[House Report 111-80]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


111th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                     111-80

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SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, AND FOR 
                             OTHER PURPOSES

                                _______
                                

   April 21, 2009.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 
                                printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                       [To accompany H. Res. 313]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 
was referred the resolution (H. Res. 313) supporting the goals 
and ideals of National Public Works Week, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon 
without amendment and recommend that the resolution be agreed 
to.

                       PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

    House Resolution 313 recognizes the contribution of public 
works professionals to communities across the country by 
facilitating a resolution to recognize this year's National 
Public Work's Week: May 17 through May 23, 2009.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    ``Public works'' is loosely defined as projects or programs 
carried out by the Federal Government or a state government for 
the benefit of the community. These projects and programs 
include: transportation systems, such as aviation, rail, 
highways, and public transit; levees; water supply 
infrastructure; sewage and refuse disposal systems; public 
buildings; and other structures and facilities.
    Public works infrastructure, facilities, and services 
provide safety, health, and economic assurances for both large 
and small populations. These services could not be provided in 
the efficient and effective method in which they are without 
the skill of public works professionals, such as engineers, 
administrators, and servicemen.
    National Public Works Week is observed each year during the 
month of May. Spearheaded by the American Public Works 
Association, the following groups are also cosponsoring efforts 
to increase awareness of the dedication of public works 
professionals during this week: American Council of Engineering 
Companies; American Society of Civil Engineers; American Shore 
& Beach Preservation Association; Associated General 
Contractors of America; National Association of Clean Water 
Agencies; National Association of Water Companies; American 
Road and Transportation Builders Association; and Water 
Environment Federation.

                       SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

    H. Res. 313 recognizes the significant diverse 
contributions that public works professionals make every day to 
improve the U.S. public infrastructure and the communities that 
they serve, and states that the House of Representatives: (1) 
supports the goals and ideas of National Public Works Week; (2) 
recognizes and celebrates the important service that public 
works professionals make to each citizen's daily life; and (3) 
urges citizens and communities throughout the United States to 
pay tribute to these efforts from May 17 through May 23, 2009 
together with the Federal government.

            LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

    On April 1, 2009, Chairman James L. Oberstar introduced H. 
Res. 313. On April 2, 2009, the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure met in open session and ordered H. Res. 313 
reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum 
present.
    In the 110th Congress, Chairman James L. Oberstar 
introduced H. Res. 1137 on April 23, 2008. On May 7, 2008, the 
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment met to consider 
H. Res. 1137. The Subcommittee agreed to H. Res. 1137, and 
favorably recommended it to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure by voice vote with a quorum present. On May 15, 
2008, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in 
open session to consider H. Res. 1137. The Committee agreed to 
the resolution and ordered it reported favorably to the House 
by voice vote with a quorum present. On May 19, 2008, the 
Committee reported the resolution to the House. H. Rept. 110-
654. On May 21, 2008, the House agreed to H. Res. 1137 by voice 
vote with a quorum present.
    On May 1, 2007, Chairman James L. Oberstar introduced H. 
Res. 352. On May 2, 2007, the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 352. The 
Committee agreed to the resolution and ordered it reported 
favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum present. On 
May 8, 2007, the Committee reported the resolution to the 
House. H. Rept. 110-135. On May 15, 2007, the House agreed to 
H. Res. 352 by voice vote with a quorum present.

                              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. 313 reported. A motion to order H. Res. 313 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)(1) 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. 313 
is a House resolution and therefore does not have the force of 
law. As such, there is no cost associated with this legislation 
for fiscal year 2009, 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, so no 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. 313 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

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, H. Res. 313 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. 313 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. 313 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 
legislation.

                APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that the legislation 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. 313 makes no changes in existing law.

                                  
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