American Geological Institute

Government Affairs Program

Legislative History and Digest of H.R. 2943

SPONSOR: Rep Tim Johnson (D-SD)

INTRODUCED: 2/01/96

SHORT TITLE AS INTRODUCED:
Fossil Preservation Act of 1996

OFFICIAL TITLE AS INTRODUCED:
A bill to provide for the collection of fossils on Federal lands, and for other purposes.

COSPONSORS:
02/01/96 Skeen
04/16/96 Obey, Emerson, Romero-Barcelo, Shays
05/09/96 Porter
05/10/96 Lipinkski
05/30/96 Kennedy, P.
06/06/96 Pickett
06/17/96 Lincoln

COMPLETE BILL TEXT:
The complete bill text is available on Thomas: The Library of Congress Web Site. In Thomas, click on Full Text of Legislation, then 104th Congress Bills, then Search by Bill Number, type in hr 2943 , hit RUN QUERY, and choose the most recent version.

DIGEST: (AS INTRODUCED)

Fossil Preservation Act of 1996 - Provides that all Federal lands shall be open to fossil collecting by reconnaissance (from the surface) without a permit, with specified exceptions, and open to fossil collecting by quarrying pursuant to permit.

Requires Federal land managers to manage fossils separately from archaeological resources, cave resources, and cultural resources, but in conjunction with natural resources.

Specifies the types of collecting and whether notice or permits are required.

(Sec. 5) Sets forth permit terms and conditions. Allows for educational collecting permits, scientific collecting permits, and commercial collecting permits.

(Sec. 6) Imposes fees and royalty payments (on the fair market value of fossils) for commercial collecting.

(Sec. 7) Places ownership of collected fossils in the collector. Provides an exception for scientifically unique fossils collected commercially, making them the property of the United States.

(Sec. 9) Requires the Director of the United States Geological Survey to establish a National Fossil Council to provide guidance under this Act.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

House Action(s)

Feb 1, 96:
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 13, 96:
Executive Comment Requested from USDA
. Feb 13, 96:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Resource Conservation, Research and Forestry.
Feb 1, 96:
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 7, 96:
Executive Comment Requested from USDA, Interior.
Feb 7, 96:
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Lands.
Feb 1, 96:
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 15, 96:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

(Source: Library of Congress)

Please send any comments or requests for information to AGI Government Affairs Program at govt@agiweb.org

Last updated July 15, 1996 by Heidi Mohlman, AGI Government Affairs intern

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