[108th Congress Public Law 401]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


[DOCID: f:publ401.108]

[[Page 118 STAT. 2255]]

Public Law 108-401
108th Congress

                                 An Act


 
 To amend title 5, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for 
  the Administrative Conference of the United States for fiscal years 
     2005, 2006, and 2007, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Oct. 30, 
                         2004 -  [H.R. 4917]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Federal 
Regulatory Improvement Act of 2004. 5 USC 101 note.>> 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Regulatory Improvement Act of 
2004''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

    (a) Purposes.--Section 591 of title 5, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 591. Purposes

    ``The purposes of this subchapter are--
            ``(1) to provide suitable arrangements through which Federal 
        agencies, assisted by outside experts, may cooperatively study 
        mutual problems, exchange information, and develop 
        recommendations for action by proper authorities to the end that 
        private rights may be fully protected and regulatory activities 
        and other Federal responsibilities may be carried out 
        expeditiously in the public interest;
            ``(2) to promote more effective public participation and 
        efficiency in the rulemaking process;
            ``(3) to reduce unnecessary litigation in the regulatory 
        process;
            ``(4) to improve the use of science in the regulatory 
        process; and
            ``(5) to improve the effectiveness of laws applicable to the 
        regulatory process.''.

    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Title 5 of the United States Code is 
amended--
            (1) in section 594 by striking ``purpose'' and inserting 
        ``purposes''; and
            (2) in the table of sections of chapter 5 of part I by 
        amending the item relating to section 591 to read as follows:

``591. Purposes''.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 596 of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows:

[[Page 118 STAT. 2256]]

``Sec. 596. Authorization of appropriations

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
subchapter not more than $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, $3,100,000 for 
fiscal year 2006, and $3,200,000 for fiscal year 2007. Of any amounts 
appropriated under this section, not more than $2,500 may be made 
available in each fiscal year for official representation and 
entertainment expenses for foreign dignitaries.''.

    Approved October 30, 2004.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 4917 (S. 2979):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 150 (2004):
            Oct. 8, considered and passed House.
            Oct. 11, considered and passed Senate.

                                  <all>