[House Report 111-53, Part 1]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress Rept. 111-53
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session Part 1
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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FACILITIES AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009
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March 25, 2009.--Ordered to be printed
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Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 608]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the bill (H.R. 608) to authorize the Board of
Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to carry out certain
construction projects, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment
and recommend that the bill do pass.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
H.R. 608, the ``Smithsonian Institution Facilities
Authorization Act of 2009'', authorizes the Board of Regents of
the Smithsonian Institution to design and construct laboratory
space to accommodate the Mathias Laboratory at the Smithsonian
Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland,
authorizes the Board of Regents to construct laboratory space
to accommodate the terrestrial research program of the
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Gamboa, Panama, and
authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution
to construct a greenhouse facility at its museum support
facility in Suitland, Maryland.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (``SERC'') is
a global leader in the study of ecosystems in the coastal zone.
Founded on the site of an abandoned 1930s dairy farm in
Edgewater, Maryland, the SERC facilities include a mosaic of
farm buildings, the Mathias Laboratory, ten temporary trailers,
an administrative building, and a variety of lab support
spaces. Nearly one-half of SERC's 146 employees and fellows
conduct the majority of their work in trailers. The Board of
Regents of the Smithsonian Institution requests authority to
design and construct laboratory space to accommodate the
Mathias Laboratory at SERC.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (``STRI'') is
the principal United States organization devoted to research in
tropical biology. Tropical biology is critical to finding
untapped resources to add to the important supply of food,
pharmaceuticals, and fiber of tropical regions. STRI has
outgrown the space available at its current facilities and this
bill provides for construction of a new lab in Gamboa, Panama.
The terrestrial research program is critical to understanding
the role that tropical plants and soils play in global climate
change models and for enriching knowledge of tropical
biodiversity. The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian
Institution requests authority to construct laboratory space to
accommodate the terrestrial research program of STRI in Gamboa,
Panama.
The Smithsonian Institution currently leases a 55,000-
square foot greenhouse complex on the campus of the Armed
Forces Retirement Homes (``AFRH'') in Washington, DC, for its
horticultural operations. The AFRH is redeveloping the site
that houses the Smithsonian Institution greenhouses. The
Smithsonian Institution's lease expired on September 30, 2008,
which creates a need for the Smithsonian Institution to find
alternative space to house its horticultural operations. The
Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution requests
authority to construct a new greenhouse facility at the
Smithsonian Institution's Suitland, Maryland site. This project
includes site preparation, a 10,900-square foot head house, and
44,500-square foot greenhouse, along with outdoor growing and
storage areas. To limit design requirements, expedite
construction, and reduce costs, the Smithsonian Institution
will use off-the-shelf prefabricated building kits to construct
the polycarbonate plastic greenhouse.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 denotes the short title of the bill as the
``National Smithsonian Institution Facilities Authorization Act
of 2009''.
Section 2. Laboratory and support space, Edgewater, Maryland
Subsection (a) authorizes the Board of Regents of the
Smithsonian Institution to design and construct laboratory
space to accommodate the Mathias Laboratory at the Smithsonian
Environmental Research Center (``SERC'') in Edgewater,
Maryland.
Subsection (b) authorizes a total of $41 million for fiscal
years 2009 through 2011 to construct the Mathias Laboratory.
Section 3. Laboratory space, Gamboa, Panama
Subsection (a) authorizes the Board of Regents of the
Smithsonian Institution to construct laboratory space to
accommodate the terrestrial research program of the Smithsonian
tropical research institute in Gamboa, Panama.
Subsection (b) authorizes a total of $14 million for fiscal
years 2009 and 2010 to construct laboratory space to
accommodate the terrestrial research program.
Section 4. Construction of greenhouse facility, Suitland, Maryland
Subsection (a) authorizes the Board of Regents of the
Smithsonian Institution to construct a greenhouse facility at
its museum support facility in Suitland, Maryland, to maintain
the horticultural operations of, and preserve the orchid
collection held in trust by, the Smithsonian Institution.
Subsection (b) authorizes $12 million to construct the
greenhouse facility.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
In the 110th Congress, on February 26, 2008, Representative
Doris O. Matsui introduced H.R. 5492. On February 28, 2008, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open
session and ordered H.R. 5492 reported favorably to the House
by voice vote with a quorum present. On March 10, 2008, the
Committee reported the bill to the House. H. Rept. 110-545. On
March 11, 2008, the House passed H.R. 5492 by voice vote under
suspension of the Rules of the House. No further action was
taken on the bill.
On July 29, 2008, Chairman James L. Oberstar introduced
H.R. 6627, the ``Smithsonian Institution Facilities
Authorization Act of 2008''. On July 31, 2008, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session and
ordered H.R. 6627 reported favorably to the House by voice vote
with a quorum present. On September 15, 2008, the Committee
reported the bill to the House. H. Rept. 110-842, Part II. On
September 17, 2008, the House passed H.R. 6627 by voice vote
under suspension of the Rules of the House. No further action
was taken on the bill.
In the 111th Congress, on January 16, 2009, Chairman James
L. Oberstar introduced H.R. 608, the ``Smithsonian Institution
Facilities Authorization Act of 2009''. H.R. 608 incorporates
the provisions of H.R. 5492 and H.R. 6627 of the 110th
Congress. On February 12, 2009, the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure met in open session and ordered H.R. 608
reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum
present.
RECORD VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires each Committee report to include the
total number of votes cast for and against on each record vote
on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the
measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for
and against. There were no recorded votes taken in connection
with consideration of H.R. 608 or ordering the bill reported. A
motion to order H.R. 608 reported favorably to the House was
agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
COST OF LEGISLATION
Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 has been timely submitted prior to the filing of the
report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is
included in this report.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and
clause 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee references the report of the Congressional Budget
Office included in the report.
2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
performance goals and objectives of this legislation are to
authorize the design and construction of three Smithsonian
facilities.
3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee has received the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 608
from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, February 18, 2009.
Hon. James L. Oberstar,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 608, the
Smithsonian Institution Facilities Authorization Act of 2009.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Christina
Hawley Anthony.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf,
Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 608--Smithsonian Institution Facilities Authorization Act of 2009
H.R. 608 would authorize the appropriation of $41 million
for laboratory and support space at the Smithsonian
Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland; $14
million for laboratory space at the Smithsonian tropical
research institute in Gamboa, Panama; and $12 million for a
greenhouse facility in Suitland, Maryland. Assuming
appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that
implementing H.R. 608 would cost $67 million over the 2009-2013
period, as shown in the following table. Enacting the bill
would not affect direct spending or receipts.
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By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
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2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2009-2014
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Authorization level............................ 67 0 0 0 0 0 67
Estimated outlays.............................. 7 21 23 13 3 0 67
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H.R. 608 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and
would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Christina Hawley
Anthony. The estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine,
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, H.R. 608 does not contain any congressional
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as
defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules
of the House of Representatives.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, committee reports on a bill or joint
resolution of a public character shall include a statement
citing the specific powers granted to the Congress in the
Constitution to enact the measure. The Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure finds that Congress has the
authority to enact this measure pursuant to its powers granted
under article I, section 8 of the Constitution.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act (Public Law 104-4).
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt State, local,
or tribal law. The Committee states that H.R. 608 does not
preempt any State, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this
legislation.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H.R. 608 makes no changes in existing law.