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Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 17, 1999
Pribilof Islands Transition Act - Amends the Fur Seal Act of 1966 to replace provisions establishing and providing for the administration of the Pribilof Islands Trust with provisions directing the Secretary of Commerce to provide assistance to any city government, village corporation, or tribal council of St. George or St. Paul, Alaska, to: (1) reimburse grantee costs in upgrading or replacing Federal infrastructure or facilities transferred to the grantee under existing provisions; or (2) promote the development of a stable, self-sufficient, enduring, and diversified Pribilof economy not dependent on sealing. Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the use of those funds as non-Federal matching funds under any Federal program that requires matching funds. Directs the Secretary, subject to appropriations, to assist the State of Alaska for designing, locating, constructing, redeveloping, permitting, or certifying solid waste management facilities on the Islands necessitated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) administration of the Islands under the Act to be operated under an Alaska permit. Authorizes appropriations.(Sec. 4) Replaces provisions of such Act requiring the reporting to specified congressional committees of the fair market value of transferred property with provisions mandating a report to specified congressional committees including a description of transferred property, a description of all property that is going to be conveyed, and an identification of all Federal property on the Islands that will be retained by the Federal Government.(Sec. 5) Declares that the Secretary has no obligation to provide for the development of any form of economy on the Islands not dependent on sealing (but states that this does not affect causes of action under specified provisions arising before enactment of this Act). Terminates all obligations of the Secretary to: (1) convey property under existing provisions; and (2) carry out cleanup activities related to NOAA's administration and a specified environmental restoration agreement between NOAA and Alaska. Makes the previous sentence applicable when: (1) Alaska determines that all responsibilities of the Secretary, the Department of Commerce, and the United States under that agreement have been fulfilled; (2) the Secretary has completed the cleanup required under specified provisions of Federal law; (3) the Secretary determines that the properties identified for transfer in an existing document can be unconditionally offered for conveyance; and (4) the Secretary determines that all amounts authorized under the Fur Seal Act of 1966 have been appropriated and obligated. Repeals, effective when the conditions of the previous sentence are met, provisions of: (1) the Fur Seal Act of 1966 relating to the property conveyance and related matters; and (2) Federal law relating to the cleanup of landfills and wastes left by NOAA. Prohibits any Federal agency or department from seeking financial contributions from any Pribilof Natives for the cleanup costs or fees incurred by the Secretary under the agreement or specified provisions of Federal law. Declares that this Act does not affect the obligation of the Secretary or any Federal department or agency under three specified documents.(Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions of Federal law relating to the cleanup of landfills and wastes left by NOAA. Authorizes the Secretary to provide Alaska a limited amount per year to establish and capitalize a revolving fund to be used by the State for low interest loans to Pribilof Natives to assess, respond, remediate, and monitor contamination from lead paint, asbestos, and petroleum from underground storage tanks that resulted from NOAA administration of the Islands under the Fur Seal Act of 1966.
People & committees
Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large] · R–AK
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10552-10555)
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10546-10550)
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10546-10550)
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 - 3, 2 Present (Roll no. 327). (text: CR H5092-5094)
House roll call 327 · Individual votesMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 - 3, 2 Present (Roll no. 327).(text: CR H5092-5094)
House roll call 327 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5162)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3417.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5092-5095)
Mr. Sherwood moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 314.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 106-569.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 106-569.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans Discharged.
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Oversight hearing held by Subcommitee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans before introduction of bill (July 29, 1999).
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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