[House Report 106-529] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 106th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 106-529 ======================================================================= SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING NATIONAL PARK SERVICE USE OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUPPORT SERVICES _______ March 20, 2000.--Referred to the House calendar and ordered to be printed _______ 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.