services related to navigation, flood
control, environmental restoration, shore protection,
hydropower, water supply, and recreation. It authorizes new
projects and makes modifications to existing projects. It
directs that new studies be conducted to determine the
feasibility and federal interest in addressing water related
issues at various locations. Other provisions create new
programs for the Corps to implement and make improvements to
existing ones. The law includes a response to water resources
issues in South Central Florida by authorizing the framework
for a major program to store, treat, and release water at
appropriate times for municipal and agricultural uses and for
restoration of the natural ecosystem of the Everglades.
------
AN ACT, MAKING CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
(Public Law 106-554)
This Act contains nine bills which provide a large number
of Federal agencies with funding through the end of fiscal year
2001. One of these bills, H.R. 5666, includes additional
miscellaneous appropriations for fiscal year 2001 along with a
number of authorizing provisions. Eleven of these authorizing
sections relate to the Coast Guard and maritime transportation
in general and were developed by the Subcommittee.
Section 1111 of H.R. 5666 directs the Secretary of
Transportation to transfer $575,000 to the City of Oshkosh for
the removal of the bridge over the Fox River in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. Section 1112 waives certain coastwise trade laws for
the vessels WELLS GRAY and the ANNANDALE. The WELLS GRAY will
be used as a passenger vessel visiting Alaska, while the
ANNANDALE will be used as a passenger vessel on fishing
charters.
Four provisions in this legislation call for transferring
specific parcels of Federal property to various new owners. The
first section transfers Coast Guard LORAN station Middletown,
California, to Lake County, California, while the second
transfers the Coast Guard LORAN Station Nantucket,
Massachusetts, to the Town of Nantucket. The third section
transfers the Plum Island Boat House and Lighthouse located in
Essex County, Massachusetts, to the City Newburyport,
Massachusetts, and the final provision transfers Coast Guard
Station Scituate to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
In making these transfers the United States would convey,
without compensation, all right, title and interest, except
that the Coast Guard retains ownership of any historic
artifact. The conveyance of these properties is subject to the
condition that the properties are maintained in a manner that
ensures their present and future use for Coast Guard aids to
navigation. In addition, the Coast Guard continues to have
access to the properties for the operation and maintenance of
aids to navigation.
Section 1117 of the legislation amends section 415 of the
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-383), to
extend a provision of current law to September 30, 2004. The
provision relates to a 1997 Coast Guard enforcement policy for
disposal of dry bulk cargo residue in the Great Lakes. The
section also requires the Secretary of Transportation to
conduct a study of the effectiveness of the United States' 1997
Enforcement Policy for Cargo Residues on the Great Lakes by
September 30, 2002. Finally, the section authorizes the
Secretary to implement and enforce a program to regulate
incidental residue discharges from vessels of non-hazardous and
non-toxic dry bulk cargo into the waters of the Great Lakes,
which takes into account the findings of the study.
Section 1118 of H.R. 5666 amends section 9307 of title 46,
United States Code, to authorize the Coast Guard to extend the
Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee from 2003 to 2005. It
also amends section 9307 of title 46, United States Code, which
establishes the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee. This
section makes two changes to the membership of the Committee.
First, section 9307 is amended to clarify that the President of
each of the three pilotage associations are to be members of
the Committee. Second, the individual representing the general
public is changed to be an individual that has a background in
finance or accounting and who has been recommended to the
Secretary by a unanimous vote of the other six members of the
Advisory Committee. This provision takes effect on the date of
enactment of this Act. Therefore, on that date the Committee
will be composed of six members: the President of each of the
three pilot associations, and the three individuals that the
Secretary has already appointed to represent Great Lakes ports,
shippers, and carriers. The provision also clarifies that any
recommendations made to the Secretary require the approval of
six out of the seven Committee members (or if the seventh
members has not been appointed, then five of the six members).
It further eliminates the requirement that the Secretary's
representative to the Committee ``advise'' the Committee. The
Executive Secretary of the Advisory Committee is to provide
administrative support for the Committee, but should not plan
the agenda of meetings or otherwise interfere in the operation
of the Committee.
Section 1119 fills in a gap in the law not covered by
section 4370 of the Revised Status (section 316, title 46, App.
United States Code), the so-called ``Towing Vessel Act''. This
section requires that vessels engaged in towing assistance or
towing escort to be a vessel of the United States, that is, a
vessel that is documented, numbered, or titled in the United
States. It is not required to be a vessel that meets all of the
traditional coastwise eligibility requirements--unless the
vessel is engaged in other coastwise operations that are
otherwise subject to the section 4370 of the Revised Statutes.
Section 1120 authorizes the Coast Guard to spend $100,000
to reimburse the owners of the Cape May Lighthouse, formerly a
Coast Guard facility, for the cleanup of lead contaminated soil
at the lighthouse.
Finally, section 1122 of the bill authorizes the Coast
Guard to transfer funds in an amount not to exceed $200,000 and
project management authority to the Traverse City Area Public
School District for the purposes of demolition and removal of
``Building 402'' at a former Coast Guard property located in
Traverse City, Michigan.
------
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2001
(Public Law 106-554)
This Act includes several provisions from the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
Section 109 of Division B of this Act includes a provision
similar to H.R. 673, the Florida Keys Water Quality
Improvements Act as passed by the House on May 3, 2000. The
provision authorizes $100 million for the Secretary of the Army
to carry out projects to improve water quality in the Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Sections 110 and 111 of Division B of this Act include
provisions similar to H.R. 910, the San Gabriel Basin
Restoration Initiative, as passed by the House on March 28,
2000. Section 110 authorizes $85 million to create a
Restoration Fund in the U.S. Treasury to address groundwater
contamination problems in the San Gabriel Basin, authorizes the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to participate in the Central
Basin Water Quality Project. Section 111 authorizes $25 million
for research related to groundwater contamination caused by
perchlorate.
Section 112 of Division B of this Act includes a provision
that slightly modifies H.R. 828, the Wet Weather Quality Act of
2000, as reported to the House by the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure. The provision authorizes
$1.5 billion in EPA assistance to control overflows from
combined and sanitary sewers and $45 million in EPA assistance
for an urban wet weather watershed pilot program, among other
actions to address wet weather problems that affect communities
across the U.S.
This Act also contains several other provisions that are
related issues under consideration by the Committee during the
development of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000.
Section 104 of Division B, Ten- and Fifteen-Mile Bayous,
Arkansas, modifies the project for flood control, Saint Francis
River Basin, Missouri and Arkansas. This provision was included
in the House Amendment to the Water Resources Development Act
of 2000, S. 2697, which passed the House on October 19, 2000.
Section 105 of Division B directs the Secretary of the Army to
enter into an agreement to permit the City of Alton, Illinois
to construct authorized recreational facilities and to
reimburse the City of Alton for the Federal share. Section 107
of Division B modifies the project for navigation, Tampa
Harbor, Florida, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to
deepen and widen the Alafia Channel. This was a provision in
the House Amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of
2000, S. 2697, which passed the House on October 19, 2000.
Section 108 of Division B amends section 219 of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1992 by adding new projects for
environmental infrastructure and increasing the authorized
funding level for some existing projects. This authorization
for $386 million of environmental infrastructure projects was a
provision in the House Amendment to the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000, S. 2796, which passed the House on
October 19, 2000.
Section 113 of Division B amends the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000 by authorizing fish passage devices at
the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam, South Carolina. Section
114 of Division B extinguishes reversionary interests and use
restrictions on a certain plot of land in Umatilla County,
Oregon. This was a provision in the House Amendment to the
Water Resources Development Act of 2000, S. 2697, which passed
the House on October 19, 2000. Section 115 of Division B
repeals an authorization in the Water Resources Development Act
of 2000 for the project for flood damage reduction, Murrieta
Creek, California. A separate authorization for the Murrieta
Creek project is in the Energy and Water Appropriations Act for
Fiscal Year 2001, Public Law 106-377. Section 116 of Division B
directs the Secretary of the Army to reimburse the nonfederal
interests for costs incurred for the project for aquatic
ecosystem restoration, Penn Mine, Calaveras County, California.
This was a provision in the House Amendment to the Water
Resources Development Act of 2000, S. 2697, which passed the
House on October 19, 2000. Section 117 of Division B modifies
the project for flood control, Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas, to
authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct water intake
facilities to benefit Lonoke and White Counties, Arkansas. This
was a provision in the House Amendment to the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000, S. 2697, which passed the House on
October 19, 2000. Section 118 of Division B modifies the
project for flood control, Chehalis River and Tributaries,
Washington, to provide credit to the nonfederal interest for
work done prior to execution of an agreement if that work is
integral to the project.
------
CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2001 (DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY ACT
OF 2000)
(Public Law 106-554)
This law, among other things, establishes the Delta
Regional Authority (DRA). The DRA is an agency similar in
purpose and structure to the Appalachian Regional Commission,
intended to address the economic needs of the Lower Mississippi
River region. The DRA shall be composed of a Federal
Cochairperson and the governors of each state comprising the
region. The DRA has the authority to provide grants for the
development of projects concerning transportation
infrastructure, public services, job training and employment
related education. The grants are to be awarded on an economic
need priority basis. The DRA is authorized at $30,000,000 for a
two-year term.
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 year 200 and 2001 on March
2, 1999 and February 17, 2000 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 SUBCOMMITTEE ON AVIATION
During the 106th Congress, the Subcommittee on Aviation was
chaired by Congressman John J. Duncan Jr. Congressman William
O. Lipinski served as the Ranking Democratic Member on the
Subcommittee. The Aviation Subcommittee held hearings on 40
different topics, and developed significant legislation
including the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform
Act of the 21st Century, National Transportation Safety Board
Amendments Act of 2000, and the Airport Security Improvement
Act of 2000.
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Enacted Legislation
WENDELL H. FORD AVIATION INVESTMENT AND REFORM ACT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
The Aviation Subcommittee's top priority for the 106th
Congress was the reauthorization of the programs of the Federal
Aviation Administration. The Wendell H. Ford Aviation
Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), Public
Law 106-181, was the culmination of efforts that began several
years ago and continued until the President signed AIR 21 into
law on April 5, 2000.
AIR 21 unlocks the Aviation Trust Fund and ensures that the
taxes paid by the flying public go towards improving our
nation's airport and airways. AIR 21 is a three-year bill that
will increase aviation investment by $10 billion over current
levels, with the lion's share of the funding going to air
traffic control modernization and much-needed airport
construction projects. The total authorized funding for federal
aviation programs for 2001-2003 will total $40 billion, $33
billion of which will be guaranteed from the trust fund through
a series of points of order, while $6.7 billion will be
available to be appropriated from the general fund.
AIR 21 will benefit all sectors of the airport and airway
system. It makes our skies safer by increasing the FAA's
facilities & equipment budget by almost 50 percent so that the
agency can modernize our antiquated air traffic control system.
It increases investment for runways and other equipment at
airports that will enhance safety. It provides the FAA
sufficient funding to hire and retain air traffic controllers,
maintenance technicians, and safety inspectors necessary for
the safety of the aviation system. It creates a cost-sharing
program for airports and airlines to purchase air traffic
control equipment. AIR 21 authorizes funding to improve the
training of airport screeners, makes runway incursion
prevention devices and wind shear detection devices eligible
for AIP funding and requires cargo airlines to install
collision avoidance systems on their aircraft. It provides
whistleblower protection for both the FAA and airline employees
so they can reveal legitimate safety problems without fear of
retaliation and it ensures that funding is available to raise
safety standards at small airports.
AIR 21 will improve airline competition. It provides
substantially more money to build terminals, gates, taxiways,
and other infrastructure to stimulate competition at airports.
It also increases access and competition to Chicago O'Hare, New
York Kennedy and New York LaGuardia airports by phasing out
slot restrictions. AIR 21 also creates 24 new slots at
Washington Reagan National Airport, 12 of which may be used for
flights within the 1,250 mile perimeter and 12 of which may be
used for flights outside of the perimeter.
AIR 21 protects the environment by increasing funding for
noise abatement projects. It also directs the Secretary of
Transportation to study methods for streamlining the
environmental review approval process and establishes
guidelines for air tours over our national parks.
AIR 21 helps small communities by increasing the minimum
funding for non-hub airports from $500 thousand to $1.0 million
per year. It also created a program that guarantees funds for
general aviation airports.
Additionally, AIR 21 helps small communities by doubling
the small airport fund; creating a new discretionary set-aside
for reliever airports; authorizing a contract tower cost-
sharing program so that small airports can get the benefits of
air traffic control services; creating an incentive program to
help airlines buy regional jets if they agree to use them to
serve small airports; and by creating a new funding program to
help small, under-served airports market and promote their air
service.
AIR 21 helps large airports as well. It doubles the minimum
amount of the annual passenger funding for primary airports
(airports with 10,000 or more passengers per year). It raises
the cap on the amount of annual funding that a large airport
can receive from $22 million to $26 million. It doubles the
funding for cargo airports and raises the cap on the Passenger
Facility Charge (PFC) to $4.50 so that an airport has the
flexibility to proceed on its own with those improvement
projects that cannot be funded through the Federal Airport
Improvement Program.
AIR 21 addresses the needs of passengers and pilots by
reforming the management of the FAA's air traffic control
system. It creates an oversight board similar to the one
established in the recent IRS reform legislation. It also
strengthens the provisions of the Aviation Disaster Family
Assistance Act that was created following the ValuJet and TWA
800 crashes in 1996. It also allows pilots to appeal an
emergency revocation of their license to the safety board.
AIR 21 CONFERENCE AGREEMENT FUNDING LEVELS '2001-'2003
[Compared to FY 2000 Enacted Level in millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enacted Authorized Increase
---------------------------------------------------- `2001-`2003 over `1998-
2000 2001 2002 2003 Total `2000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations........................ 5,893 6,592 6,886 7,357 20,835 +24%
Airport Improvement Program (AIP). 1,896 3,200 3,300 3,400 9,900 +79%
Facilities and Equipment.......... 2,045 2,657 2,914 2,981 8,552 +42%
Research, Engineering, & 156 237 249 255 741 +48%
Development (RE&D)\1\............
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAA Total Budget Resources.... 9,991 12,686 13,349 13,993 40,028 +39%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ No authorization in 2003. The amount provided is an estimate.
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2000
The Aviation Subcommittee passed P.L. 106-424, the National
Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of 2000 to
reauthorize the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of
2000 authorizes funding for the NTSB at $57 million for fiscal
year 2000, at $65 million for fiscal year 2001, and at $72
million for fiscal year 2002. This represents a significant
increase over previous authorizations and is intended to
accommodate costs associated with major airline accident
investigations.
Additionally, the National Transportation Safety Board
Amendments Act of 2000 clarifies the jurisdiction of the NTSB
in accidents that occur within 12 miles of the coast of the
United States. It also authorizes the NTSB to enter into an
agreement with private entities and governments for technical
services and training. It also requires the NTSB and the Coast
Guard to revise their memorandum of understanding governing
major maritime accidents to clarify when NTSB has investigative
priority. This Act also requires the NTSB to relinquish
priority in an investigation if the U.S. Attorney General
determines, in consultation with NTSB Chairman, that an
accident may have been caused by a criminal act.
This act established overtime pay for employees holding a
position defined as GS-10 and higher for work done related to
accident investigations. It caps the amount of over time at 15%
above basic pay per employee and limits the total amount of
overtime to no more than 1.5% of the annual NTSB appropriation.
This act gives information obtained through the use of
cockpit video recorders the same protection from disclosure as
information obtained using cockpit voice recorders.
Additionally, it provides confidentiality for surface vehicle
recorders.
This act also establishes procedures to improve the
management of NTSB finances. It authorizes the Department of
Transportation Inspector General to review the financial
management and business operations of the NTSB. It also
requires the Chairman of the Board to establish a budget for
non-accident-related travel of Board members and submit an
annual report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and
Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. Furthermore, it requires the NTSB Chairman to
designate a Chief Financial Officer to report on the financial
management of the Board.
------
AIRPORT SECURITY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000
The House passed the Airport Security Improvement Act near
the end of the 106th Congress (P.L. 106-528)
This bill helps improve airport security by requiring
criminal history record checks (i.e. FBI fingerprint check) for
all people who apply for a job as baggage and checkpoint
security screeners or that will give them access to the air
field. It also requires the FAA to expand the electronic
fingerprint transmission pilot program to the whole aviation
industry. It also expands the list of crimes that would
disqualify a person from being employed as a security screener
and increases the amount of classroom training required of
security screeners.
P.L. 106-528 requires FAA to work with airports and
airlines to strengthen procedures to prevent unauthorized
access to aircraft and the air field. It would hold security
screeners responsible for security lapses through progressive
disciplinary measures and require FAA to improve security at
its own air traffic control facilities.
Finally this Act would increase the use of explosive
detection system (EDS) equipment for checked baggage by
increasing the random selection rate where it finds the EDS
equipment is underused. It also requires a final rule in May on
certification of screening companies.
Hearings
On February 4, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
financial commitment needed to enhance the safety of our
airports and air traffic control systems.
On February 10, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
the economic impact of airports and airport improvements on the
community and the economy.
On February 11, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
the benefits to passengers and private pilots from increased
funding for airport improvements and air traffic control
modernization.
On February 22, 1999, the Subcommittee held a field hearing
in Wichita, Kansas on funding and infrastructure issues at
small and medium sizes airports.
On March 8, 1999, the Subcommittee held a field hearing in
Huntington, West Virginia on funding and infrastructure issues
at small and medium sizes airports.
On March 10, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.
700, The Airline Passenger Bill of Rights, H.R. 780, The
Passenger Entitlement and Competition Enhancement Act of 1999,
and on H.R. 908, The Aviation Consumer Right to Know Act of
1999.
On May 6, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety Board.
On June 9, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
preservation and promotion of general aviation airports.
On June 30, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Status of Airport Privatization Efforts.
On July 22, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Aviation Operations During Severe or Rapidly Changing Weather
Conditions.
On August 3, 1999, and September 15, 1999, the Subcommittee
held hearings on Pilot Fatigue
On September 9, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
the European Union Effort to Ban Hush-Kitted Aircraft.
On September 20, 1999, the Subcommittee held a field
hearing in Saratoga Springs, New York focusing on Air Service
Problems in Upstate New York: Part One.
On September 20, 1999, the Subcommittee held a field
hearing in Cheektowaga, New York focusing on Air Service
Problems in Upstate New York: Part Two.
On October 11, 1999, the Subcommittee held a field hearing
in Bangor, Maine on Air Service Problems in Maine.
On October 11, 1999, the Subcommittee held a field hearing
in Nashua, New Hampshire on Modernization Efforts at the Boston
En Route Center.
On October 12, 1999, the Subcommittee held a field hearing
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on the Loss of Air Service between
Pittsburgh and London.
On October 14, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Recent Increase in Air Traffic Control Delays.
On October 20, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
State of Airline Competition (Including the Status of New Low
Cost Airlines and the Department of Transportation's Response
to the TRB Report.)
On October 21, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
State of Airline Competition (Including the Status of New Low
Cost Airlines and the Department of Transportation's Response
to the TRB Report.)
On November 4, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
Straight Out Departures at Newark Airport.
On February 15, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
the Recent Breakdown of Aviation Negotiations Between the
United States and the United Kingdom.
On February 29, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
the Federal Aviation Administration's Budget Request and
Funding Needs.
On March 1, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Federal Aviation Administration's Budget Request and Funding
Needs.
On March 16, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
Aviation Security: Focusing on Training and Retention of
Screeners.
On April 6, 2000, the Subcommittee held a joint hearing
with the Committee on Resources on H.R. 3661, The General
Aviation Access Act.
On April 11, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
Issues Arising Out of the Egypt Air Crash. (Including Video
Recorders in the Cockpit, English Proficiency Requirements for
Foreign Pilots, and Psychological Testing of Pilots.)
On May 16, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Future of Aviation Technology: Is the Sky the Limit?
On May 25, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Future of the Small Community Essential Air Service Program.
On June 20, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Federal Aviation Administration's Implementation of the
Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998. (Should Defibrillators
be required on Aircraft and at Airports?)
On June 29, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Cost Overruns and Delays in the FAA's Wide Area Augmentation
System (WAAS) and Related Radio Spectrum Issues.
On July 20, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
Portable Electronic Devices: Do they really Pose a Safety
Hazard on Aircraft?
On July 27, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Trend Towards Criminalization of Aircraft Accidents.
On September 21, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
Government and Industry Plans with respect to Stage 4
Commercial Aircraft.
On September 28, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
Airline Delays: The Summer of Our Discontent.
On October 5, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Challenges Associated with Building New Runways.
On October 11, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Effect of Fuel Price Increases on Airlines and Passengers.
On December 5, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Slot Lottery at LaGuardia Airport.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON COAST GUARD AND MARITIME
TRANSPORTATION
During the 106th Congress, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation, Chaired by Congressman Wayne T.
Gilchrest, with Congressman Peter DeFazio serving as Ranking
Democratic Member, developed major legislation dealing with the
U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. One of
the legislative proposals would have authorized the Coast Guard
during fiscal years 2000 and 2001. This legislation also
involved the Coast Guard's responsibilities to ensure safety of
life and property at sea, to enforce all Federal laws on the
high seas and U.S. waters, to maintain aids to navigation, to
protect the marine environment, and to ensure the safety and
security of vessels, ports, waterways, and related facilities.
The Subcommittee also developed legislation to authorize the
Federal Maritime Commission during fiscal years 2000 and 2001.
Three legislative proposals were enacted into Federal law. One
proposal declares a portion of the James River and Kanawha
Canal in Richmond, Virginia, to be nonnavigable waters of the
United States, the second deems the vessel M/V MIST COVE to be
less than 100 gross tons, and the third clarified the taxing
status of certain types of interstate waterway workers. The
Subcommittee also held a hearing on H.R. 316, the Cruises-to-
Nowhere Act of 1999.
The Subcommittee held oversight hearings on the Coast
Guard's operational and support program expenditures, the
effectiveness of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the future
needs of the U.S. marine transportation system, the requirement
for double hulls under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and
Cruise Ship Safety. During the 106th Congress, the Subcommittee
also held oversight hearings on the Coast Guard's search and
rescue and icebreaking missions, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act,
the disposal of obsolete Maritime Administration vessels, and
the Coast Guard's fiscal year 2000 operational cuts.
------
Enacted Legislation
AN ACT TO DEEM THE VESSEL M/V MIST COVE TO BE LESS THAN 100 GROSS TONS,
AS MEASURED UNDER CHAPTER 145 OF TITLE 46, UNITED STATES CODE.
(Public Law 106-5)
Public Law 106-5 requires the Secretary of Transportation
to prescribe a tonnage measurement as a small passenger vessel,
as defined in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code, for
the M/V MIST COVE. This will require the MIST COVE to comply
with current safety requirements applicable to small passenger
vessels. The law also includes a restriction that the vessel
may not be constructed larger than 157 feet.
------
AN ACT TO DECLARE A PORTION OF THE JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA CANAL TO BE
NONNAVIGABLE WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES
(Public Law 106-32)
Public Law 106-32 declares the portion of the James River
and the Kanawha Canal in Richmond, Virginia, to be nonnavigable
waters of the United States for purposes of subtitle II of
title 46, United States Code. The law also provides the
Secretary of Transportation with the authority to remove the
nonnavigability declaration if necessary to protect public
safety.
------
TRANSPORTATION EMPLOYEE FAIR TAXATION ACT OF 1999
(Public Law 106-489)
Public Law 106-489 is designed to clarify the taxing status
of certain types of interstate waterway workers, which under
current law is ambiguous. This uncertainly in taxing status
allows States to tax the income of interstate waterway workers
in a worker's State of residence and in any State in which the
worker earns 50 percent or more of his annual income. The law
resolves this ambiguity by prohibiting any State from taxing
the income of a non-resident interstate waterway worker.
------
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000
(Public Law 106-65)
This legislation allows the Secretaries of the Military
Departments and the Secretary of Transportation for the Coast
Guard to install and operate telephones in private residences
of certain persons providing voluntary services. The Act also
provides for a military pay raise of 4.8 percent for the year
2000 as well as additional future military pay raises, extends
Coast Guard authority for drug interdiction to include Naval
aircraft, includes Coast Guard personnel in existing GI Bill
educational programs, and prohibits the release of Coast Guard
contractor proposals under the Freedom of Information Act.
Finally, Public Law 106-65 provides for war risk insurance for
commercial vessels under section 1214 of the Merchant Marine
Act, 1936, and establishes an Office of the Coast Guard Reserve
as well as a Director of the Coast Guard Reserve.
------
THE FLOYD D. SPENCE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR
2001
(Public Law 106-398)
Public Law 106-398 provides for a military pay raise of 3.7
percent for the year 2001. The Act also amends title 14, United
States Code, to allow the Coast Guard to establish the size of
promotion zones for Reserve Officers and to promote from below
the promotion zone.
------
AN ACT, MAKING CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
This Act contains nine bills which provide a large number
of Federal agencies with funding through the end of fiscal year
2001. One of these bills, H.R. 5666, includesadditional
miscellaneous appropriations for fiscal year 2001 along with a number
of authorizing provisions. Eleven of these authorizing sections relate
to the Coast Guard and maritime transportation in general and were
developed by the Subcommittee.
Section 1111 of H.R. 5666 directs the Secretary of
Transportation to transfer $575,000 to the City of Oshkosh for
the removal of the bridge over the Fox River in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. Section 1112 waives certain coastwise trade laws for
the vessels WELLS GRAY and the ANNANDALE. The WELLS GRAY will
be used as a passenger vessel visiting Alaska, while the
ANNANDALE will be used as a passenger vessel on fishing
charters.
Four provisions in this legislation call for transferring
specific parcels of Federal property to various new owners. The
first section transfers Coast Guard LORAN station Middletown,
California, to Lake County, California, while the second
transfers the Coast Guard LORAN Station Nantucket,
Massachusetts, to the Town of Nantucket. The third section
transfers the Plum Island Boast House and Lighthouse located in
Essex Count, Massachusetts, to the City Newburyport,
Massachusetts, and the final provision transfers Coast Guard
Station Scituate to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
In making these transfers the United States would convey,
without compensation, all right, title and interest, except
that the Coast Guard retains ownership of any historic
artifact. The conveyance of these properties is subject to the
condition that the properties are maintained in a manner that
ensures their present and future use for Coast Guard aids to
navigation. In addition, the Coast Guard continues to have
access to the properties for the operation and maintenance of
aids to navigation.
Section 1117 of the legislation amends section 415 of the
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-383), to
extend a provision of current law to September 30, 2004. The
provision relates to a 1997 Coast Guard enforcement policy for
disposal of dry bulk cargo residue in the Great Lakes. The
section also requires the Secretary of Transportation to
conduct a study of the effectiveness of the United States' 1997
Enforcement Policy for Cargo Residues on the Great Lakes by
September 30, 2002. Finally, the section authorizes the
Secretary to implement and enforce a program to regulate
incidental residue discharges from vessels of non-hazardous and
non-toxic dry bulk cargo into the waters of the Great Lakes,
which takes into account the findings of the study.
Section 1118 of H.R. 5666 amends section 9307 of title 46,
United States Code, to authorize the Coast Guard to extend the
Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee from 2003 to 2005. It
also amends section 9307 of title 46, United States Code, which
establishes the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee. This
section makes two changes to the membership of the Committee.
First, section 9307 is amended to clarify that the President of
each of the three pilotage associations are to be members of
the Committee. Second, the individual representing the general
public is changed to be an individual that has a background in
finance or accounting and who has been recommended to the
Secretary by a unanimous vote of the other six members of the
Advisory Committee. This provision takes effect on the date of
enactment of this Act. Therefore, on that date the Committee
will be composed of six members: the President of each of the
three pilot associations, and the three individuals that the
Secretary has already appointed to represent Great Lakes ports,
shippers, and carriers. The provision also clarifies that any
recommendations made to the Secretary require the approval of
six out of the seven Committee members (or if the seventh
member has not been appointed, then five of the six members).
It further eliminates the requirement that the Secretary's
representative to the Committee ``advise'' the Committee. The
Executive Secretary of the Advisory Committee is to provide
administrative support for the Committee, but should not plan
the agenda of meetings or otherwise interfere in the operation
of the Committee.
Section 1119 fills in a gap in the law not covered by
section 4370 of the Revised Status (section 316, title 46, App.
United States Code), the so-called ``Towing Vessel Act''. This
section requires that vessels engaged in towing assistance or
towing escort to be a vessel of the United States, that is, a
vessel that is documented, numbered, or titled in the United
States. It is not required to be a vessel that meets all of the
traditional coastwise eligibility requirements--unless the
vessel is engaged in other coastwise operations that are
otherwise subject to the section 4370 of the Revised Statutes.
Section 1120 authorizes the Coast Guard to spend $100,000
to reimburse the owners of the Cape May Lighthouse, formerly a
Coast Guard facility, for the cleanup of lead contaminated soil
at the lighthouse.
Finally, section 1122 of the bill authorizes the Coast
Guard to transfer funds in an amount not to exceed $200,000 and
project management authority to the Traverse City Area Public
School District for the purposes of demolition and removal of
``Building 402'' at a former Coast Guard property located in
Traverse City, Michigan.
Other Legislation
COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1999
During the First Session of the 106th Congress, the House
of Representatives passed H.R. 820, the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 1999. H.R. 820 would have authorized
funding for Coast Guard activities and programs that are
subject to appropriation.
Section 101 of H.R. 820 authorized approximately $4.6
billion for Coast Guard programs and activities in fiscal year
2000. This included the amounts requested by the President,
with an additional $380 million for Coast Guard drug
interdiction activities (consistent with the provisions of the
Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act), $3 million to
complete the design of the replacement for the Coast Guard
Great Lakes icebreaker MACKINAW, $1.5 million for the
commercial fishing vessel safety program, and $100 million to
accelerate the national distress and response system
modernization project.
Section 101 of this bill also authorized approximately $4.8
billion for Coast Guard programs in fiscal year 2001, including
amounts to maintain the level of drug interdiction provided in
the Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act, $110 million for
the national distress and response system modernization, and
$128 million for the construction of a replacement icebreaking
vessel for the Great Lakes.
Section 102 of H.R. 820 authorized 40,000 Coast Guard
active duty military personnel at the end of fiscal year 2000,
and 44,000 active duty military personnel at the end of fiscal
year 2001. This was an increase (primarily for drug
interdiction) over the level of approximately 38,000 active
duty military personnel requested by the President.
Section 201 waived certain U.S. coastwise trade laws to
allow the vessel NOT A SHOT to engage in fishing charters.
Section 202 of H.R. 820 authorized $99,000 to reimburse the
owner of the former Coast Guard lighthouse facility at Cape
May, New Jersey, for costs incurred for the cleanup of lead
contaminated soil at the facility.
Section 203 of the bill amended the Port and Waterways
Safety Act to require all vessels entering the 12 mile
territorial sea of the United States to provide notice to the
Coast Guard 24 hours before entering those waters. Current
Coast Guard regulations require these vessels to provide 24
hours notice before entering a port or place in the United
States. This section also clarified that the Coast Guard has
the authority to direct the safe operations of all vessels in
the 12 mile territorial sea and other navigable waters of the
United States during hazardous circumstances such as when a
pilot is not on board the vessel.
Section 204 required the Coast Guard to maintain search and
rescue air facilities at Muskegon, Michigan, until September
30, 2001, and also in the area of Chicago, Illinois, until
September 30, 2001. This section authorized additional funds to
establish and operate the air facilities and required the Coast
Guard to study search and rescue capabilities for Southern Lake
Michigan. Finally, this section required the Secretary of
Transportation, within six months of the bill's enactment, to
prepare and begin implementing a comprehensive plan for
aircraft and vessel search and rescue response for Lake
Michigan in the vicinity of Chicago, Illinois.
Section 205 amended section 1120(g) of the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-324) to add the
vessel COASTAL VENTURE to a list of vessels, deemed to have
been constructed in the United States for the limited purpose
of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. The company which owns the
COASTAL VENTURE obtained this foreign built vessel and its
coastwise trading privileges through a government forfeiture
sale. The Department of Commerce later determined that even
though this foreign built vessel is considered a U.S. vessel
under U.S. coastwise trading laws, it cannot participate in its
company's Capital Construction Fund Agreement with the U.S.
Government. This section would have allowed funds generated by
the COASTAL VENTURE to be deposited in its owners Capital
Construction Fund account. These funds would have had to be
subsequently spent in a U.S. shipyard.
Section 206 waived certain U.S. coastwise trade laws to
allow the sailing vessel PRIDE OF MANY to teach youth how to
sail.
Section 207 struck the expiration date, September 30, 2001,
to section 2110(k) of title 46, United States Code. Section
2110(k) prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from
planning, implementing, or finalizing any regulation that would
promulgate any new maritime user fee which was not implemented
and collected prior to January 1, 1998, including a fee or
charge for any domestic icebreaking service or any other
navigational assistance service.
Section 208 of H.R. 820 expressed the sense of Congress
that the President should promulgate guidelines as soon as
possible clarifying that a person who takes any response action
consistent with the National Contingency Plan to prevent or
mitigate the environmental effects of an oil discharge should
not be held liable for the violation of fish and wildlife laws
unless the person is grossly negligent or engages in a willful
misconduct.
Section 209 waived certain U.S. coastwise trade laws to
allow the vessel NORFOLK to engage in towing operations as well
as salvage and escort duties.
Section 210 required the Coast Guard to continue to offer
advice and technical assistance to organizations in the Great
Lakes region that are dedicated to lighthouse stewardship. This
section also called on the Coast Guard to promptly release
information regarding the timing of designations of Coast Guard
lighthouses on the Great Lakes as surplus government property.
Finally, section 211 of the House passed H.R. 820
authorized the Secretary of Transportation to spend $20 million
in fiscal year 2000 for the acquisition, construction,
rebuilding, and improvement of shore facilities for Coast Guard
vessels used for drug interdiction operations. The section also
authorized the Secretary to spend up to $210 million for the
acquisition of up to six PC-170 coastal patrol craft for use by
the Coast Guard.
The Senate passed its version of this legislation, the
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2000, on July 27, 2000, and
called for the conference with the House. The House of
Representatives agreed to a Conference with the Senate on
October 4, 2000. The House and Senate conferees met on October
11, 2000. The conferees failed to agree on a Conference Report
before the end of the 106th Congress.
------
THE FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1999
During the First Session of the 106th Congress, the House
of Representatives passed H.R. 819, the Federal Maritime
Commission Authorization Act of 1999. This legislation
authorizes funds for the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for
fiscal years 2000 and 2001.
Section 2 of H.R. 819 provided $15,685,000 for the FMC in
fiscal year 2000. This was $385,000 over the amount requested
for the FMC by the Administration. The additional funds will
support the office of a fifth FMC commissioner. Section 2 of
the bill also provided $16,312,000 for the FMC for fiscal year
2001.
The Senate passed its version of this legislation on July
29, 1999. No further action was taken on these two versions of
H.R. 819 before the end of the 106th Congress.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING
THE HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 210TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF THE COAST GUARD
During the Second Session of the 106th Congress, the House
of Representatives passed H. Con. Res. 372 which expressed the
sense of the Congress recognizing the historic significance of
the 210th anniversary of the establishment of the Coast Guard
and the indelible contributions of the Coast Guard to the
United States.
The Senate failed to act on this legislation before the end
of the 106th Congress.
------
Hearings
During the 106th Congress, the Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Subcommittee, Chaired by Congressman Wayne T.
Gilchrest, with Congressman Peter DeFazio serving as Ranking
Democratic Member, held 14 hearings. 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 and its missions, the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990, the future needs of the U.S.
transportation system, a proposal to limit gambling on
passenger vessels, cruise ship safety, the Ocean Shipping
Reform Act, and the disposal of obsolete Maritime
Administration vessels.
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD EXPENDITURES
On February 4, 1999, the Subcommittee held an oversight
hearing to consider the Coast Guard's spending on its
operational and support programs. The Subcommittee received
testimony from the Coast Guard Director of Resources, Rear
Admiral Thad Allen.
For fiscal year 1999, the Administration requested $4.03
billion for Coast Guard programs and activities. Recognizing
several critical under-funded areas, the Congress provided the
President's full request, and an additional $248 million. In
addition to providing funds necessary to support and maintain
current-level services by the Coast Guard, funds were provided
by the Congress to enhance two critical mission areas: Drug
Interdiction and National Security.
After pointing out the importance of the Coast Guard
receiving the President's Coast Guard budget request for fiscal
year 2000, Admiral Allen discussed the mechanics of the Coast
Guard's budgeting process as well as its funds execution and
resource management. He began his discussion by pointing out
that the Coast Guard's past and current operations have led the
agency toward an evolution of decentralized funds execution and
centralized management of funds. Due to the Coast Guard's
tradition of operating in isolated places with unit commanders,
whether they be on cutters or in small boat stations, the unit
commanders have developed a large amount of autonomy. Local
operational commanders have the ability to make specific
procurements, pay their crews, and carry out the general
operations of the Coast Guard at their units. While unit
commanders have the power to expend funds, the Coast Guard
manages and accounts for these funds at the centralized Coast
Guard Finance Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Admiral Allen also gave the Subcommittee an explanation of
how the Coast Guard allocates its resources after Congress
appropriates a specific amount of money in a given fiscal year.
Admiral Allen further explained how the Administration develops
a Coast Guard budget request, how the Coast Guard quantifies
the dollars spent on its primary missions areas through its
Program Budget, how the Coast Guard establishes performance and
strategic goals in its budget, and how the Coast Guard plans to
improve the efficiency of its resource management.
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OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990
On March 24, 1999, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation and the Subcommittee on Water Resources
and the Environment held a joint hearing on the effectiveness
of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90), based on its nine-
year track record.
OPA '90 was enacted in response to the EXXON VALDEZ oil
spill that occurred on March 24, 1989, and established a
comprehensive national scheme to compensate victims of oil
spills. It also included substantial new provisions to promote
oil spill prevention, to increase penalties for oil spills, and
to strengthen oil spill response capabilities. OPA '90 further
consolidated various Federal oil spill laws and established oil
spill research programs.
A major focus of OPA '90 is on prevention of oil spills and
rapid, effective response to those spills that do occur. Under
OPA '90, the President is required to ensure the effective and
immediate spill cleanup and mitigation, or prevention of, even
a threat of a spill. If necessary, the President may move
beyond monitoring a spill, and take control of the actual spill
cleanup.
Some of the prevention and response features of OPA are:
Maintenance of specialized Coast Guard oil spill response
units.
Geographic area contingency planning for spill mitigation
and cleanup.
Tank vessel and waterfront facility spill response plans
for each vessel and facility.
A phased-in requirement for double hulls on tank vessels,
with a provision for alternate measures on small tank vessels
under 5,000 gross tons.
The Coast Guard and EPA share various responsibilities for
oil spill planning and response. For example, the Coast Guard
is responsible for reviewing and approving vessel and offshore
facility response plans and EPA is responsible for reviewing
and approving response plans for certain onshore facilities.
The two Subcommittees received testimony from the U.S.
Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
representatives from the domestic oil industry, the
international and domestic marine oil transportation
industries, the cruise ship industry, as well as
environmentalists.
Admiral James M. Loy, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard,
testified about the positive impact that the Oil Pollution Act
of 1990 has had on the American public and the environment by
explaining that the number of large oil spills has been reduced
50 percent from pre-1991 levels. He also explained how the
Coast Guard has implemented the provisions of OPA '90, and how
the agency has focused on the importance of oil spill
prevention, preparedness, and response. Finally, Admiral Loy
described how the Coast Guard plans to continue to seek
engineering improvements in oil vessel design, a reduction in
the human causes of oil spill accidents, and increased
navigational safety in marine operations.
Elaine Davies, Deputy Director of EPA's Office of Emergency
and Remedial Response, discussed EPA's role in oil spill
prevention, the scope of its oil spill prevention program, the
EPA's implementation of OPA '90, as well as the agency's
continued efforts to further reduce the number and impact of
future oil spills. David Kennedy, Director of NOAA's Office of
Response and Restoration, explained how OPA '90 had
successfully reduced the number of oil spills in the U.S. and
NOAA's work in preventing and responding to oil spills. Mr.
Kennedy also described NOAA's role as the scientific advisor to
the Coast Guard and its work on oil spill damage assessment and
natural resource damage restoration.
The second panel of witnesses represented the oil industry,
the oil transportation industry, and the cruise ship industry.
Bob Malone, President of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company,
described the Alaska pipeline company's view that OPA '90 has
made a significant contribution to the improvements in the safe
transportation of oil in the waters of Prince William Sound and
the United States. Witnesses representing the American
Petroleum Institute (API), the International Association of
Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), the Chamber of Shipping
of America, the American Waterway Operators (AWO), and the
International Council of Cruise Lines all reported that their
industries consider OPA '90 to be a major success in preventing
the number and size of oil spills. They also explained that
their industries have fully complied with the requirements of
OPA '90 and are all committed to preventing accidents which
pollute the marine environment. While all the witnesses
generally supported OPA '90, several expressed several specific
concerns about Federal oil spill law. Thomas Moore, who
represented API and INERTANKO, was critical of two aspects of
OPA '90 including its failure to preempt individual states from
enacting legislation that departs from Federal liability
regimes, and its failure to provide a standard approach to
criminal liability in oil spill situations. Joseph Cox,
President of the Chamber of Shipping of America, and Thomas
Allegretti, President of AWO, stated their members' concerns
about a situation where an unintended vessel grounding or
collision is considered a criminal act under strict liability
statutes such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Refuse
Act.
The third panel of witnesses represented the environmental
organizations of Ocean Advocates and the States/British
Columbia Oil Spill Task Force. Both of these witnesses stated
their concerns with the Oil Pollution Act, specifically their
views that the Coast Guard has not properly implemented certain
aspects of the law and that the law itself may need to be
strengthened. Sally Lentz, representing Ocean Advocates,
explained that her organization believes the Coast Guard has
not been successful in implementing the pollution prevention
provisions of OPA '90 and recommended that Congress direct the
Coast Guard to reconsider several of its OPA '90 regulations.
Jean Cameron, representing the States/British Columbia Oil
Spill Task Force, recommended that Congress address oil spill
risks from non-tank vessels, offshore vessel traffic
management, and possible funding from the Oil Spill Liability
Trust Fund for additional oil spill prevention measures.
FUTURE NEEDS OF THE U.S. MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
On May 13, 1999, the Subcommittee held an oversight hearing
on the current and future needs of the U.S. marine
transportation system. The Subcommittee held an earlier hearing
about this issue during the Second Session of the 105th
Congress. Many Federal agencies are currently working together
to gather information and develop a strategy that ensures U.S.
waterways and ports, along with their intermodal connections,
meet the transportation needs of the country in the 21st
Century.
The marine transportation system links the United States to
overseas markets and is vital to our national security
interests. The U.S. is the world's largest trading nation,
accounting for over one billion metric tons of commerce, or
nearly 20 percent of the world's ocean borne trade. Excluding
Mexico and Canada, over 95 percent of U.S. foreign trade
tonnage is shipped by sea, and 14 percent of U.S. inter-city
freight is transported by water.
Forecasts show that U.S. foreign oceanborne trade is
expected to more than double by the year 2020. In addition to
this increase in the water transportation of cargo, commuter
ferries, recreational boating and other recreational uses of
the waterways are expected to increase, placing even greater
demands on the marine transportation system.To respond to these
increased needs, the capacity of the U.S. marine transportation system
must greatly increase over the next twenty years. Beyond increased
physical capacity, technological developments in shipbuilding,
navigation information, communications, sensors, and cargo handling
will also help to improve the efficiency and safety of the marine
transportation system.
Recognizing the critical importance of the maritime
transportation challenge facing our nation, the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 1998, Public Law 105-383, authorized the
establishment of a Federal Task Force to assess the adequacy of
our maritime transportation system. The Task Force is charged
with examining our ports, waterways, harbor approach channels,
and their intermodal connections from the perspectives of
safety, security, efficiency, and environmental sensitivity.
The Subcommittee received testimony from the U.S. Coast
Guard, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), domestic and
international vessel operators, the American Association of
Port Authorities, the National Industrial Transportation
League, and the American Pilot's Association. Admiral James
Loy, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and Clyde Hart, Maritime
Administrator, testified that the inevitable growth of world
population, the ever-increasing globalization of the world
economy, and intensified global competition in the maritime
industry will lead to a sharp jump in the volume in
international maritime trade in the next twenty years. They
told the Subcommittee that the ports must be prepared to
respond to this increased trade and that the Federal Government
must eliminate overlaps among the government agencies
regulating transportation as well as work with the private
sector to develop the best marine transportation system
possible in the future.
The Second panel included representatives of vessel
operators, ports, shippers, and marine pilots. Thomas Chase,
Director of Environmental Affairs for the American Association
of Port Authorities, testified about the need for improved
coordination among the various Federal agencies involved in the
marine transportation system. He also informed the Subcommittee
that ports believe the Administration and Congress must embrace
marine transportation system development as an integral part of
our nation's economic growth and military strength while
working in partnership with the users and stakeholders at the
local level. Edward Emmett, President of the National
Industrial Transportation League, which represents U.S.
shippers of goods, stated that his members believe we must have
an efficient and modern U.S. transportation system for our
country to continue to compete successfully in world trade.
The Secretary of Transportation issued An Assessment of the
U.S. Marine Transportation System, A Report to Congress, in
September of 1999. This report thoroughly describes the U.S.
marine transportation system, details the numerous trends and
competitive pressures in the system, gives a vision statement
for the system in the year 2020, and establishes strategic
areas of action to realize this vision. The Secretary also
established the Federal Interagency Committee for the Marine
Transportation System as the national coordinating body where
Federal agencies responsible for one or more aspects of the
marine transportation system come together and discuss
strategies to minimize duplicate efforts and coordinate
overlapping functions. The Secretary also established the
Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council which
will provide a structured approach for non-Federal stakeholders
to contribute input to national-level issues.
REQUIREMENT FOR DOUBLE HULLS UNDER THE OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990
On June 29, 1999, the Subcommittee held an oversight
hearing on the requirement for double hulls under the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90). OPA '90 established a
comprehensive national system for oil spill prevention,
compensation, and cleanup. Section 4115 of OPA '90 requires
double hulls on all newly constructed tank vessels. The phase-
out schedule for existing single-hulled vessels, depending on
the size and age of a vessel, began in 1995 and ends in 2010.
Vessels with double bottoms or sides may continue to operate
until 2015.
Double hull tank vessel designs are effective against oil
spills because penetration into the inner hull is minimized by
interposing a void space between the cargo and the outer skin
of the vessel. Another strength of the double hull is its
passive design. It involves no machinery and is therefore
unaffected by loss of power, mechanical malfunction, or
operator error. Potential weaknesses of the double hull
technology include reduced vessel stability due to a higher
cargo center of gravity, more rigorous construction and
maintenance requirements than single hulled vessels, the
possible accumulation of explosive gasses in the void bottom,
and more complex salvage procedures in the event of an inner
hull breach.
Section 4115(e) of OPA '90 required the Secretary of
Transportation to determine whether other structural and
operational tank vessel requirements would provide protection
to the environment equal to or greater than that provided by
double hulls. The report on double-hull alternatives was
delivered to Congress in 1992. It concluded that no
alternatives to double hulls existed. This is in conflict with
the approach used by the International Maritime Organization to
evaluate alternatives to double hulls. The international
approach balances the importance of reducing the volume of oil
spilled into the environment with the importance of reducing
the total number of oil spills.
The Subcommittee took testimony from Representative Rodney
Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, the Coast Guard, the American
Shipbuilding Association, the American Petroleum Institute,
several research institutions, and two companies that have
developed vessel designs which could be alternatives to the
double hull vessel design. Representative Frelinghuysen and the
American Shipbuilding Association testified that the double
hull tanker design should be maintained and that alternatives
should not be considered.
Rear Admiral Robert North, Assistant Commandant for Marine
Safety and Environmental Protection at the Coast Guard, told
the Subcommittee that the Coast Guard continues to stand by its
1992 report which found that the double hull vesseldesign was
unmatched in preventing the majority of oil spills when compared to the
proposed alternatives. Admiral North further stated that any proposed
design alternative must have a probability of zero oil outflow, for
both collisions or groundings, equal to or better than that of a double
hull.
Dr. Alan Brown, Virginia Polytechnic Institute professor at
the Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, testified
that performance standards, rather than the prescriptive double
hull standard, provide the design flexibility necessary for the
application of new technologies in vessel designs. He suggested
that Congress support the development of an effective
methodology for evaluating the oil outflow performance of
alternative tanker designs in the event of a collision or
grounding. Dr. Hauke L. Kite-Powell, research specialist at the
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, described his
institution's research on economically efficient means to
reduce the risks of marine transportation accidents. These
studies show that while double hulls provide certain benefits
in reduced environmental damages, they are not the most cost-
effective way to achieve these benefits. Dr. Kite-Powell felt
that the United States should give greater priority to
improving its navigation infrastructure, specifically,
providing official databases for electronic chart systems.
Captain Edward Roe, representing Marine Safety Systems, and
Mo Husain, President of MH Systems, Inc., told the Subcommittee
about their company's vessels designs which could be used as
alternatives to double hull vessels. Both of these witnesses
felt that in some accident circumstances their designs would be
more effective than double hull vessels in preventing marine
oil spills.
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H.R. 316, THE CRUISES-TO-NOWHERE ACT OF 1999
On July 28, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.
316, the Cruises-to-Nowhere Act of 1999, introduced by
Representative Frank Wolf on January 6, 1999. Under existing
Federal law, offshore gaming on a vessel in international
waters is legal unless a state passes a law specifically
prohibiting the activity. H.R. 316 was intended to reverse this
situation, and allow states to use state laws that prohibit
land-based casino gaming to prohibit gambling aboard ``cruises-
to-nowhere''.
A cruise-to-nowhere is a voyage during which a vessel
departs from a port, sails to international waters (where
gambling activities commence), then returns to the same port
without stopping at an intervening port. The vessel keeps its
casino closed while in state/Federal territorial waters, which
extend 3 miles offshore.
The two Federal statutes that specifically affect shipboard
gambling are the Gambling Devices Transportation Act (commonly
known as the Johnson Act) and the Gambling Ship Act. The
Johnson Act permits the use of gambling devices on a cruise-to-
nowhere when the vessel is in international waters, and
explicitly authorizes states to prohibit the use of gambling
devices on cruises-to-nowhere from their ports by enacting
legislation with that effect. The Gambling Ship Act (title 18,
United States Code, sections 1081-1083) exempts cruises-to-
nowhere from the prohibition against the operation of
``gambling ships''. Under the Johnson Act and the Gambling Ship
Act, the states have the authority to prohibit gambling on
vessels in their State waters (river, harbors, and the
territorial sea).
Specifically, H.R. 316 would have amended section 5 of the
Gambling Devices Transportation Act (title 15, United States
Code, section 1175) to delete the requirement that a state
``enact'' a statute to prohibit cruises-to-nowhere, and to
ensure that the Johnson Act does not preempt state law.
The Subcommittee took testimony from Representative Frank
Wolf, the Attorney General of the State of Florida, the
Shipbuilders Council of America, several cruise ship operators,
the Port of Palm Beach, and two organizations which oppose
gambling on cruises-to-nowhere. Representative Wolf testified
in support of his bill. He stated that his bill would return
the jurisdiction over gambling on cruises-to-nowhere back to
the states. Bob Butterworth, Attorney General for the State of
Florida, told the Subcommittee that he strongly supported H.R.
316 because it gives undisputed state control of cruises-to-
nowhere.
The second panel of witness all opposed Representative
Wolf's bill. Allen Walker, President of the Shipbuilders
Council of America, stated that his member shipyards strongly
oppose H.R. 316. Mr. Walker believes that states already have
the right to prohibit gambling within their borders and can
specifically ban gambling on cruises-to-nowhere. C. Dean
Hofmeister, Chairman of SeaEscape Cruises, and Lester Bullock,
President of the Day Cruise Association, both opposed H.R. 316
because of the devastating affect it will have on their
industry and the economic damages which would be caused to
States of Massachusetts, New York, South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida.
The final panel of two witnesses supported H.R. 316.
Bernard Horn, Director of Political Affairs of the National
Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, testified that cruises-
to-nowhere gambling multiplies the economic and societal costs
of gambling while virtually eliminating its benefits. Mr. Steve
Walsh, representing the Beach Defense Fund of Hollywood,
Florida, told the Subcommittee about the damages a cruise-to-
nowhere operation has caused his small neighborhood.
The Subcommittee took no further action on H.R. 316 during
the 106th Congress.
CRUISE SHIP SAFETY
On October 7, 1999, the Subcommittee held an oversight
hearing on cruise ship safety. The Subcommittee called the
hearing to investigate the safety of the millions of U.S.
citizens who take cruises on U.S.- and foreign-flag vessels. It
also inquired about the current level of medical services on
cruise ships as well as the security of passengers on these
vessels. The Subcommittee received testimony from the U.S.
Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board, the
Passenger Vessel Association, and the International Council of
Cruise Lines.
The North American cruise market represents 70 percent of
the world cruise industry. Over 5 million cruise ship
passengers embark from U.S. ports annually. The International
Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) represents 16 cruise ship
companies operating 82 vessels under foreign registry. These
cruise ship lines offer cruises to foreign destinations that
last longer than three nights. The international cruise
industry is expected to introduce 41 new vessels by the year
2002, increasing passenger capacity by 57 percent.
U.S.-flag cruise ships must meet a comprehensive set of
safety regulations and be inspected annually by the Coast Guard
to check compliance. Cruise ships that sail under foreign flags
of registry are subject to the inspection laws of the country
in which it is registered. In addition, all foreign passenger
vessels that embark passengers in the United States are
required by law to meet either U.S. regulations or regulations
prescribed by the International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea (referred to as SOLAS). SOLAS covers almost all
types of commercial ships engaged in international service, and
has been ratified by all major maritime nations. SOLAS is
administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO),
and is amended every 4 years. The SOLAS requirements that apply
to foreign flag passenger vessels are similar in many respects
to U.S. regulations.
Rear Admiral Robert North, Assistant Commandant for Marine
Safety and Environmental Protection at the Coast Guard,
testified that the Coast Guard's vessel safety program is
carried out through a regime of international and domestic
safety standards. He told the Subcommittee that while both
international and domestic passenger vessel safety records are
very good, the Coast Guard continues to work with the
International Maritime Organization to improve passenger vessel
safety standards and technology in areas such as fire
protection and the development of new inspection and test
procedures for lifesaving equipment. Finally, Admiral North
stated that the Coast Guard believes it has an aggressive
enforcement program which thoroughly holds foreign-flag
passenger vessels to both international and U.S. safety
standards resulting in a very low casualty rate for ships
operating out of U.S. ports.
Jim Hall, Chairman of the National Transportation Safety
Board, stated his agency's continuing concerns about the
potential for loss of life resulting from fires aboard
passenger vessels. Chairman Hall testified that safety
recommendations issued by the Safety Board in the early 1990s
to improve fire safety on board cruise ships have been complied
with through amendments to SOLAS or by voluntary actions by the
cruise lines. Finally, Mr. Hall informed the Subcommittee that
the Safety Board believes passenger vessels need locally
sounding smoke alarms that alert passenger and crew. At the
time of the hearing, these alarms were not required by SOLAS.
However, on November 2, 2000, the International Council of
Cruise Lines announced that its 16 members agreed to install
audibly sounding local smoke alarms on all of their ships.
Cynthia Colenda, President of the International Council of
Cruise Lines, reported that her member foreign-flag cruise
lines have not had one passenger death due to a marine incident
in the past ten years. She also told the Subcommittee that her
organization works with the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) to develop new IMO safety initiatives. Edmund B. Welch,
legislative director of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA),
which represents U.S.-flag passenger vessels, testified that
his members are always regulated by the Coast Guard and that
the licenses for all of the officers aboard PVA vessels are
issued by the Coast Guard. Finally, Mr. Welch described what
his organization is doing to increase passenger vessel safety
including the filming and distributing of safety videos,
helping the Coast Guard establish a self-inspection program,
and participating in the Alaska Small Passenger Vessel Safety
Task Force which was formed following a vessel grounding in
Alaska.
THE COAST GUARD'S SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION
On November 3, 1999, the Subcommittee conducted an
oversight hearing on the U.S. Coast Guard's search and rescue
mission. The Subcommittee investigated the Coast Guard's system
of response to requests for assistance from mariners and new
Coast Guard initiatives to improve its search and rescue
capabilities. The Subcommittee also inquired about the adequacy
of the current National Distress and Response System and the
Coast Guard's recommendations to modernize its search and
rescue communications system. At this hearing, the Subcommittee
received testimony from Libby Cornett, whose family died after
the sinking of the sailing vessel MORNING DEW off the coast of
Charleston, S.C., the U.S. Coast Guard, the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the National
Association of Boating Law Administrators.
Federal law authorizes the Coast Guard to render aid to
distressed persons, vessels, and aircraft on and under the high
seas and on and under the waters over which the United States
has jurisdiction. The Coast Guard conducts more than 40,000
search and rescue cases annually, and on a typical day the
Coast Guard saves 14 lives and assists 328 people.
The Coast Guard's search and rescue goals are: (1) to
minimize the loss of life, personal injury, and property loss
and damage in the maritime environment; (2) to take the
``search'' out of search and rescue through the employment of
technology, education, research and development, regulation and
enforcement; and (3) to maintain world leadership in maritime
search and rescue. The Coast Guard accomplishes its search and
rescue mission by deploying multi-mission stations, cutters,
aircraft and boats linked by a communications network.
The National Distress System provides two-way voice
communications coverage for the majority of Coast Guard
missions in coastal areas and navigable waterways where
commercial and recreational traffic exists. The system, built
in the 1970's, consists of approximately 300 remotely
controlled VHF transceivers and antenna sites. The Coast
Guard's system monitors the international VHF maritime distress
frequency (Channel 16) and acts as the primary command and
control network to coordinate Coast Guard search and rescue
response activities. The present system now suffers from
multiple deficiencies. The Coast Guard is concerned that there
is a vast disparity between the communications capability that
the public thinks is in place and the capabilities of
thecurrent communications system. Due to the deficiencies of the
current system, the Coast Guard has initiated the National Distress and
Response System Modernization project. The tragic sinking of the
recreational sailing vessel MORNING DEW highlights the need to
modernize the Coast Guard's communications system.
Mrs. Cornett described the accident which claimed the lives
of her husband and children. She also testified about her
concerns with the Coast Guard's lack of response to the MORNING
DEW's distress communication, the conduct of the search and
rescue personnel at Group Charleston, and the Coast Guard's
``withholding'' of tapes of the MORNING DEW calls from State of
South Carolina investigators.
Admiral Loy, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, explained
the Coast Guard's involvement in search and rescue domestically
and internationally. He discussed the problems in the MORNING
DEW case and described several successful Coast Guard search
and rescue cases. He also discussed the Coast Guard's need for
modern communications equipment to aid in search and rescue and
generally explained how the Coast Guard will develop a new
communications network.
Jim Hall, Chairman of the National Transportation Safety
Board, told the Subcommittee that the Safety Board's
investigation of the MORNING DEW accident found serious
deficiencies in the Coast Guard's communications system. The
Safety Board found that the Coast Guard needed to upgrade its
search and rescue communications equipment, determine the
adequacy of watchstander duty schedules, upgrade watchstander
procedures for responding to an emergency, and increase
training for communications watchstanders. Chairman Hall also
suggested that the Coast Guard look at off-the-shelf commercial
direction finding systems in order to quickly upgrade its
search and rescue operations.
Paul Donheffner, President of the National Association of
Boating Law Administrators, testified that there needs to be a
closer working relationship between the states and the Coast
Guard on boating safety investigations.
THE COAST GUARD'S ICEBREAKING MISSION
On March 29, 2000, the Subcommittee held an oversight
hearing on the Coast Guard's domestic and international
icebreaking missions. The Subcommittee received testimony from
the Coast Guard, the Lake Carriers' Association, the City of
Bangor, Maine, the New York Energy and Research and Development
Authority, the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and
Bay, and the Delmarva Water Transport Committee.
For decades, the U.S. Coast Guard has provided both
domestic and international icebreaking services. Section 2 of
title 14, United States Code, requires the Coast Guard to
operate icebreaking facilities on domestic and international
waters. In 1965, the Coast Guard and the Department of the Navy
signed a Memorandum of Agreement which provides that the Coast
Guard maintain and operate all U.S. icebreakers in wartime, as
well as seasonal deployments to the Arctic and Antarctic in
support of national interests.
Domestic ice operations are performed on the navigable
waters of the United States in support of national and
international maritime transportation, commerce, and safety.
Geographically, domestic icebreaking is conducted in two
regions, on the East Coast, from Maine to Virginia, and on the
Great Lakes. The Coast Guard's fleet of ice capable ships
includes both icebreaking cutters and buoy tenders. In domestic
waterways, the Coast Guard conducts icebreaking to keep certain
shipping routes and ports open during parts of winter to meet
the demands of commerce. The Coast Guard responds to a vessel
operator's requests for assistance if they are disabled or
stranded in ice covered waters.
The United States has significant economic, environmental,
and security interests in the polar regions of the Earth. The
Coast Guard has been assigned responsibility for developing and
maintaining a fleet of icebreaking vessels capable of operating
effectively in the heavy ice regions of the Arctic and
Antarctic. The Coast Guard's polar icebreaking mission ensures
U.S. national defense and security interests by providing
support for scientific research projects, ice escorts to supply
vessels, and support for Antarctic Treaty inspection teams.
Rear Admiral Ernest Riutta, Assistant Commandant for
Operations at the Coast Guard, summarized the Coast Guard's
icebreaking program which includes domestic icebreaking, polar
icebreaking, and the operation of the international ice patrol.
He also stated the Coast Guard's intention of replacing the
Great Lakes icebreaking vessel, the MACKINAW, as well as the
Coast Guard's decision to continue the operation of its eleven
65-foot harbor tugs which are used to break ice in certain East
Coast locations. An earlier Administration budget request had
proposed eliminating the harbor tugs.
George Ryan, President of the Lake Carriers' Association,
testified about the importance of the Coast Guard's icebreaking
mission on the Great Lakes. He reported that without the Coast
Guard's icebreaking resources, Great Lakes shipping could not
fulfill its mission of supplying the region's raw materials
needs. Fifteen to twenty percent of the iron ore delivered on
the Great Lakes during a given year could not be shipped
without icebreaking on the Lakes. He also indicated his group's
strong support for constructing a replacement vessel for the 50
year old MACKINAW and its opposition to an earlier
Administration proposal for the Coast Guard to charge an
icebreaking user fee.
James Ring, Director of Public Services for the City of
Bangor, Maine, Dennis Rochford, President of the Maritime
Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, and Anthony Sarbanes,
President of the Delmarva Water Transport Committee, all
testified about the importance of the Coast Guard's 65-foot
icebreaking harbor tugs to their individual communities. Mr.
Sarbanes reported that without the 65-foot tugs the people who
live on the Delmarva Peninsula, which includes the Eastern
Shore of Maryland and Delaware, would be in an extremely
precarious, vulnerable and life threatening position.
------
OCEAN SHIPPING REFORM ACT
On May 3, 2000, the Subcommittee conducted an oversight
hearing on the implementation and impact of the Ocean Shipping
Reform Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-258). The Subcommittee
received testimony from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC),
ocean carriers, shippers, port facilities, labor organizations,
and shipping intermediaries regarding the effect of the Reform
Act on international ocean shipping.
The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (OSRA) amended the
Shipping Act of 1984 to encourage competition in international
ocean shipping and growth in United States exports. The
amendments contained in OSRA became effective on May 1, 1999.
The purpose of OSRA was to modernize the international ocean
transportation system and increase exports of American goods
and commodities.
OSRA amends the Shipping Act of 1984 in several important
areas to increase competition among ocean carriers in
international ocean transportation. OSRA maintains antitrust
immunity for ocean carriers which are members of ocean
conferences to discuss and set rates and make other agreements
that enhance efficiency. OSRA eliminates the requirement for
ocean carriers to file tariffs with the FMC. Instead, carriers
must make their tariffs publicly available by means of an
electronic filing system. OSRA does require the FMC to continue
enforcing tariff rates.
The most important provisions of OSRA allows for
``confidential contracts'' for ocean transportation. OSRA
maintains the requirement for ocean carriers to file service
contracts (except for bulk cargo, forest products, recycled
metal scrap, newly assembled motor vehicles, or waste paper)
with the FMC. The FMC continues to make certain terms of the
contracts publicly available, including the commodity, the
volume of the commodity, the duration of the contract, and the
U.S. port range covered by the contract. Most significantly,
however, the price for ocean transportation contained in the
contract may not be publicly disclosed by the FMC.
To strengthen the provisions providing confidential
contracts for ocean transportation, OSRA also forbids ocean
conferences from: 1) prohibiting conference members from
negotiating service contracts; 2) requiring conference members
to disclose negotiations on contracts; or 3) adopting mandatory
rules affecting the right of conference members to enter into
service contracts.
OSRA allows ocean conferences to establish voluntary
guidelines concerning contract terms and procedures of service
contracts, as long as no penalties are assessed for failure to
follow the guidelines. OSRA also prohibits service contracts
between shippers and NVOCCs (shipping intermediaries).
Finally, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act clarifies section 19
of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 to prohibit unfair pricing
of liner services by foreign carriers and further tightens the
oversight of controlled carrier tariffs.
Harold Creel, Chairman of the FMC, reported that his agency
was working on a two-year study to identify industry practices
and evaluate the effects on the transportation industry of the
changes made by OSRA. The study will be completed in 2001. He
then detailed the FMC's implementation of the new law as well
as what the agency has done to adapt its new regulations to
particular concerns raised by various parts of the
international ocean transportation industry. He further
reported the large, 116 percent, increase in filed service
contracts between individual ocean carriers and shippers as
well as the growing importance of carrier discussion agreements
with so called voluntary guidelines for member carriers.
Finally, Chairman Creel testified that his preliminary
assessment of OSRA is that it is working as intended.
The second panel of witnesses at the hearing were
supporters of OSRA. These included international ocean
carriers, the American Association of Port Authorities, the
National Industrial Transportation League, and the Maritime
Trades Department of the ALF-CIO. Timothy Rhein, Chairman of
American President Lines, and John Clancey, Chairman of Maersk
Inc., testified for their individual companies as well as 29
other carriers in the Ocean Carrier Working Group. Generally,
the carriers strongly support OSRA and believe that it is
fulfilling its intended purposes of creating an atmosphere in
which the liner industry becomes more responsive to market
forces and to the commercial needs of shippers and carriers.
Edward Emmett, President of the National Industrial
Transportation League, which represents thousands of U.S.
shippers, reported that OSRA has successfully deregulated the
ocean liner industry. He further reported that OSRA is
encouraging responsive and innovative pricing and service
practices through the increased use of service contracts.
The third panel of witnesses represented groups that oppose
certain aspects of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. These
included the Transportation Intermediaries Association, the New
York/New Jersey Foreign Freight Forwarders and Brokers
Association, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders
Association of America, and the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters. Robert Voltmann, Executive Director of the
Transportation Intermediaries Association, testified that his
members want the FMC to minimize its tariff enforcement and for
Congress to amend OSRA by eliminating carrier antitrust
immunity and granting Non Vessel Operating Common Carriers
(NVOCCs) the ability to participate in confidential
contracting. Edward Greenberg, representing the National
Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA),
reported that his organization believes that transportation
intermediaries should be exempt from any mandatory tariff
requirements. Mr. Greenberg also informed the Subcommittee that
the NCBFAA intends to submit a petition to the FMC requesting
that it use the expanded tariff exemption authority granted the
agency by OSRA. Finally, Ron Carver, representing the
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, testified that
collective action exercised by ocean carriers, as permitted by
OSRA, results in poverty level wages for port truck drivers.
The Teamsters want Congress to repeal the antitrust immunity of
international ocean carriers.
DISPOSAL OF OBSOLETE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION VESSELS
On May 24, 2000, the Subcommittee held an oversight hearing
to examine the current U.S. Government policies on scraping
obsolete vessels of the U.S. Maritime Administration's National
Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF). Currently, the Maritime
Administration (MARAD) has 110 vessels designated for disposal.
At least 40 of these vessels are in particularly bad condition.
These vessels contain hazardous substances which pose a risk to
the environment unless these vessels are either scrapped or
repaired in the near future. The Subcommittee received
testimony from the Maritime Administration, the U.S. Navy, the
Department of Transportation Inspector General, and two U.S.
shipyards.
During fiscal year 1999, the cost to maintain the 110
vessels awaiting disposal exceeded $4.2 million, and an
additional $1 million was spent on an emergency repair. The
yearly cost to maintain a NDRF ship in lay-up averages about
$19,000. However, if these ships cannot be scrapped either
domestically or overseas, MARAD reports that a significant risk
exists that many of the oldest ships, which are in very poor
condition, may sink. Estimates to dry-dock and repair these
vessels run as high as $800,000 per vessel.
Under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, MARAD is authorized
to sell obsolete vessels for scrap in domestic and foreign
markets. The National Maritime Heritage Act of 1994 directed
MARAD to scrap all obsolete ships in the NDRF by September 30,
2001, in a way which will maximize the return to the U.S.
Government.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prohibited the
Navy and MARAD from exporting vessels in 1994, after
determining that the export of government ships for scrapping
was prohibited by the Toxic Substances Control Act.
In January 1998, MARAD voluntarily suspended the sale of
vessels overseas for scrapping pending the issuance of the
report by the Interagency Panel on Ship Scrapping. Because of
the continued criticism of its ship scrapping program, the U.S.
Department of Defense established the Department of Defense
Interagency Ship Scrapping Review Panel. The Panel was asked to
review the processes and procedures in place for domestic as
well as international ship scrapping.
On April 20, 1998, the Panel released its report on the
Department of the Navy's and the U.S. Maritime Administration's
programs to scrap vessels. The Panel's general recommendations
stated that the Navy and MARAD should still have the option of
scrapping obsolete vessels both domestically and
internationally and that the Navy and MARAD should ensure that
both agencies adopt similar ship scrapping regulatory changes.
The Panel also found that the Navy and MARAD should investigate
innovative ways to improve the ship scrapping process and thus
minimize the environmental and occupational risks involved in
ship scrapping.
Congress authorized the Ship Disposal Pilot Project for the
U.S. Navy in 1998. This Project will test new methods of ship
scrapping as well as quantify the costs associated with ship
scrapping. Last September, the Navy awarded four contracts
totaling $13.3 million for the scrapping of four vessels under
the Ship Disposal Pilot Project. The contracts provide for cost
plus incentive fees with rewards for superior contractor
performance. If the contractors are successful in scrapping the
first four vessels, they will be given the opportunity to scrap
up to 66 other vessels. MARAD was unable to participate in the
Navy's Pilot Project, at the time of the hearing, since it was
required by law to sell its obsolete vessels and gain the
maximum financial return.
Bonnie Green, Deputy U.S. Maritime Administrator, testified
about MARAD's difficulty in scrapping its obsolete NDRF vessels
because of the requirement that MARAD maximize the financial
return to the U.S. as well as the Environmental Protection
Agency's objections to MARAD's exporting vessels for scrapping.
Rear Admiral Anthony Lengerich, U.S. Navy, reported on the
Navy's approach to reducing its inventory of excess ships.
Thomas Howard, representing the Department of Transportation's
Inspector General, testified that his office had determined
MARAD's program for scrapping obsolete vessels was one of the
twelve most pressing management issues in the Department of
Transportation which must be immediately addressed by the
agency.
The third panel of witnesses included Frank Foti, President
of Cascade General, which operates a Portland, Oregon,
shipyard, and Daniel Romanchuk, Vice President of Baltimore
Marine Industries, a Baltimore, Maryland, shipyard. Mr. Foti
told the Subcommittee that the key to solving the disposal
problem is to provide private enterprise the opportunity to
make a fair return without assuming exorbitant risk. He felt
that the Federal government must be willing to pay for the
vessel dismantling and to share the risk. Mr. Romanchuk
testified about Baltimore Marine Industries' work in scrapping
a Navy vessel under its Ship Disposal Pilot Program. The Navy
paid the yard to scrap the vessel. He further stated that U.S.
shipyards had the capacity to meet the Federal government's
ship scrapping needs and that his company could scrap up to ten
ships a year.
The fiscal year 2001 appropriations legislation for the
Department of Defense included a ten million dollar pilot
program to allow MARAD and the Navy to subsidize the cost of
domestic ship disposal. The Department of Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2001, Public Law 106-398, included a
provision which exempted certain specified NDRF vessels from
the requirement to maximize financial returns on the sale of
obsolete NDRF vessels. This legislation also requires the
Administration to develop a program to scrap obsolete NDRF
vessels.
THE COAST GUARD'S FISCAL YEAR 2000 OPERATIONAL CUTS
On June 7, 2000, the Subcommittee conducted an oversight
hearing on the Coast Guard's fiscal year 2000 shortfall of
approximately $225 million. This shortfall resulted in Coast
Guard operational reductions in various parts of the country of
20 to 30 percent. The Commandant of the Coast Guard was the
only witness.
The cumulative effects of streamlining, budgetary
shortfalls, personnel shortages, inexperienced personnel, and
increased demands for services have reduced the Coast Guard's
overall readiness posture. In the past, the Coast Guard has
deferred maintenance on vessels, cannibalized aircraft, and
significantly increased the number of hours that personnel work
to overcome readiness shortfalls. However, the Coast Guard has
deferred maintenance on its aircraft, vessels and shore
facilities to the point that it is no longer able to sustain
the current level of operations. In addition, this fiscal year
the Coast Guard has diverted funds from law enforcement
operations to pay for unbudgeted cost increases related to pay
and entitlement programs enacted under the National Defense
Authorization Act of 2000.
In February, 2000, the Commandant authorized his
Operational Commanders to reduce operating hours of C-130
aircraft by 10 percent and make a 5-percent reduction in the
number of days major cutters operate at sea. However, in
various parts of the country, Coast Guard Operational
Commanders implemented reductions of operating hours of 20 to
30 percent.
Admiral James Loy, Commandant of the Coast Guard, testified
that the Coast Guard faced a fiscal crisis because of a number
of budgetary pressures. These include an increasing demand for
services, a staffing shortfall of more than a thousand people,
aging assets with increasing maintenance costs, rapidly
escalating costs associated with recruiting and retaining a
quality workforce, and a tight Federal Budget climate. Due to
these budget pressures, the Coast Guard had to cut field
operations. Admiral Loy also told the Subcommittee that the
Coast Guard will not reduce search and rescue response and its
related training activities.
SUMMARY OF OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
------
COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
1. Coast Guard. The plan included Subcommittee oversight of
the Coast Guard's Deepwater Capability Replacement Project and
drug interdiction program, oversight of the Oil Pollution Act
of 1990, as well as the continued oversight of the Coast
Guard's roles and missions.
The Subcommittee held a hearing on the President's fiscal
year 2000 budget request for the Coast Guard on February 11,
1999, and two hearings on the President's budget request for
fiscal year 2001 on February 29, 2000, and March 15, 2000.
During these budget hearings, the Subcommittee took testimony
on and asked questions about the Coast Guard's Deepwater
Capability Replacement Project and its drug interdiction
mission. In fact, representatives from the General Accounting
Office presented testimony at two of the hearings about an
ongoing investigation the agency is working on for the
Subcommittee which closely examines the Deepwater Project.
During a June 7, 2000, hearing on the Coast Guard's fiscal year
2000 operational cuts, the Subcommittee strongly questioned the
Coast Guard's deep cuts in drug interdiction activities.
The Subcommittee held several days of hearings reviewing
certain Coast Guard roles and missions. Included among these
hearings was an examination of the Coast Guard's search and
rescue mission on November 3, 1999, and a hearing on the Coast
Guard's domestic and international ice breaking mission on
March 29, 2000. During the search and rescue hearing, the
Subcommittee investigated the Coast Guard's system of response
to requests for assistance from mariners and new Coast Guard
initiatives to improve its search and rescue capabilities. The
icebreaking hearing stressed the importance of the Coast
Guard's domestic icebreaking mission on the Great Lakes and
East Coast of the U.S.
On March 24, 1999, the Subcommittee held a joint hearing
with the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment on
the effectiveness of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90),
based on its nine-year track record. OPA '90 established a
comprehensive national system for oil spill prevention,
compensation, and cleanup. On June 29, 1999, the Subcommittee
also held an oversight hearing on the requirement for double
hulls under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Several developers
of advanced vessel technology discussed possible vessel designs
which may provide further protection from marine oil spills.
2. Maritime. The plan included continued Subcommittee
oversight of the Administration and industry activities
involving the future of the U.S. marine transportation system
and oversight of the Federal Maritime Commission's
implementation and the effectiveness of the Ocean Shipping
Reform Act of 1998.
On May 13, 1999, the Subcommittee held an oversight hearing
on the current and future needs of the U.S. marine
transportation system. Many Federal agencies along with
industry representatives are working together to gather
information and develop a strategy that ensures U.S. waterways
and ports meet the transportation needs of the 21st Century.
On May 3, 2000, the Subcommittee held an oversight hearing
on the implementation and impact of the Ocean Shipping Reform
Act of 1998 (OSRA). The purpose of OSRA was to modernize the
international ocean transportation system and increase exports
of American goods and commodities.
Additional Oversight
United States Coast Guard Expenditures: On February 4,
1999, the Subcommittee held an oversight hearing to consider
the Coast Guard's spending on its operational and support
programs.
H.R. 316, The Cruises-To-Nowhere Act of 1999: On July 28,
1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 316, the Cruises-
To-Nowhere Act of 1999, introduced by Representative Frank Wolf
on January 6, 1999. Under existing Federal law, offshore gaming
on a vessel in international waters is legal unless a state
passes a law specifically prohibiting the activity. H.R. 316
was intended to reverse this situation, and allow states to use
state laws that prohibit land-based casino gaming to prohibit
gambling aboard ``cruises-to-nowhere''.
Cruise Ship Safety: On October 7, 1999, the Subcommittee
held an oversight hearing on cruise ship safety. The
Subcommittee called the hearing to investigate the safety of
millions of U.S. citizens who take cruises on U.S.- and
foreign-flag vessels.
Disposal of Obsolete Maritime Administration Vessels: On
May 24, 2000, the Subcommittee held an oversight hearing to
examine the current U.S. Government policies on scrapping
obsolete vessels of the U.S. Maritime Administration's (MARAD)
National Defense Reserve Fleet. Currently, MARAD has 110
vessels designated for disposal. At least 40 of these vessels
are in particularly bad condition. These vessels contain
hazardous substances which pose a risk to the environment
unless these vessels are either scrapped or repaired in the
near future.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION
Upon commencement of the 106th Congress, the jurisdiction
of the Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic
Development was expanded to include the statutory provisions
governing the transportation of hazardous materials and
pipeline safety. The jurisdictional changes were reflected in
the Subcommittee's new title of Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline
Transportation. The Subcommittee was chaired by Republican Bob
Franks with Robert E. Wise, Jr. serving as the Ranking
Democratic Member. The Subcommittee held a number of hearings
and other meetings to conduct oversight and prepare
legislation. A brief list of the topics covered by the
Subcommittee during the 106th Congress include: reauthorization
of the hazardous materials transportation program,
reauthorization of the pipeline safety program, authorizing the
General Services Administration Capital Investment Program,
fire safety issues in the Capitol Complex, proposals for a
National Health Museum, numerous bills for building
designations, and a number of requests for use of the Capitol
Grounds. The Subcommittee concentrated substantial oversight
efforts on the courthouse construction program and more
specifically on the issue of courtroom utilization, in addition
to closely reviewing the multibillion-dollar backlog of the
repair and alteration program.
------
Enacted Bills
(For a more complete description of enacted legislation,
see section on ``Bills Enacted into Law.'')
------
SOUTHEAST FEDERAL CENTER PUBLIC-PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2000
(Public Law 106-407)
This law authorizes the Administrator of the General
Services Administration to provide for the development of the
Southeast Federal Center in the District of Columbia. P.L. 106-
407, the ``Southeast Federal Center Public-Private Development
Act of 2000'' authorizes the Administrator of the General
Services Administration to enter into agreements, including
leases, contracts, partnerships, joint venture trusts and
limited liability agreements with private entities to provide
for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, operation,
maintenance or use of land at the Southeast Federal Center. The
law will allow GSA to leverage private capital and expertise to
develop this site for use by the government and private sector,
including retail, commercial and other uses. It provides
latitude by the Administrator in valuing any agreements,
including the valuation of in-kind exchanges.
------
CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2001
(DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY ACT OF 2000)
(Public Law 106-554)
This law, among other things, establishes the Delta
Regional Authority (DRA). The DRA is an agency similar in
purpose and structure to the Appalachian Regional Commission,
intended to address the economic needs of the Lower Mississippi
River region. The DRA shall be composed of a Federal
Cochairperson and the governors of each state comprising the
region. The DRA has the authority to provide grants for the
development of projects concerning transportation
infrastructure, public services, job training and employment
related education. The grants are to be awarded on an economic
need priority basis. The DRA is authorized at $30,000,000 for a
two-year term.
Other Legislation
In addition to numerous bills enacted, the Subcommittee
held hearings and reported several bills that passed the House
but did not pass the Senate. Additionally, the Subcommittee
reported a number of concurrent resolutions authorizing the use
of the Capitol Grounds and naming a room within the Capitol
Complex. Also, the Subcommittee 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.
Concurrent Resolutions
national peace officers memorial service
House Concurrent Resolution 44, authorized the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the 18th Annual National Peace Officers'
Memorial Service, held on May 15, 1999. The resolution
authorized the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Police
Board, and the National Fraternal Order of Police, the event
sponsor, to negotiate the necessary arrangements for carrying
out the event in complete compliance with the rules and
regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds. The event
was open to the public and free of charge; and the sponsor
assumed responsibility for all expenses and liabilities related
to the event. In addition, sales, advertisements, displays and
solicitations were explicitly prohibited on the Capitol Grounds
for this event. The service was in honor of federal, state and
local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in
1998.
greater washington soap box derby
House Concurrent Resolution 47, as amended, authorized the
use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box
Derby qualifying race, held July 10, 1999. The resolution
authorized the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Police
Board, and the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association,
the sponsor of the event, to negotiate the necessary
arrangements for carrying out the event in complete compliance
with the rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol
Grounds. The event was open to the public and free of admission
charge; and the sponsor assumed responsibility for allexpenses
and liabilities related to the event. The race took place on
Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Third Street, NW.
Participants that competed in the event ranged from ages 9 to 16. The
participants came from Washington, D.C. and the surrounding communities
in Virginia and Maryland.
earth force youth bike summit
House Concurrent Resolution 49, authorized the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the Get Out Spoke'n bicycle summit on May
5, 1999. The resolution authorized the Architect of the
Capitol, the Capitol Police Board, and the sponsors of the
event, to negotiate the necessary arrangements for carrying out
the event in complete compliance with the rules and regulations
governing the use of the Capitol Grounds. The event was open to
the public and free of admission charge; and the sponsor
assumed responsibility for all expenses and liabilities related
to the event.
special olympics law enforcement torch run
House Concurrent Resolution 50, authorized the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the 1999 District of Columbia Special
Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, held on June 11, 1999. The
resolution authorized the Architect of the Capitol and the
Capitol Police Board to take such actions and prescribe such
conditions as necessary for carrying out the event in complete
compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of
the Capitol Grounds. The event was open to the public and free
of admission charge.
kennedy center capitol grounds performances
House Concurrent Resolution 265 authorized the use of the
Capitol Grounds for performances by the Millennium Stage of the
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The
performances were run on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on
May 12 through September 30, 1999, when Congress was in
session. The stage for the performances was located on the East
Front of the Capitol. The resolution authorized the Architect
of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board to take such
actions and prescribe such conditions as necessary for carrying
out the performances in complete compliance with the rules and
regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds. The
Architect of the Capitol assumed some of the expenses
associated with the performances including the rental cost of
certain musical instruments and sound amplification equipment.
The performances were open to the public and free of admission
charge, and the sponsor assumed full responsibility for all
liabilities incident to all activities associated with the
performances.
law enforcement torch run
House Concurrent Resolution 105, authorized the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 1999
Special Olympics World Games, held on June 18, 1999. The
resolution authorized the Architect of the Capitol and the
Capitol Police Board to take such actions and prescribe such
conditions as necessary for carrying out the event in complete
compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of
the Capitol Grounds. The event was open to the public and free
of admission charge.
memorial door designation
House Concurrent Resolution 158 designated the Document
Door of the United States Capitol as the Chestnut-Gibson
Memorial Door. This resolution commemorates the sacrifice made
by Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Michael Gibson,
who lost their lives in defense of the Members of the House of
Representatives and their staff on July 24, 1998.
temporary construction on capitol grounds
House Concurrent Resolution 167 authorized the Architect of
the Capitol to enter into an agreement with the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners for a construction
project beginning August 15, 1999. The Union headquarters is
located at Constitution Avenue between 2nd Street and Louisiana
Avenue, NW, adjacent to the Capitol Grounds. This activity will
not interfere with the needs of the Congress.
greater washington soap box derby
House Concurrent Resolution 277, authorized the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby
qualifying race, held on June 24, 2000. The resolution
authorized the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Police
Board, and the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association,
the sponsor of the event, to negotiate the necessary
arrangements for carrying out the event in complete compliance
with the rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol
Grounds. The event was open to the public and free of admission
charge; and the sponsor assumed responsibility for all expenses
and liabilities related to the event. In addition, sales,
advertisements, displays, and solicitations were explicitly
prohibited on the Capitol Grounds for this event. The race took
place on Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Third
Street, NW.
national peace officers memorial service
House Concurrent Resolution 278, authorized the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the 19th Annual National Peace Officers'
Memorial Service, held on May 15, 2000. The resolution
authorized the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Police
Board, and the National Fraternal Order of Police, the event
sponsor, to negotiate the necessary arrangements for carrying
out the event in complete compliance with the rules and
regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds. The event
was open to the public and free of admission charge; and the
sponsor assumed responsibility for all expenses and liabilities
related to the event. In addition, sales, advertisements,
displays and solicitations were explicitly prohibited on the
Capitol Grounds for this event. The service was in honor of
federal, state and local law enforcement officers killed in the
line of duty in 1999.
200th birthday of the library of congress
House Concurrent Resolution 279, authorized the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the 200th birthday celebration of the
Library of Congress held on April 24, 2000. The resolution
authorized the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police
Board to take such actions and prescribe such conditions as
necessary for carrying out the event in complete compliance
with the rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol
Grounds. The event was open to the public and free of admission
charge. In addition, sales, advertisements, displays, and
solicitations were explicitly prohibited on the Capitol Grounds
for this event. The Library of Congress's birthday celebration
included a free concert, open to the public, between noon and
1:30 p.m. The concert was held on the West Front Plaza of the
Jefferson Building facing the United States Capitol. First
Street between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street was
closed so the concert could be viewed from the East Front of
the Capitol.
2000 special olympics law enforcement torch run
House Concurrent Resolution 280, authorized the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the 2000 District of Columbia Special
Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, held on June 2, 2000. The
resolution authorized the Architect of the Capitol and the
Capitol Police Board to take such actions and prescribe such
conditions as necessary for carrying out the event in complete
compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of
the Capitol Grounds. The event was open to the public and free
of admission charge. In addition, sales, advertisements,
displays, and solicitations were explicitly prohibited on the
Capitol Grounds for this event.
kennedy center performances on capitol grounds
House Concurrent Resolution 265 authorized the use of the
Capitol Grounds for performances by the Millennium Stage of the
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The
performances were run on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on
May 12 through September 30, 2000, when Congress was in
session. The stage for the performances was located on the East
Front of the Capitol. The resolution authorized the Architect
of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board to take such
actions and prescribe such conditions as necessary for carrying
out the performances in complete compliance with the rules and
regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds. The
Architect of the Capitol assumed some of the expenses
associated with the performances including the rental cost of
certain musical instruments and sound amplification equipment.
The performances were open to the public and free of admission
charge, and the sponsor assumed full responsibility for all
liabilities incident to all activities associated with the
performances. In addition, sales, advertisements, and
solicitations, were explicitly prohibited on the Capitol
Grounds for this event.
earth force youth summit
House Concurrent Resolution 314, authorized the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the Get Out Spoke'n bicycle summit held on
May 10, 2000. The resolution authorized the Architect of the
Capitol, the Capitol Police Board, and the sponsors of the
event, to negotiate the necessary arrangements for carrying out
the event in complete compliance with the rules and regulations
governing the use of the Capitol Grounds. The event was open to
the public and free of admission charge; and the sponsor
assumed responsibility for all expenses and liabilities related
to the event. In addition, sales, advertisements, and
solicitations were explicitly prohibited on the Capitol Grounds
for this event.
the million family march
House Concurrent Resolution 423 authorized the Million
Family March on October 16, 2000. The resolution authorized the
Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Police Board, and the
Million Family March Incorporated, the event sponsor, to
negotiate the necessary arrangements for carrying out the event
in complete compliance with the rules and regulations governing
the use of the Capitol Grounds. The event was open to the
public and free of admission charge; and the sponsor assumed
responsibility for all expenses and liabilities related to the
event. In addition, sales, advertisements, displays and
solicitations were explicitly prohibited on the Capitol Grounds
for this event.
japanese-american memorial to patriotism
Senate Concurrent Resolution 139 authorized use of the
Capitol Grounds for the dedication ceremony of the National
Japanese-American Memorial held on November 9, 2000. The
resolution authorized the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol
Police Board, and the National Japanese-American Memorial
Foundation, the sponsor of the event, to negotiate the
necessary arrangements for carrying out the event in complete
compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of
the Capitol Grounds. The event was free of admission charge and
open to the public.
Bills Passed by the House Only
(Summaries of Bills)
thurgood marshall united states courthouse
H.R. 130 designates the Federal Building located at 40
Centre Street in New York, New York as the ``Thurgood Marshall
United States Courthouse.'' Justice Marshall was born in
Baltimore, Maryland on July 2, 1908. He graduated at the top of
his class from the Howard University School of Law. Upon
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 Chief Counsel of
the newly formed NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, a post
that he held for twenty years. It was during his tenure as
Chief Counsel that Justice Marshall organized efforts to end
segregation in voting, housing, public accommodations, and
education. These efforts ledto a series of cases grouped under
the title of Brown v. Board of Education, in which Marshall argued a
case before the Supreme Court to declare segregation in public schools
unconstitutional. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Marshall
to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Four years after he received
appointment to the appeals court, President Lyndon B. Johnson chose
Justice Marshall to be Solicitor General. Two years later, on June 13,
1967, President Johnson nominated Marshall to become a Justice of the
Supreme Court where he served with distinction until his retirement in
1991. This bill passed the House on March 23, 1999.
EDWARD N. CAHN FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
H.R. 751 designates the Federal Building located at 504
Hamilton Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania as the ``Edward N.
Cahn Federal Building and United States Courthouse.'' Judge
Cahn was born June 29, 1933, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Judge
Cahn attended Lehigh University, earning his Bachelor of Arts
degree magna cum laude in 1955. After graduating from Lehigh
University, Judge Cahn attended the Yale University Law School
and graduated in 1958. Judge Cahn's long career in public
service began in 1958, in the United States Marine Corps
Reserves, where he served until 1964. In 1975, President Gerald
Ford appointed Edward Cahn to Pennsylvania's Eastern District
Federal Court. For the next 23 years Judge Cahn fairly and
expeditiously administered the law from the federal bench in
Allentown, Pennsylvania. He is the only judge in the 3rd
Circuit to choose to work out of the Allentown Courthouse, most
chose to work out of Philadelphia. In 1993, Judge Cahn served
as the court's Chief Judge until his retirement from the
Federal bench in December 1998. This bill passed the House on
March 23, 1999.
GARZA-VELA UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
H.R. 686 designates the United States courthouse located in
Brownsville, Texas as the ``Garza-Vela United States
Courthouse.'' Reynaldo Garza and Filemon Vela are two
distinguished judges from the Federal bench in Brownsville,
Texas. Judge Garza was born in Brownsville, Texas. After
graduating from the University of Texas he entered the Air
Force during World War II. Upon his return from the war, Judge
Garza returned to private practice until 1961 when President
Kennedy appointed him to the United States District Court for
the Southern District of Texas. In 1974, he became the Chief
Judge for the Southern District of Texas, until President
Carter appointed him to the United States Court of Appeals for
the Fifth Circuit. In April of 1997, Chief Justice William H.
Rehnquist appointed him Chief Judge of the Temporary Emergency
Court of Appeals of the United States. Judge Vela was born in
Harlingen, Texas. Prior to being appointed to the Federal
bench, Judge Vela served in the United States Army, was the
Commissioner for the City of Brownsville, and Judge on the
107th Judicial District, Cameron-Willacy County, Texas. Judge
Vela was a member of the Judicial Conference Committee on the
Administration of the Magistrate Judges System until 1991, a
member of the Judges Advisory Committee to the United States
Sentencing Commission. This bill passed the House on May 4,
1999.
REFORM OF THE FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE
H.R. 809, as amended, the ``Federal Protective Service
Reform Act of 2000,'' makes the Federal Protective Service
(FPS) a freestanding service within the General Services
Administration (GSA); clarifies jurisdictional issues for areas
adjacent to Federal property; creates an FPS Commissioner with
line authority over the Regional Directors; establishes police
and training experience standards for the FPS Commissioner;
requires contract security guards to undergo background checks;
and increases the number of full-time FPS officers to 730. FPS
has been a part of the Public Buildings Service (PBS) since
1949. Originally known as the Public Buildings Administration,
PBS is the real property arm of GSA; it operates and maintains
1,993 Federal buildings with over 184 million square feet of
office, storage and special use space in the United States for
use by civilian employees of the Federal government. PBS also
acts as the leasing agent for the Federal government, and
currently has in place over 6,400 leases with over 150 million
square feet of space. Approximately one million Federal
employees work in space controlled by PBS. This bill passed the
House on June 27, 2000.
AARON E. HENRY FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES POST OFFICE
H.R. 1279 designates the Federal Building at 223 Sharkey
Street in Clarksdale, Mississippi as the ``Aaron E. Henry
Federal Building and United States Courthouse.'' Dr. Henry was
a civil rights pioneer from the State of Mississippi. He was
born in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1921, and attended public
schools in Coahoma County. In 1943, he joined the United States
Army achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his tour
of duty, Dr. Henry attended Xavier University in New Orleans,
where he received his pharmacy degree. In 1950, he returned to
Clarksdale to open a drug store. In 1953, Dr. Henry organized
the Coahoma County Branch of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and served as the state
NAACP President from 1960 until 1993. He was instrumental, as
chairman of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, in the
creation of the integration of political activity in
Mississippi. He also participated in the Freedom Rider Movement
and in the Mississippi Freedom Summer's non-violent campaigns
of public protest that led to the passage of the Public
Accommodations sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In
1979, Dr. Henry was elected to represent District 26 of Coahoma
County, in the Mississippi House of Representatives, and
returned to office in 1983 and 1987. Dr. Henry held numerous
positions in the political, educational and religious
communities, and excelled in all. He was a mentor, a
humanitarian, and a scholar dedicated to civil rights. This
bill passed the House on March 28, 2000.
FRANK J. BATTISTI AND NATHANIEL R. JONES FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED
STATES COURTHOUSE
H.R. 1359 designates the Federal Building to be constructed
at 10 East Commerce Street in Youngstown, Ohio as the ``Frank
J. Battisti and Nathaniel R. Jones Federal Building and United
States Courthouse.'' Judge Battisti was born in Youngstown on
October 4, 1922. He received his BA degree from Ohio University
in 1947 and his JDdegree from Harvard University Law School in
1950. He was elected Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Mahoning
County, Ohio. In 1961, Battisti was appointed to the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. In addition to
serving on the Federal bench, Judge Battisti was a law instructor at
Youngstown State University. He retired in 1994 and died that same
year. Nathaniel R. Jones served in the United States Army Air Corps
during World War II. He returned from the war and attended Youngstown
State University where he received his BA and JD degrees. From 1956
until 1959 Judge Jones was the Executive Director of the Fair
Employment Practices Commission of the City of Youngstown. Judge Jones
was later appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District
of Ohio. He served in that capacity until his appointment in 1967 to
serve as Assistant General Counsel to President Johnson's National
Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. In 1969, Judge Jones served as
the NAACP's General Counsel until 1979. In 1979 Judge Jones was
appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
and assumed senior status in 1995. This legislation passed the House on
April 3, 2000.
DONALD J. PEASE FEDERAL BUILDING
H.R. 1405 designates the Federal Building located at 143
West Liberty Street in Medina, Ohio as the ``Donald J. Pease
Federal Building.'' Congressman Pease was born in Toledo, Ohio
in 1931. He began his career as a newspaperman in 1955, and
joined the ranks of public service upon being elected to the
Oberlin City Council in 1962. He was elected to the Ohio State
Senate in 1965. Congressman Pease was elected to the U.S.
Congress in 1977, and worked diligently as a member of the
International Relations Committee. Shortly thereafter, he
gained a seat on the Ways and Means Committee, and secured a
seat on the Budget Committee as well. Congressman Pease was an
instrumental Member and closely involved with much of the high-
profile legislation that was brought to the floor during his
tenure. His reputation as an honest and able legislator
contributed to his ability to achieve consensus even on the
most trying issues. After leaving Congress in 1992, Congressman
Pease became a visiting professor at Oberlin College's
Department of Politics. His dedication and hard work made him
an exemplary Congressman. This bill passed the House on May 3,
2000.
FLOYD H. FLAKE FEDERAL BUILDING
H.R. 3323 designates the Federal Building located at 158-15
Liberty Avenue in Jamaica, New York as the ``Floyd H. Flake
Federal Building.'' Congressman Flake was born in Los Angeles,
California on January 30, 1945. He later earned a doctorate of
ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
Before assuming the pastorate of the Allen African Methodist
Episcopal Church in Jamaica, Queens, New York, Dr. Flake was
the Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Dean of the
Chapel at Boston University, and Associate Dean of Students at
Lincoln University. In 1976, at the age of 31, Dr. Flake
assumed the leadership of Allen A.M.E. At that time the church
congregation numbered about 1,200, and the annual budget was
about $250,000. Under his stewardship, the church has grown to
9,000 members, with a budget of $24 million. The Church
sponsors community development efforts, including an apartment
complex for the elderly, single-family homes, shopping and
commercial office complex, a 500-student school, a home care
agency, a credit union and a transportation company. He secured
funding for the construction of the largest church built in New
York since 1954. In 1986, Dr. Flake was elected to the U.S.
House of Representatives to represent the 6th Congressional
District of New York, where he served with distinction until
his resignation in November 1997. During his tenure, Dr. Flake
sponsored legislative initiatives to revitalize blighted urban,
commercial and residential communities. He sponsored
legislation that provided incentives for financial institutions
to make market oriented investments in destabilized urban and
rural areas. Following his resignation, Dr. Flake returned to
Allen A.M.E. Church to serve as full time pastor. This bill
passed the House on June 27, 2000.
BAYLEE'S LAW
H.R. 4519, ``Baylee's Law,'' is a bill that amends the
Public Buildings Act of 1959. It instructs the Administrator of
the General Services Administration (GSA) to notify parents or
guardians enrolling their children in a childcare center
located in a GSA controlled building of the current Federal
agencies occupying the building and the level of security of
that particular Federal building. It also requires GSA to
notify parents or guardians of any change of Federal tenants in
the building. The designated level of security should be
consistent with the Vulnerability Assessment and subsequent
recommendations from the study made by the Department of
Justice. The Administrator is also instructed to submit to
Congress, not later than one year after the date of enactment,
a comprehensive report identifying and describing each
childcare facility under its control, a safety and security
assessment of each facility with recommendations for increasing
safety, and to include in the safety assessment, an examination
of windows and the dangers of flying glass hazards. Also to be
included in the comprehensive report to Congress is a study to
be conducted by the Office of Government Policy, of the
feasibility of expanding provisions in the bill to include all
Federal government buildings with childcare facilities. This
bill passed the House September 26, 2000.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
H.R. 5267 designates the United States courthouse located
at 100 Federal Plaza in Central Islip, New York as the
``Theodore Roosevelt United States Courthouse.'' President
Roosevelt was born in New York City in 1858. In 1882, at the
age of 23 he became a member of the New York State Assembly. He
served in the Assembly until 1884, when President Benjamin
Harrison appointed him a member of the United States Civil
Service Commission. In 1897 he resigned from the New York Board
of Police Commissioners when President William McKinley
appointed him Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He resigned that
post and joined the war effort against Spain. During the
Spanish-American War he organized the First Regiment, United
States Volunteer Cavalry known as Roosevelt's Rough Riders. In
1899 he was elected Governor of New York. He served as Governor
for one year before being elected Vice President of the United
States on the Republican ticket headed by President McKinley.
In September 1901, President McKinley was shot, and died 3 days
later in Buffalo, New York. OnSeptember 14, 1901 President
Roosevelt took the oath of office and became President at the age of
42. During Roosevelt's first term as President he acquired land for the
Panama Canal. President Roosevelt was re-elected in 1904. He championed
reform legislation such as the Pure Food and Drug Act, the Meat
Inspection Act and the Hepburn Act which empowered the government to
set railroad rates. During Roosevelt's presidency the government
initiated 30 major irrigation projects, added 125 million acres to the
national forest reserves, and doubled the number of national parks.
After making unsuccessful bids for the presidency in 1912 and 1916 on
the Progressive Party ticket, President Roosevelt settled in Oyster Bay
on Long Island, New York and engaged in literary pursuits. He passed
away in 1919. This bill passed the House on October 2, 2000.
sunrayce 1999
House Concurrent Resolution 48, authorizes the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the Sunrayce '99 solar power car event
which was to be held June 20, 1999. The resolution authorized
the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Police Board, and the
sponsors of the event, to negotiate the necessary arrangements
for carrying out the event in complete compliance with the
rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds.
This day was intended to honor intercollegiate men and women
who have taken part in the innovation and development of the
solar power cars making a five-state sweep, from the Capitol
Grounds to Orlando, Florida. Scholarship achievement awards
were to be awarded to participants that displayed exceptional
levels of technical innovation, engineering excellence,
artistic excellence, teamwork and good sportsmanship. This
resolution passed the House on April 12, 1999.
united states luge association
House Concurrent Resolution 91, authorizes the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the United States Luge Association's Junior
Luge Series clinic scheduled for August 14, 1999. The
resolution authorized the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol
Police Board, and the sponsors of the event, to negotiate the
necessary arrangements for carrying out the event in complete
compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of
the Capitol Grounds. The event was open to the public and free
of admission charge; and the sponsor assumed responsibility for
all expenses and liabilities related to the event. In addition,
sales, displays, advertisements, and solicitations were
explicitly prohibited on the Capitol Grounds for this event.
This event was part of the Junior Luge Series clinics conducted
by the United States Luge Association nationally and will be
the first time Washington, D.C., will be a host city. Boys and
girls age 10-14 will have the opportunity to ride luge sleds
which are equipped with wheels for the summer clinics. Going
down Constitution Avenue, NW, participants will learn the
basics of how to ride and steer the luge, instructed by a
United States National Luge Team member or coach. This event
introduces local and visiting boys and girls to the
fundamentals of riding a luge sled, while helping to strengthen
the United States National Luge Team. This resolution passed
the House on June 14, 1999.
------
Hearings
During the 106th Congress the Subcommittee held a number of
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.
On February 10, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
reauthorization of the hazardous materials transportation
program administered by the Research and Special Programs
Administration (RSPA) of the Department of Transportation. The
transportation of hazardous materials is governed by the
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA). HMTA was first
enacted in 1975; the most recent authorization for the program
expired on September 30, 1997, however, the program has
continued to receive funding through the annual appropriations
process. The hazmat program basically has three primary
functions: 1. to define hazardous material for purposes of
transportation; 2. to prescribe the acceptable forms of
containers and handling criteria for hazardous materials in
transportation; and 3. to provide the framework and partial
funding for the training of hazardous materials employees and
emergency responders. Due to a number of controversial issues,
the hazmat program was not reauthorized in the 105th Congress.
This hearing was primarily intended to provide a forum for
reviewing the continuing controversial issues and receiving
testimony on the status of the hazmat program, in preparation
of reporting legislation for its reauthorization. Witnesses
providing testimony at this hearing included a Member of
Congress and the Administrator of RSPA, as well as
representatives of Labor, industry and the emergency response
community. The Subcommittee did not report legislation during
the 106th Congress to reauthorize the hazmat program.
On February 11, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
fire safety issues within the House Complex. The hearing was
called to further examine a House Inspector General report
identifying many deficiencies with the fire protection program
in the House of Representatives. The Architect of the Capitol,
the House Inspector General and a representative from the
National Fire Protection Association were all invited to
testify. Herbert Franklin, the Administrative Assistant
testified on behalf of the Architect and the others invited
provided testimony as well. The Subcommittee, in fulfilling its
oversight responsibilities, was particularly concerned with
whether the Architect's office effectively complied with
current fire codes and regulations, and effectively initiated a
master plan to ensure for fire safety concerns in the House
Complex during an emergency. The issues the Subcommittee
addressed involved many historic buildings within the House
complex being in noncompliance with fire codes and regulations;
the role of the Capitol Police in the event of a fire
emergency; the training that the Capitol Police receive to
address such emergencies; plans to correct the previously
installed defective Omega sprinklers; the lack of consistency
and planning by the Architect's office in carrying out fire
safety projects; and progress by the Architect's office to
correct the noted deficiencies in the House Inspector General
report. The witnesses provided insight into the difficulty of
managing and having historic buildings, such as the buildings
within the House Complex, in full compliance with current fire
codes. Further, the Architect's office noted the development of
a comprehensive master plan to address weaknesses in fire
safety and highlighted that, dependent upon access and funding,
the Architect plans to have all areas of the Capitol Complex
sprinklerized. TheSubcommittee will continue close oversight of
life safety issues within the House Complex.
On April 26, 1999, the Subcommittee held a joint hearing
with the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and
Technology. The hearing provided oversight of Federal real
property management, and more specifically obstacles and
innovative approaches to effective and efficient real property
management. The Subcommittees received testimony from two
different panels of witnesses consisting of representatives
from the Department of Defense, the General Services
Administration, the Department of the Interior, the Department
of Veterans Affairs, the United States Postal Service, the
General Accounting Office, and from the National Research
Council. The Subcommittees examined the management of Federal
real property and considered various approaches, including the
use of public-private partnerships to improve the government's
real property portfolio. The Subcommittees explored how well
the current property laws are working and looked at whether
they need to be improved. GSA does not have the authority that
other Federal land holding agencies currently have. One example
is, out leasing and the retention of proceeds. In testimony,
the Department of Defense outlined three incentives to
effective out leasing of government property which include
incorporating the out lease with the agency's mission, broad
use and the retention of proceeds, and proper incentives for
the agency to out lease property. Among the issues discussed
were, the condition of Federal real property assets and the
allocation of resources to properly renovate, maintain, and
operate those facilities; incentives for agencies to manage
their property portfolios in an effective manner; and the
benefits derived from innovative approaches to facility
management. The Subcommittees noted that as an agency's mission
changes, the agency's facility needs change as well and these
changes need to be better accounted for in the context of
Federal budgetary constraints in the form of repair and
alteration projects, new Federal construction and in some cases
downsizing and disposing of underutilized facilities. The
current budget process emphasizes design and construction costs
of a new facility, those costs account for only 5-10% of the
total life cost of the building. Operations and maintenance
account for 60-85% of the total cost of ownership. Public-
private partnership type arrangements could be in the
government's best interest to meet the long-term needs of a
facility for an agency.
On May 11, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing to receive
testimony from the General Services Administration on the FY
2000 Capital Investment Program. The hearing provided members
an opportunity to question Deputy Commissioner Paul Chistolini
on GSA's investment plans for the coming fiscal year. The
Capital Investment Program summarized in testimony included
seven design and new construction projects estimated at $92.2
million, thirteen repair and alteration projects estimated at
$201 million and thirteen designs for future repair and
alteration projects estimated at $17.7 million. Chairman Franks
questioned the witness on a number of points, including,
whether the capital program for FY 2000 is maximizing the
Federal buildings income and if it is minimizing the drain on
unproductive assets, and how the government's vacancy rate
compares to that of the private sector. The Subcommittee also
questioned the witness about legislation the Administration
planned to submit to reform the Property Act and expressed
great disappointment in the fact that the program for the third
consecutive year did not include funding for any courthouse
related projects. The Subcommittee approved resolutions
authorizing the FY 2000 Capital Investment Program on May 13,
1999.
On July 21, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing to
receive testimony on proposals for a National Health Museum.
Members of the House of Representatives and District of
Columbia Council, in addition to representatives from the New
Jersey Governor's Advisory Committee on the Preservation and
Use of Ellis Island, the Public Buildings Service, and the
National Health Museum provided testimony. The conference
report for Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health
and Human Services, Education and related agencies for FY 1998
designated a National Health Museum (from the Army Medical
Museum). The conference report stated that the health museum is
to be located on or near the National Mall, on land owned by
the Federal government or District of Columbia and to establish
a commission to study the appropriate role of the Federal
government in planning and operations associated with the
museum. The commission was to submit a report to Congress not
later than a year after its creation. The commission was never
created and no report was ever sent to Congress. The National
Health Museum Board conducted a comprehensive examination of 20
potential locations. The Board identified a preferred site at
2nd and C Streets, SW, in Washington, DC, which currently
houses the Food and Drug Administration. GSA held discussions
with the National Health Museum about the possibility of
locating the health museum at this location, but the witness
testified that GSA has not released any formal plans for the
location. The Subcommittee questioned the National Health
Museum and the General Services Administration as to the level
of discussions that have taken place concerning the location at
2nd and C Street, SW. The Health Museum noted that GSA
identified this location as a possible site for the museum, but
GSA indicated that an appraisal was being prepared, that GSA
does not have the authority to transfer the property to the
health museum, and that the facility was being considered to be
included in the FY 2001 budget request for repair purposes. The
Subcommittee had a difficult time determining just exactly what
was discussed between the museum and GSA (Mr. Peck of the
Public Buildings Service who met with the National Health
Museum on several occasions was unable to attend the hearing
and provide the detail the Subcommittee was looking for). The
Subcommittee also received testimony on the redevelopment and
reuse possibilities of locating a part of, or a major component
of, the National Health Museum on Ellis Island. The witness
representing the Governor's Advisory Committee on the
Preservation and Use of Ellis Island testified that a component
of the National Health Museum would be a very good fit in the
plans for Ellis Island, and is consistent with the history of
Ellis Island. Based on the information provided by the
witnesses the Subcommittee drafted and reported out of
Committee legislation that would facilitate the National Health
Museum to locate and acquire a site in Washington, D.C. and to
include a component of the museum on Ellis Island, New Jersey.
On July 27, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
reauthorization of the pipeline safety program, administered by
the Research and Special Programs Administration of the
Department of Transportation. Pipeline Safety is governed by
the Pipeline Safety Act and its progeny, which regulates both
natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. The pipeline safety
program covers the design, construction, operation, maintenance
and inspection of pipeline facilities. The program's funding
authorization expired September 30, 2000. The Subcommittee was
interested in receiving testimony onthe program in general, as
well as addressing criticisms lodged against RSPA's execution of the
program, in a preliminary effort to prepare reauthorization
legislation. Just prior to the hearing, a significant pipeline accident
occurred in Bellingham, Washington, on June 10, 1999. Although the
hearing was intended to focus primarily on reauthorization of the
pipeline safety program, discussion of this accident was paramount
during the testimonials. However, it was announced at this hearing that
a separate hearing, specifically focused on the accident, would take
place at a later date (see below). Witnesses providing testimony at
this hearing included a Member of Congress, the Chairman of the
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Administrator of RSPA,
and representatives from the pipeline industry. The Subcommittee did
not report legislation during the 106th Congress to reauthorize the
pipeline safety program, although Senate sponsored reauthorization
legislation was taken up under suspension of the House Rules on October
10, 2000. The legislation did not receive the two-thirds majority vote
necessary for passage under suspension procedure.
On October 27, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
hazardous liquid pipeline accident that occurred in Bellingham,
Washington, June 10, 1999. The accident took three lives and
involved an extensive amount of environmental damage. The
Subcommittee scheduled this hearing as part of its ongoing
oversight role of RSPA's Office of Pipeline Safety and as part
of its continuing effort to prepare legislation to reauthorize
the program. Although discussion of this accident took place at
the Subcommittee's July 27 hearing (see above), members of the
Subcommittee believed a separate hearing devoted to a review of
the incidents surrounding the accident was warranted. Witnesses
providing testimony at this hearing included Senators, Members
of Congress, the Chairman of the NTSB, the Administrator of
RSPA, representatives from the State and local governments of
Washington, representatives from local environmental groups,
and a representative of the hazardous liquid pipeline involved
in the accident, as well as family members of one of the
victims.
On March 23, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
General Services Administration FY 2001 Capital Investment
Program. The hearing primarily focused on security in Federal
buildings and the courthouse construction program. Nine Members
of Congress, five United States District Judges, and two
private witnesses provided testimony, in addition to seven
submissions for the record by Members and interested parties
that were unable to testify. The Administration requested $488
million in new authority for six courthouse construction
projects and one request for additional design funds for a
previously approved project. The Administrative Office of the
United States Courts 5-year plan called for the consideration
of 19 court related projects at an estimated cost of $802
million. The Administrative Office of the United States Courts
has a 5-year priority plan and works with GSA to include
funding for the plan in the Administration's formal budget
submission to the Congress. The Administration's FY 2001
funding request for new courthouse construction, with the
absence of courthouse funding in two of the past four years,
was not adequate to sustain the needs of the Judiciary and the
projects submitted by the Administration were not the highest
prioritized projects based on the Judiciary's 5-year courthouse
construction plan. The Subcommittee was forced to address the
needs of the Judiciary while working within the budget
constraints of the Administration's request. Based on the
testimony provided by the Federal District Judges and Members
of Congress, and after the Subcommittee's comprehensive
investigation of the courthouse construction program, the
Subcommittee approved a courthouse program that was above the
Administration's request and below the Judiciary's request
based on the United States Design Guide, which included a
component of courtroom sharing. On July 25, 2000, the
Subcommittee approved 16 Committee resolutions authorizing the
courthouse construction program at an estimated cost of $605
million.
On April 11, 2000, the Subcommittee held a second hearing
on the General Services Administration FY 2001 Capital
Investment Program. The Subcommittee received testimony from
the General Accounting Office and the General Services
Administration. GAO provided testimony on the backlog of repair
and alteration projects GSA is currently experiencing and noted
that $4 billion is needed to correct the backlog. GAO concluded
that the Federal Building Fund was not producing sufficient
revenues to finance the needed repairs and alterations and
identified inadequate program data and the lack of a strategic
approach to meeting the repair and alteration requirements. In
continued oversight by the Subcommittee, GSA was questioned on
all aspects of the capital program, which included the leasing
program and the plan to generate revenue for the Federal
Building Fund. GSA noted that the proposed repair and
alteration program for FY 2001 would, once completed, allow the
agency to backfill more than 1.1 million square feet of vacant
space in owned inventory by moving client agencies from leased
space to government owned space. The Subcommittee questioned
GSA on the increase in rent expenditures and the impact of the
budget scoring rules on GSA's ability to formulate a sound
capital program. The Subcommittee approved Committee
resolutions authorizing the Capital Investment program on June
21, 2000.
Site Visits
During the 106th Congress the Subcommittee continued its
extensive review of the courthouse construction program and
conducted several site visits to ongoing and proposed
courthouse projects. The Subcommittee also conducted several
site visits to various Federal buildings and southwestern
border stations, in addition to Ellis Island and Governors
Island. The Subcommittee staff inspected the recently renovated
Court of Appeals building in San Francisco, California, which
was heavily damaged in the 1989 earthquake. GSA spent
approximately $93 million to renovate and provide protection
from future earthquakes, by placing the entire building on
rollers. The Subcommittee staff also inspected other Federal
buildings in the San Francisco Bay area, the existing
facilities for the United States courts in Los Angeles,
California, the recently completed Ronald Reagan Federal
Building and United States Courthouse in Santa Ana, California,
the existing courthouse facility in San Diego, California, the
San Ysidro and Otay Mesa border crossings, and the new
courthouse facilities in Tuscan and Phoenix, Arizona. The site
visits took place between March 28 and April 2, 1999. From
August 16 through August 20, 1999, the Subcommittee staff
visited a number of Federal buildings in the Pacific Northwest.
Staff investigated the Federal Building and United States
Courthouse in Ancorage, Alaska, the FBI field office in
Anchorage, the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in Seattle,
Washington, the site for the new courthouse in Seattle,
Washington, the Pioneer Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, the
Solomon United States Courthouse and Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt
Federal Building, and the sites being considered for
theconstruction of a new United States courthouse in Eugene, Oregon.
The site visits enhance the Subcommittee's ability to continue
oversight and provide the Subcommittee a comprehensive review of
previous actions taken and current actions being deliberated. By
visiting an existing courthouse and/or facility under construction the
Subcommittee is able to confirm the justification for a certain amount
of square footage, a certain housing plan, the number of courtrooms,
and ultimately assure the Committee that projects are a prudent use of
scarce Federal dollars.
On September 7, 1999, the Subcommittee, including Chairman
Franks and Vice Chairman Cooksey, conducted oversight visits at
Federal facilities in the New York and New Jersey harbor area.
A Subcommittee hearing was held on July 21, 1999, on proposals
for a National Health Museum. Ellis Island is identified in
legislation drafted by Chairman Franks as a possible location
of a satellite component of the National Health Museum. The
Subcommittee toured the north and south side of Ellis Island.
The tour of Ellis Island was conducted by the National Park
Service and began in the immigrants' museum on the New York
side of the island, and then moved to the south side of the
island. The south side, in New Jersey, consists of 29 decrepit
hospital buildings that were originally constructed in the
early 1900's and vacated around 1954. The National Park Service
is maintaining the buildings. The Subcommittee then toured the
United States Custom House, which is under GSA's control and
houses the National Museum of the American Indian. The
Subcommittee was interested in seeing how the museum functioned
apart from the Smithsonian headquarters in Washington, D.C. The
final stop was a van tour of Governors Island. Governors Island
is vacant and maintained by GSA at a cost of $10 million a
year. The Subcommittee will continue close oversight of
Governors Island.
Reviews by the General Accounting Office
The Subcommittee requested the General Accounting Office to
conduct several reviews of GSA operations and activities. In
1999, GAO was requested to conduct a review of the GSA repairs
and alterations program. The review examined the extent of
repairs and alterations that have been identified at government
owned buildings managed by GSA, the factors that impede GSA's
ability to satisfy its repair and alteration needs, and GSA
efforts to improve its management of repairs and alterations.
GAO conducted its review, and issued a formal report and
testified at an oversight hearing held by the Subcommittee on
April 11, 2000. GAO testified that billions of dollars are
needed to satisfy the repair and alteration needs at Federal
buildings; that the Federal Building Fund is not producing the
necessary revenues to meet repair and alteration needs; that
repairs and alterations program data are problematic; and that
GSA has not yet institutionalized its thinking and planning
about how best to strategically respond to its multibillion
dollar repair and alteration needs. GSA acknowledged the
multibillion-dollar repair and alteration backlog and is
working to implement the GAO recommendations. GSA noted in
testimony that the FY 2001 repair and alteration budget request
would, once completed, allow the agency to backfill more than
1.1 million square feet of vacant space in owned inventory by
moving client agencies from leased space to government owned
space, thus adding revenue to the Federal Building Fund. The
Subcommittee will continue close oversight of the GSA repair
and alteration program and currently has an open request with
GAO to review the selection process for government owned
buildings needing repair and alteration work.
During the 104th Congress, the Subcommittee requested GAO
review the United States courts utilization of existing
facilities in cities where new facilities were requested. GAO
concluded at that time that about 35% of the time there was no
use of courtrooms in the six cities studied. In 1999, the
Administrative Office of the United States Courts contracted
with Ernst and Young to conduct a study of the Judiciary's
facilities program. As part of the study, Ernst and Young was
asked to conduct a thorough analysis of courtroom utilization,
assignment and sharing courtrooms by judges. GAO was requested
to determine whether the Ernst and Young study provided
sufficient data and analysis to show if, and to what extent,
courtroom sharing may be feasible. In December 2000 GAO issued
a formal report concluding that the Ernst and Young study was
not designed to provide the type of data necessary to help
resolve the courtroom sharing issue. The report also noted that
there continues to be a lack of courtroom usage data that shows
how often and for what purpose courtrooms are being used and
the impact that other factors such as courtroom scheduling
uncertainties and latent use may have in determining the need
for courtrooms. The Subcommittee continues close oversight of
the courthouse construction program. The Subcommittee held a
hearing on March 23, 2000, and received testimony from a number
of United States District Court Judges. The Judiciary has a
need for effective and efficient courthouse facilities to
better administer justice and the Congress and the Subcommittee
must sort through the available data and work to closely
oversee a sound courthouse construction program based on the 5-
year priority plan and the United States Courts Design Guide.
The Subcommittee also requested GAO to review and update a
GAO study from 1993 on the Judiciary's process for projecting
long-range planning needs. GAO identified three major problems
and made six recommendations to address the problems. The
Subcommittee request will have GAO assess the progress made by
the Judiciary to implement the six recommendations. This report
is a recent request and still pending. GAO is also working on a
recent request to look into the GSA leasing program and to more
specifically analyze the impact the budget scores rules have
had on the leasing program, a trend that is moving toward the
increased use of short term expensive operating leases. At the
Subcommittee's request, GAO also reviewed the authority to
audit private funds used for events that take place on the
Capitol Grounds, a GSA lease for the Secret Service at 1111
18th Street, in Washington, DC, and the authority being used to
construct a new facility for the Food and Drug Administration
in College Park, Maryland which, were all concluded during the
106th Congress.
Summary of Other Oversight Activities
During the 106th Congress there has been a number of
adverse reports regarding the facilities under the jurisdiction
of the Architect of the Capitol. A report released December 18,
1998, by the House of Representatives Inspector General,
identified a number of weaknesses in the fire protection
systems in the Capitol Complex. It concluded fire protection
systems are incomplete, inadequate, or absent. The Subcommittee
held an oversight hearing on this important topic on February
11, 1999, and will continue to monitor the implementation of
the master plan to correct deficiencies. The Subcommittee also
continues close oversight of the design phase for the
construction of the Capitol Visitors Center.
During the 105th Congress, legislation was enacted
authorizing the Kennedy Center to expand its underground
parking garage, using tax-free revenue bonds. Additionally, the
reauthorization of the highway program (TEA-21) contained
funding for a study of the highway circulation patterns around
the Kennedy Center. The garage project has already gone to bid
and the traffic circulation study has already issued the first
phase of a comprehensive study. These projects require close
oversight by the Subcommittee. Oversight of these projects has
already begun with Kennedy Center officials, officials from
DOT, and the National Park Service.
1. research and special programs administration
The Subcommittee's oversight plan included hearings on
RSPA's Hazardous Materials Safety Program and Pipeline Safety
Program, in the course of preparing legislation for
reauthorizing both of these programs.
Hazardous Materials. With regard to the Hazardous Materials
Safety Program, which is responsible for defining and
regulating the packaging, handling and training for the
transport of hazardous materials, the Subcommittee held a
hearing on February 10, 1999. This hearing included oversight
of the program and review of the issues to be addressed in
reauthorization legislation. The program's current
authorization expired September 30, 1997.
Pipeline Safety. As to the Pipeline Safety Program, which
is responsible for the regulation of both the natural gas and
hazardous liquid pipeline industries with regard to the design,
construction, operation, maintenance and inspection of pipeline
facilities. The Subcommittee held hearings on July 27 and
October 27, 1999. These hearings included extensive oversight
review of the Pipeline Safety program and issues raised by the
National Transportation Safety Board, in the context of
preparing legislation to reauthorize the program. The program's
current authorization expired September 30, 2000.
2. the economic development administration
The Subcommittee's oversight plan included oversight
hearings of EDA to monitor implementation of the reforms
enacted in the reauthorization legislation of 1998. Although
the Subcommittee did not have an opportunity to hold formal
hearings during the 106th Congress, Subcommittee staff met with
EDA representatives on a regular basis throughout the Congress
to monitor implementation of the reauthorization act and review
other EDA activities.
3. the appalachian regional commission
The Subcommittee's oversight plan included oversight
hearings of ARC, like EDA, to monitor implementation of the
reforms enacted in the reauthorization legislation of 1998.
Although the Subcommittee did not have an opportunity to hold
formal hearings during the 106th Congress, Subcommittee staff
met with ARC representatives on a regular basis throughout the
Congress to monitor implementation of the reauthorization act
and review other ARC activities.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON GROUND TRANSPORTATION
In the 106th Congress, the Subcommittee on Ground
Transportation was chaired by Thomas Petri of Wisconsin. Nick
Joe Rahall, II, of West Virginia served as the Subcommittee
Ranking Democratic Member. The Subcommittee developed and
reported legislation that created a new entity within the
Department of Transportation (DOT) to oversee trucking safety
and legislation to provide for a mandatory fuel surcharge in
new truckload transportation contracts. The Subcommittee also
developed and reported legislation to modernize the financing
of the railroad retirement system and to provide enhanced
benefits to employees and beneficiaries and legislation to
establish a program, coordinated by the National Transportation
Safety Board, of assistance to families of passengers involved
in rail passenger accidents. In addition, the Subcommittee held
a variety of hearings in its areas of jurisdiction, including
oversight of the Office of Motor Carrier Safety, the
implementation of the environmental streamlining provisions of
TEA-21, and a review of DOT's grade-crossing whistle-ban law.
------
Enacted Legislation
(For a more complete description of the enacted bills, see
section on ``Bills Enacted into Law.'')
------
THE MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1999
Public Law 106-159 transfers motor carrier safety functions
and oversight of the motor carrier safety assistance program
(MCSAP) out of the Federal Highway Administration at the U.S.
Department Of Transportation to the new Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration. These basic Federal motor carrier safety
regulations govern the motor carrier safety assistance grant
program, the size and weight of vehicles traveling over the
Interstate highways, the regulations for drivers obtaining
Commercial Drivers Licenses, mandates for equipment and driver
operations and rules for drug and alcohol testing and vehicle
registration. The bill provides this new Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration with an additional $65 million per year
in guaranteed funding for the MCSAP program for fiscal years
2001 through 2003. In addition, the statutes governing issuance
of and revocation of commercial drivers licenses are tightened
to ensure that unqualified drivers are not on the road.
H.R. 2679 passed the Subcommittee on Ground Transportation
by voice vote on August 4, 1999. The bill was ordered reported
by the Full Committee on August 5, 1999. On that same day, a
similar bill, S. 1501 was introduced in the Senate. H.R. 2679
passed the House on October 14, 1999. A new bill composed of
elements of H.R. 2679 and S. 1501 was introduced as H.R. 3419
on November 17, 1999. The House passed H.R. 3419 on November
18, 1999, which the Senate agreed to on November 19, 1999. The
President signed H.R. 3419 on December 9, 1999.
------
A BILL TO RESTORE THE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF
TRANSPORTATION
Due to enactment of a provision in H.R. 2084, the fiscal
year 2000 Department of Transportation Appropriations bill, the
Secretary of Transportation was rendered unable to assess civil
penalties to violators of Federal motor carrier safety laws.
Public Law 106-173 restores the safety enforcement
authority of the Secretary of transportation.
H.R. 3036 passed the House under suspension of the rules on
October 12, 1999. H.R. 3036 passed the Senate by unanimous
consent on October 14, 1999. The President signed H.R. 3036 on
October 19, 1999.
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A BILL TO DESIGNATE THE BRIDGE ON UNITED STATES ROUTE 231 THAT CROSSES
THE OHIO RIVER BETWEEN MACEO, KENTUCKY, AND ROCKPORT, INDIANA, AS THE
``WILLIAM H. NATCHER BRIDGE''
Public Law 106-295 names the bridge on U.S. 231 that
crosses the Ohio River between Maceo, Kentucky, and Rockport,
Indiana the ``William H. Natcher Bridge.'' Representative
Natcher was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1909 and was
educated at Western Kentucky State College and the Ohio State
University law school. He dedicated his life to public
service--serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II and
holding a series of local and state offices before being
elected to Congress. He moved up the ranks of the
Appropriations Committee, eventually assuming the chairmanship
of the full Committee in 1993.
H.R. 1162 was ordered reported by the Full Committee on
April 22, 1999, (after the Subcommittee on Ground
Transportation was discharged from further consideration). H.R.
1162 passed the House under suspension of the rules on May 4,
1999. H.R. 1162 passed the Senate by unanimous consent on
October 4, 2000. The President signed H.R. 1162 on October 13,
2000.
------
Bills Passed by House Only
H.R. 2679 was a bill to transfer motor carrier safety
functions from the Office of Motor Carrier Safety in the
Federal Highway Administration to a newly created Motor Carrier
Administration. This bill eventually became part of H.R. 3419
(Public Law 106-159).
H.R. 2679 passed the House on October 14, 1999.
H.R. 4441 would require all new truckload transportation
contracts to include a fuel surcharge.
H.R. 4441 passed the House on October 10, 2000.
H. Con. Res. 171 would congratulate the American Public
Transit Association for 25 years of commendable service to the
transit industry and the Nation. H. Con. Res. 171 passed the
House on October 4, 1999.
H.R. 4844 was introduced on July 13, 2000, and was referred
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and to
the Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 4844, which received 305
cosponsors, embodied an agreement that was reached between
railroad labor and railroad management after two years of
negotiations to modernize the financing of the railroad
retirement system and to provide enhanced benefits to employees
and beneficiaries.
The Railroad Retirement system has two major components.
Tier I is largely equivalent to Social Security. Tier II, the
functional equivalent of an industry-wide pension plan,
provides additional benefits. Both are funded primarily by
payroll taxes on railroad employers and employees.
Both Railroad Retirement benefits and payroll tax rates are
fixed by current law. Thus, changes in the system require
Congressional action. H.R. 4844 would have made the Tier II tax
rates more responsive to actual financing needs by the
establishment of an automatic tax adjustment formula. Under
this statutory formula, payroll taxes would be raised or
lowered automatically, without further action by Congress,
depending on the level of funds available to pay benefits. (A
similar system of adjustable tax rates for railroad
unemployment benefits was enacted in 1988.)
In addition, H.R. 4844 would have allowed investment of the
Railroad Retirement Account assets in a diversified portfolio,
as are assets of private sector pension plans. Currently,
investment of RRA assets is limited to U.S. government
securities. The increased return that is assumed as a result of
investment in a diversified portfolio would have been used to
offset benefit increases and tax reductions that are contained
in H.R. 4844.
The Subcommittee on Ground Transportation considered H.R.
4844 on July 19, 2000. The bill was approved by the
Subcommittee by voice vote. The Full Committee also considered
H.R. 4844 on July 19, 2000, and ordered the bill reported by a
roll call vote of 62 to 1. H.R. 4844 was ordered reported by
the Ways and Means Committee on July 25, 2000. The bill was
reported to the House by the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure on July 20, 2000, and was reported to the House
by the Ways and Means Committee on July 26, 2000. On September
7, 2000, H.R. 4844 was considered by the House under suspension
of the rules and was agreed to by a vote of 391 to 25.
On September 8, the bill was received in the Senate and
referred to the Committee on Finance, which ordered it reported
on September 8, 2000. It was reported by Senator Roth with an
amendment in the nature of a substitute on October 3, 2000. No
further action was taken in the Senate.
H.R. 2681 would establish a program, coordinated by the
National Transportation Safety Board, of assistance to families
of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents. H.R. 2681
passed the House on October 4, 1999.
------
Hearings
The Subcommittee on Ground Transportation held a total of
sixteen hearings during the 106th Congress.
On February 3, 1999, the subcommittee held a hearing on
``Present and Future Trends in Ground Transportation.''
On February 11, March 17, 1999, March 25, 1999, and May 26,
1999, the subcommittee held a series of hearings on ``Oversight
of the Office of Motor Carriers.''
On July 27, 1999, the subcommittee held a hearing on ``TEA-
21 Environmental Streamlining Provisions.''
On August 31, 1999, the subcommittee held a field hearing
in Seattle, Washington on ``Ground Transportation Issues in the
Pacific Northwest.''
On September 30, 1999, the subcommittee held a hearing on
``The Future of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.''
On October 7, 1999, the subcommittee held a hearing on
``The Effect of the FY 2000 Department of Transportation
Appropriations Bill on Motor Carrier Safety Enforcement.''
On October 28, 1999, the subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Oversight of Amtrak.''
On November 22, 1999, the subcommittee held a field hearing
in Bentonville, Arkansas on ``Rural Infrastructure
Investment.''
On March 8, 2000, the subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Implementation of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st
Century by the U.S. Department of Transportation.''
On March 21, 2000, the subcommittee held a hearing on the
``Impact on Transportation Programs of Reducing the Federal
Fuel Tax.''
On June 8, 2000, the subcommittee held a hearing on the
bill H.R. 4441, ``The Motor Carrier Fuel Cost Equity Act of
2000.''
On June 22, 2000 the subcommittee held a hearing on ``The
U.S. Department of Transportation's Proposed Hours-of-Service
Regulations for Motor Carriers.''
On July 18, 2000, the subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``The Implementation of the Federal Railroad Administration
Grade-Crossing Whistle Ban Law.''
On July 25, 2000, the subcommittee held a hearing on
``Short Line Rail Infrastructure Needs.''
On September 13, 2000, the subcommittee held a hearing on
``The U.S. Department of Transportation's Proposed NEPA and
Planning Regulations.''
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT, INVESTIGATIONS,
AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
During the 106th Congress, the Subcommittee on Oversight,
Investigations, and Emergency Management was chaired by
Congresswoman Tillie K. Fowler. James A. Traficant, Jr., served
as the Ranking Democratic Member. The Subcommittee held 17 days
of hearings on a wide range of topics, and developed
significant legislation to reform the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's disaster mitigation program and to organize
federal efforts for domestic preparedness against terrorist
acts.
------
Enacted Legislation
(For a more complete description of enacted bills, see the
section on ``Bills Enacted into Law.'')
------
THE DISASTER MITIGATION ACT OF 2000
(Public Law 106-390)
Public Law 106-390, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000,
authorizes funding for a pre-disaster mitigation program and
makes cost saving changes to the current disaster assistance
program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). The law makes it easier for disaster victims to apply
for assistance, and streamlines the process for state and local
governments to be reimbursed for disaster management costs. On
March 4, 1999, the House passed H.R. 707 by a margin of 415-2.
After a series of both Senate and House amendments, the bill
was cleared for the President's signature on October 10, 2000,
and signed into law on October 30, 2000.
------
Other Legislation
PREPAREDNESS AGAINST TERRORISM ACT OF 2000
The Committee reported H.R. 4210, the Preparedness Against
Terrorism Act of 2000, on July 13, 2000. This legislation would
update the Stafford Act to address preparedness against
domestic terrorist attacks. In particular, the bill would
create a Presidential Council to coordinate federal terrorist
attack preparedness programs by exerting influence through the
budget process. The Council would provide much needed
leadership to these federal programs, and would be responsible
for drafting and enforcing an overarching national strategy
designed to eliminate duplication and fragmentation. This bill
would enable Congress to execute streamlined oversight over the
federal preparedness effort through the appointment of an
individual who would be required to testify before Congress.
H.R. 4210 passed the House, amended, by voice vote on July 25,
2000. The Senate failed to take action on the measure.
------
Hearings
The Subcommittee held hearings on domestic preparedness
against terrorist attacks on June 9, 1999, and April 6, 2000.
There are currently over 200 preparedness programs being run by
more than 40 departments and agencies at a cost of over $1
billion. Such programs include training for firefighters,
police, and other first responders, as well as federal response
teams that support local officials. Testimony from these
hearings revealed extensive fragmentation and duplication among
federal training programs and response teams designed to assist
emergency responders in dealing with terrorist attacks. Further
testimony identified an absence of leadership and a lack of an
overarching national strategy as the primary causes of these
problems. These hearings led to the development and passage of
H.R. 4210, the Preparedness Against Terrorism Act of 2000.
On June 21, 1999, the Subcommittee held a joint field
hearing with the Subcommittee on Forests and Forests Health of
the Committee on Resources in Ormond Beach, Florida to assess
the response to the Florida wildfires of 1998. This included an
evaluation of the current mitigation process, and a discussion
of ways to improve communications, response, and recovery
efforts of state, local, and federal agencies. The severity of
the 1998 Florida wildfires prompted the Governor to appoint a
special committee of government officials, technical experts,
members of the public and other stakeholders to review the
response and make recommendations to improve upon future
response efforts. The Subcommittee heard testimony regarding
efforts to enhance communications and coordination between
government entities and the public and to improve the
allocation and availability of resources.
The Subcommittee held two hearings on the safety of
aircraft electrical systems. The first, held on September 15,
1999, examined new and emerging safety enhancing technologies
for use in aircraft, such as wire that is less susceptible to
damage. In particular, the Subcommittee examined why such
technologies have not been adopted by commercial airline
fleets. The second hearing, held on October 5, 2000, tracked
the progress made by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
as well as independent research groups in developing and
applying safer electrical components. The Subcommittee heard
the results of a Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of
Inspector General audit that examined FAA's research efforts to
address aircraft electrical system safety in addition to the
results of the Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory
Committee's non-intrusive inspection of 81 aircraft. This
hearing led to a request by the Subcommittee for FAA to develop
a specific plan for swiftly adopting safer electrical
technologies and maintenance practices.
The Subcommittee held hearings on the cost effectiveness of
disaster mitigation projects funded by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency on August 4, 1999, and on July 20, 2000. FEMA
has spent approximately $2 billion on such projects since 1991.
The law requires that mitigation projects be cost-effective. In
addition, FEMA usually subjects projects to a cost benefit
analysis. The Subcommittee found a large portion of the
projects (accounting for possibly over 20 percent of all
funding--or over $400 million) had been exempted from cost-
benefit analysis. FEMA has subsequently reduced the number of
projects exempted from cost-benefit analysis, and is collecting
more information regarding the costs and benefits of funded
projects.
The Subcommittee held a hearing on October 7, 1999, to
assess the status of the General Services Administration's
(GSA) federal building security program. The Subcommittee
determined that GSA was not reliably tracking the installation
of security equipment in federal buildings (an examination of
the GSA database revealed an error rate of over 50 percent) and
approximately $1,000,000 in security funding had been spent on
unapproved items including carpeting and artwork. In a closed
session, the Subcommittee also received testimony from GSA, the
GSA IG, and GAO regarding the present state of security at
specific federal buildings.
In two separate hearings, the Subcommittee examined the
accuracy, completeness and timeliness of program and financial
data produced and used by the Department of Transportation,
EPA, and GSA. The first hearing on October 30, 1999, examined,
in particular, why EPA had received a clean opinion despite the
fact the Agency had taken over eleven months to provide
adequate financial information to the Inspector General. A
follow-up hearing on March 22, 2000, examined the reliability
of program data within these agencies and identified several
instances of unreliable data.
On November 4, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing to
assess the adequacy of grants management and oversight at the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA Inspector
General found that neither project officers nor the Grants
Administration Division adequately managed assistance grants.
The Subcommittee held a hearing on February 16, 2000, on a
proposal to add a water rescue component to the FEMA Urban
Search and Rescue (USAR) program. During the hearing, the
Subcommittee received testimony from Members of Congress, water
rescue experts and FEMA officials on the need for, practicality
of, and obstacles to implementation of such a program. The
hearing resulted in FEMA submitting a detailed needs assessment
proposal to the Subcommittee regarding the creation of a water
rescue component to the USAR program. The proposal stated that
FEMA would require an appropriation of $509,000 and would take
approximately 36 months to fully implement.
The Subcommittee held a hearing on April 12, 2000, to
review several proposals, including pending legislation, to
create a new federal grant program for assistance to fire and
emergency services. At the request of Members of Congress, the
Subcommittee heard testimony on: (1) H.R. 1168, a bill to
authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to
make grants to fire departments; (2) H.R. 3155, a bill
directing the Secretary of Transportation to establish a grant
program to provide assistance to emergency response
organizations; (3) H.R. 4128, a bill to authorize
appropriations to address the needs of state and local
emergency responders; and (4) the Administration's FY 2001
budget proposal for a pilot demonstration firefighter grant
program. Testimony revealed that although fire and emergency
rescue personnel have a smaller federal grant program than the
police, the fire program is significant. Staff research showed
that federal funds totaling more than $400 million annually
benefit the fire services.
The Subcommittee held a field hearing on April 28, 2000, in
Moore County, North Carolina to evaluate FEMA's response to the
snowstorms of January 2000 in the Pine Needles region of North
Carolina. At the hearing the Subcommittee received testimony
from officials of Moore County, North Carolina's Office of
Emergency Management and FEMA's Response and Recovery
Directorate. The hearing prompted a re-evaluation of FEMA's
snow assistance policies and procedures and resulted in the
expedited payment of $220,000 in reimbursements to local
governments.
The Subcommittee held a hearing on July 27, 2000,
concerning the promulgation of the EPA's final rule on total
maximum daily loads (TMDL) that establish allowable discharge
limits for certain lakes, rivers, streams, and estuaries. The
new rules require states to make comprehensive pollution
surveys of more than 40,000 bodies of water over the next 15
years. States have until April 2002 to draft their first lists
of lakes and rivers and then develop cleanup plans. Cleanups
would be based on TMDLs for each body of water and could cover
nonpoint sources.
The Subcommittee held a hearing on September 13, 2000, on
the extent of federal shuttle bus service in the Washington, DC
service area. The Subcommittee found significant overlap and
waste in shuttle services. A Subcommittee survey of agencies in
Washington, D.C., showed that over the last five years, the
number of federal shuttles has increased from 109 to 139
vehicles and the total cost tripled from $6.5 million to over
$16 million annually. The hearing highlighted the lack of
coordination among agencies and their failure to utilize the
Washington metropolitan area transit system.
SUMMARY OF OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
------
OVERSIGHT, INVESTIGATIONS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
1. Spending on Mitigation. The plan includes an examination
of whether disaster mitigation funding is being spent by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency in the most effective
manner. The Subcommittee requested and received a database of
mitigation grants including the cost benefit ratio for each
grant. The Subcommittee found that 20% of all grants were
exempted from a cost benefit analysis. Questions that were
raised from examining this data led to hearings on August 4,
1999, and July 20, 2000.
2. Disaster Relief Fund. The plan includes an examination
of the administration of this fund. The Committee passed
legislation (P.L. 106-390) streamlining administration of
disaster relief and providing better control over the federal
cost of disaster assistance.
3. FEMA Preparedness Grants. The plan includes monitoring
the effectiveness of these programs. The Subcommittee found
that, government wide, over 200 programs are being run by more
than 40 departments and agencies at a cost of over $1 billion.
Hearings held on June 9, 1999, and April 6, 2000, revealed
extensive fragmentation and duplication and led to the
development and passage of H.R. 4210 in the House. The Senate
failed to act on the bill.
Additional Oversight
Florida Wildfires. On June 21, 1999, the Subcommittee held
a joint field hearing with the Subcommittee on Forests and
Forest Health of the Committee on Resources in Ormond Beach,
Florida to assess the response to the Florida wildfires of
1998. This included an evaluation of the current mitigation
process, and a discussion of ways to improve communications,
response, and recovery efforts of state, local, and federal
agencies.
Aircraft Wiring. The Subcommittee held hearings on
September 15, 1999, and on October 5, 2000, on the safety of
aircraft electrical systems. The Subcommittee examined new and
emerging safety enhancing technologies for use in aircraft,
including wire that is less susceptible to damage and progress
made in developing and applying safer components.
Federal Building Security. The Subcommittee held a hearing
on October 7, 1999, to assess the status of the General
Services Administration's (GSA) federal building security
program.
Data Quality. In two separate hearings on October 30, 1999,
and March 22, 2000, the Subcommittee examined the accuracy,
completeness and timeliness of program and financial data
produced and used by the Department of Transportation, EPA, and
GSA.
EPA Grant Management. On November 4, 1999, the Subcommittee
held a hearing to assess the adequacy of grants management and
oversight at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Water Rescue. The Subcommittee held a hearing on February
16, 2000, to examine a proposal that would add a water rescue
component to the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) program.
Grants to Firefighters. The Subcommittee held a hearing on
April 12, 2000, to review several proposals, including pending
legislation, to create a new federal grant program for
assistance to fire and emergency services.
North Carolina Snowstorms. The Subcommittee held a field
hearing on April 28, 2000, in Moore County, North Carolina to
evaluate FEMA's response to the snowstorms of January 2000 in
the Pine Needles region of North Carolina.
TMDL Rulemaking. The Subcommittee held a hearing on July
27, 2000, concerning the promulgation of the EPA's final rule
on total maximum daily loads (TMDL) that establish allowable
discharge limits for certain lakes, rivers, streams, and
estuaries.
Federal Shuttle Bus Service. The Subcommittee held a
hearing on September 13, 2000, on the extent of federal shuttle
bus service in the Washington, D.C., service area. The
Subcommittee found significant overlap and waste in shuttle
services.
Federal Aviation Administration Equipment Inventory. A
Subcommittee investigation of FAA equipment inventories
determined that millions of dollars of new air traffic control
equipment was lying idle in warehouses. The Subcommittee
discovered that some of the equipment had been in storage for
more than five years. The FAA has reduced the backlog of
uninstalled equipment and the Subcommittee is working with the
FAA to develop an improved inventory system.
General Services Administration Cost Recovery. Action by
the Subcommittee prompted GSA to seek recovery of costs
incurred by GSA and DOT for eliminating environmental problems
at the DOT headquarters building in the mid-1990s. Claims
against the landlord are estimated to be approximately $17
million.
General Accounting Office Reports. The Subcommittee
requested from GAO several reports on matters within the
Committee's jurisdiction. Following is a selection of documents
produced and activities undertaken at the Subcommittee's
request:
RCED-00-145R Environmental Protection: Grants for
International Activities and Smart Growth.
GGD-00-140R Managing For Results: Assessing the Quality of
Program Performance Data.
T-NSIAD-00-172 Combating Terrorism: Comments on Bill H.R.
4210 to Manage Selected Counterterrorist Programs.
GGD-00-68 Competitive Contracting: The Understandability of
FAIR Act Inventories Was Limited.
T-NSIAD-00-145 Combating Terrorism: Issues in Managing
Counterterrorist Programs.
GGD-00-108R Managing for Results: Answers to Hearing
Questions on Program Data Quality.
T-GGD/RCED-00-134 Managing for Results: Challenges in
Producing Credible Performance Information.
AIMD-00-31R Inspectors General: Information on Resources
and Selected Accomplishments of Five Inspectors Generals.
T-GGD/OSI-00-19 General Services Administration: Status of
Efforts to Improve Management of Building Security Upgrade
Program.
T-AIMD-99-301 Financial Management: Financial Audit Results
at GSA, EPA, and DOT.
T-RCED-99-274 Disaster Assistance: FEMA Can Improve Its
Cost-Effectiveness Determinations for Mitigation Grants.
RCED-99-236 Disaster Assistance: Opportunities to Improve
Cost-Effectiveness Determinations for Mitigation Grants.
T-NSIAD-99-181 Combating Terrorism: Observations on Growth
in Federal Programs.
RCED-99-121 South Florida Ecosystem Restoration: An Overall
Strategic Plan and a Decision-Making Process Are Needed to Keep
the Effort on Track.
In addition to the completed reports, the Subcommittee
requested that GAO undertake an analysis of issues which will
be completed in 2001. These include: (1) an examination of
FAA's decision to eliminate 600 air traffic control supervisor
positions. These positions are to be filled with controllers
who will act as ``controllers-in-charge.'' GAO will address
whether FAA has implemented the DOT IG's recommendations to
correct several deficiencies in the program; (2) a review of
the purposes and amounts of non-formula grants awarded by EPA
for fiscal years 1996 through 1999, including an assessment of
how the activities funded support the strategic goals,
objectives, and subobjectives designated by EPA for the grant
awards; and (3) a review of FEMA's role in domestic
preparedness for counterterrorism and related activities since
the Oklahoma City bombing.
Review of Government Performance and Results Act FY 1999
and FY 2000. The Subcommittee, acting on behalf of the
Committee, reviewed and commented on Government Performance and
Results Act FY 1999 and FY 2000 Performance Plans for the DOT,
EPA, GSA, and FEMA. In this capacity, the Subcommittee, in
cooperation with the Committee on Government Reform, produced
its own draft EPA long-term Strategic Plan and provided it to
EPA and the public.
Aircraft Non-Structural Systems. The Subcommittee
requested, and received, an audit from the DOT IG regarding
FAA's efforts to address aircraft non-structural systems. The
IG addressed funding for research for the program. The audit
also highlighted the necessity of the FAA formulating a
strategic plan to address these issues. The Subcommittee has
requested that the FAA prepare a strategic plan for addressing
non-structural system safety. Report due January 2001.
Federal Aviation Administration Research Methods and
Procedures. The Subcommittee has requested the FAA to prepare a
comprehensive examination of current FAA research methods and
procedures for implementing new electrical system safety
technologies. Report due January 2001.
Department of Transportation review of Northwest Airlines
and Detroit (MI) Metropolitan Airport. The Subcommittee
requested and received a report from DOT reviewing the response
of Northwest Airlines and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport to
the January 1999 snowstorm which paralyzed air traffic in the
Northeast and upper Midwest. Northwest Airlines and the airport
took several steps to prevent a repetition of the extensive
ground delays that occurred in January.
Analysis of Federal Procurement Database. The Subcommittee
conducted an analysis of the Federal Procurement Database
indicating an error rate of 15 percent.
Review of selected Databases. The Subcommittee has
requested that DOT, EPA, and GSA each review the accuracy of
three databases randomly selected by the Subcommittee. The
reviews are still pending.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES AND
ENVIRONMENT
During the 106th Congress, the Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment, chaired by Congressman Sherwood L.
Boehlert with Congressman Robert A. Borski serving as Ranking
Democratic Member, had referred to it or took action on 6 bills
that became public laws, eight bills that were incorporated
into bills that became public laws, 1 bill that was approved by
the House but did not become public law, and 2 bills that were
approved by the Committee but did not move through the full
House. The Committee also approved 67 Committee Resolutions
authorizing studies by the Corps of Engineers of potential
water resources projects and two Committee resolutions
authorizing Natural Resources Conservation Service small
watershed projects. The Subcommittee held 21 hearings during
the 106th Congress.
------
Enacted Legislation
THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1999
S. 507, the Water Resources Development Act of 1999,
addresses the Civil Works program of the Army Corps of
Engineers, providing water related engineering services related
to navigation, flood control, environmental restoration, shore
protection, hydropower, water supply, and recreation. It
authorizes new projects and makes modifications to existing
projects. It directs that new studies be conducted to determine
the feasibility and federal interest in addressing water
related issues at various locations. Other provisions create
new programs for the Corps to implement and make improvements
to existing ones.
On April 20, 1999, Representative Shuster introduced H.R.
1480. The bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure and, in addition, to the Committee on
Resources. The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
held hearings on proposals for a Water Resources Development
Act during the 105th Congress on March 31, April 22, and April
28, 1998. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
amended the bill and reported it on April 22, 1999. On April
26, 1999, the Committee on Resources was discharged. The H.R.
1480 as amended passed the House by recorded vote on April 29,
1999.
S. 507 had passed the Senate on April 19, 1999. On July 22,
1999, the House substituted for it the text of H.R. 1480 and
passed S. 507 without objection. A Conference Report was filed,
and both House and Senate passed it on August 5, 1999. It
became Public Law 106-53.
------
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1999 TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS
H.R. 2724, the technical corrections bill for the Water
Resources Development Act of 1999, addressed the need to make
minor changes to the Public Law 106-53.
On August 5, 1999, Representative Shuster introduced H.R.
2724 and it passed the House. The House accepted a Senate
amendment and cleared the bill for the President on November
10, 1999. It became Public Law 106-109.
------
BEACHES ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND COASTAL HEALTH ACT OF 2000
H.R. 999, the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal
Health Act of 2000, establishes a program for monitoring beach
water quality to ensure safe recreational waters and authorizes
grants to States that implement monitoring programs that are
consistent with federal criteria. This legislation also
provides for updating of water quality standards for pathogens
and pathogen indicators.
Representative Bilbray introduced H.R. 999 on March 4,
1999. The bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure. The Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment held a hearing on a version of this legislation
introduced in the 105th Congress, H.R. 2094, on August 6, 1998.
On April 15, 1999, the bill was amended and ordered reported by
the Committee. On April 22, 1999, H.R. 999, as amended, passed
the House by voice vote. On September 19, 2000, the Senate
passed H.R. 999 with an amendment. The House concurred in the
Senate amendment on September 26, 2000, clearing the bill for
the President. The bill became Public Law 106-284.
------
THE ESTUARIES AND CLEAN WATERS ACT OF 2000
The Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000 reauthorizes
existing and creates new programs to protect and enhance
estuaries, lakes, and other waters across the U.S. This Act is
a compilation of bills that first passed the House
individually, then passed the House as an amendment to S. 835.
S. 835 was introduced by Senator John Chafee on April 20, 1999.
It passed the Senate on March 30, 2000, and passed the House on
September 12, 2000. S. 835 became Public Law 106-457.
Title I, the Estuary Restoration Act of 2000, authorizes a
total of $282.5 million to establish a national estuary
restoration program under the Secretary of the Army who will
work in cooperation with an Estuary Restoration Habitat Council
composed of other federal agency representatives. The program
promotes the development of partnerships between federal, state
and local interests, and estuary restoration projects will be
carried out in accordance with national estuary restoration
strategies, also developed under this title. This title was
originally introduced by Rep. Gilchrest and others as H.R. 1775
on May 12, 1999, and was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the
Committee on Resources. On July 13, 1999, the Water Resources
and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 1775, and
on March 16, 2000 the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure ordered the bill reported, as amended, byvoice
vote. On May 24, 2000, the Resources Committee ordered the bill
reported, as amended, by voice vote. The House passed H.R. 1775 on
September 12, 2000, by voice vote.
Title II, the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act of 2000,
reauthorizes and amends the Chesapeake Bay Program established
under Sec. 117 of the Clean Water Act, authorizing a total of
$200 million in EPA assistance over five years. This title was
originally introduced by Rep. Bateman as H.R. 3039 on October
7, 1999, and was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure. The Water Resources and Environment
Subcommittee held a hearing on July 13, 1999 on several coastal
and estuary bills, including reauthorizing the Chesapeake Bay
Program. On March 16, 2000, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure ordered the bill reported without amendment by
voice vote. The House passed H.R. 3039 on April 12, 2000 by a
vote of 418 to 7.
Title III reauthorizes and amends the National Estuary
Program (NEP) established under Sec. 320 of the Clean Water
Act. This title authorizes a total of $175 million in EPA
assistance over five years, and authorizes NEP funds to be used
to implement--not just develop--long-term estuary management
plans. This title was originally introduced by Rep. Saxton and
others as H.R. 1237, and was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure. The Water Resources and
Environment Subcommittee held a hearing on July 13, 1999 on
several coastal and estuary bills, including H.R. 1237. On
April 11, 2000, the Committee ordered the bill reported, as
amended by the Subcommittee, by voice vote. The House passed
H.R. 1237 on May 8, 2000 by voice vote.
Title IV, the Long Island Sound Restoration Act,
reauthorizes and amends the Long Island Sound program
established under Sec. 119 of the Clean Water Act. This title
authorizes a total of $200 million in EPA assistance over five
years, encourages the use of innovative methodologies and
technologies in implementing the Long Island Sound's long term
management plan, and authorizes EPA to give priority assistance
to distressed communities. This title was originally introduced
by Rep. Johnson (CT) and 31 of her colleagues from the Long
Island Sound watershed as H.R. 3313, and was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing
on February 29, 2000 on H.R. 3313. On April 11, 2000, the
Committee ordered the bill reported, as amended by the
Subcommittee, by voice vote. The House passed H.R. 3313 on May
9, 2000 by a vote of 391 to 29.
Title V, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act of
2000, authorizes $100 million in EPA assistance to establish
the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program to restore the
ecological health of the Basin by developing and funding
restoration, scientific and public education projects. This
title was originally introduced by Reps. Vitter and Johnson as
H.R. 2957, and was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure. The Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment held a hearing on this bill on February 29, 2000.
On April 11, 2000, the Committee ordered the bill reported, as
amended by the Subcommittee, by voice vote. The House passed
H.R. 2957 on May 3, 2000 by a vote of 418 to 6.
Title VI, the Alternative Water Sources Act of 2000, amends
the Clean Water Act and authorizes $225 million in EPA
assistance to establish a new pilot program for alternative
water source projects to meet critical water supply needs. This
title was originally introduced by Reps. Thurman, Fowler and
others as H.R. 1106, and was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure. The Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on this bill on
February 29, 2000. On April 11, 2000, the Committee ordered the
bill reported, as amended by the Subcommittee, by voice vote.
The House passed H.R. 1106 on May 3, 2000 by a vote of 416 to
5.
Title VII reauthorizes and amends the Clean Lakes Program
established under Sec. 314 of the Clean Water Act authorizing a
total of $275 million in EPA assistance. This title was
originally introduced by Rep. Sweeney as H.R. 2328 on June 23,
1999, and was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. The Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment held a hearing on this bill on October 18, 2000. On
March 16, 2000, the Committee ordered the bill reported, as
amended by the Subcommittee, by voice vote. The House passed
H.R. 2328 on April 12, 2000 by a vote of 420 to 5.
Title VIII, the Tijuana River Valley E-stuary and Beach
Sewage Cleanup Act of 2000, authorizes the U.S. to enter into a
public-private partnership and to take other actions to address
comprehensively the treatment of sewage generated in Tijuana,
Mexico that flows north untreated into the U.S. creating
adverse public health and environmental impacts. This title was
originally introduced by Reps. Bilbray and Filner as H.R. 3378
on November 16, 1999, and was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the
International Relations Committee. On July 26, 2000, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ordered the bill
reported, as amended, by voice vote. On September 7, 2000, the
Committee on International Relations approved H.R. 3378, as
amended, and passed a resolution seeking House action under
suspension of the rules. The House passed H.R. 3378 on
September 12, 2000 by voice vote.
The General Provisions of Title IX include a sense of
Congress regarding the purchase of American-made equipment and
products, authorize $17 million for the Secretaries of Commerce
and the Interior to conduct a long-term estuary assessment
project for the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico, and
reauthorize Sec. 303 of the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments
of 1996 providing a total of $200 million for Alaska rural
sanitation grants over five years.
------
SMALL WATERSHED REHABILITATION AMENDMENTS OF 2000
Section 313 of the Grain Standards and Warehouse
Improvement Act of 2000 enacts the Small Watershed
Rehabilitation Amendments of 2000. This legislationprovides
protection and assistance for rural communities and farms all over the
United States by authorizing the Natural Resources Conservation Service
to rehabilitate small dams built by the Federal government that have
reached or are soon to reach the end of their useful life.
H.R. 728, the Small Watershed Rehabilitation Amendments of
1999, was introduced as H.R. 728 by Representative Lucas and
referred to the Committee on Agriculture and, in addition, to
the Committee on Resources and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure. The Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment received testimony on this matter on September 24,
1999. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
amended the bill and reported it on November 18, 1999. The
Committee on Agriculture also amended the bill and reported it
on April 4, 2000. The Committee on Resources was discharged on
April 4, 2000. H.R. 728 passed the House, as amended, under
suspension of the rules on July 17, 2000. H.R. 728 was attached
to H.R. 4788, the Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act
of 2000, which passed the House on October 10, 2000, and was
cleared for the President by the Senate on October 24, 2000.
The bill became Public Law 106-472.
As reported by the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, H.R. 728 included a provision requiring the
Secretary of the Army to establish an inventory of dams
constructed by and using funds made available through the Works
Progress Administration, Works Projects Administration, and the
Civilian Conservation Corps. This provision was not included in
H.R. 4788, and was not enacted into law.
------
THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2000
S. 2796, the Water Resources Development Act of 2000,
addresses the Civil Works program of the Army Corps of
Engineers, providing water related engineering services related
to navigation, flood control, environmental restoration, shore
protection, hydropower, water supply, and recreation. It
authorizes new projects and makes modifications to existing
projects. It directs that new studies be conducted to determine
the feasibility and federal interest in addressing water
related issues at various locations. Other provisions create
new programs for the Corps to implement and make improvements
to existing ones. The law includes a response to water
resources issues in South Central Florida by authorizing the
framework for a major program to store, treat, and release
water at appropriate times for municipal and agricultural uses
and for restoration of the natural ecosystem of the Everglades.
The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held
hearings on March 1, 8, and 22, 2000, on proposals for the
Water Resources Development Act of 2000. Testimony was received
from Members of Congress, the Administration, and interest
groups. On June 27, 2000, Senator Voinovich introduced S. 2796
which passed the Senate on September 25, 2000. S. 2796 was
amended in the House and passed by recorded vote on October 19,
2000. The Senate passed the Conference Report (H. Rept. 106-
1020) on October 31, 2000 and the House agreed to the
Conference Report by recorded vote on November 3, 2000. S. 2796
became Public Law 106-541.
------
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2001
This Act includes several pieces of legislation from the
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Section 109 of Division B of this Act includes a provision
similar to H.R. 673, the Florida Keys Water Quality
Improvements Act, as passed by the House on May 3, 2000 by a
vote of 411 to 7. This provision also was included in the House
Amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, S.
2796, on October 19, 2000. The provision authorizes $100
million for the Secretary of the Army to carry out projects to
improve water quality in the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary. Reps. Deutsch and Shaw introduced H.R. 673 on
February 10, 1999, and the Water Resources and Environment
Subcommittee held a hearing on this bill on July 13, 1999. The
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ordered the bill
reported, as amended by the Subcommittee, on April 11, 2000.
Sections 110 and 111 of Division B of this Act include
provisions from H.R. 910, the San Gabriel Basin Restoration
Initiative, as passed by the House on March 28, 2000 by voice
vote. Section 110 authorizes $85 million to create a
Restoration Fund in the U.S. Treasury to address groundwater
contamination problems in the San Gabriel Basin, authorizes the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to participate in the Central
Basin Water Quality Project. Section 111 authorizes $25 million
for research related to groundwater contamination caused by
perchlorate. On March 2, 1999, Rep. Dreier and others
introduced H.R. 910 that was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure. On September 29, 2000, the
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing
on H.R. 910, and on March 16, 2000 the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure ordered the bill reported, as
amended by the Subcommittee, by voice vote. These also were
provisions in the House Amendment to the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000, S. 2796, which passed the House on
October 19, 2000.
Section 112 of Division B of this Act includes a provision
that slightly modifies H.R. 828, the Wet Weather Quality Act of
2000. The provision authorizes $1.5 billion in EPA assistance
to control overflows from combined and sanitary sewers and $45
million in EPA assistance for an urban wet weather watershed
pilot program, among other actions, to address wet weather
problems that affect communities across the U.S. Rep. Barcia
introduced H.R. 828 on February 24, 1999, which was referred to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing
on June 22, 1999 on clean water infrastructure and wet weather
flows, including on H.R. 828 and related legislation. The
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ordered the bill
reported, as amended, by voice vote on September 27, 2000.
This Act also contains several other provisions that are
related to issues under consideration by the Committee during
the development of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000.
Section 104 of Division B, Ten- and Fifteen-Mile Bayous,
Arkansas, modifies the project for flood control, Saint Francis
River Basin, Missouri and Arkansas. This was a provision in the
House Amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2000,
S. 2796, which passed the House on October 19, 2000. Section
105 of Division B directs the Secretary of the Army to enter
into an agreement to permit the City of Alton, Illinois, to
construct authorized recreational facilities and to reimburse
the City of Alton for the Federal share. Section 107 of
Division B modifies the project for navigation, Tampa Harbor,
Florida, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to deepen and
widen the Alafia Channel. This was a provision in the House
Amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, S.
2697, which passed the House on October 19, 2000. Section 108
of Division amends section 219 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1992 by adding new projects for
environmental infrastructure and increasing the authorized
funding level for some existing projects. This authorization
for $386 million of environmental infrastructure projects was a
provision in the House Amendment to the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000, S. 2796, which passed the House on
October 19, 2000. Section 113 of Division B amends the Water
Resources Development Act of 2000 by authorizing fish passage
devices at the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam, South Carolina.
Section 114 of Division B extinguishes reversionary interests
and use restrictions on a certain plot of land in Umatilla
County, Oregon. This was a provision in the House Amendment to
the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, S. 2697, which
passed the House on October 19, 2000. Section 115 of Division B
repeals an authorization in the Water Resources Development Act
of 2000 for the project for flood damage reduction, Murrieta
Creek, California. A separate authorization for the Murrieta
Creek project is in the Energy and Water Appropriations Act for
Fiscal Year 2001, Public Law 106-377. Section 116 of Division B
directs the Secretary of the Army to reimburse the nonfederal
interests for costs incurred for the project for aquatic
ecosystem restoration, Penn Mine, Calaveras County, California.
This was a provision in the House Amendment to the Water
Resources Development Act of 2000, S. 2697, which passed the
House on October 19, 2000. Section 117 of Division B modifies
the project for flood control, Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas, to
authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct water intake
facilities to benefit Lonoke and White Counties, Arkansas. This
was a provision in the House Amendment to the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000, S. 2697, which passed the House on
October 19, 2000. Section 118 of Division B modifies the
project for flood control, Chehalis River and Tributaries,
Washington, to provide credit to the nonfederal interest for
work done prior to execution of an agreement if that work is
integral to the project.
------
Other Legislation
RECYCLE AMERICA'S LAND ACT
H.R. 1300, the Recycle America's Land Act of 1999, was
introduced by Representative Boehlert on March 25, 1999. The
bill was referred to the Committee on Commerce and, in
addition, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
and the Committee on Ways and Means. The Superfund statute was
last amended comprehensively in 1986, and most of its
authorizations of appropriations expired in 1994. The authority
to collect the taxes that provide revenue for the Superfund
Trust Fund expired December 31, 1995.
This legislation would have amended the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA) to encourage brownfields redevelopment, enhance
community participation in the cleanup of Superfund sites,
protect innocent parties, small businesses, generators and
transporters of municipal solid waste, and recyclers from
Superfund liability, while providing other parties with an
opportunity to settle their Superfund liability on the basis of
their fair share of response costs. The bill also would have
amended CERCLA to ensure that Superfund remedies are based on
reasonably anticipated uses of land, water and other resources,
and to provide statutory support for EPA's administrative
remedy reforms. Finally, the bill would have authorized
appropriations for the Superfund program for a period of 8
years, with decreasing levels of funding, and called for a
reauthorization of Superfund taxes, at levels that decrease
annually to reflect declining program needs.
The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a
hearing on this legislation on May 12, 1999. The Committee
amended the bill and ordered it reported on August 5, 1999. No
further action was taken on this bill.
------
LONG ISLAND SOUND PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION ACT
On February 25, 1999, Representative Forbes introduced H.R.
855. The bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure. This legislation would have amended the
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) to
clarify and revise existing restrictions on the disposal of
dredged material in Long Island Sound. H.R. 855 would have
specified that the disposal of any material containing more
than a trace of contamination be prohibited unless EPA
certifies that such dredged material will not cause significant
undesirable effects.
On July 13, 1999, the Water Resources and Environment
Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 855 and several other
coastal and estuary bills. The full Committee ordered H.R. 855
reported, as amended, on April 11, 2000. No further action was
taken on this bill.
------
MISSISSIPPI SOUND RESTORATION ACT OF 2000
On March 28, 2000, Representative Taylor introduced H.R.
4104, the ``Mississippi Sound Restoration Act of 2000.'' The
bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. This bill would have required EPA to establish
a Mississippi Sound Restoration Program within the agency and
to carry out water quality and environmental restoration
projects for the Sound. On July 26, 2000, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure amended the bill and ordered
it reported by voice vote. On September 12, 2000, the House
passed H.R. 4104 by voice vote. Also onSeptember 12, 2000, the
text of H.R. 4104 was included as title IX of the House Amendment to S.
835. Title IX of the House Amendment was not included in the conference
report on S. 835. No further action was taken on this bill.
------
Hearings
The Subcommittee held a hearing on February 10, 1999, to
receive testimony on agency budget requests and program
priorities for FY 2000 from various agencies under the
Subcommittee's jurisdiction (Army Corps of Engineers,
Environmental Protection Agency, Tennessee Valley Authority,
St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration).
The Subcommittee held a hearing on February 23, 1999, to
receive testimony to describe principles and priorities for
implementation and reauthorization of the Clean Water Act
(CWA). Testimony was heard from Governor Pataki (NY), Governor
Geringer (WY), and Governor Glendening (MD) on their own behalf
and on behalf of the National Governors' Association and the
Western Governors' Association.
On March 24, 1999 a joint hearing was held with the Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee on the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990. The hearing focused on the effectiveness
of the Oil Pollution Act in providing a comprehensive national
system for oil spill prevention, compensation, and cleanup. The
Subcommittee heard testimony from the Coast Guard, EPA, and
NOAA.
On May 12, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.
1300, the ``Recycle America's Land Act,'' and issues related to
brownfields redevelopment and reform and reauthorization of the
Superfund program. The Subcommittee heard from EPA, State and
local officials, representatives of the business and
development communities, and environmental and community
organizations. H.R. 1300 was reported, as amended, by the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on August 5,
1999.
On May 26, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
Administration's Harbor Services User Fee and Harbor Services
Fund Proposal. The hearing focused on the Administration's
response to the Supreme Court's March 1998 ruling invalidating
the harbor maintenance tax, as applied to exports. The
Subcommittee heard from the Corps of Engineers and national
organizations addressing harbor financing and the
Administration's legislative proposal.
On June 22, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on Clean
Water Infrastructure and Wet Weather Flows legislation. The
hearing focused on legislation addressing reauthorization of
the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water Act State
Revolving Fund (SRF) (later introduced by Representative Kelly
as H.R. 2720), combined sewer overflows (H.R. 828), and other
wet weather flows (sanitary sewer overflows and storm water)
(H.R. 3570). The hearing also reviewed the importance of
investing in wastewater infrastructure. Testimony was heard
from EPA, State and local officials, and representatives of
various environmental and rural interests. H.R. 828 was amended
and reported by the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure on September 27, 2000. The text of H.R. 828, as
amended, was included as section 112 of Division B of the
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001.
On July 13, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
Estuaries and Coastal Water Quality legislation. The hearing
focused on several bills related to protection of our national
estuaries (H.R. 1237, H.R. 1775, H.R. 1096) and two area-
specific bills related to water quality issues in Long Island
Sound (H.R. 855) and the Florida Keys (H.R. 673). Testimony was
heard from Members of Congress, EPA, NOAA, Army Corps of
Engineers, and nonfederal governmental and nongovernmental
interests. H.R. 1237 was ordered reported by the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure on April 11, 2000, and passed
the House on May 8, 2000. H.R. 1775 was ordered reported by the
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on March 16, 2000,
and the Resources Committee on May 24, 2000. H.R. 1775 passed
the House on September 12, 2000. H.R. 673 was ordered reported
by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April
11, 2000 and passed the House on May 3, 2000. Both H.R. 1237
and H.R. 1775, as amended, were enacted as part of the
conference report on S. 835, the Estuaries and Clean Waters Act
of 2000. Legislation similar to H.R. 673 was enacted as section
109 of Division B of Labor, Health and Human Services, and
Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal
Year 2001.
On September 22, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Electricity Restructuring and
General Oversight. The hearing focused on TVA issues related to
current federal and state efforts to restructure the
electricity industry and general TVA oversight, particularly
TVA's efforts to reduce its debt. The Subcommittee heard
testimony from TVA, retail distributors of TVA power, investor-
owned utilities surrounding the TVA border, and the General
Accounting Office.
On September 24, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
H.R. 728, ``The Small Watershed Rehabilitation Amendments of
1999'' and the NRCS's Small Watershed Program. The hearing
focused on H.R. 728, the Natural Resources Conservation
Service's Small Watershed program, including the proposed
project for the Middle Deep Red Run Creek Watershed in
Oklahoma. The Subcommittee heard testimony from Representative
Lucas, NRCS, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, and
American Rivers. The Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure reported H.R. 728 on November 10, 1999. The
Committee on Agriculture also amended the bill and reported it
on April 4, 2000. The Committee on Resources was discharged on
April 4, 2000. H.R. 728 passed the House, as amended, under
suspension of the rules on July 17, 2000. H.R. 728 was attached
to H.R. 4788, the Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act
of 2000, which passed the House on October 10, 2000, and was
cleared for the President by the Senate on October 24, 2000.
The bill became Public Law 106-472.
On September 29, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
the role of the Corps of Engineers in H.R. 910, the ``San
Gabriel Basin Water Quality Initiative'' and the ``Formerly
Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program''. The hearing focused
on the role of the Corps of Engineers in hazardous, toxic, and
radioactive waste remediation. Testimony was heard from Members
of Congress, the Corps of Engineers, and local representatives
from California. An amended bill was order reported by the
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment on March 8,
2000. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
reported H.R. 910, as amended, on March 16, 2000. The House
passed H.R. 910 on March 28, 2000, under suspension of the
rules. The text of H.R. 910 was enacted as section 110 of
Division B of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and
Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal
Year 2001.
On October 6, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.
2332, the Binational Great Lakes-Seaway Enhancement Act of
1999, a proposal to establish a single binational Saint
Lawrence Seaway Corporation that would be intended to run the
Seaway more efficiently and stimulate more international
customers and establish a binational Great Lakes Development
Bank to provide assistance for maritime infrastructure in the
Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway. Testimony was heard from
a member of the Canadian Parliament, the Honorable Joe Comussi,
the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, and
witnesses from ports, shippers, and ship owners.
On October 18, 1999, the Subcommittee held a field hearing
in Cooperstown, New York to receive testimony on Clean Lakes
and Water Quality Management, including H.R. 2328, a bill to
reauthorize the Clean Water Act's Clean Lakes Program.
Testimony was heard from the Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
university research/education institutes, and the North
American Lake Management Society. The Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure ordered H.R. 2328 reported on
March 16, 2000, and the House passed the bill on April 12,
2000. H.R. 2328 was enacted into law as title VII of the
conference report on S. 835, Public Law 106-457.
On November 3, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
Harbor and Inland Waterways Financing. The hearing focused on
the importance of harbors and inland waterways to the nation,
the infrastructure needs of navigation systems, the adequacy of
financing mechanisms, and the ability of financing mechanisms
to meet future needs. Testimony was heard from the GAO, state
and local officials, and national organizational interests.
On February 9, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing to
receive testimony on agency budget requests and program
priorities for FY 2001 from various agencies under the
Subcommittee's jurisdiction, including the Army Corps of
Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, Tennessee Valley
Authority, St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, and National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
The Subcommittee held hearings on February 10, and February
15, 2000, to receive testimony on EPA's proposed Clean Water
Act regulations regarding Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs),
the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES),
and the Federal Anti-Degradation Policy. The Subcommittee heard
from EPA, State and local government officials, as well as
representatives of the regulated community and environmental
advocacy organizations.
On February 29, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
H.R. 3313, the Long Island Sound Restoration Act, and H.R.
2957, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act of 1999.
H.R. 3313 reauthorizes funding for the Long Island Sound
program and encourages EPA's Long Island Sound Office to help
establish a nitrogen credit-trading program within its
watershed general permit program. H.R. 2957 adds a new section
to title I of the Clean Water Act to establish a Lake
Pontchartrain Basin program. Testimony was heard from Members
of Congress, Governors of New York and Connecticut, and
representatives of governmental and nongovernmental
organizations. The Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure reported H.R. 3313 and H.R. 2957, as amended, on
April 11, 2000. The House passed H.R. 3313 on May 9, 2000. The
House passed H.R. 2957 on May 3, 2000. H.R. 3313 was enacted as
title IV and H.R. 2957 was enacted as title V of the conference
report on S. 835, Public Law 106-457.
On March 1, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
restoration of the Everglades and South Florida Ecosystem. The
Subcommittee heard testimony from Members of Congress,
representatives of the Department of the Army and the Interior,
the State of Florida, area Tribes, agricultural interests,
utility districts, landowners, and environmental organizations.
Legislation on Everglades Restoration was included in title VI
of the conference report on S. 2796, the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000, Public Law 106-541.
On March 8, and 22, 2000, the Subcommittee held hearings on
proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2000 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. The Subcommittee heard testimony
from Members of Congress and the Department of the Army on the
Administration's proposal for WRDA 2000 and on the allegations
of misconduct surrounding the Corps' Upper Mississippi and
Illinois Rivers Navigation Study. The conference report on S.
2796, the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, passed the
House on November 3, 2000, and became Public Law 106-541.
On April 12, 2000, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.
3670, and Great Lakes Sediment Remediation. H.R. 3670 proposed
to amend section 118 of the Clean Water Act to authorize $50
million a year for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2005 for
EPA to make grants to States, Indian tribes, interstate
agencies, and local governments for projects to improve water
quality at Areas of Concern, with a Federal cost share of up to
60%. H.R. 3670 also would have authorized projects to improve
degraded fresh water estuary habitat, with a Federal cost share
of up to 65 percent. Finally, H.R. 3670 would have reauthorized
the Great Lakes Program for fiscal years 2001 through 2005 and
authorizes $40 million a year for EPA to carry out that
program. The Subcommittee heard testimony from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, and representatives of environmental, industry, and
academic organizations.
SUMMARY OF OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
------
WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
1. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)--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 efforts 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 a hearing on May
26, 1999 on the Administration's Harbor Services User Fee and
Harbor Services Fund Proposal and another hearing on November
3, 1999 on harbor and inland waterways financing. The
Subcommittee held two hearings in March 2000 in connection with
proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2000, and to
review the water resources programs of the Army Corps of
Engineers. These hearings resulted in the development of the
Water Resources Development Act of 2000, P.L. 106-541.
2. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--Clean Water Act
and Water Infrastructure Programs. The plan included a review
of wastewater treatment and water pollution control funding
issues; market-based, watershed-based, and performance-based
approaches to regulation with emphasis on economic incentives
and innovative alternatives; and particular efforts to improve
the management of combined and sanitary sewer overflows,
stormwater, and nonpoint source pollution. The plan also
included a review of water infrastructure provisions and
programs contained in the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of
1996. The Subcommittee held a hearing in February 1999 to
receive testimony from Governors to describe principles and
priorities for implementation and reauthorization of the Clean
Water Act. On June 22, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on
Clean Water Infrastructure and Wet Weather Flows legislation,
including H.R. 828, and the importance of investing in
environmental infrastructure. H.R. 828, addressing combined
sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows and other wet weather
flows, was reported by the Committee and enacted in amended
form as section 112 of Division B of the Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001. On October 18, 1999,
the Subcommittee held a field hearing in Cooperstown, New York,
to receive testimony on the Clean Lakes Program and water
quality management, and H.R. 2328, a bill to reauthorize the
Clean Lakes Program. H.R. 2328 was enacted as part of the
conference report on S. 835 (P.L. 106-457). In February 2000,
the Subcommittee held two hearings on EPA's proposed
regulations regarding ``Total Maximum Daily Loads.''
3. Corps/EPA/National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA)--Ocean and Coastal Programs. The plan included a review
of dredged material management and disposal under the Ocean
Dumping Act, Water Resources Development Act, and Clean Water
Act and various ocean and coastal water quality issues under
the Clean Water Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, and Coastal
Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments. On June 13, 1999, the
Subcommittee held a hearing on Estuaries and Coastal Water
Quality legislation. Two of the bills addressing estuaries that
were reviewed at that hearing, H.R. 1237 and H.R. 1775, were
enacted as part of the conference report on S. 835 (P.L. 106-
457). Another bill, H.R. 673, addressing water infrastructure
needs in the Florida Keys, passed the House and was enacted in
amended form as section 109 of Division B of Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001. On February 29, 2000,
the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 3313, the ``Long Island
Sound Restoration Act'' and H.R. 2957, the ``Lake Pontchartrain
Basin Restoration Act of 1999''. H.R. 3313 was enacted as title
IV and H.R. 2957 was enacted as title V of the conference
report on S. 835 (P.L. 106-457). On April 12, 2000, the
Subcommittee heard testimony from EPA and the Corps of
Engineers on the issue of Great Lakes sediment remediation,
including H.R. 3670, a bill that would have, among other
things, authorized Federal grants for improvement of water
quality in the Great Lakes Areas of Concern.
4. EPA--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
cleanup provisions under the current Superfund program; and a
review of the relationships among the States, EPA and other
Federal entities, in implementing the Superfund program. The
Subcommittee held a hearing on May 12, 1999, on H.R. 1300, the
``Recycle America's Land Act,'' and issues related to
brownfields redevelopment, and reform and reauthorization of
the Superfund program. H.R. 1300 was ordered reported by the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on August 5,
1999.
5. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)--Disaster
Relief Program. The plan included a review of hazard mitigation
activities, disaster declaration and response efforts by FEMA;
and a review of efforts to improve the availability of
insurance for catastrophic natural disasters. Jurisdiction over
FEMA was transferred to the Oversight, Investigations, and
Emergency Management Subcommittee during the 106th Congress.
6. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The plan included a
review of TVA's programs supported by Congressional
appropriations (such as Land Between the Lakes), TVA's energy
generation program and operations in a less regulated
marketplace, and the impact of TVA debt on its rate payers. On
September 22, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on TVA
Electricity Restructuring and General Oversight. The hearing
focused on TVA issues related to current federal and state
efforts to restructure the electricity industry and to discuss
general TVA oversight, particularly TVA's efforts to reduce its
debt.
7. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC).
The plan included a review of the efficiency and effectiveness
of SLSDC's current operations and structure and its relation to
the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority--its Canadian counterpart. On
October 6, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 2332,
the ``Binational Great Lakes-Seaway Enhancement Act of 1999,''
a proposal to establish a single binational Saint Lawrence
Seaway Corporation that would be intended to run the Seaway
more efficiently and stimulate more international customers and
establish a binational Great Lakes Development Bank to provide
assistance for maritime infrastructure in the Great Lakes and
Saint Lawrence Seaway.
8. Coast Guard and EPA--Oil Pollution Act (OPA). The plan
included a review of the oil spill liability provisions under
OPA and a review of oil spill technologies and planning and
response mechanisms under OPA and the Clean Water Act. On March
24, 1999, the Subcommittee held a joint hearing with the Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee on the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990. The hearing focused on the effectiveness
of the Oil Pollution Act in providing a comprehensive national
system for oil spill prevention, compensation, and cleanup.
9. Coast Guard/EPA/Corps--National Invasive Species Act.
The plan included a review, along with the Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, of efforts by various
agencies to implement the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance
Prevention and Control Act of 1990, as amended by the National
Invasive Species Act of 1996, and the effectiveness of those
efforts. No formal oversight was conducted on this issue
although significant issues relating to aquatic nuisance
species were examined in the context of Army Corps of Engineers
and EPA programs.
10. Corps and EPA--Regional Water Quality and Supply
Issues. The plan included a review of regional and local
controversies involving water quality, water supply,
environmental protection and flood control. The Subcommittee
held a hearing in March 2000 in connection with proposals for
Florida Everglades Restoration. Legislation on restoration of
the Everglades was included in the Water Resources Development
Act of 2000, P.L. 106-541. The Subcommittee also held a
September 29, 1999 hearing on the role of the Corps of
Engineers in H.R. 910, the ``San Gabriel Basin Water Quality
Initiative.'' H.R. 910 was enacted in amended form as section
110 of Division B of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and
Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal
Year 2001.
11. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)--Small
Watershed Program. The plan included a review of the Small
Watershed Program, authorized under P.L. 83-566, and conducted
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's NRCS. On September 24,
1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 728, ``The Small
Watershed Rehabilitation Amendments of 1999'' and the NRCS's
Small Watershed Program. The hearing focused on H.R. 728 and
the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Small Watershed
program. H.R. 728 was attached to H.R. 4788, the Grain
Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act of 2000, which became
Public Law 106-472.
12. Agency Innovation and Compliance with the Government
Performance and Results Act. The plan included a review of
various agency efforts to implement the Government Performance
and Results Act. Particular attention would also be given to
efforts of agencies, such as EPA and the Corps, to improve
environmental results by encouraging regulatory innovation
through market-based approaches and other approaches undertaken
by State and local governments. The Subcommittee held hearings
on February 10, 1999, and February 9, 2000, to receive
testimony on agency budget requests and program priorities for
FY 2000 and FY 2001 from various agencies under the
Subcommittee's jurisdiction (Army Corps of Engineers,
Environmental Protection Agency, Tennessee Valley Authority,
St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration).
PUBLIC BUILDING PROJECT RESOLUTIONS APPROVED PURSUANT TO THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS ACT OF 1959
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date referred Date approved Location Project
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
........................ May 27, 1999............. Montgomery, AL................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the Frank
M. Johnson, Jr. Federal
Building and United
States Courthouse
located at 15 Lee Street
in Montgomery, AL.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Anchorage, AK................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the
Federal Building and
United States Courthouse
located at 222 West 7th
Avenue and the annex
located adjacent at 222
West 8th Avenue in
Anchorage, AK.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Menlo Park, CA................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the USGS
Building One located at
345 Middlefield Road in
Menlo Park, CA.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Menlo Park, CA................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of USGS
Building Two located at
345 Middlefield Road in
Menlo Park, CA.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Sacramento, CA................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the John
E. Moss Federal Building
located at 650 Capital
Mall in Sacramento, CA.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Baltimore, MD................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the Metro
West Building located at
Mulberry and Greene
Streets in Baltimore,
MD.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Woodlawn, MD.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the annex
building located at 6401
Security Boulevard in
Woodlawn, MD.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Fort Snelling, MN............. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the Bishop
H. Whipple Federal
Building located at One
Federal Drive in Fort
Snelling, MN.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Albuquerque, NM............... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the Chavez
Federal Building located
at 500 Gold Avenue in
Albuquerque, NM.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Cleveland, OH................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the
Anthony J. Celebrezze
Federal Building located
at 1240 East Ninth
Street in Cleveland, OH.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Sault Sainte Marie, MI........ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a 45,300
gross square foot border
station plus nine inside
parking spaces and 37
outside parking spaces,
located adjacent to the
south bound lanes of the
International Toll
Bridge that spans Lake
Superior between the
State of Michigan and
the Province of Ontario.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Roosville, MT................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and the design for the
construction of a 28,378
gross square foot United
States border station,
including appropriate
parking in Roosville,
MT.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Sweetgrass, MT................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a 42,383
gross square foot border
station, plus half of
the shared space of 18,
075 gross square foot,
plus 15 inside parking
spaces and 89 outside
parking spaces, located
at the intersection of
Interstate Highway 15
and the United States-
Canadian border.
........................ May 27, 1999............. New York, NY.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
demolition of the United
States Mission to the
United Nations building
located at 799 United
Nations Plaza in midtown
Manhattan in New York,
NY.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Fort Hancock, TX.............. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and the design for the
construction of a 9,659
gross square foot United
States border station,
including appropriate
parking, in Fort
Hancock, TX.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Oroville, WA.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a 68,757
gross square foot border
station, plus 124
outside parking spaces,
located five miles north
of the town of Oroville
on United States Route
97.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Oklahoma City, OK............. Resolution to authorize
appropriations for the
site acquisition,
design, and construction
of a Federal campus in
Oklahoma City, OK.
........................ May 27, 1999............. Woodlawn, MD.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design and construction
of a 31,000 gross square
foot Social Security
Administration Day Care
Center in Woodlawn, MD.
........................ May 27, 1999............. .............................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for
elevator and escalator
modernization or
replacement in five
different buildings.
........................ May 27, 1999............. .............................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for 13
alteration projects
during fiscal year 2000
that are scheduled for
construction in future
years.
........................ Aug. 5, 1999............. Washington, DC................ Resolution to authorize
appropriations for the
alteration of the
Federal building located
at 1724 F Street,
Northwest, in
Washington, DC.
........................ Aug. 5, 1999............. Seattle, WA................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for a
lease of 59,400 to
67,500 rentable square
feet of space and 20
parking spaces for the
United States Attorney's
Office, currently
located at Seafirst
Fifth Avenue Plaza in
Seattle, WA.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Miami, FL..................... Resolution to authorize
appropriations to
purchase, lease purchase
in accordance with
existing scoring rules,
lease with an option to
purchase or lease up to
approximately 14,308
rentable square feet of
space, 538 parking
spaces and 19 acres
adjacent to the
headquarters facility
for a buffer zone for
the United States
Southern Command
Headquarters in Miami,
FL.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Washington, DC................ Resolution to authorize
appropriations for the
interim lease of a
headquarters building
for the Department of
Transportation of
approximately 1,315,984
rentable square feet of
space, plus 1,555 inside
parking spaces.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Washington, DC................ Resolution to authorize
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
91,260 rentable square
feet of space for the
Department of Justice
currently located at
National Place, 1331
Pennsylvania Avenue in
Washington, DC.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Washington, DC................ Resolution to authorize
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
262,906 rentable square
feet of space for the
Small Business
Administration currently
located at 409 3rd
Street, in Southwest, in
Washington, DC.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Washington, DC................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
228,743 rentable square
feet of space and 24
inside parking spaces
for the Department of
Education currently
located at GSA's
Regional Office Building
at 7th Street and D
Street, Southwest, and
the Portals Building at
1250 Maryland Avenue,
Southwest, in
Washington, DC.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Alexandria, VA................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
309,376 rentable square
feet of space for the
Department of Defense
currently located at
2461 Eisenhower Avenue
in Alexandria, VA.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Arlington, VA................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
140,370 rentable square
feet of space for the
Department of Defense
currently located at
Ballston Center Tower,
2801 North Randolph
Street in Arlington, VA.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Arlington, VA................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
154,978 rentable square
feet of space for the
Department of State
currently located at
1800 North Kent Street
in Arlington, VA.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Suburban Maryland............. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
178,789 rentable square
feet of space for the
Department of Health and
Human Services Centers
for Disease Control
currently located at
Metro III in
Hyattsville, MD.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Montgomery County, MD......... Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
88,690 rentable square
feet for the National
Institutes of Health
currently located at
6100 Executive Boulevard
in Rockville, MD.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Las Vegas, NV................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
81,324 square feet of
space for the Internal
Revenue Service
currently located at
4750 West Oxley
Boulevard in Las Vegas,
NV.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Central Nassau City, NY....... Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
92,500 square feet of
space for the Internal
Revenue Service
currently located at 107
Charles Lindbergh
Boulevard in Garden
City, NY
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Philadelphia, PA.............. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
452,262 rentable square
feet of space for the
Internal Revenue Service
located at 11601
Roosevelt Boulevard in
Philadelphia, PA.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Seattle, WA................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
125,000 square feet of
rentable square feet of
space for the
Immigration and
Naturalization Service
currently located at 815
Airport Way in Seattle,
WA.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Washington, DC................ Resolution to amend the
resolution approved by
the Committee on October
9, 1998, to include
authority to enter into
interim leases for the
Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms
located at 650
Massachusetts Avenue,
Northwest, in
Washington, DC, and
Techworld Plaza at 800 K
Street, Northwest, in
Washington, DC, until
the completion of the
headquarters building.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Phoenix, AZ................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the
Phoenix Federal Building/
Courthouse located at
230 North First Street,
Phoenix, AZ.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Santa Ana, CA................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the Santa
Ana Federal Building
located at 43 Civic
Center, Santa Ana, CA.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Washington, DC................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the IRS
Headquarters located in
Washington, DC.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Woodlawn, MD.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the SSA
National Computer Center
located in Woodlawn, MD.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Detroit, MI................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the P.V.
McNamara Federal
Building located in
Detroit, MI.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Kansas City, MO............... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the
Richard Bolling Federal
Building located in
Kansas City, MO.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Kansas City, MO............... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the
Federal Building located
at 8930 Ward Parkway,
Kansas City, MO.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Omaha, NE..................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the Edward
Zorinsky Federal
Building located in
Omaha, NE.
........................ June 21, 2000............ New York, NY.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the United
States Courthouse
located at 40 Foley
Square, New York, NY.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Cincinnati, OH................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the Potter
Stewart United States
Courthouse located in
Cincinnati, OH.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Pittsburgh, PA................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the
Pittsburgh United States
Post Office and
Courthouse located in
Cincinnati, OH.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Salt Lake City, UT............ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the
Wallace F. Bennett
Federal Building located
in Salt Lake City, UT.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Reston, VA.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the J.W.
Powell Federal Building
located in Reston, VA.
........................ June 21, 2000............ .............................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design of alterations
projects during fiscal
year 2001 that are
scheduled for
construction in future
years.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Washington, DC................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a
422,000 gross square
foot building, including
200 inside parking
spaces, for the
headquarters of the ATF
to be located in
Washington, DC.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Jackman, ME................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design and review of a
20,040 gross square foot
United States border
station, including eight
inside parking spaces,
located in Jackman, ME.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Suitland, MD.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design of a 383,271
gross square foot
facility and structured
parking garage with 500
parking spaces, for the
NOAA located in
Suitland, MD.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Saulte Sainte Marie, MI....... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a 52,846
square foot United
States border station,
including 157 outside
parking spaces, located
in Saulte Sainte Marie,
MI.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Eureka, MT.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a 26,013
gross square foot United
States border station,
including six inside
parking spaces and 43
outside parking spaces,
located in Eureka, MT.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Raymond, MT................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design of a 25,671 gross
square foot United
States border station,
including six inside
parking spaces and 36
outside parking spaces,
located in Raymond, MT
........................ June 21, 2000............ New York, NY.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a
141,307 gross square
foot facility, including
ten inside parking
spaces, for the United
States Mission to the
United Nations in New
York, NY.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Del Rio, TX................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design of a 162,073
gross square foot United
States border station,
including 170 outside
parking spaces, located
in Del Rio, TX.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Eagle Pass, TX................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design of a 229,617
gross square foot United
States border station,
including canopies and
130 outside parking
spaces, located in Eagle
Pass, TX.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Ft. Hancock, TX............... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a 9.959
gross square foot United
States border station,
including canopies and
33 outside parking
spaces, located in Ft.
Hancock, TX.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Houston, TX................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and the design
construction of a
394,750 gross square
foot field office,
including 345 inside
parking spaces and 50
outside parking spaces
for the FBI located in
Houston, TX.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Washington, DC................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
lease of approximately
176,503 rentable square
feet of space including
20 parking spaces for
the Department of
Interior currently
located in leased space
at 1620 L Street, NW,
Washington, DC.
........................ June 21, 2000............ Cleveland, OH................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to 126,912 rentable
grows square feet of
space and 175 parking
spaces for the FBI Field
Office currently located
in Cleveland, OH.
........................ June 21, 2000............ San Francisco or Oakland, CA.. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
65,000 gross square feet
of space and six parking
spaces for the National
Park Service currently
located at 600 Harrison
Street, San Francisco,
CA.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Kansas City, MO............... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design and review for
the repair and
alteration of the
existing vacated United
States courthouse
located at 811 Grand,
Kansas City, MO.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Fresno, CA.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a
428,376 gross square
foot United States
courthouse, including
112 inside parking
spaces, located in
Fresno, CA.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Little Rock, AR............... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for
additional design for
the construction of a
132,003 gross square
foot addition, including
55 inside parking
spaces, and construction
of alterations to the
existing Untied States
Post Office-Courthouse
located at 600 Capitol
street in Little Rock,
AR.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Norfolk, VA................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and the design for the
alteration of the
existing courthouse and
construction of an annex
for a 399,394 gross
square foot United
States courthouse,
including 47 inside
parking spaces, located
in Norfolk, VA.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Washington, DC................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a
327,600 square foot
annex building and for
the renovations to the
existing courthouse,
including 250 parking
spaces, for the E.
Barrett Prettyman United
States Courthouse
located in Washington,
DC.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Nashville, TN................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and the design for the
construction of a
310,294 gross square
foot United States
courthouse, including
169 inside parking
spaces, located in
Nashville, TN.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Richmond, VA.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and the design for the
construction of a
259,688 gross square
foot United States
courthouse, including 64
insider parking spaces,
located in Richmond, VA.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Las Cruces, NM................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
design of a 197,577
gross square foot United
States courthouse, on
government owned land,
including 70 inside
parking spaces, located
in Las Cruces, NM.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Mobile, AL.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and design for the
construction of a
305,361 gross spare foot
United States
courthouse, including 50
inside parking
spaces,located in
Mobile, AL.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Cedar Rapids, IA.............. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and the design for the
construction of a
246,187 gross square
foot United States
courthouse, including 40
insider parking spaces,
located in Cedar Rapids,
IA.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Rockford, IL.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and the design for the
construction of a
129,800 gross square
foot United States
courthouse, including 33
inside parking spaces
and 100 outside parking
spaces, located in
Rockford, IL.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Seattle, WA................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a
634,763 gross square
foot United States
courthouse, including
180 inside parking
spaces, located in
Seattle, WA.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Buffalo, NY................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and the design for the
construction of a
153,296 gross square
foot United States
courthouse annex,
including 40 inside
parking spaces, located
in Buffalo, NY.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Gulfport, MS.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a
219,897 gross square
foot United States
courthouse, including 50
inside parking spaces,
located in Biloxi/
Gulfport, MS.
........................ July 26, 2000............ El Paso, TX................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and the design for the
construction of a
221,613 gross square
foot United States
courthouse, including 60
inside parking space,
located in El Paso, TX.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Los Angeles, CA............... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
acquisition of a site
and the design for the
construction of a
1,016,300 gross square
foot United States
courthouse, including
150 inside parking
spaces, located in Los
Angeles, CA.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Erie, PA...................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
alteration of the
existing courthouse and
construction of an annex
for a 134,794 gross
square foot United
States courthouse
complex, including 18
inside parking spaces,
located in Erie, PA.
........................ July 26, 2000............ San Francisco, CA............. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
93,000 rentable square
feet of space and seven
parking spaces for the
Internal Revenue Service
currently located at
1650 Mission Street, San
Francisco, CA.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Fresno, CA.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
531,976 rentable square
feet of space for the
Internal Revenue Service
currently located at
5045 East Butler,
Fresno, CA.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Washington, DC................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
339,247 rentable square
feet of space and 12
parking spaces for the
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
currently located at 500
C Street, SW,
Washington, DC.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Washington, DC................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
113,525 rentable square
feet of space for the
Department of Justice,
currently located at 901
E Street, NW,
Washington, DC.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Washington, DC................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
151,367 rentable square
feet of space and 10
indoor parking spaces
for the Veterans
Administration,
Department of Justice,
General Services
Administration, Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms, and the United
States Japan Friendship
Commission currently
located at 1120 Vermont
Avenue, Washington, DC.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Washington, DC................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
95,569 rentable square
feet of space for the
Department of Housing
and Urban Development
currently located at 470/
490 L'Enfant Plaza, SW,
Washington, DC.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Woodlawn, MD.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
824,563 rentable square
feet of space and 2,132
surface parking spaces
for the Social Security
Administration currently
located at 1500 Woodlawn
Drive, Woodlawn, MD.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Rockville, MD................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
143,494 rentable square
feet of space and seven
parking spaces for the
Department of Health and
Human Services currently
located at 6010
Executive Blvd. and 2101
East Jefferson,
Rockville, MD.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Garden City, NY............... Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
86,250 rentable square
feet of space and 625
outdoor parking spaces
for the Immigration and
Naturalization Service
currently located at 711
Stewart Avenue, Garden
City, NY.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Arlington, VA................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
170,459 rentable square
feet for the Department
of Defense currently
located at Ballston
Center Tower One, 800
North Quincy Street,
Arlington, VA.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Arlington, VA................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
81,313 rentable square
feet of space and three
parking spaces for the
Department of Labor
currently located at
Ballston Center Tower
Three, 4015 Wilson
Blvd., Arlington, VA.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Philadelphia, PA.............. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
160,200 rentable square
feet of space and 38
parking spaces for the
General Services
Administration currently
located at 100 Penn
Square East,
Philadelphia, PA.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Las Vegas, NV................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
106,955 rentable square
feet of space and 160
parking spaces for the
Federal Bureau of
Investigation currently
located at 21 North
Pecos and 1202 Sharp
Circle in Las Vegas, NV.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Stockton, CA.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
1,439,694 rentable
square feet of space for
the General Services
Administration--Federal
Supply Service currently
located at Rough and
Ready Island, Stockton,
CA.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Northern Virginia............. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
152,650 rentable square
feet of space and 100
indoor parking spaces
for the Department of
Justice--Executive
Office of Immigration
Review, currently
located at multiple
locations throughout
Northern Virginia.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Chicago, IL................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
76,200 rentable square
feet of space and 140
parking spaces for the
United States Secret
Service currently
located at 300 South
Riverside, Chicago, IL.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Baltimore, MD................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
311,713 rentable square
feet of space and 89
structured parking
spaces for the
Department of
Transportation, Small
Business Administration,
Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission,
Department of Housing
and Urban Development,
and the Corps of
Engineers currently
located at the City
Crescent Building, 10
North Howard Street,
Baltimore, MD.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Woodlawn, MD.................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
131,169 rentable square
feet of space and 164
structured and 11
surface parking spaces
for the Federal Bureau
of Investigation
currently located at
7142 and 7127 Ambassador
Road and 3100 Timanus
Lane, Woodlawn, MD and
1520 Caton Center Road,
Catonsville, MD.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Seattle, WA................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
56,210 rentable square
feet of space and 93
indoor parking spaces
for the United States
Marshals Service, the
United States Customs
Service, and the Food
and Drug Administration
currently located at
1000 Second Avenue,
Seattle, WA.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Baltimore, MD................. Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
392,482 rentable square
feet of space for the
National Institutes of
Health Bayview Research
Center currently located
at the Bayview Campus of
Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore,
MD.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Washington, DC................ Resolution authorizing
appropriations to lease
up to approximately
91,166 rentable square
feet of space for the
Federal Trade Commission
currently located at 601
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC.
........................ Sept. 27, 2000........... Laredo, TX.................... Resolution authorizing
appropriations for the
construction of a
147,196 gross square
foot United States
courthouse, including 34
interior parking spaces
located in Laredo, TX.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC BUILDINGS 11B RESOLUTIONS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Referred Date Approved Location Project
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
........................ March 11, 1999........... Jefferson City, MO............ Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
United States District
Court for Western
Missouri in Jefferson
City, MO.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ Riverside-San Bernardino Resolution to investigate
Counties, CA. the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
Federal Government
offices in Riverside and
San Bernardino Counties,
CA.
........................ Nov. 10, 1999............ San Francisco, CA............. Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
Federal Government
offices in San
Francisco, California
Bay Area.
........................ Apr. 11, 2000............ Buffalo, NY................... Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
United States Court for
Western New York, in
Buffalo, New York.
........................ Apr. 11, 2000............ El Paso, TX................... Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
United States Court for
Western Texas, in El
Paso, Texas.
........................ Apr. 11, 2000............ Mobile, AL.................... Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
United States Court for
Southern Alabama, in
Mobile, Alabama.
........................ Apr. 11, 2000............ Norfolk, VA................... Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
United States Court for
Eastern Virginia, in
Norfolk, Virginia.
........................ Apr. 11, 2000............ Las Cruces, NM................ Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
United States Court for
New Mexico, in Las
Cruces, New Mexico.
........................ Apr. 11, 2000............ Rockford, IL.................. Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
United States Court for
Northern Illinois, in
Rockford, Illinois.
........................ Apr. 11, 2000............ Cedar Rapids, IA.............. Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
United States Court for
Iowa, in Cedar Rapids,
Iowa.
........................ Apr. 11, 2000............ Nashville, TN................. Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
United States Court for
Middle Tennessee, in
Nashville, Tennessee.
........................ July 26, 2000............ Baltimore, MD................. Resolution to investigate
the feasibility and need
to construct or acquire
a facility to house the
National Institute of
Health Research Center,
Bayview Campus of John
Hopkins University,
Baltimore, Maryland.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WATER SURVEY RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Docket Number Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2592........................ Hudson River, NY
2593........................ Ventura River, CA
2594........................ St. Joseph River, IN
2595........................ City of San Bernardino, CA
2596........................ Port of New York and New Jersey
2597........................ Upper Mississippi River, MN
2598........................ Cities of Solana Beach and Delmar, CA
2599........................ St. Charles Parish, LA
2600........................ St. Bernard Parish, LA
2601........................ Hurricane Protection, LA
2602........................ Coastal Louisiana
2603........................ Johnson Creek, OR
2604........................ Alameda Creek
2605........................ Galveston Island Beach, TX
2606........................ Baldwin County, AL
2607........................ Four Pole Creek, WV
2608........................ North Fork Licking Creek Lake, KY
2609........................ Paxton Creek, Harrisburg, PA
2610........................ Summersville Lake Project, WV
2611........................ Millstone River Basin, NJ
2612........................ Augusta to Clarendon, White River Levee,
AR
2613........................ Brazoria County Shore Erosion, TX
2614........................ Dickinson Bayou, TX
2615........................ City of Brownsville, TX
2616........................ Upper Turkey Creek Basin, KS
2617........................ Surf City, NC
2618........................ Ocracoke Island, NC
2619........................ Daytona Beach Shores, FL
2620........................ Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay, TX
2621........................ Gulley Brook, OH
2622........................ Plaquemines Parish, LA
2623........................ Illinois and Michigan Canal, IL
2624........................ Delaware Waterfront, PA
2625........................ Pennypack Creek, PA
2626........................ Schuylkill River Basin, PA
2627........................ Blackberry Creek, IL
2628........................ Passaic River, NJ
2629........................ North Topsail Beach, NC
2630........................ Howard Bend Levee District, MO
2631........................ Tar River Basin, NC
2632........................ Hannibal Marina, MO
2633........................ Susquehanna River, MD and PA
2634........................ St. Lucie County, FL
2635........................ Illinois River at Beardstown, IL
2636........................ Bono, AR
2637........................ Duck Creek Watershed, OH
2638........................ Denver County Reach, CO
2639........................ Arapahoe County, CO
2640........................ Adams County, CO
2641........................ Village of Freeport, NY
2642........................ St. Louis Riverfront, MO and IL
2643........................ Eastchester Bay, NY
2644........................ Peckman River, NJ
2645........................ White River, WA
2646........................ St. John's County, FL
2647........................ Medicine Lodge and Salt Fork River Basins,
KS
2648........................ Cross Lake, LA
2649........................ Ocklawaha River Basin, FL
2650........................ City of Fort Dodge, IA
2651........................ Corpus Christi Ship Channel, TX
2652........................ Portland Harbor, ME
2653........................ Searsport Harbor, ME
2654........................ Kihei Area Shoreline, Maui, HI
2655........................ Port of Brownsville, TX
2656........................ Donaldsville, LA
2657........................ Atchafalaya River Channel, LA
2658........................ Tennessee River Wateshed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WATERSHED PROJECTS APPROVED
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Approved Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/8/99..................... Middle Deep Red Run Creek Watershed, OK
9/27/00..................... Snake River Watershed, MN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Publications
106-1 Meeting the Financial Needs of Airports, the FAA and
the Aviation System. Hearings before the Subcommittee on
Aviation, February 4, 10, and 11. 1999.
106-2 Present and Future Trends in Ground Transportation.
Hearing before the Subcommittee Ground Transportation, February
3, 1999.
106-3 Oversight of U.S. Coast Guard Expenditures. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, February 4, 1999.
106-4 Reauthorization of the Hazardous Materials
Transportation Program. Hearing before the Subcommittee on
Economic Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials and
Pipeline Transportation, February 10, 1999.
106-5 Compilation of Selected Ground Transportation Laws.
Volume I Laws Relating to Infrastructure and Volume II
Regulatory Laws. (Committee Print.)
106-6 Compilation of Selected Railroad Laws. Volume I Laws
Relating to Railroad Regulation and Volume II Laws Relating to
Railroad Retirement, Unemployment, and Labor. (Committee
Print.)
106-7 Agency Budgets and other Priorities for Fiscal Year
2000. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment, February 10, 1999.
106-8 Fire Safety in the House Complex. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings,
Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation, February 11,
1999.
106-9 Coast Guard and Federal Maritime Commission Fiscal
Year 2000 Budget. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation, February 11, 1999.
106-10 Oversight of the Office of Motor Carriers. Hearings
before the Subcommittee on Ground Transportation. February 11,
March 17, 25, May 26, and October 7, 1999.
106-11 Funding and Infrastructure Issues at Small and
Medium Sized Airports. Field hearings before the Subcommittee
on Aviation in Wichita, KS, February 22, 1999, and Huntington,
WV, March 8, 1999.
106-12 Governors' Perspectives on the Clean Water Act.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment, February 23, 1999.
106-13 Aviation Passenger Rights H.R. 700, 780, and 908.
Hearings before the Subcommittee on Aviation, March 10, and 18,
1999.
106-14 Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Joint hearing before the
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, and
the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, March 24,
1999.
106-15 Reauthorization of the NTSB. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Aviation, May 6, 1999.
106-16 GSA FY2000 Capital Improvement Program. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public
Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation, May
11, 1999.
106-17 H.R. 1300, the Recycle America's Land Act. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, May
12, 1999.
106-18 Future Needs of the US Marine Transportation System.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, May 13, 1999.
106-19 Administration's Harbor Services Fee Proposal.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment, May 26, 1999.
106-20 Preservation and Promotion of General Aviation
Airports. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, June 9,
1999.
106-21 Preparedness Against Terrorist Attacks. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and
Emergency Management, June 9, 1999.
106-22 1998 Florida Wildfires. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency
Management, June 21, 1999.
106-23 Clean Water Infrastructure and Wet Weather Flows
Legislation. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources
and Environment, June 22, 1999.
106-24 The Requirement for Double Hulls Under the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation, June 29, 1999.
106-25 Status of Airport Privatization Efforts. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Aviation, June 30, 1999.
106-26 Economic Development Compilation. Selected Economic
Development and Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation
Laws. (Committee Print.)
106-27 Estuaries & Coastal Water Quality Legislation.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment, July 13, 1999.
106-28 Proposals for a National Health Museum. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public
Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation,
July 21, 1999.
106-29 Aviation Operations During Severe or Rapidly
Changing Weather Conditions. Hearing before the Subcommittee on
Aviation. July 22, 1999.
106-30 Reauthorization Of The Natural Gas And Hazardous
Liquids Pipeline Safety Program. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings,
Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation, July 27, 1999.
106-31 TEA-21 Environmental Streamlining. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Ground Transportation, July 27, 1999.
106-32 H.R. 316: Cruises to Nowhere. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, July
28, 1999.
106-33 Pilot Fatigue. Hearings before the Subcommittee on
Aviation, August 3, and September 15, 1999.
106-34 Effectiveness of Mitigation Spending. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency
Management, August 4, 1999. (O&I)
106-35 Ground Transportation Issues in the Pacific
Northwest. Field hearing before the Subcommittee on Ground
Transportation in Seattle, WA, August 31, 1999.
106-36 European Union Effort to Ban Hush-Kitted Aircraft.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, September 9, 1999.
106-37 Aircraft Electrical System Safety. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency
Management, September 15, 1999.
106-38 Air Service Problems in Upstate New York. Field
hearings before the Subcommittee on Aviation in Saratoga
Springs, and Cheektowaga, NY, September 20, 1999.
106-39 Tennessee Valley Authority: Electricity
Restructuring and General Oversight. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, September 22,
1999.
106-40 H.R. 728: The Small Watershed Rehabilitation
Amendments of 1999 and the Natural Resources Conservation
Service's Small Watershed Program. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, September 24,
1999.
106-41 H.R. 910: The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality
Initiative, and the Role of the Corps of Engineers in the
formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, September
29, 1999.
106-42 The Future of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Ground Transportation, September 30,
1999.
106-43 Data Integrity: Financial Data. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency
Management, September 30, 1999.
106-44 H.R. 2332: The Binational Great Lakes-Seaway
Enhancement Act of 1999. Hearing before the Subcommittee on
Water Resources and Environment, October 6, 1999.
106-45 Cruise Ship Safety. Hearing before the Subcommittee
on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, October 7, 1999.
106-46 U.S. General Services Administration's Building
Security Program. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Oversight,
Investigations and Emergency Management, October 7, 1999.
106-47 Modernization Efforts at the Boston En Route Center.
Field hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation in Nashua,
NH, October 11, 1999.
106-48 Air Service Problems in Maine. Field hearing before
the Subcommittee on Aviation in Bangor, ME, October 11, 1999.
106-49 Loss of Air Service between Pittsburgh and London.
Field hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation in
Pittsburgh, PA, October 12, 1999.
106-50 Recent Increase in Air Traffic Control Delays.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, October 14, 1999.
106-51 Clean Lakes and Water Quality Management. Field
hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment in Cooperstown, NY, October 18, 1999.
106-52 Airline Competition. Hearings before the
Subcommittee on Aviation, October 20 and 21, 1999.
106-53 Bellingham, WA, Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Incident.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public
Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation,
October 27, 1999.
106-54 Oversight of Amtrak. Hearing before the Subcommittee
on Ground Transportation, October 28, 1999.
106-55 Coast Guard's Search and Rescue Mission. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, November 3, 1999.
106-56 Harbor and Inland Waterway Financing. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, November
3, 1999.
106-57 Straight Out Departures at Newark. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Aviation, November 4, 1999.
106-58 EPA Grants Management. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency
Management, November 4, 1999.
106-59 Rural Infrastructure Investment. Field hearing in
Bentonville, AR, November 22, 1999.
106-60 Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999, and
H.R. 3036, together with joint explanatory materials.
(Committee Print.)
106-61 Federal Real Property Management: Obstacles and
Innovative Approaches to Effective Property Management. Joint
hearing before the Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information and Technology, Committee on Government Reform, and
the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings,
Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation, Committee on
Transportation Infrastructure, April 29, 1999.
106-62 Compilation of Maritime Laws as amended through June
30, 2000. (Committee Print.)
106-63 Compilation of Selected Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Laws as amended through June 30, 2000.
(Committee Print.)
106-64 Compilation of Public Buildings Laws. (Committee
Print.)
106-65 Agency Budgets and Priorities for Fiscal Year 2001.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment, February 9, 2000.
106-66 EPA's Proposed Regulation Regarding Total Maximum
Daily Loads, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System, and the Federal Anti-Degradation Policy. Hearings
before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment,
February 10, and 15, 2000.
106-67 The Recent Breakdown of Aviation Negotiations
between the United States and the United Kingdom. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Aviation, February 15, 2000.
106-68 Flood Water Rescue. Hearing before the Subcommittee
on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency Management, February
16, 2000.
106-69 FAA's Budget Request and Funding Needs. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Aviation, February 29, 2000.
106-70 Coast Guard and Federal Maritime Commission FY 2001
Budget Requests. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation, February 29, 2000.
106-71 H.R. 3313, the Long Island Sound Restoration Act and
H.R. 2957, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment, February 29, 2000.
106-72 FAA's Budget Request and Funding Needs. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Aviation, March 1, 2000.
106-73 Restoration of the Everglades and South Florida
Ecosystem. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources
and Environment, March 1, 2000.
106-74 Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of
2000. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment, March 8, 2000.
106-75 Implementation of the Transportation Equity Act for
the 21st Century by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Ground Transportation, March
8, 2000.
106-76 U.S. Coast Guard Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Request.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, March 15, 2000.
106-77 Aviation Security (Focusing on Training and
Retention of Screeners). Hearing before the Subcommittee on
Aviation, March 16, 2000.
106-78 Impact on Transportation Programs of Reducing the
Federal Fuel Tax. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Ground
Transportation, March 21, 2000.
106-79 Program Data Quality. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency
Management, March 22, 2000.
106-80 The Administration's Proposals for a Water Resources
Development Act of 2000. Hearing before the Subcommittee on
Water Resources and Environment, March 22, 2000.
106-81 GSA's FY 2001 Capital Investment Program. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public
Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation,
March 23, 2000.
106-82 U.S. Coast Guard Icebreaking Mission. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation,
March 29, 2000.
106-83 General Aviation Access Act. Joint Hearing before
the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands, Committee
on Resources, and the Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, April 6, 2000.
106-84 Preparedness Against Terrorist Attacks. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and
Emergency Management, April 6, 2000.
106-85 Issues Arising Out of the Egypt Air Crash. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Aviation, April 11, 2000.
106-86 GSA's FY 2001 Capital Investment Program. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public
Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation,
April 11, 2000.
106-87 H.R. 3670 and Great Lakes Sediment Remediation.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment, April 12, 2000.
106-88 Fire Grants: H.R. 1168, H.R. 3155, and the
Administration's Proposal for Assistance to Firemen. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and
Emergency Management, April 12, 2000.
106-89 Federal Response to Weather Related Disasters in
North Carolina. Field hearing before the Subcommittee on
Oversight, Investigations and Emergency Management in Carthage,
NC, April 28, 2000.
106-90 Ocean Shipping Reform Act. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, May 3,
2000.
106-91 H.R. 4210: Preparedness Against Terrorism Act of
2000. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Oversight,
Investigations and Emergency Management, May 4, 2000.
106-92 The Future of Aviation Technology ``Is the Sky the
Limit''. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, May 16,
2000.
106-93 Disposal of Obsolete Maritime Administration
Vessels. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation, May 24, 2000.
106-94 Future of the Small Community Essential Air Service
Program. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, May 25,
2000.
106-95 Coast Guard FY 2001 Operational Cuts. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation,
June 7, 2000.
106-96 H.R. 4441: Motor Carrier Fuel Cost Equity Act of
2000. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Ground
Transportation, June 8, 2000.
106-97 Proposed United USAirways Merger. June 13 and 15,
2000.
106-98 FAA Implementation of the Aviation Medical
Assistance Act of 1998 (Should Defibrillators be required on
Aircraft and at Airports). Hearing before the Subcommittee on
Aviation, June 20, 2000.
106-99 The Department of Transportation's Proposed Hours of
Service Regulations for Motor Carriers. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Ground Transportation, June 22, 2000.
106-100 Cost Overruns and Delays in the FAA's Wide Area
Augmentation System (WAAS) and Related Radio Spectrum Issues.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, June 29, 2000.
106-101 FRA Whistle Ban Law. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Ground Transportation, July 18, 2000.
106-102 Portable Electronic Devices. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Aviation, July 20, 2000.
106-103 Cost Effectiveness of Hazard Mitigation Spending.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations
and Emergency Management, July 20, 2000.
106-104 Shortline Rail Infrastructure Needs. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Ground Transportation, July 25, 2000.
106-105 Trends Towards Criminalization of Aircraft
Accidents. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, July
27, 2000.
106-106 Total Maximum Daily Loads. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency
Management, July 27, 2000.
106-107 U.S. DOT Proposed NEPA and Planning Rules. Hearing
before the Subcommittee on Ground Transportation, September 13,
2000.
106-108 Federal Agency Shuttles. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency
Management, September 13, 2000.
106-109 Government and Industry Plans Stage 4 Commercial
Aircraft. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation,
September 21, 2000.
106-110 Airline Delays: The Summer of Our Discontent.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, September 28,
2000.
106-111 Challenges Associated with Building New Runways.
Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation, October 5, 2000.
106-112 Aircraft Electrical System Safety. Hearing before
the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency
Management, October 5, 2000.
106-113 Effect of Fuel Price Increases on Airlines and
Passengers. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation,
October 11, 2000.
106-114 Slot Lottery at LaGuardia. Hearing before the
Subcommittee on Aviation, December 5, 2000.
106-115 Summary of Legislative and Oversight Activities.