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[From the House Reports Online via GPO Access.
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104th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 104-286
_______________________________________________________________________
MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED
AGENCIES, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
_______
October 20, 1995.--Ordered to be printed
_______________________________________________________________________
Mr. Wolf, from the committee of conference, submitted the following
CONFERENCE REPORT
[To accompany H.R. 2002]
The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of
the two Houses on the amendments of the Senate to the bill
(H.R. 2002) ``making appropriations for the Department of
Transportation and related agencies for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1996, and for other purposes,'' having met, after
full and free conference, have agreed to recommend and do
recommend to their respective Houses as follows:
That the Senate recede from its amendments numbered 2, 5,
10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 21, 34, 37, 44, 51, 53, 56, 63, 64, 65,
66, 73, 78, 86, 91, 112, 121, 125, 126, 132, 133, 134, 135,
141, 142, 143, 146, 148, 152, 155, 156, 161, 162, 165, 166,
171, 172, 173, 181, 183, 184, 185, 189, and 190.
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendments of the Senate numbered 3, 4, 15, 17, 20, 24, 31, 33,
35, 38, 39, 42, 43, 46, 49, 50, 69, 70, 71, 74, 76, 77, 79, 84,
85, 89, 90, 93, 99, 105, 107, 108, 114, 119, 120, 136, 138,
144, 145, 147, 149, 150, 151, 159, 160, 168, 169, 170, and 191,
and agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 1:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 1, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$56,189,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 6:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 6, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$8,220,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 7:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 7, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$103,149,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 8:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 8, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$22,600,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 9:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 9, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$22,600,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 14:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 14, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$16,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 16:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 16, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$135,200,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 22:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 22, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$2,278,991,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 23:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 23, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: ; and of which $20,000,000 shall be expended
from the Boat Safety Account; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 25:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 25, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$362,375,000; and on page 8 of the House engrossed bill H.R.
2002 delete line 23; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 26:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 26, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$167,600,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 27:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 27, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$12,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 28:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 28, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$49,200,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 29:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 29, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$88,875,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 30:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 30, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$44,700,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 32:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 32, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
: Provided further, That the Commandant may dispose of surplus
real property by sale or lease and the proceeds of such sale or
lease shall be credited to this appropriation; and the Senate
agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 36:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 36, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$18,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 40:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 40, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$4,645,712,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 41:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 41, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$2,222,859,100; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 45:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 45, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
: Provided further, That the Secretary may transfer funds to
this account, from Coast Guard ``Operating expenses'', not to
exceed $60,000,000 in total for the fiscal year, fifteen days
after written notification to the House and Senate Committees
on Appropriations, solely for the purpose of providing
additional funds for air traffic control operations and
maintenance to enhance aviation safety and security; and the
Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 47:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 47, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$1,934,883,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 48:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 48, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$1,718,883,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 52:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 52, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$185,698,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 54:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 54, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$1,450,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 55:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 55, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the first sum named in said amendment, insert:
$26,000,000.
In lieu of the second sum named in said amendment,
insert: $48,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 57:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 57, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$509,660,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 58:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 58, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$208,946,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 59:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 59, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$11,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 60:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 60, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$11,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 61:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 61, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$17,550,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 62:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 62, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$77,225,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 67:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 67, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$51,884,430; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 68:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 68, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$32,247,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 72:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 72, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$127,700,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 75:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 75, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: : Provided further, That none of these funds
shall be used for construction, rehabilitation or remodeling
costs, or for office furnishings and fixtures for State, local,
or private buildings or structures; and the Senate agree to the
same.
Amendment numbered 80:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 80, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$49,919,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 81:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 81, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$24,550,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 82:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 82, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$115,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 83:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 83, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter stricken and inserted by said
amendment, insert: studies, corridor planning, development,
demonstration, and implementation, $19,205,000, to remain
available until expended; and on page 24, line 14 of the House
engrossed bill H.R. 2002, delete ``$5,000,000'' and in lieu
thereof, insert: $7,118,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 87:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 87, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the first sum named in said amendment, insert:
$1,000,000; and in lieu of the second sum named in said
amendment, insert: $6,000,000; and the Senate agree to the
same.
Amendment numbered 88:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 88, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter stricken and inserted by said
amendment, insert: $635,000,000, to remain available until
expended; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 92:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 92, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: That up to $15,000,000 of the amount made
available under this head for capital improvements may, at the
discretion of the Corporation, be transferred to the Northeast
Corridor Improvement Program: Provided further, ; and the
Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 94:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 94, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$942,925,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 95:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 95, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$2,052,925,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 96:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 96, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
: Provided further, That the limitation on operating assistance
provided under this heading shall, for urbanized areas of less
than 200,000 in population, be no less than seventy-five
percent of the amount of operating assistance such areas are
eligible to receive under Public Law 103-331; and the Senate
agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 97:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 97, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
: Provided further, That in the distribution of the limitation
provided under this heading to urbanized areas that had a
population under the 1990 census of 1,000,000 or more, the
Secretary shall direct each such area to give priority
consideration to the impact of reductions in operating
assistance on smaller transit authorities operating within the
area and to consider the needs and resources of such transit
authorities when the limitation is distributed among all
transit authorities operating in the area; and the Senate agree
to the same.
Amendment numbered 98:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 98, and agree to the same with
an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter stricken and inserted by said
amendment, insert: $85,500,000 of which $39,500,000 shall be
for activities under 49 U.S.C. 5303, $4,500,000 for activities
under 49 U.S.C. 5311(b)(2), $8,250,000 for activities under 49
U.S.C. 5313(b), $22,000,000 for activities under 49 U.S.C.
5314, $8,250,000 for activities under 49 U.S.C. 5313(a), and
$3,000,000 for activities under 49 U.S.C. 5315; and the Senate
agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 100:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 100, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter stricken and inserted by said
amendment, insert: , notwithstanding any other provision of
law, except for fixed guideway modernization projects,
$21,631,250 made available under Public Law 102-388 under
``Federal Transit Administration, Discretionary Grants'' for
projects specified in that Act or identified in reports
accompanying that Act, not obligated by September 30, 1995,
shall be made available for new fixed guideway systems together
with the $666,000,000 made available for new fixed guideway
systems in this Act, to be available as follows; and the Senate
agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 101:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 101, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$20,060,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 102:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 102, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: $4,250,000 for the Canton-Akron-Cleveland
commuter rail project; ; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 103:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 103, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: $1,000,000 for the Cincinnati Northeast/
Northern Kentucky rail line project; ; and the Senate agree to
the same.
Amendment numbered 104:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 104, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$3,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 106:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 106, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$6,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 109:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 109, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: $9,720,625 for the Jacksonville ASE extension
project; ; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 110:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 110, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$85,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 111:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 111, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: $8,500,000 for the Los Angeles-San Diego
commuter rail project; ; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 113:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 113, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$15,315,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 115:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 115, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: $1,250,000 for the Memphis, Tennessee Regional
Rail Plan; ; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 116:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 116, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$80,250,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 117:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 117, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: $5,000,000 for the New Orleans Canal Street
Corridor project; ; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 118:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 118, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$126,725,125; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 122:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 122, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$12,500,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 123:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 123, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$9,759,500; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 124:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 124, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: , of which not more than $5,000,000 may be
available for high-occupancy vehicle lane and intermodal
corridor design costs; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 127:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 127, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: $7,500,000 for the San Juan, Puerto Rico Tren
Urbano project;
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 128:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 128, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: $500,000 for the Tampa to Lakeland commuter
rail project;
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 129:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 129, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: $2,500,000 for the Whitehall ferry terminal,
New York, New York;
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 130:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 130, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows: ; and; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 131:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 131, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
$5,650,000 for the Burlington-Charlotte, Vermont commuter rail
project.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 137:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 137, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$23,937,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 139:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 139, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$31,448,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 140:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 140, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$28,750,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 153:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 153, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$7,500,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 154:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 154, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert:
$95,649,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 157:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 157, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter stricken and inserted by said
amendment, insert: collocate and consolidate; and the Senate
agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 158:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 158, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter stricken and inserted by said
amendment, insert: surface transportation field offices and
administrative activities; and the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 163:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 163, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert
the following:
Sec. 339. None of the funds in this Act shall, in the
absence of express authorization by Congress, be used directly
or indirectly to pay for any personal service, advertisement,
telegram, telephone, letter, printed or written matter, or
other device, intended or designed to influence in any manner a
Member of Congress, to favor or oppose, by vote or otherwise,
any legislation or appropriation by Congress, whether before or
after the introduction of any bill or resolution proposing such
legislation or appropriation: Provided, That this shall not
prevent officers or employees of the Department of
Transportation or related agencies funded in this Act from
communicating to Members of Congress on the request of any
Member or to Congress, through the proper official channels,
requests for legislation or appropriations which they deem
necessary for the efficient conduct of the public business.
And, on page 53 of the House engrossed bill H.R. 2002,
delete lines 1-13.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 164:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 164, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 340. None of the funds in this Act shall be
available to pay the salaries and expenses of any individual to
arrange tours of scientists or engineers employed by or working
for the People's Republic of China, to hire citizens of the
People's Republic of China to participate in research
fellowships sponsored by the modal administrations of the
Department of Transportation, or to provide training or any
form of technology transfer to scientists or engineers employed
by or working for the People's Republic of China: Provided,
That this provision shall not apply to the Federal Aviation
Administration or the joint Federal Aviation Administration,
Department of Defense and Department of Commerce initiative
designed to modernize the air traffic control system of the
People's Republic of China.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 167:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 167, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
Sec. 343. None of the funds made available in this Act
may be used for improvements to the Miller Highway in New York
City, New York.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 174:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 174, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
Sec. 347. (a) In consultation with the employees of the
Federal Aviation Administration and such non-governmental
experts in personnel management systems as he may employ, and
notwithstanding the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
and other Federal personnel laws, the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration shall develop and implement,
not later than January 1, 1996, a personnel management system
for the Federal Aviation Administration that addresses the
unique demands on the agency's workforce. Such a new system
shall, at a minimum, provide for greater flexibility in the
hiring, training, compensation, and location of personnel.
(b) The provisions of title 5, United States Code, shall
not apply to the new personnel management system developed and
implemented pursuant to subsection (a), with the exception of:
(1) Section 2302(b), relating to whistleblower
protection;
(2) Sections 3308-3320, relating to veterans'
preference;
(3) Section 7116(b)(7), relating to limitations on
the right to strike;
(4) Section 7204, relating to antidiscrimination;
(5) Chapter 73, relating to suitability, security,
and conduct;
(6) Chapter 81, relating to compensation for work
injury; and
(7) Chapters 83-85, 87, and 89, relating to
retirement, unemployment compensation, and insurance
coverage.
(c) This section shall take effect on April 1, 1996.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 175:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 175, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
Sec. 348. (a) In consultation with such non-governmental
experts in acquisition management systems as he may employ, and
notwithstanding provisions of Federal acquisition law, the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall
develop and implement, not later than January 1, 1996, an
acquisition management system for the Federal Aviation
Administration that addresses the unique needs of the agency
and, at a minimum, provides for more timely and cost-effective
acquisitions of equipment and materials.
(b) The following provisions of Federal acquisition law
shall not apply to the new acquisition management system
developed and implemented pursuant to subsection (a):
(1) Title III of the Federal Property and
Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 252-
266).
(2) The Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act
(41 U.S.C. 401 et seq.);
(3) The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of
1994 (Public Law 103-355);
(4) The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.),
except that all reasonable opportunities to be awarded
contracts shall be provided to small business concerns
and small business concerns owned and controlled by
socially and economically disadvantaged inidividuals;
(5) The Competition in Contracting Act;
(6) Subchapter V of Chapter 35 of title 31,
relating to the procurement protest system;
(7) The Brooks Automatic Data Processing Act (40
U.S.C. 759); and
(8) The Federal Acquisition Regulation and any laws
not listed in (a) through (e) of this section providing
authority to promulgate regulations in the Federal
Acquisition Regulation.
(c) This section shall take effect on April 1, 1996.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 176:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 176, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the section designation of said amendment,
insert:
Sec. 349.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 177:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 177, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the section designation of said amendment,
insert:
Sec. 350.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 178:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 178, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the section designation of said amendment,
insert:
Sec. 351.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 179:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 179, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the section designation of said amendment,
insert:
Sec. 352.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 180:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 180, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the section designation of said amendment,
insert:
Sec. 353.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 182:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 182, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the section designation of said amendment,
insert:
Sec. 354.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 186:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 186, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the section designation of said amendment,
insert:
Sec. 355.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 187:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 187, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the section designation of said amendment,
insert:
Sec. 356.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Amendment numbered 188:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate numbered 188, and agree to the same
with an amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
SEC. 357. AUTHORITY TO USE FUNDS FOR SIDING AND INTERMODAL FACILITY IN
RICHLAND COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA.
Notwithstanding section 22101(a)(3) of title 49, United
States Code, the State of North Dakota may use funds available
to the State under section 22106(b) of such title for the
building of a siding and intermodal facility proposed by the
State in Sections 7 and 8, Township 133 North, Range 47 West,
Richland County, North Dakota.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Frank R. Wolf,
Tom DeLay,
Ralph Regula,
Harold Rogers,
Jim Lightfoot,
Ron Packard,
Sonny Callahan,
Jay Dickey,
Bob Livingston,
Martin Olav Sabo (except amendment
174 and amendment 190)
Richard J. Durbin (except amendment
132, amendment 174, and
amendment 190)
Ronald D. Coleman (except amendment
174)
Thomas M. Foglietta (except
amendment 174)
David R. Obey (except amendment 174)
Managers on the Part of the House.
Mark O. Hatfield,
Pete V. Domenici,
Arlen Specter,
Christopher S. Bond,
Slade Gorton,
Richard C. Shelby,
Frank R. Lautenberg,
Tom Harkin,
Barbara A. Mikulski,
Managers on the Part of the Senate.
JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE
The managers on the part of the House and the Senate at
the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on
amendments of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 2002) making
appropriations for the Department of Transportation and related
agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, and for
other purposes, submit the following joint statement to the
House and the Senate in explanation of the effect of the action
agreed upon by the managers and recommended in the accompanying
conference report.
congressional directives
The conferees agree that Executive Branch propensities
cannot substitute for Congress' own statements concerning the
best evidence of Congressional intentions--that is, the
official reports of the Congress. Report language included by
the House that is not changed by the report of the Senate, and
Senate report language that is not changed by the conference is
approved by the committee of conference. The statement of the
managers, while repeating some report language for emphasis, is
not intended to negate the language referred to above unless
expressly provided herein.
program, project and activity
During fiscal year 1996, for the purposes of the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law
99-177), as amended, with respect to funds provided for the
Department of Transportation and related agencies, the terms
``program, project and activity'' shall mean any item for which
a dollar amount is contained in an appropriations Act
(including joint resolutions providing continuing
appropriations) or accompanying reports of the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations, or accompanying conference
reports and joint explanatory statements of the committee of
conference. In addition, the reductions made pursuant to any
sequestration order to funds appropriated for ``Federal
Aviation Administration, facilities and equipment'' and for
``Coast Guard, Acquisition, construction, and improvements''
shall be applied equally to each ``budget item'' that is listed
under said accounts in the budget justifications submitted to
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations as modified
by subsequent appropriation Acts and accompanying committee
reports, conference reports, or joint explanatory statements of
the committee of conference. The conferees recognize that
adjustments to the above allocations may be required due to
changing program requirements or priorities. The conferees
expect any such adjustment, if required, to be accomplished
only through the normal reprogramming process.
staffing increases provided by congress
The conferees direct the Department of Transportation to
fill expeditiously any positions added in this bill, without
regard to agency-specific staffing targets which may have been
previously established to meet the mandated government-wide
staffing reductions. The conferees support the overall staffing
reductions, and have made reductions in the bill which more
than offset staffing increases provided for a small number of
specific activities.
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
salaries and expenses
Amendment No. 1: Appropriates $56,189,000 for salaries
and expenses of the Office of the Secretary, instead of
$55,011,500 as proposed by the House and $56,500,000 as
proposed by the Senate. Within these funds, the conferees have
provided $91,000 and 1 full-time equivalent staff year for
aviation information management.
The conference agreement includes the following changes
to the budget request for this office:
Reductions in staff, -8 FTEs............................ -$600,000
Hold reception and representation costs to 1995 levels.. -20,000
Hold travel to $365,000................................. -150,000
Reduce contractual services for acquisition, maintenance
and repair of ADP equipment and commercial online
data information systems, and other reductions...... -500,000
Delete funds for residual functions of the Interstate
Commerce Commission................................. -4,705,000
Reductions in staff, -8 FTEs.--The conference agreement
reduces the number of full time equivalent staff of the Office
of the Secretary by 8 full-time equivalent staff years and
$600,000. Though the conferees believe that reductions in the
number of attorney advisors, public affairs specialists and
congressional affairs officers will not undermine the ability
of the Department to conduct its core duties and
responsibilities, the conference agreement affords the
Secretary the flexibility to determine the specific reductions
in staff. The Secretary is directed to allocate the reduction
in staff and notify the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations within fifteen days after the enactment of this
Act.
Travel, office of the assistant secretary for budget and
programs.--The conference agreement includes $5,000 for the
travel of the office of the assistant secretary for budget and
programs, which is the same level imposed upon the office in
fiscal year 1995. The conferees are concerned that travel for
this office in fiscal year 1995 may have exceeded last year's
directive and that this directive may have been circumvented by
using funds from the operating administrations. The conferees
reiterate that Congressional directives in this area need to be
followed explicitly by this office in the future and direct
that no funds be used from other sources to supplement travel
by this office.
Reprogramming procedures.--Over the past year, the
conferees have become aware of numerous instances in which
various modal administrations of the department have either
misinterpreted or disregarded the existing departmental
reprogramming procedures, which limit reprogrammings among
programs, projects and activities to no more than ten percent
unless Congressional approval is granted. The conferees
reiterate that the department shall not take any action that
would contravene an instruction included in the conference
agreement unless such action is in accord with the established
reprogramming guidelines and for which previous Congressional
approval is provided.
Office of intermodalism.--The conferees note that in
1991, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
created the Office of Intermodalism within the Department of
Transportation to initiate and promote efficient intermodal
transportation. The conferees express their support for the
assistance the office has given the Department of Defense in
exploring joint-use, civilian/military transportation
infrastructure improvements at Biggs Army Airfield located at
Fort Bliss, Texas. In consultation and cooperation with Santa
Teresa, New Mexico and its proposed intermodal transportation
facility, the conferees urge the Department to consider to
support actively this venture.
Amendment No. 2: Provides $40,000 for official reception
and representation expenses as proposed by the House instead of
$60,000 as proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 3: Includes language that prohibits funds
from being used to maintain ``custody'' of airline tariffs as
proposed by the Senate, instead of language that prohibits
funds to maintain ``duplicate physical copies'' of airline
tariffs as proposed by the House.
Amendment No. 4: Includes the words ``and open'' as
proposed by the Senate, instead of ``or open them'' as proposed
by the House.
office of civil rights
Amendment No. 5: Appropriates $6,554,000 for the Office
of Civil Rights as proposed by the House instead of $12,083,000
as proposed by the Senate. The conference agreement disallows
the transfer of 65 FTEs and $5,158,000 to consolidate external
civil rights functions in the office of the Secretary. The
conferees are concerned that the proposal to consolidate the
various modal offices of civil rights into one office under the
guidance of the secretary may dilute the power and flexibility
of those offices to respond to the needs of small and minority
businesses participating in the various programs of the modal
administrations.
transportation planning, research, and development
Amendment No. 6: Appropriates $8,220,000 for
transportation planning, research, and development instead of
$3,309,000 as proposed by the House and $9,710,000 as proposed
by the Senate. The conference agreement provides $3,900,000 for
the integrated personnel/payroll system; $2,809,000 for
transportation planning studies; $1,000,000 for aviation
management systems; and $500,000 for the docket management
system. Funding of $6,195,000 for the automated procurement
system is deferred.
Railroad Safety Institute.--The conferees urge the
Department to consider providing funds to establish the
Railroad Safety Insti-
tute. This relates to a Senate provision in amendment numbered
185.
working capital fund
Amendment No. 7: Limits expenses of the working capital
fund to $103,149,000, instead of $102,231,000 as proposed by
the House and $104,364,000 as proposed by the Senate. The
conference agreement includes the following reductions to the
budget request:
Disallowance of transfer from OST of intermodal data
network............................................. -$453,000
Hold non-pay inflationary increases to 1.5 percent...... -262,000
Reduction in WCF-funded travel.......................... -300,000
Reduction in executive training and development programs -200,000
payments to air carriers
(liquidation of contract authorization)
(airport and airway trust fund)
(including rescission of contract authorization)
Amendment No. 8: Appropriates $22,600,000 to liquidate
contract authority obligations for payments to air carriers
instead of $15,000,000 as proposed by the House and $26,738,536
as proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 9: Limits obligations for payments to air
carriers to $22,600,000, instead of $15,000,000 as proposed by
the House and $26,738,536 as proposed by the Senate.
The conferees fully intend that all essential air service
communities that are participating in the program in fiscal
year 1995 will continue to be eligible for participation in the
essential air service program in fiscal year 1996, albeit at
reduced levels. The conferees expect that the Department may be
required to make pro-rata reductions in the subsidy or daily/
weekly service levels to manage the funding reductions included
in the conference report.
Amendment No. 10: Includes language proposed by the House
that prohibits payments to air carriers in communities fewer
than seventy highway miles from the nearest large or medium hub
airport instead of seventy-five highway miles as proposed by
the Senate.
Amendment No. 11: Deletes ``or small'' proposed by the
Senate. The program mileage criteria retained in the conference
agreement pertain only to distances from the nearest ``large or
medium'' hub airport as proposed by the House.
Amendment No. 12: Deletes exception to essential air
service program mileage criteria for communities having certain
airline maintenance facilities proposed by the Senate. The
House bill contained no similar exception.
Amendment No. 13: Includes language proposed by the House
that allows essential air service subsidies to communities
located greater than two hundred and ten miles from the nearest
large or medium hub airport instead of two hundred miles as
proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 14: Rescinds $16,000,000 in contract
authority from the payments to air carriers program instead of
$23,600,000 as proposed by the House and $11,861,464 as
proposed by the Senate. The conference agreement rescinds
contract authority that is not available for obligation due to
annual limits on obligations.
Amendment No. 15: Deletes House language that would
require the state, local government, or other non-Federal
entity to pay at least fifty percent of the cost of providing
essential air service. The conferees recognize that many
states' legislatures are not in session at this time and would
have difficulty responding to the cost sharing requirements
contained in the House bill. The conferees note, however, that
states, local governments and non-Federal entitles should begin
pursuing cost sharing mechanisms in anticipation of a fifty
percent cost share requirement in fiscal year 1997.
rental payments
Amendment No. 16: Appropriates $135,200,000 for rental
payments instead of $130,803,000 as proposed by the House and
$139,689,000 as proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 17: Provides $17,685,000 in rental payments
from ``Federal-aid highways, Limitation on general operating
expenses'' as proposed by the Senate instead of $17,099,000 as
proposed by the House.
minority business outreach
Amendment No. 18: Appropriates $2,900,000 for minority
business outreach activities as proposed by the House instead
of $2,100,000 as proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 19: Provides that of the funds appropriated
for minority business outreach activities, $2,642,000 shall be
available until September 30, 1997, as proposed by the House
instead of $1,842,000 as proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 20: Provides that funds appropriated for
minority business outreach activities may be used for business
opportunities related to any mode of transportation as proposed
by the Senate. The House bill contained no similar provision.
interstate commerce commission sunset
Amendment No. 21: Deletes appropriation of $4,705,000 for
the Interstate Commerce Commission Sunset activities proposed
by the Senate. The House bill contained no similar
appropriation. Funding for these activities is included under
amendment numbered 166.
Coast Guard
operating expenses
Amendment No. 22: Appropriates $2,278,991,000 for Coast
Guard operating expenses instead of $2,565,607,000 as proposed
by the House and $2,286,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. The
conference agreement assumes that additional funding of
$300,000,000 will be provided in the Department of Defense
Appropriations Act, 1996.
The following table shows detailed adjustments to the
budget estimate in the House and Senate recommendations and the
conference agreement by budget activity:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House bill Sente bill Conference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pay and allowances:
Budget estimate.................................... $1,591,835,000 $1,591,835,000 $1,591,835,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Military pay and benefits:
Military pay raise (2.2%)...................... -1,401,000 0 0
Military essentiality.......................... -1,000,000 0 -1,000,000
General detail................................. -3,000,000 -3,000,000 -3,000,000
Leased housing (transfer)...................... -14,900,000 -14,900,000 -14,900,000
Civilian pay and benefits:
SES staffing................................... +1,000,000 0 0
Youth opportunity staffing..................... -825,000 -825,000 -825,000
Medical care and equipment: Hold costs to fiscal
year 1995 level................................... -6,300,000 0 -2,835,000
Leased housing (by transfer)....................... +14,900,000 +14,900,000 +14,900,000
Budget activity-wide:
Accelerate existing streamlining............... -4,850,000 0 -4,850,000
Accelerate fiscal year 1997 restructuring...... -5,000,000 0 0
Undistributed.................................. +175,000 -8,000,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 1,570,634,000 1,580,010,000 1,579,325,000
========================================================
Depot level maintenance:
Aircraft........................................... 139,041,000 139,041,000 138,124,000
Electronics........................................ 31,549,000 31,549,000 31,549,000
Shore facilities................................... 95,645,000 94,126,000 93,963,000
Vessels............................................ 99,081,000 99,081,000 98,465,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended............................... 365,316,000 363,797,000 362,101,000
========================================================
Operations and support:
Budget estimate.................................... 400,496,000 400,496,000 400,496,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Area operations and support:
Cutters--high endurance........................ 0 -263,000 -263,000
Area offices................................... 0 -823,000 -823,000
Maintenance and logistics commands............. 0 -2,734,000 -2,734,000
Communications stations........................ 0 -155,000 0
District operations and support:
District offices............................... -5,600,000 0 -2,800,000
Groups and bases............................... 0 -577,000 -577,000
Combined group/air stations.................... 0 -359,000 -359,000
Marine safety offices.......................... 0 -1,285,000 -1,285,000
LORAN stations................................. 0 -237,000 -237,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 394,896,000 394,063,000 391,418,000
========================================================
Recruiting and training:
Budget estimate.................................... 70,943,000 70,943,000 70,943,000
Adjustments to budget estimate: Graduate school
tuition........................................... -1,000,000 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended............................... 69,943,000 70,943,000 70,943,000
========================================================
Coast Guard-wide centralized services and support:
Budget estimate.................................... 189,726,000 189,726,000 189,726,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Headquarters-managed units:
TISCOM......................................... 0 -19,000 -19,000
Military personnel center...................... -150,000 0 -150,000
Activities Europe.............................. 0 -1,372,000 -1,372,000
Headquarters administration:
Hold to 1.7 percent increase................... -2,000,000 0 -2,000,000
Reduce by three-tenths of 1 percent............ 0 -325,000 0
Centralized bill paying:
FTS 2000....................................... -1,434,000 -560,000 -900,000
FEC............................................ -647,000 0 -647,000
Unemployment compensation...................... -115,000 -115,000 -115,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 185,380,000 187,335,000 184,523,000
========================================================
Account-wide adjustments:
Recreational equipment............................. -146,000 -146,000 -146,000
Non-pay inflation.................................. -5,842,000 -5,842,000 -5,842,000
Non-operational travel............................. -1,831,000 -1,831,000 -1,831,000
MPPC contracting out............................... -500,000 0 0
Undistributed...................................... -10,243,000 -2,329,000 0
VTS contracting out................................ -1,000,000 0 -1,000,000
Studies and analysis............................... -1,000,000 0 -500,000
Defense bill--offset............................... 0 -300,000,000 -300,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended............................... -20,562,000 -310,148,000 -309,319,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total appropriation.............................. 2,565,607,000 2,286,000,000 2,278,991,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reprogramming procedures.--The House report expressed
concern that the Coast Guard has misinterpreted the existing
departmental reprogramming procedures, which limit
reprogrammings among programs, projects, and activities [PPAs]
to a specified percentage unless Congressional notification and
approval is granted, and which define PPAs. In response, the
Coast Guard stated they are unaware of any such guidelines. The
conferees are concerned that the Coast Guard is unaware of the
document titled ``Reprogramming Guidelines'' issued on April
13, 1992 to each of the operating administrations by the
Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs, in which these and
other important procedures are specified. Consequently, the
conferees direct the Assistant Secretary for Budget and
Programs to re-issue this guidance to all operating
administrations as soon as possible, and to report to the House
and Senate Committees on Appropriations regarding the Coast
Guard's compliance with those guidelines under the service's
current practices.
Military/civilian staffing ratio.--The conference
agreement includes a reduction of $1,000,000 for conversion of
military support positions to civilian positions, as proposed
by the House, and no additional senior executive service [SES]
positions, as proposed by the Senate. The House believed that a
modest increase in the ratio of civilians to military staffing
in the Coast Guard and additional SES positions would lead to
budget savings, management stability, and stronger ``corporate
memory'' than is presently the case. While supporting the
concept of military-to-civilian conversion, the Senate assumed
no savings from that conversion and did not agree that
additional SES positions were necessary. The conferees agree
that this topic should be more fully explored, and direct the
U.S. General Accounting Office to follow up on its past work in
this area by conducting a thorough analysis of the Coast
Guard's military/civilian staffing ratio to determine the
benefits of greater military-to-civilian conversion, including
senior civilian management positions such as the senior
executive service.
Marine safety resources.--The conferees concur in the
initiative of the Senate and have provided adequate funds
within the amounts made available for military pay and marine
safety office (MSO) operations to restore the marine safety
billets slated for termination. The conferees expect funds
provided for MSO operations above the fiscal year 1995 level
first to be used for annualization of fiscal year 1995 follow-
on costs and then to restore the operating costs associated
with these 21 billets. The conferees expect the Commandant to
submit the report on these restored billets as requested by the
Senate.
Military personnel center.--The conference agreement
includes a reduction of $150,000 for recruiting activities.
These activities should be funded under ``recruiting and
training'', not under this project.
Vessel traffic service contracting out.--The conference
agreement includes a reduction of $1,000,000 in the operating
cost of vessel traffic service [VTS] systems across the
country, as proposed by the House. This represents a 5 percent
reduction from the budgeted level of $19,862,000. The conferees
believe that VTS system operations are a prime candidate for
contract operation, and that such systems could be operated at
less cost than is presently the case with government employees.
The Coast Guard has a study underway to address the long-term
viability of retaining the VTS mission within the Coast Guard
budget, and the conferees await the results of that study next
year. However, this interim step is necessary due to budget
constraints and to assist in determining the lowest cost method
of operating VTS systems within the Coast Guard budget.
Southern Lake Michigan air facility.--The conference
report includes funds to maintain a Coast Guard search and
rescue air facility located in southern Lake Michigan.
Amendment No. 23: Provides that, of the total funding
provided for ``Operating expenses'', $20,000,000 shall be
expended from the Boat Safety Account of the Aquatic Resources
Trust Fund instead of $25,000,000 as proposed by the House and
no funds as proposed by the Senate. Under current law, the
Coast Guard is authorized to expend from the trust fund for
boating safety activities an amount equal to the amount
appropriated for the boat safety grants program.
Amendment No. 24: Deletes House language specifying that
no less than $314,200,000 is available for drug enforcement
activities, as proposed by the Senate.
Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements
Amendment No. 25: Appropriates $362,375,000 for
``Acquisition, construction, and improvements'' instead of
$375,175,000 as proposed by the House and $366,800,000 as
proposed by the Senate. The conferees also approve
reprogrammings totaling $38,000,000, resulting in overall
program resources of $400,375,000 for fiscal year 1996.
A table showing the distribution of this appropriation by
project as included in the fiscal year 1996 budget estimate,
House bill, Senate bill, and the conference agreement follows:
ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS: CONFERENCE AGREEMENT--FISCAL YEAR 1996
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 1996 Fiscal year 1996 Fiscal year 1996 Conference
Program name estimate House Senate agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vessels:
Survey and design--cutters and
boats.......................... $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000
Seagoing buoy tender (WLB)
replacement.................... 65,000,000 65,000,000 65,000,000 65,000,000
Coastal buoy tender (WLM)
replacement.................... 93,000,000 93,000,000 93,000,000 93,000,000
47-foot motor lifeboat (MLB)
replacement project............ 500,000 500,000 500,000 500,000
Buoy boat replacement project
(BUSL)......................... 8,500,000 0 8,500,000 0
Polar icebreaker replacement
follow-on...................... 4,300,000 4,300,000 0 0
82-foot WPB capability
replacement.................... 4,000,000 0 0 0
Norwegian crewing concept
development (NORCREW).......... 2,000,000 2,000,000 0 0
Self propelled barge replacement 900,000 900,000 0 0
Surface search radar replacement
project........................ 3,500,000 3,500,000 0 0
210-foot medium endurance cutter
MMA............................ 14,500,000 14,500,000 10,500,000 6,000,000
378-foot shipboard command &
control........................ 1,300,000 1,300,000 0 0
Configuration management........ 5,700,000 5,700,000 0 2,600,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total vessels................. 203,700,000 191,200,000 178,000,000 167,600,000
===========================================================================
Aircraft:
Traffic alert & collision
avoidance system (TCAS) phase
IV............................. 13,000,000 10,000,000 8,000,000 8,000,000
Global positioning system
installation phase VI.......... 1,900,000 1,900,000 1,900,000 1,900,000
HH-65 Helicopter main
transmission gearbox upgrade
phase II....................... 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 0
HC-130 side looking airborne
radar (SLAR) upgrade........... 2,100,000 2,100,000 2,100,000 2,100,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total aircraft................ 19,500,000 16,500,000 14,500,000 12,000,000
===========================================================================
Other equipment:
Supply center computer
replacement.................... 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000
Fleet logistics system.......... 3,000,000 3,000,000 0 3,000,000
Vessel traffic service (VTS)
system 2000.................... 5,000,000 5,000,000 2,000,000 3,400,000
VTS equipment replacement....... 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 1,900,000
Marine information for safety
and law enforcement (MISLE).... 11,000,000 11,000,000 11,000,000 11,000,000
Conversion of software
applications................... 11,100,000 6,100,000 9,000,000 8,500,000
Finance center information
system replacement............. 2,600,000 2,600,000 2,500,000 2,500,000
Differential GPS transmitter
replacement.................... 1,700,000 0 1,700,000 1,700,000
Differential GPS implementation--
second district................ 2,400,000 0 2,400,000 0
Search and rescue simulation
model (SARSIM)................. 500,000 500,000 500,000 500,000
Communication systems 2000...... 11,000,000 6,000,000 11,000,000 11,000,000
WLB/WLM support facility........ 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 1,000,000
Vessel navigation training
simulator...................... 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000
Local notice to mariners
automation..................... 500,000 500,000 500,000 500,000
Global maritime distress and
safety system.................. 500,000 500,000 500,000 500,000
Operational information system.. 0 0 0 1,200,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other equipment......... 56,300,000 42,200,000 47,600,000 49,200,000
===========================================================================
Shore facilities and aids to
navigation:
Survey and design--shore
projects....................... 8,000,000 8,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000
Minor AC&I shore construction
projects....................... 5,000,000 5,000,000 4,000,000 4,000,000
Streamlining initiatives........ 5,000,000 5,000,000 0 0
Air station consolidation....... 11,00,000 11,000,000 0 0
Coast Guard Yard ship handling
facility (phase II)............ 15,100,000 0 7,000,000 7,000,000
Public family quarters.......... 22,700,000 20,275,000 8,900,000 9,175,000
Station Boothbay Harbor, ME--
renovate/expand................ 2,800,000 2,800,000 2,800,000 2,800,000
Base South Portland, ME--
construct station operations
bldg........................... 2,600,000 2,600,000 2,600,000 2,600,000
Base San Juan, PR--
reconstruction................. 3,150,000 3,150,000 0 0
Station Port Isabel, TX--
reconstruct/expand waterfront
facilities..................... 2,650,000 2,650,000 2,650,000 2,650,000
Station Portage, MI--relocate/
replace station facilities..... 4,200,000 4,200,000 4,200,000 2,300,000
Station Chetco River, OR--
construct mooring/waterfront... 2,000,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 2,000,000
Station Honolulu, HI--
replacement.................... 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000
Waterways ATON projects......... 5,500,000 5,500,000 4,000,000 4,500,000
Overseas LORAN closure.......... 0 0 0 -1,900,000
Streamlining initiatives:
New London, CT: Academy (Roland
Hall renovation)............... 5,100,000 5,100,000 0 3,900,000
New London, CT: Academy (CPO &
leadership schools)............ 0 0 2,500,000 2,500,000
New London: CT: Academy (Galley
renovation).................... 0 0 0 5,000,000
Wadsworth, NY: Group/MSO/VTC
Center......................... 0 0 9,000,000 9,000,000
Rosebank, NY: Pier and station
rehabilitation................. 0 0 4,000,000 4,000,000
Rosebank, NY: Moorings.......... 0 0 0 3,900,000
Bayonne, NJ: Pier improvements/
ANT team facilities............ 0 0 5,700,000 5,700,000
Sandy Hook, NJ: Construct group
engineering building........... 0 0 2,750,000 2,750,000
Portsmouth, VA: Support center
administrative space........... 0 0 4,000,000 4,000,000
Boston, MA: Support center
rehabilitation................. 0 0 2,000,000 2,000,000
Yorktown, VA: Reserve training
center yeoman school mods...... 0 0 1,100,000 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shore facilities and
aids to navigation........... 99,800,000 82,200,000 80,200,000 88,875,000
===========================================================================
Personnel and related support:
Direct personnel costs.......... 48,200,000 42,500,000 46,000,000 44,200,000
Core acquisition costs.......... 700,000 500,000 500,000 500,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total personnel and related... 48,900,000 43,000,000 46,500,000 44,700,000
===========================================================================
Total appropriations.......... 428,200,000 375,175,000 366,800,000 362,375,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment No. 26: Provides $167,600,000 to acquire,
repair, renovate or improve vessels, small boats and related
equipment instead of $191,200,000 as proposed by the House and
$178,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. In addition, the
conference agreement includes the reprogramming of $14,000,000
from the seagoing and coastal buoy tender [WLB/WLM] programs,
to be reallocated to the following programs:
Polar icebreaker replacement............................ $4,300,000
NORCREW search and rescue boat.......................... 2,000,000
Self-propelled barge.................................... 900,000
Surface search radar replacement........................ 3,500,000
378-foot shipboard command and control.................. 1,300,000
210-foot cutter MMA..................................... 2,000,000
Stern loading buoy boat [BUSL] replacement.--The
conference agreement provides no funding for this project, as
proposed by the House, instead of $8,500,000 as proposed by the
Senate. This should be interpreted as a deferral of additional
funding, and not Congressional desire to terminate the project.
Due to project delays, prior year funding is available to
continue this effort through fiscal year 1996 without
additional appropriation.
Amendment No. 27: Provides $12,000,000 to acquire new
aircraft and increase aviation capability instead of
$16,500,000 as proposed by the House and $14,500,000 as
proposed by the Senate.
RU-38A wing assembly upgrade.--The conferees understand
the Coast Guard has identified a particular upgrade to the
center wing assembly of the RU-38A surveillance aircraft which
could significantly enhance the aircraft's service life, range
and endurance on operational missions. The conferees understand
that additional funding may be required to conduct this
upgrade, and encourage the Coast Guard to submit a
reprogramming proposal to the Congress for this work if the
Coast Guard determines the project to be of sufficient
priority.
Amendment No. 28: Provides $49,200,000 for other
equipment instead of $42,200,000 as proposed by the House and
$47,600,000 as proposed by the Senate.
Operational information system.--The conference agreement
includes $1,200,000 for procurement and evaluation of
prototypes of the operational information system [OIS],
proposed by the House under the ``Research, development, test
and evaluation'' [RDT&E] appropriation. In its appeal to the
conferees, the Coast Guard suggested that RDT&E was not the
appropriate account for this project. Consequently, the
conference agreement includes funding under this appropriation.
Amendment No. 29: Provides $88,875,000 for shore
facilities and aids to navigation facilities instead of
$82,275,000 as proposed by the House and $80,200,000 as
proposed by the Senate. In addition, the conference agreement
includes the reprogramming of $24,000,000 from various shore
facilities as listed in the Senate report (-$22,100,000) and
from the overseas Loran-C closure program (-$1,900,000), to be
reallocated to the following programs:
Air station consolidation............................... $11,000,000
Public family quarters.................................. 11,100,000
Station Portage, MI..................................... 1,900,000
Amendment No. 30: Provides $44,700,000 for acquisition-
related personnel compensation, benefits and related costs
instead of $43,000,000 as proposed by the House and $46,500,000
as proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 31: Deletes House language that would have
allowed the Secretary to transfer up to $50,000,000 within the
AC&I appropriation for implementation costs associated with
Coast Guard streamlining plans. The Senate bill provided
funding for specific streamlining projects rather than transfer
authority for unspecified projects. The conference agreement
adopts the Senate approach, providing $42,750,000 for ten
streamlining projects. This compares to $31,050,000 in the
Senate bill. The budget request included $5,000,000 for
unspecified projects. The conferees are very supportive of the
Coast Guard's streamlining efforts and look forward to
reviewing specific proposals next year in detail.
Amendment No. 32: Provides that the Commandant may
dispose of surplus real property by sale or lease and the
proceeds shall be credited to this appropriation. The Senate
bill required disposal by sale or lease. The House bill
contained no similar provision.
port safety development
Amendment No. 33: Appropriates $15,000,000 for debt
retirement of the Port of Portland, Oregon, to remain available
until expended, as proposed by the Senate. The House bill
contained no similar appropriation.
alteration of bridges
Amendment No. 34: Appropriates $16,000,000 for the
alteration or removal of obstructive bridges as proposed by the
House instead of $2,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
A table comparing the fiscal year 1996 estimate, House
bill, Senate bill, and conference agreement by bridge and
location follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year Conference
1996 estimate House bill Senate bill agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bridge and location:
Burlington, IA, Burlington Northern RR
Bridge..................................... $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000
New Orleans, LA, Florida Avenue RR/HW Bridge .............. 2,000,000 .............. 2,000,000
Brunswick, GA, Sidney Lanier HW Bridge...... .............. 8,000,000 .............. 8,000,000
Chelsea St. Bridge, Boston, MA.............. .............. 2,000,000 .............. 2,000,000
Limehouse HW Bridge, St. John's Island, SC.. .............. 2,000,000 .............. 2,000,000
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................... 2,000,000 16,000,000 2,000,000 16,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
reserve training
Amendment No. 35: Appropriates $62,000,000 for reserve
training as proposed by the Senate instead of $61,859,000 as
proposed by the House.
Research, development, test, and evaluation
Amendment No. 36: Appropriates $18,000,000 for research,
development, test, and evaluation instead of $18,500,000 as
proposed by the House and $20,000,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
The following table summarizes the fiscal year 1996
budget estimate, House and Senate recommendations, and the
conference agreement by program, project and activity:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 1996 Conference
Program area estimate House bill Senate bill agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Improve search and rescue
capability:
Search planning................. $100,000 $100,000 ................. $100,000
Search process, platforms and
sensors........................ 400,000 400,000 ................. 400,000
Personnel....................... 432,000 432,000 ................. 432,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 932,000 932,000 500,000 932,000
===========================================================================
Waterways safety and management:
Waterways management............ 500,000 500,000 ................. 400,000
Advanced vessel traffic systems/
services....................... 600,000 100,000 ................. 275,000
Integrated navigation systems... 450,000 450,000 ................. 450,000
Short range aids to navigation.. 400,000 200,000 ................. 200,000
Advanced GPS development........ 0 0 ................. 0
Personnel....................... 864,000 864,000 ................. 864,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 2,814,000 2,114,000 1,325,000 2,189,000
===========================================================================
Marine safety:
Marine safety research.......... 530,000 200,000 ................. 200,000
Human factors analysis.......... 1,685,000 700,000 ................. 1,050,000
Fire safety for commercial
vessels........................ 960,000 750,000 ................. 750,000
Personnel....................... 972,000 700,000 ................. 700,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 4,147,000 2,350,000 2,000,000 2,700,000
===========================================================================
Ship structure committee:
Support for Committee........... 250,000 0 0 0
Personnel....................... 36,000 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 286,000 0 0 0
===========================================================================
Marine environmental protection:
Planning, management and
training....................... 150,000 150,000 ................. 150,000
Detection/surveillance systems.. 0 0 ................. 0
Oil pollution response.......... 850,000 500,000 ................. 625,000
Personnel health and safety..... 75,000 75,000 ................. 75,000
Port demonstration project...... 0 0 ................. 0
OPA90 regional grant program.. 0 0 ................. 0
HazChem countermeasures and
safety......................... 0 0 ................. 0
Personnel....................... 504,000 504,000 ................. 504,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 1,579,000 1,229,000 1,075,000 1,354,000
===========================================================================
Maritime law enforcement:
Surveillance.................... 725,000 725,000 ................. 725,000
Vessel search................... 0 0 ................. 0
Sensor integration information.. 0 0 ................. 0
Personnel....................... 504,000 504,000 ................. 504,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 1,229,000 1,229,000 725,000 1,229,000
===========================================================================
Safety and environmental
compliance:
Cutter fire safety technology... 600,000 586,000 0 586,000
Pollution prevention............ 500,000 500,000 0 500,000
Aviation engineering support.... 75,000 0 0 0
Vessel loss exposure and risk
analysis methology............. 620,000 620,000 0 620,000
Personnel....................... 612,000 612,000 ................. 612,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 2,407,000 2,318,000 0 2,318,000
===========================================================================
Human resource management
effectiveness:
Training techniques and
technologies................... 300,000 0 0 100,000
Staffing standards development.. 0 0 0 0
Personnel....................... 144,000 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 444,000 0 0 100,000
===========================================================================
Command, control, computers and
intelligence:
Information systems............. 280,000 1,780,000 0 280,000
Advanced communications systems. 0 0 0 0
Personnel....................... 648,000 648,000 0 648,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 928,000 2,428,000 0 928,000
===========================================================================
Technology base:
Future technology assessment.... 300,000 0 0 0
Modeling........................ 150,000 0 0 0
Select projects................. 450,000 300,000 0 300,000
Personnel....................... 684,000 200,000 0 200,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 1,584,000 500,000 0 500,000
===========================================================================
R&D personnel, program support and
operations:
Admin/support personnel and
related costs.................. 3,100,000 2,600,000 0 2,850,000
Support and operations.......... 1,700,000 1,500,000 0 1,600,000
R&D management info system
development.................... 500,000 450,000 0 450,000
Modernization of F&STD test
facilities..................... 850,000 850,000 0 850,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 6,150,000 5,400,000 0 5,750,000
===========================================================================
Mission capabilities assessment..... 0 0 1,780,000 0
Multimission/administrative
support........................ 0 0 12,595,000 0
Other projects:
South Florida oil spill research
center......................... 0 0 0 0
Maritime Fire and Research
Assoc.......................... 0 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 0 0 0 0
===========================================================================
Total appropriations.......... 22,500,000 18,500,000 20,000,000 18,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
boat safety
(aquatic resources trust fund)
Amendment No. 37: Appropriates $20,000,000 for boat
safety grants as proposed by the House instead of no funding as
proposed by the Senate. The budget proposal and the Senate
recommendation assumed this program would be fully funded as a
mandatory appropriation beginning in fiscal year 1996. When
combined with an estimated $10,000,000 in mandatory spending
authorized by the Clean Vessel Act of 1992, total program
resources are $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, which compares
to $32,500,000 for fiscal year 1995.
Notwithstanding the difficult budget constraints faced by
the Congress, the conferees believe that to convert
discretionary grant programs such as this one to mandatory
funding--avoiding annual budget review and competition with
other programs in the appropriations process--would undermine
fiscal constraint and lessen congressional oversight in an area
which has the country's second highest number of
transportation-related fatalities and is currently on the
National Transportation Safety Board's list of ``most wanted''
safety improvements. Rather than put this program on an
automatic spending status and lessen oversight, the conferees
believe the Coast Guard and the department could more
effectively use these grant funds to target states with poor
boat safety records, and provide leveraged funding for safety
improvements.
The conferees also note the Coast Guard is in error when
it assumes that funding for this and other maritime programs
comes at the expense of its operating budget. The conferees
wish to make clear to the Coast Guard and the department that,
while funding for boating safety grants is clearly a portion of
the overall allocation of budgetary resources in this bill, it
should not be assumed that reductions have been made in Coast
Guard operating expenses to accommodate this or any other
important maritime programs in the bill.
emergency fund
(limitation on permanent appropriations)
(oil spill liability trust fund)
Amendment No. 38: Deletes limitation of $3,000,000 on the
permanent appropriation authorized in section 1012(a)(4) of the
Oil Pollution Act of 1990 proposed by the House. The Senate
bill contained no similar limitation.
Federal Aviation Administration
operations
(including transfer of funds)
Amendment No. 39: Inserts heading ``including transfer of
funds'' as proposed by the Senate. This is necessary due to the
disposition of amendment numbered 46.
Amendment No. 40: Appropriates $4,645,712,000 for FAA
operations instead of $4,600,000,000 as proposed by the House
and $4,550,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
The following table summarizes adjustments to the budget
estimate in the House and Senate bills and the conference
agreement, by budget activity:
FAA OPERATIONS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conference
House bill Senate bill agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operation of the ATC system:
Budget estimate.................................... $2,228,634,000 $2,228,634,000 $2,228,634,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Contract tower streamlining.................... -6,520,000 0 0
``Quality through partnership''................ -1,790,000 0 -1,790,000
General reduction.............................. 0 -28,310,000 0
Accelerated promotion.......................... 0 0 -4,300,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 2,220,324,000 2,200,324,000 2,222,544,000
========================================================
NAS logistics support:
Budget estimate.................................... 185,158,000 185,158,000 185,158,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Motor fleet, FAALC............................. -3,100,000 0 0
Depot spares................................... +4,000,000 0 0
General reduction.............................. 0 +4,493,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 186,058,000 180,665,000 185,158,000
========================================================
Maintenance of ATC system:
Budget estimate.................................... 868,297,000 868,297,000 868,297,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
AMASS maintenance.............................. -2,000,000 0 -2,000,000
OASIS maintenance.............................. -100,000 0 -100,000
Undefined inflation............................ 0 -3,602,000 -3,602,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 866,197,000 864,695,000 862,595,000
========================================================
Leased telecommunications:
Budget estimate.................................... 328,423,000 328,423,000 328,423,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Administrative communications.................. -4,680,000 0 -1,500,000
WECO switch offset............................. -2,000,000 0 -2,000,000
General reduction.............................. 0 -2,078,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 321,743,000 326,345,000 324,923,000
========================================================
Aviation regulation/certification:
Budget estimate.................................... 399,711,000 399,711,000 399,711,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Flight standards staff increase................ -4,954,000 -4,954,000 0
New data systems............................... -1,634,000 -1,634,000 -1,634,000
PCS moves...................................... -617,000 -617,000 -617,000
OMEGA navigation system........................ -8,556,000 -2,056,000 -1,840,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 383,950,000 390,450,000 395,620,000
========================================================
Aviation standards:
Budget estimate.................................... 111,395,000 111,395,000 111,395,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Hold costs to fiscal year 1995 level........... -2,644,000 -2,644,000 -2,644,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 108,751,000 108,751,000 108,751,000
========================================================
Aviation security:
Budget estimate.................................... 65,769,000 65,769,000 65,769,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Hold costs to fiscal year 1995 level........... -920,000 0 0
General reduction.............................. 0 -769,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 64,849,000 65,000,000 65,769,000
========================================================
NAS Design and management
Budget estimate.................................... 53,277,000 53,277,000 53,277,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
General reduction.............................. -8,277,000 -277,000 -3,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 45,000,000 53,000,000 50,277,000
========================================================
Administration of airports:
Budget estimate.................................... 42,173,000 42,173,000 42,173,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Staffing increase.............................. -643,000 -673,000 -650,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 41,530,000 41,500,000 41,523,000
========================================================
Commercial space transportation:
Budget estimate.................................... 6,541,000 6,541,000 6,541,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Hold travel to fiscal year 1995 level.......... -45,000 -45,000 -45,000
Contract programs.............................. -666,000 -666,000 -666,000
Delete industry support........................ -60,000 -60,000 -60,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 5,770,000 5,770,000 5,770,000
========================================================
Human resource management:
Budget estimate.................................... 231,947,000 231,947,000 231,947,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Labor, personnel and human relations........... -22,142,000 0 -17,197,000
Centralized training........................... -10,050,000 0 -8,000,000
MARC........................................... +250,000 0 +250,000
General reduction.............................. 0 -23,447,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 200,005,000 208,500,000 207,000,000
========================================================
Executive direction and management:
Budget estimate.................................... 189,216,000 189,216,000 189,216,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Staffing reductions............................ -5,390,000 0 -3,169,000
Regional public affairs staffing............... -2,047,000 0 -2,047,000
General reduction.............................. -6,779,000 -9,216,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 175,000,000 180,000,000 184,000,000
========================================================
Account-wide adjustments:
Administration aircraft............................ -3,600,000 0 -1,500,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
SAE grant.......................................... -105,000 0 0
Overseas personnel assignments..................... -500,000 0 -500,000
Non-pay inflation.................................. -4,824,000 0 -4,824,000
Workers' compensation.............................. -1,394,000 0 -1,394,000
Undistributed...................................... -8,754,000 -15,000,000 0
Operational pay differential....................... 0 -45,000,000 0
Non-pay inflation, administrative aircraft, and GSA
vehicles.......................................... 0 -5,000,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... -19,177,000 -65,000,000 -8,218,000
========================================================
Offsetting receipts: Amount recommended 0 -10,000,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Total appropriation.............................. 4,600,000,000 4,550,000,000 4,645,712,000
Transfer from Coast Guard........................ ................. ................. 60,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total funding.................................... 4,600,000,000 4,550,000,000 4,705,712,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract tower streamlining program.--The conferees agree
to restore the reduction of $6,520,000 proposed by the House
for this program, but agree with the House's observation that
in past years, funds for this important program have not been
spent as intended, but reprogrammed to other activities. The
conferees believe these delays have been at least partly due to
wage determinations required administratively by the Department
of Labor. Since the conferees agree with the Senate language
amending and streamlining the wage determination process, it is
hoped the contract tower program will move forward without
further delay and achieve the promised budgetary savings. The
FAA is directed not to reprogram any of the $6,520,000
appropriated for this program.
``Quality through partnership'' program.--The conference
agreement deletes the $1,790,000 budgeted for this program, as
proposed by the House. The conferees direct that no funds be
reprogrammed for this activity during fiscal year 1996.
Accelerated promotion.--Since completion of House and
Senate action on this bill, program savings of $4,300,000 have
been found resulting from discontinuation of the accelerated
promotion program for air traffic controllers. When the
Training Agreement for Accelerated Promotions expired on July
15, 1995 and the administration made a decision not to renew
the program, these funds became excess to budgetary
requirements. This program allowed controllers to receive
grade-to-grade promotions without fulfilling the time-in-grade
requirements applicable to other federal employees. The
conferees have used these savings to restore funding for
additional FAA safety and certification inspectors, in order to
provide the highest level of aviation safety possible.
Aviation safety inspectors.--The conference agreement
fully funds the administration's request for 233 additional
aviation safety inspectors, including an additional 117 general
aviation inspectors. This is in addition to the increase in
staffing provided for fiscal year 1995. Between fiscal year
1994 and 1996, end-of-year staffing in this area has risen from
4,051 to a funded level of 4,606, a two-year increase of almost
14 percent. Despite difficult budget constraints, the conferees
believe this is a high priority safety area worthy of
additional funding.
Flight service stations.--The conferees do not intend for
FAA to close flight service stations not in the currently-
approved plan, and believe funding in the conference agreement
is sufficient for the FAA to continue to operate and maintain
its existing network of flight service stations around the
country.
Allocation of budget reductions.--The conferees reiterate
to FAA and departmental officials that the funding allocations
and reductions specified in the bill, as detailed and explained
in this joint explanatory statement of the committee of
conference, are the best expressions of Congressional
intentions regarding the proper uses of appropriated funds.
Should the department decide to reduce activities below the
levels specified or implied herein, and in particular if
activities are to be substantially reduced or terminated by
agency action which is not specifically addressed in this
statement, the department shall receive prior Congressional
approval through the reprogramming process.
Mid-America Aviation Resource Consortium.--The conferees
agree to provide $250,000 for continued support of the Mid-
America Aviation Resource Consortium, as proposed by the House,
but intend that this be the final year of federal support for
this facility unless requested in the President's budget.
Loran-C automatic blink system.--The conferees agree with
the House's direction to expedite implementation of the
automatic blink system for the Loran-C navigation system.
Aurora, IL en route center.--The conferees recognize the
urgency of solving the problems causing computer outages at the
FAA's air traffic control center in Aurora, Illinois. The
Aurora center is one of the busier in the world and a critical
link in our nation's air traffic control system. Years of delay
in updating the present equipment have resulted in an obsolete,
aged, and failure-prone system at the Aurora center. FAA has
worked diligently to develop an interim solution to this
problem as quickly as is technologically feasible, pending
installation of a new air traffic control system for the
nation. The conferees deem maintenance of reliable operational
capability at the Aurora center to be in the national interest
of maintaining an efficient and viable national air
transportation system, and deem the implementation of interim
solutions to the problems causing computer outages to be an
urgent national priority. FAA should simplify and expedite its
procurement process to the maximum extent feasible, and should
allocate all necessary personnel resources to assure that the
existing system remains in reliable working order. If FAA
determines that additional technological or personnel resources
are necessary to develop and implement interim solutions to
these problems, then the Congress would give serious
consideration to providing such additional resources. The
conference agreement includes $20,000,000, as proposed by the
Senate, for the display channel complex rehost program, which
will upgrade the computers at Aurora and similar centers.
Amendment No. 41: Provides that $2,222,859,100 shall be
derived from the airport and airway trust fund instead of
$1,871,500,000 as proposed by the House and $1,865,000,000 as
proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 42: Allows funds for any ``agency''
services to be credited to this appropriation, as proposed by
the Senate. The House bill specified that only receipts for
``aviation'' services be credited to the appropriation.
Amendment No. 43: Requires that funds credited to the
appropriation be ``receipts for'' certain services, as proposed
by the Senate. The House bill contained no similar language.
Amendment No. 44: Deletes Senate language allowing
$10,000,000 in additional safety and security fees to be
credited to this appropriation. The conferees have not yet seen
adequate details from the administration demonstrating the
unequivocal need for new fees, an explanation and justification
of the specific fees to be imposed, or a convincing argument
that the FAA's cost structure is of such efficiency that new
fees or taxes are necessary. In addition, the conferees believe
there will be substantial savings achieved through the FAA
reform provisions enacted in this bill and the broader
revisions currently under consideration in the authorization
process. Such cost savings, combined with further review of the
agency's cost structure, could obviate or minimize the need for
additional fees.
Amendment No. 45: The conference agreement deletes
language proposed by the Senate which would have begun a three
year phaseout of the ``five percent bonus pay'' for air traffic
controllers and technicians, and inserts new language allowing
the Secretary of Transportation permissive transfer authority
of up to $60,000,000 from Coast Guard ``Operating expenses'' to
augment funding for air traffic control operations and
maintenance to enhance safety and security.
FAA operations funding and transfer flexibility.--Since
consideration of the fiscal year 1996 transportation
appropriations bill by the House and Senate, the administration
has raised the priority of funding for FAA operations and
maintenance. For example, in a September 13, 1995 letter to |
