PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 660.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 22, 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Steamtown National Historic Site Title II: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Title I: Steamtown National Historic Site - Repeals the Steamtown National Historic Site Act of 1986 and sets forth new provisions establishing the Steamtown National Historic Site to preserve and interpret certain elements of railroading, especially steam-operated railroads during the period of 1850 to 1950. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to prepare and submit a new comprehensive general management plan for the Site to specified congressional committees. Prohibits the Secretary from acquiring any lands or interests in lands contaminated with hazardous substances that would require removal or remedial action at the expense of the United States. Requires any National Park Service funds expended for such purpose before enactment of this Act to be fully reimbursed before the Secretary may accept title to such lands or interests in them for the Site. Directs the Secretary to preserve the collection of railroad equipment (including locomotives and rolling stock) present at the Site as of enactment of this Act. Allows a maximum of three steam locomotives and one diesel to be restored. Permits the operation of only two steam locomotives and one diesel at any time. Prohibits Federal funds from being expended for access between the Site and any structure that is privately-owned or operated for profit. Requires the Secretary to preserve the artifact collection and archival materials located at the Site. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a regular excursion from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Moscow, Pennsylvania. Prohibits the Secretary from expending funds of the National Park Service for the restoration or maintenance of tracks, bridges, or tunnels outside the Site, except certain funds appropriated before November 15, 1991. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) pay customary and appropriate track usage fees; and (2) provide four additional annual excursions if no such excursion is longer than 50 miles one way. Establishes the Steamtown National Historic Site Advisory Committee to provide professional expertise in railroad management and history and advice to the Secretary in the development and operations of the Site. Limits: (1) amounts appropriated for the Site to FY 1994 levels; (2) expenditures for the Site to specified activities; and (3) appropriations for the Site to only those activities specially authorized by the Congress. Title II: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - Amends Federal law to change the map reference for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area with respect to its boundary.
People & committees
Rep. Vento, Bruce F. [D-MN-4] · D–MN
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 660.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Johnston with amendments. Without written report.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Johnston with amendments. Without written report.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5482-5487)
Mr. Vento moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 325.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 103-588.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 103-588.
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.
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E3121-3123)
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.3708 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.3708 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.3708 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.3708 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.