A bill to amend the Organic Act of Guam, the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, and the Compact of Free Association Act, and for other purposes.
Committee Hearings Held.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 28, 1997
Amends the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 to: (1) extend, upon request of the Government of the Marshall Islands, certain agricultural and food assistance programs for the Bikini and Enewetak people, for another five years; and (2) ensure that the commodities provided reflect the population changes that have occurred since the effective date of the Compact. (Sec. 2) Repeals the mandate that the Secretary of the Interior transfer administration of the American Memorial Park (in Saipan) to the government of the Northern Mariana Islands. (Sec. 3) Makes technical changes to the Education Amendments of 1972 with respect to Territorial Land Grant Colleges (thus providing separate land grant status to the College of Micronesis-FSM, the College of the Marshall Islands, and the Palau Community College). Requires that the land grant trust fund amount attributable to a specified appropriation authorized for Micronesia be divided equally among the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau for the benefit of the College of the Marshall Islands, the College of Micronesia-FSM, and the Palau Community College. (Sec. 4) Amends the Organic Act of Guam to provide for transfer of Federal excess real property by the Administrator of General Services to the Government of Guam. (Sec. 5) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend State treatment with respect to certain drug enforcement programs to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (Sec. 6) Amends the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to provide that: (1) an absence of the Governor or Lieutenant Governor from the territory while on official business shall not be a "temporary absence" involving a surrender of authority and power; and (2) Virgin Islands revenue bonds, instead of the current priority for payment, shall have a parity lien with every other subsequently issued obligation. (Sec. 7) Establishes the Commission on the Economic Future of the Virgin Islands to make recommendations to the President and the Congress on policies and actions for a secure and self-sustaining future for the local economy of the Virgin Islands through 2020, as well as the Federal role in providing for that future. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide, on a nonreimbursable basis, assistance to the Government of the Marshall Islands to carry out direct radiation related medical surveillance and treatment programs under the Compact. (Sec. 9) Amends the Housing Community Development Act of 1980 to make a lawful resident alien of the United States and its territories and possessions (including the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau) eligible for certain housing assistance. (Sec. 11) American Samoa Development Act of 1997 - Establishes the Commission on the Economic Future of American Samoa to make recommendations to the President and the Congress on policies and actions for a secure and self-sustaining future for the local economy of American Samoa through 2020, as well as the Federal role in providing for that future. Authorizes appropriations.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation and Research.
Referred to House Agriculture
Referred to House Government Reform
Referred to House International Relations
Referred to House Judiciary
Referred to House Banking and Financial Services
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Banking and Financial Services, the Judiciary, International Relations, Government Reform and Oversight, and 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 House Resources
Held at the desk.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in 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. (consideration: CR S5639-5641)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5467-5468)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 64.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski under the authority of the order of May 23, 97 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 105-22.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski under the authority of the order of May 23, 97 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 105-22.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-15.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-15.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S734-736)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Bill text & related measures
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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