[House Report 110-325]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 110-325
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SUPPORTING FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE UNITED STATES
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September 14, 2007.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed
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Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Res. 592]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the resolution (H. Res. 592) supporting first
responders in the United States in their efforts to prepare for
and respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other
man-made disasters, and affirming the goals and ideals of
National First Responder Appreciation Day, having considered
the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and
recommend that the resolution be agreed to.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 592 is a resolution to support first responders in
the United States in their efforts to prepare for and respond
to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man made
disasters, and to affirm the goals and ideals of National First
Responder Appreciation Day.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
Millions of Americans have benefited from the brave and
courageous service of first responders across the Nation.
Approximately 670,000 police officers, 1,100,000 firefighters
and 891,000 emergency medical technicians make up the nation's
first responder teams and have responded to crises such as
Hurricane Katrina in 2005; tornadoes in Florida and blizzards
in Colorado in 2006; the Gunflint Trail fire in northeastern
Minnesota in May 2007 and the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in
August 2007.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Fund, a total of 1,649 law enforcement officers died in the
line of duty during the past 10 years, while 145 law
enforcement officers were killed in 2006. According to the
United States Fire Administration, from 1996 through 2005 more
than 1,500 firefighters were killed in the line of duty, and
tens of thousands were injured.
The resolution supports the goals and ideals of National
First Responder Appreciation Day.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 592 supports the work of first responders,
identifies incidences at which first responders served with
distinction and bravery, and reaffirms the goals and ideals of
a National First Responder Appreciation Day.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On July 31, 2007, Representative Reichert introduced House
Resolution 592.
On August 2, 2007, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure met in open session and ordered the resolution
reported favorably to the House by voice vote.
RECORD VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives
requires each committee report to include the total number of
votes cast for and against on each record vote on a motion to
report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter,
and the names of those members voting for and against. There
were no recorded votes taken in connection with ordering H.
Res. 592 reported. A motion to order H. Res. 592 reported
favorably to the House was agreed to by voice vote with a
quorum present.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(I) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
COST OF LEGISLATION
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 592
is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore
does not have the force of law. As such, there is no cost
associated with this resolution for fiscal year 2007, or for
any fiscal year thereafter.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee
advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes
funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level
for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under
current law is required.
2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and
objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is required.
3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding. Neither a cost estimate nor comparison for
any measure that authorizes funding is required.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, H. Res. 592 does not contain any
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI
of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
With respect to (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, H. Res. 592 is a resolution of the
House of Representatives and therefore does not have the force
of law. As such, clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII does not apply.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
H. Res. 592 contains no Federal mandates.
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local,
or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Res. 592 does not
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this
resolution.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the resolution does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H. Res. 592 makes no changes in existing law.