PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 1, 1999
American Land Sovereignty Protection Act - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1980 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from nominating any Federal lands for inclusion on the World Heritage List pursuant to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage unless: (1) the Secretary publishes a finding that commercially viable uses of nominated lands and lands within ten miles of them will not be adversely affected by such inclusion; (2) the Secretary has reported to the Congress on the lands' natural resources and the impact that the inclusion would have on existing and future uses of such lands; and (3) such nomination is specifically authorized by a law. Authorizes the President to submit proposals for legislation authorizing such a nomination after publication of the Secretary's finding. Requires the Secretary to object to the inclusion of any property in the United States on the list of World Heritage in Danger (established under the Convention) unless the Secretary: (1) has reported to the Congress on the necessity for such inclusion, the natural resources associated with the property, and the impact such inclusion would have on existing and future uses of such property; and (2) is specifically authorized to assent to the inclusion by a joint resolution of the Congress enacted after the report is submitted. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on the management of each World Heritage Site within the United States. (Sec. 4) Prohibits any Federal official from nominating any lands in the United States for designation as a Biosphere Reserve under the Man and Biosphere Program of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Provides that any such designation before enactment of this Act shall not have any force or effect, unless the Biosphere Reserve: (1) is specifically authorized by a law enacted before December 31, 2000; (2) consists solely of federally owned lands; and (3) is subject to a management plan that specifically ensures that the use of intermixed or adjacent non-Federal property is not limited or restricted as a result of that designation. Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to specified congressional committees information on the management of each Biosphere Reserve within the United States. (Sec. 5) Prohibits any Federal official from nominating, classifying, or designating any Federal land located within the United States for a special or restricted use under any international agreement for conserving, preserving, or protecting the terrestrial or marine environment, flora, or fauna (with specified exceptions) unless specifically authorized by law, but authorizes the Secretary to submit proposals for authorizing legislation. Provides that any such nomination, classification, or designation of private or State or local lands shall have no force or effect without the owner's consent or specific authorization by State or local law, respectively.
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.
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 passage Passed by voice vote.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by voice vote.
The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 883.
ORDER OF BUSINESS - The Chair announced that recorded votes postponed earlier will occur in the following order: The amendment offered by Mr. Vento; the amendment offered by Mr. Udall of Colorado; and the amendment offered by Mr. Sweeney, as amended.
POSTPONED VOTE ON THE SWEENEY AMENDMENT - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment offered by Mr. Sweeney, as amended, and announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Young of Alaska objected to the voice vote pending the absence of a quorum. Further proceedings on the amendment were postponed and the point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
POSTPONED VOTE ON UDALL OF COLORADO AMENDMENT - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment offered by Mr. Udall of Colorado and announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Udall of Colorado objected to the voice vote pending the absence of a quorum. Further proceedings on the amendment were postponed and the point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
POSTPONED VOTE ON VENTO AMENDMENT - The Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment offered by Mr. Vento and announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Vento objected to the voice vote pending the absence of a quorum. Further proceedings on the amendment were postponed and the point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
DEBATE ON AMENDMENTS - Pursuant to the rule debate on all amendments is limited to four hours.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 883.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Cliff Stearns to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 180 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 883 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule for a period not to exceed four hours. No amendment shall be in order except those printed in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose. Each amendment may be offered only by the Member who caused it to be printed or his designee and shall be considered as read.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 180. (consideration: CR H3402-3425)
Rule H. Res. 180 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 180 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 883 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule for a period not to exceed four hours. No amendment shall be in order except those printed in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose. Each amendment may be offered only by the Member who caused it to be printed or his designee and shall be considered as read.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 81.
Reported by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 106-142.
Reported by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 106-142.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 14.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Hearings Held.
Executive Comment Requested from Interior, State.
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E297-298)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
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.883 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.883 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.883 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.883 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.