A bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to permit the use and occupancy of certain lands within the jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for recreational and public uses.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 23, 1995

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to issue permits for the public and recreational use and occupancy of suitable lands under the jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) if such use or occupancy is compatible and will not interfere with or reduce the effectiveness of the purposes for which NOAA operates the site. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) permit length (30 years) and conditions; (2) deposit of permit revenues into the Treasury and use for land administration purposes; and (3) deposit into general Treasury funds of permit revenues in excess of $1 million in any fiscal year.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI] · D–HI

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 23, 1995
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Jan 23, 1995
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jan 23, 1995 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.261 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.261, 104th Congress: A bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to permit the use and occupancy of certain lands within the jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for recreational and public uses.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/261

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1995-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s261/BILLS-104s261is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:41Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.261 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.261 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.261, 104th Congress: A bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to permit the use and occupancy of certain lands within the jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for recreational and public uses.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/261

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1995-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s261/BILLS-104s261is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:41Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.261 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.261 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.261, 104th Congress: A bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to permit the use and occupancy of certain lands within the jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for recreational and public uses.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/261

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1995-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s261/BILLS-104s261is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:41Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.261 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.261 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.261, 104th Congress: A bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to permit the use and occupancy of certain lands within the jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for recreational and public uses.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/261

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1995-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s261/BILLS-104s261is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:41Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.261 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.