To find out the status of these or any other bills, contact the congressional bill status line at (202) 225-1772. This information is also available on the World Wide Web at http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d105query.html (105th Congress) or http://thomas.loc.gov/d104/d104query.html (104th Congress).
| H.R. 765 | H.R. 952 | H.R. 1176 | H.R. 1209 | H.R. 1257 | H.R. 1719 |
| H.R. 1787 | H.R. 1856 | S. 850 | S. 861 | S. 995 |
Introduced February 13, 1997, by Walter Jones (R-North Carolina)
and referred to the Committee on Resources. Passed the House on
July 22 by a vote of 416-6. This act may be cited as the
"Shackleford Banks Wild Horses Protection Act."
"SEC. 2. MAINTENANCE OF WILD HORSES IN CAPE LOOKOUT NATIONAL
SEASHORE.
Section 5 of the Act entitled 'An Act to provide for the establishment of the Cape Lookout National Seashore in the State of North Carolina, and for other purposes,' approved March 10, 1966 (16 U.S.C. 459g-4), is amended by inserting '(a) after 'SEC. 5.', and by adding at the end the following new subsection: '(b)(1) The Secretary, in accordance with this subsection, shall allow a herd of free roaming horses in the seashore. '(2) Within 180 days after enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Foundation for Shackleford Horses (a nonprofit corporation established under the laws of the State of North Carolina) to provide for management of free roaming horses in the seashore. The agreement shall -- '(A) provide for cost-effective management of the horses; and '(B) allow the Foundation to adopt any of those horses that the Secretary removes from the seashore. '(3)(A) The Secretary shall accommodate the historic population level of the free roaming horse herd in the seashore, which shall be considered to be not less than 100 horses and not more than 110 horses. '(B) The Secretary may not remove, or assist in or permit the removal of, any free roaming horses from Federal lands within the boundaries of the seashore unless -- '(i) the number of free roaming horses in the seashore exceeds 110; '(ii) there is an emergency or a need to protect public health and safety, as defined in the agreement under paragraph (2); or '(iii) there is concern for the persistence and viability of the horse population that is cited in the most recent findings of annual monitoring of the horses under paragraph (4). '(4) The Secretary shall annually monitor, assess, and make available to the public findings regarding the population structure and health of the free roaming horses in the national seashore. '(5) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as creating liability for the United States for any damages caused by the free roaming horses to property located inside or outside the boundaries of the seashore.'"
Introduced March 5, 1997, by George Miller (D-California) and referred to the Committee on Resources. This act may be cited as the "Theodore Roosevelt Wildlife Legacy Act of 1997."
As introduced, this bill "[d]eclares the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System to be to preserve a network of lands and waters for the conservation and management of U.S. fish, wildlife, and plants for present and future generations.
The act establishes as the System's priority public uses: (1) wildlife observation and photography; (2) hunting; (3) fishing; and (4) environmental education and interpretation.
It directs the Secretary of the Interior, in administering the System, to: (1) resolve any conflict between the primary purpose of a National Wildlife Refuge and any purpose of the System in a manner that first fulfills the primary purpose of the refuge; (2) plan, propose, and direct System expansion to accomplish the mission and purposes of the System and of each refuge and to contribute to the conservation of U.S. ecosystems; and (3) inventory and monitor the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and plants in each refuge.
Prohibits the Secretary, effective three years after enactment of this Act, from initiating or permitting a new use of a refuge or an expansion of an existing allowed use unless such use is compatible with the primary purposes of the refuge and the mission and purposes of the System.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) propose within 15 years and revise every 15 years comprehensive conservation plans for each refuge in the System, except refuges in Alaska; (2) develop and implement a process to ensure an opportunity for active public involvement in the preparation and revision of such plans; (3) manage each refuge in a manner consistent with its conservation plan; and (4) prepare a conservation plan for a refuge established after enactment of this Act not later than two years after the Secretary determines that sufficient land has been acquired to warrant comprehensive planning."
Introduced March 20, 1997, by Nita Lowey (D-New York) and referred to the Committee on Commerce and the Committees on Ways and Means, International Relations, and the Judiciary.
"Prohibits the import, export, or shipment in interstate commerce of steel jaw leghold traps and of articles of fur derived from animals trapped in such traps.
Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to reward nongovernment informers for information leading to a conviction under this Act. Empowers enforcement officials to detain, search, and seize suspected merchandise or documents and to make arrests with and without warrants. Subjects seized merchandise to forfeiture."
Introduced March 20, 1997, by Henry Waxman (D-California) and referred to the Committee on Rules and the Committee on the Judiciary. Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law on March 31, 1997. This act may be cited as the "Defense of the Environment Act of 1997."
According to the House Digest, this act "[r]equires any report of a congressional committee or committee of conference accompanying a public bill or joint resolution that includes any provision that reduces environmental protection to contain: (1) an identification and description of the provision; (2) an assessment of the extent of such reduction; (3) a description of any actions to avoid such reduction; and (4) any statement received from the Comptroller General, upon request of the committee or a majority of either the minority or majority members of the committee, assessing the reduction.
Deems a provision to reduce environmental protection if it may: (1) allow increased pollution; (2) adversely affect the environmental quality of public lands or diminish protection of species that may be endangered; (3) increase children's exposure to environmental contaminants and other environmental risks; or (4) have the effect of shielding environmental law violators or limiting judicial review of agency action under authority of any environmental law.
Provides for consultation and assistance of the Comptroller General at the request of any committee. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that, before proposing or promulgating any major rule, the responsible agency has conducted an analysis of any provision that reduces environmental protection.
Makes out of order in the House of Representatives and the Senate the consideration of any reported bill or joint resolution, or conference report, unless the committee has complied with the identification and assessment provisions of this Act. Makes any rule waiving these provisions out of order in the House.
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives with respect to the consideration and striking of provisions reducing environmental protection within the meaning of this Act. Provides Senate procedures for the striking of such provisions."
Introduced April 9, 1997, by Michael Forbes (R-New York) and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce.
According to the House Digest, this bill "[a]mends the Internal Revenue Code to allow every individual (other than a nonresident alien) whose adjusted income tax liability for the taxable year is $5 or more, to designate that $5 be paid over to the Biomedical Research Fund.
It also establishes in the Treasury the Biomedical Research Fund."
Introduced May 22, 1997, by Randy Cunningham (R-California) and referred to the Committee on Resources. Executive comment requested from the Secretary of the Interior on May 30. This act may be cited as the "Sportsmen's Bill of Rights Act."
"Requires Federal public land and water to be open to access and use for fishing and hunting except as limited by: (1) the State involved; or (2) the responsible Federal agency for reasons of national security, public safety, or specific authorization. Allows such land to be closed only during the period in which the reasons for such closure exist.
Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to cooperate with the Secretary of the Interior of Puerto Rico (currently the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico) in wildlife-restoration projects. Prohibits funds made available to the Secretary for expenses in the administration and execution of wildlife-restoration projects under such Act and the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act from being used as a supplement to decreased funding for any other expense of the Secretary.
Prohibits a Federal agency's action that may significantly diminish opportunities or access to engage in fishing or hunting on Federal public land or water until the agency prepares a detailed statement evaluating the action's effect on fishing and hunting. Provides for judicial review of such action.
Provides for intervention by an interested person in a civil action relating to the use of Federal public land or water for fishing or hunting.
Provides standing to seek declaratory or injunctive relief regarding the implementation of this Act for an individual licensed to engage in fishing or hunting, or an organization representing the interests of such individuals." Related bill S.751
Introduced on June 4, 1997, by James Saxton (R-New Jersey) and referred to the Committee on Resources, and the Committee on International Relations. Executive comment was requested from the Secretary of the Interior and the Agency for International Development on June 16. Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans held hearings on July 31. This act may be cited as the "Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997."
The purposes of this act are "to perpetuate healthy populations of Asian elephants, assist in the conservation and protection of Asian elephants by supporting the conservation programs of Asian elephant range states and the CITES Secretariat, and to provide financial resources for those programs." In addition, the act establishes within the U.S. Treasury an "Asian Elephant Conservation Fund." The fund will consist of donations and Congressional appropriations. For each of fiscal years 1998-2002, the Congress appropriates $5 million to the Fund that may remain available until spent.
Introduced on June 10, 1997, by H. James Saxton (R-New Jersey) and referred to the Committee on Resources. Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans. An amended version was forwarded to the full committee by voice vote on July 31. This act may be cited as the "Volunteers for Wildlife Act of 1997."
"SEC. 2. VOLUNTEERS IN WILDLIFE.
Section 7(c) of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742f(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
'(7)(A) Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a volunteer pilot project at one national wildlife refuge in each United States Fish and Wildlife Service region, under which the Secretary shall employ a volunteer coordinator for the refuge.
'(B) The Secretary may -- '(i) establish an account for each national wildlife refuge at which a pilot project is conducted under this paragraph; '(ii) deposit into the account entrance fees, donations, and user fees generated at the national wildlife refuge at which the project is conducted; and '(iii) without further appropriation, expend amounts in the account for materials, training, and other uses to enhance volunteer activities at the refuge.
'(C) There are authorized to be appropriated $150,000 for each pilot project authorized under this paragraph for each of the fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003.
'(8) The Secretary shall appoint a national volunteer coordinator for the National Wildlife Refuge System.'"
Introduced June 9, 1997, by Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and referred to the Committee on Agriculture. This act may be cited as the "Downed Animal Protection Act ."
"Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to make it unlawful for any stockyard owner, market agency, or dealer to buy, sell, give, receive, transfer, market, hold, or drag any nonambulatory livestock unless such livestock has been humanely euthanized." Related bill H.R. 453
Introduced June 9, 1997, by James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) and
referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported back
to the Senate on June 26 and placed on Senate Legislative
Calendar No.101.
"SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION TO DONATE SURPLUS LAW ENFORCEMENT
CANINES TO THEIR HANDLERS.
Section 203 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services
Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 484) is amended by adding at the end the
following: '(r) The head of a Federal agency having control of a
canine that has been used by a Federal agency in the performance
of law enforcement duties and that has been determined by the
agency to be no longer needed for official purposes may donate
the canine to an individual who has experience handling canines
in the performance of those duties.'"
Introduced July 8, 1997, by Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) and
referred to the Committee on Judiciary. This act may be cited as
the "Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act of 1997."
"SEC. 2. TRANSPORT OR POSSESSION OF EXOTIC ANIMALS FOR PURPOSES
OF KILLING OR INJURING THEM.
(a) IN GENERAL- Chapter 3 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
'Sec. 48. Exotic animals
'(a) PROHIBITION- Whoever, in or affecting interstate or foreign
commerce, knowingly transfers, transports, or possesses a
confined exotic animal, for the purposes of allowing the killing
or injuring of that animal for entertainment or for the
collection of a trophy, shall be fined under this title,
imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
'(b) DEFINITIONS- In this section --
'(1) the term 'confined exotic animal' means a mammal of a
species not historically indigenous to the United States, that
has been held in captivity for the shorter of -- '(A) the greater
part of the life of the animal; or '(B) a period of 1 year;
whether or not the defendant knew the length of the captivity;
and '(2) the term 'captivity' does not include any period during
which an animal -- '(A) lives as it would in the wild, surviving
primarily by foraging for naturally occurring food, roaming at
will over an open area of not less than 1,000 acres; and '(B) has
the opportunity to avoid hunters.'"
Related bill H.R. 1202
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