PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Jan. 3, 2009.
Congressional Research Service
Version 18 · Reported to House amended, Part I · May 22, 2008
Paleontological Resources Preservation Act - (Sec. 3) Directs the the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate, to: (1) manage and protect paleontological resources on federal land, using scientific principles and expertise; and (2) develop plans for inventorying, monitoring, and deriving the scientific and educational use of such resources.
(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to increase public awareness about such resources.
(Sec. 5) Prohibits a person from collecting a paleontological resource from federal land without a permit issued under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to allow casual collecting of a reasonable amount of common invertebrate and plant paleontological resources for non-commercial personal uses without a permit on certain federal lands. Recognizes as valid permits issued before enactment of this Act. Sets forth criteria by which the Secretary may issue permits for paleontological resources. Requires that any paleontological resource and associated records collected under a permit be deposited in an approved repository. Allows the Secretary to modify, suspend, or revoke a permit under specified circumstances, including if there is a violation of a term or a condition of a permit. Declares that a permit shall be revoked if any person working under the authority of the permit is convicted of a criminal offense under this Act or assessed a civil penalty under this Act.
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(Sec. 6) States that the Secretary may enter into agreements with non-federal repositories regarding the curation of paleontological resources, data, and records.
(Sec. 7) Prohibits: (1) evacuating, removing, or altering a paleontological resource located on federal lands, except in accordance with this Act; (2) exchanging or receiving a paleontological resource, or selling or purchasing a paleontological resource, if the person knew or should have known such resource was illegally removed from federal lands; or (3) making or submitting false records, accounts, or identification of any paleontological resource excavated or removed from federal lands. Imposes criminal penalties for violating this Act.
(Sec. 8) Sets forth requirements for the assessment of civil penalties by the Secretary for violations of any prohibitions contained in regulations or permits issued under this Act. Requires any recovered amounts to be available for use: (1) to protect or restore paleontological resources and sites which were the subject of the action, or to acquire sites with equivalent resources, and to protect, monitor, and study the resources and sites; (2) to provide educational materials to the public about paleontological resources and sites; and (3) as a reward.
(Sec. 9) Allows the Secretary to pay a reward from penalties collected under this Act to any person who furnishes information leading to the finding of a civil violation, or the conviction of criminal violation, with respect to which the penalty was paid. Subjects to civil or, as appropriate, criminal forfeiture all paleontological resources with respect to which a violation occurred and all vehicles and equipment that were used in connection with the violation. Allows the Secretary to transfer administration of seized paleontological resources to educational institutions for scientific or educational purposes.
(Sec. 10) Requires that information on the nature and specific location of a paleontological resource that requires a permit under this Act or other federal law be withheld from the public, including under the Freedom of Information Act, except under specified conditions.
(Sec. 11) Directs the Secretary to issue such regulations as are appropriate to carry out this Act.
(Sec. 13) Authorizes appropriations.
People & committees
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-3] · D–MA
Legislative record
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House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Jan. 3, 2009.
House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Jan. 3, 2009.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 3, 2008.
House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 3, 2008.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 2, 2008.
House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 2, 2008.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 29, 2008.
House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 29, 2008.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 28, 2008.
House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 28, 2008.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 26, 2008.
House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 26, 2008.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 12, 2008.
House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 12, 2008.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Aug. 1, 2008.
House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Aug. 1, 2008.
Referred sequentially to the House Committee on the Judiciary for a period ending not later than July 18, 2008 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(k), rule X.
House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 18, 2008.
House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 20, 2008.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-670, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-670, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Discharged.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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