To establish a mechanism by which the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior can provide for uniform management of livestock grazing on Federal lands.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Title I: Management of Grazing on Federal Lands
Title II: Miscellaneous
Forage Improvement Act of 1997 - Title I: Management of Grazing on Federal Lands - Sets forth the application of this title under specified laws to grazing management on Federal lands administered by the Secretary of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management lands), the Secretary of Agriculture (Forest Service lands), and certain other U.S. lands.
(Sec. 102) Defines specified terms, including "sixteen contiguous Western States" (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming).
(Sec. 103) States that monitoring of conditions on Federal lands within grazing allotments shall be: (1) performed by Federal, State, or local personnel, grazing permittees and lessees, or professional consultants; and (2) site specific, scientific, and conducted according to regional or State criteria.
(Sec. 104) Prohibits grazing permit subleasing for livestock not owned or controlled by the permittee or lessee.
(Sec. 105) Permits an allotment plan or grazing permit to include a written agreement with a qualified permittee or lessee for outcome-based standards.
(Sec. 106) States that the fee for each animal unit month (as defined in this Act) in a grazing fee year shall equal the 12-year average of the total gross beef cattle production value (as determined by the Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service) for the 12 preceding years multiplied by the 12-year average six-month Treasury bill new issue rate, divided by 12. Establishes a separate fee for foreign-owned or -controlled grazing permits or leases.
Exempts an animal from being counted that is less than six months old on the date it begins grazing and is the progeny of a fee-paid animal if it is removed from such grazing land before reaching 12 months old.
Directs the Economic Research Service to continue to compile and report the gross value of beef cattle production as currently published.
Title II: Miscellaneous - States that this Act shall become effective on the first day of the first grazing season after the date of enactment of this Act.
(Sec. 202) Directs the Secretaries to publish implementing regulations within 180 days after enactment of this Act.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 284 and Rule XXIII.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Jim Nussle to act as Chairman of the Committee.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 284, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Smith of Oregon amendment.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2493.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 242 - 182 (Roll no. 549).
Roll Call #549 (House)On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 242 - 182 (Roll no. 549).
Roll Call #549 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Referred to Subcommittee on Forests and Public Lands.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, OMB.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski without amendment. Without written report.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski without amendment. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 589.
By Senator Murkowski from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 105-338. Minority views filed.
By Senator Murkowski from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 105-338. Minority views filed.