Congress 108 - HR 1964 - Highlands Conservation Act

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Agricultural conservation Agriculture and Food Arts, Culture, Religion Commemorations Connecticut Cultural property Department of Agriculture Economics and Public Finance Environmental Protection Executive reorganization Federal advisory bodies Forest conservation Forestry research Government Operations and Politics Government trust funds Grants-in-aid Greenways Historic sites History Land transfers Land use Natural areas Nature conservation New Jersey New York State Open space lands Pennsylvania Private forests Public Lands and Natural Resources Science, Technology, Communications

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Summary

Highlands Conservation Act - (Sec. 2) Sets forth the purposes of this Act, including authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to the States of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania (Highland States) to preserve and protect high priority conservation land in the Highlands region, an area depicted on a National Forest Service map entitled "The Highlands Region" dated June 2004.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes the governors of the Highland States to annually submit proposed land conservation partnership projects to the Secretary for Federal financial assistance. Defines "land conservation partnership project" as a project located in the Highlands region that is identified by the Forest Service in specified studies as having a high conservation value, and in which a non-Federal entity (i.e., any Highlands State or any agency of a Highlands State with authority to own and manage land for conservation purposes) acquires land from a willing seller to permanently protect, conserve, or preserve the land through a partnership with the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary to annually submit to Congress a list of projects that are eligible for financial assistance. Sets forth eligibility conditions for financial assistance to non-Federal entities.

Limits the Federal share of the cost of any land conservation partnership project to 50 percent. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 through FY 2014.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to continue to assist the Highland States and other public and private entities in the conservation of land and natural resources in the Highlands region. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 through FY 2014.

(Sec. 6) Prohibits anything in this Act from: (1) requiring a private property owner to permit public access, including access by any government, to private property; (2) modifying any law on public access to, or use of, private land; (3) creating any liability of a private property owner for persons injured on the private property; (4) modifying any governmental authority to regulate land use; and (5) requiring private property owners in the Highlands region to participate in the land conservation, financial, or technical assistance programs established by this Act. Provides that funds appropriated under this Act shall be used to purchase land or interests in land only from willing sellers.

Actions

Nov 30, 2004

Became Public Law No: 108-421.
Nov 30, 2004

Signed by President.
Nov 20, 2004

Presented to President.
Nov 17, 2004

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 17, 2004

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
Nov 17, 2004

Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
Nov 17, 2004

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1964.
Nov 17, 2004

Mr. Gibbons moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H9826-9828; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H9826-9827)
Nov 16, 2004

Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Oct 10, 2004

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11127-11183; text as passed Senate: CR S11178-11180)
Oct 10, 2004

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S11127-11183; text as passed Senate: CR S11178-11180)
Sep 28, 2004

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 735.
Sep 28, 2004

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-376.
Sep 15, 2004

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Dec 9, 2003

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Nov 22, 2003

Received in the Senate.
Nov 21, 2003

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Nov 21, 2003

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 21, 2003

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H12118-112119)
Nov 21, 2003

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H12118-112119)
Nov 21, 2003

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1964.
Nov 21, 2003

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H12118-12121)
Nov 21, 2003

Mr. Calvert moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Nov 17, 2003

House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 21, 2003.
Nov 17, 2003

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 108-373, Part I.
Oct 29, 2003

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Oct 29, 2003

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 29, 2003

Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands Discharged.
Jun 17, 2003

Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jun 3, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research.
Jun 3, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.
May 6, 2003

Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
May 6, 2003

Introduced in House

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