PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

A bill to provide that certain Federal property shall be made available to States for State use before being made available to other entities, and for other purposes.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 9, 1995

Revises various specified Federal laws concerning the transfer, disposal, and distribution of certain surplus Federal property by the Department of Defense (DOD) and other specified Federal agencies. Gives State and local governments priority over foreign countries in receiving nonlethal excess DOD supplies before they are made available for humanitarian relief purposes. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to exclude motor vehicles from the personal property DOD may transfer to Federal and State agencies for counter-drug activities. Repeals the mandate for DOD participation in infrastructure improvement demonstration programs conducted by Regional Equipment Centers in Newport Township and Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, with respect to the transfer of property for environmental protection in foreign countries, to prohibit such transfers unless the Administrator of General Services (GSA Administrator) determines that there is no Federal or State use requirements for the property under any other provision of law. Amends the Small Business Act to subject to the supervision of the GSA Administrator, in consultation with State agencies responsible for surplus property distribution, the transfer of U.S.-owned technology or surplus property to participants in the small business and capital ownership development program. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to transfer surplus equipment to an educational institution with which it has a partnership agreement. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to repeal the authority of a Federal agency head or the director of a Federal laboratory to give excess research equipment to an educational institution or nonprofit organization. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of General Services to delegate such transfer authority to the director of a Federal laboratory. Requires the Administrator of General Services to review all such laws for a report to the Congress on the effectiveness of surplus personal property disposal programs along with recommendations for consolidating them under a single Federal authority.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Pryor, David H. [D-AR] · D–AR

Committees

  • Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
8 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6347, S6348-6349)

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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

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: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.771 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.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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