PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 105-242.
Congressional Research Service
Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Oct 21, 1997
National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Act of 1997 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to provide that any gift or bequest made for the benefit of a particular national wildlife refuge or complex of refuges shall be disbursed only for the benefit of that refuge or complex of refuges. Authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to provide to volunteers in programs conducted by either Secretary through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: (1) awards and recognition; and (2) incidental expenses, such as transportation, uniforms, lodging, and subsistence, without regard to their place of residence. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a volunteer pilot project under which the Secretary shall employ a full-time volunteer coordinator for one refuge in each U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service region. Authorizes the Secretary, subject to compatibility requirements, to enter into a cooperative agreement with any partner organization, academic institution, or State or local government organization (entity), to conduct a project on a refuge under which: (1) there will be provided enhanced opportunities for private citizens to volunteer with a refuge in their local communities and contribute to stewardship of the resources on that refuge; (2) such entity will develop, produce, publish, distribute, or sell approved educational materials and products pertaining to a refuge; (3) the entity will construct, maintain, operate, or improve a facility on a refuge necessary for the sale or distribution of products, programs, and services pertaining to refuges; (4) the entity will provide visitor services, facilities, or activities within a refuge under terms that require the net profits to be used exclusively for projects and programs that benefit the refuge and that are consistent with the purposes for which it was established; or (5) there will be carried out within a refuge, on a Federal or non-Federal cost sharing basis, habitat restoration and improvement, biological monitoring, research, public education and recreation, construction of facilities, or other projects. Limits the use of Federal project funds to: (1) expenses directly related to the project; and (2) operation and administration of a Federal entity. Bars an entity from receiving preferential treatment in any application process to provide visitor services, products, or facilities in a refuge. Makes any facility or permanent improvement constructed pursuant to this Act Federal property. Makes amounts attributable to activities at a particular refuge or complex of refuges available to the Secretary: (1) for materials, training, and other uses related to volunteer activities at the refuge or complex of refuges; or (2) to carry out cooperative agreements applicable to the refuge or complex of refuges. Defines partner organization as an organization: (1) whose mission is to promote understanding and conservation of the fish and wildlife, cultural, or historic resources of a particular national wildlife refuge or a complex of related national wildlife refuges; (2) that draws its members primarily from communities near that refuge or complex of related national wildlife refuges; and (3) that is a nonprofit organization. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for carrying out activities with respect to volunteer and community partnership enhancement and for pilot projects among U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regions.
People & committees
Rep. Saxton, Jim [R-NJ-3] · R–NJ
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 105-242.
Became Public Law No: 105-242.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H8076-8077)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H8076-8077)
Mr. Saxton asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendments.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10248-10250)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10248-10250)
Amendment SP 3578 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 3578 proposed by Senator Lott for Senator Chafee.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 504.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Considered as unfinished business.
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Faleomavaega objected to the Yea - Nay vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9928-9931, H9985)
Mr. Saxton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 192.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 105-329.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 105-329.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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