[House Report 106-529]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
106th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 106-529
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SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
USE OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUPPORT SERVICES
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March 20, 2000.--Referred to the House calendar and ordered to be
printed
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Mr. Young of Alaska, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Res. 182]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the
resolution (H. Res. 182) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the National Park Service should take full
advantage of support services offered by the Department of
Defense, having considered the same, report favorably thereon
without amendment and recommend that the resolution be agreed
to.
PURPOSE OF THE BILL
The purpose of H. Res. 182 is to express the sense of the
House of Representatives that the National Park Service should
take full advantage of support services offered by the
Department of Defense.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
The National Park Service was established to promote and
regulate units of superlative natural, historic, and recreation
areas known as national parks, monuments, and other reserves.
The primary purpose of the National Park Service is to conserve
the scenery and the natural and historic objects along with the
wildlife in the parks and also to provide for the public
enjoyment of the same. To accomplish this purpose, units of the
National Park Service have constructed buildings, roads, and
other related infrastructure and facilities. However, the
National Park Service has repeatedly reported a backlog of
projects necessary to maintain these structures, roads, and
infrastructure and has asserted that approximately $6-8 billion
is required to correct this backlog.
Separately, the Department of the Defense has the authority
to provide support and services to other federal agencies and
entities, including the National Park Service (10 U.S.C.
Sec. 2012). Part of this support comes from the Civil-Military
Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training Program
which is designed to improve military readiness while providing
hands-on training opportunities for military personnel. This
program simultaneously assists with meeting domestic
priorities. This support and service provided by the Department
of the Defense includes equipment and other assistance which
could substantially aid in reducing the backlog of maintenance
and other like projects identified by the National Park Service
and provide the American taxpayer added benefits.
H. Res. 182 urges the National Park Service to immediately
take full advantage of the support and services offered by the
Department of the Defense in addressing the needs of the
backlog of maintenance and other like projects within units of
the National Park Service.
COMMITTEE ACTION
H. Res. 182 was introduced on May 19, 1999, by Congressman
James V. Hansen (R-UT). The resolution was referred to the
Committee on Resources, and within the Committee to the
Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands. On March 15,
2000, the Full Resources Committee met to consider the
resolution. The Subcommittee was discharged from further
consideration of the bill by unanimous consent. No amendments
were offered and the resolution was approved by voice vote.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations
are reflected in the body of this report.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United
States grants Congress the authority to enact this resolution.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be
incurred in carrying out this resolution. However, clause
3(d)(3)(B) of that rule provides that this requirement does not
apply when the Committee has included in its report a timely
submitted cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2)
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this
resolution does not contain any new budget authority, spending
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures.
3. Government Reform Oversight Findings. Under clause
3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee has received no report of
oversight findings and recommendations from the Committee on
Government Reform on this resolution.
4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives and section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate
for this resolution from the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, March 17, 2000.
Hon. Don Young,
Chairman, Committee on Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H. Res. 182, expressing
the sense of the House of Representatives that the National
Park Service should take full advantage of the support services
offered by the Department of Defense.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis.
Sincerely,
Barry B. Anderson
(For Dan L. Crippen, Director).
Enclosure.
H. Res. 182--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that
the National Park Service should take full advantage of support
services offered by the Department of Defense
CBO estimates that passage of H. Res. 182 would have no
impact on the federal budget because it does not authorize any
change in federal spending. The resolution would not affect
direct spending or receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go
procedures would not apply.
H. Res. 182 would express the sense of the House of
Representatives that the National Park Service should use
services offered by the Department of Defense for maintenance
and other projects within units of the National Park System.
The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis. This estimate was
approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for
Budget Analysis.
COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4
This resolution contains no unfunded mandates.
PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW
This resolution is not intended to preempt State, local, or
tribal law.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
If enacted, this resolution would make no changes in
existing law.