PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

A bill to establish the conditions under which the Bonneville Power Administration and certain Federal agencies may enter into a memorandum of agreement concerning management of the Columbia/Snake River Basin, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to appoint an advisory committee to make recommendations regarding activities under the memorandum of understanding, and for other purposes.

Subcommittee on Forests and Public Lands. Hearings held.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 21, 1998

Prescribes conditions under which the Bonneville Power Administration or any other Federal agency may enter into or implement a memorandum of understanding. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish an advisory committee to advise Federal agencies regarding matters addressed under any such memorandum, including the economic and social impact of proposed activities or recommendations. Instructs the Secretary to appoint committee members from among the persons nominated by the Governors of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Authorizes appropriations. Instructs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, upon the request of a non-Federal party to such a memorandum, to designate an official authorized to reconcile differences between the Federal agencies on issues pertinent to the memorandum. Requires each Federal agency to make available to the public all data and methodologies prepared under such a memorandum. Directs the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council to report annually to the Congress on how the recommendations concerning fish and wildlife activities under the current memorandum of understanding will be reconciled and coordinated with its activities under the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Act. Requires the President to include in each fiscal year budget for each Federal agency the amount of budget authority and outlays proposed to be expended in the Columbia-Snake River Basin.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR] · R–OR

Committees

  • Energy and Natural Resources Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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    1. Subcommittee on Forests and Public Lands. Hearings held.

    2. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, Department of Commerce, Department of the Army, Office of Management and Budget.

    3. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Departments of Commerce, Energy, and Interior, and Office of Management and Budget.

    4. Referred to Subcommittee on Water and Power.

    5. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    6. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5332)

    7. Introduced in Senate

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    Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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