[House Report 108-252] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 108th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 108-252 ====================================================================== COLTSVILLE STUDY ACT OF 2003 _______ September 3, 2003.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Pombo, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany S. 233] [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the bill (S. 233) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of Coltsville in the State of Connecticut for potential inclusion in the National Park System, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of S. 233 is to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of Coltsville in the State of Connecticut for potential inclusion in the National Park System. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION Coltsville, a site in Hartford, Connecticut, was inspired by Samuel Colt, founder of Colt Manufacturing Company and his wife, Elizabeth. Coltsville flourished during the Industrial Revolution spurring innovation not only in the production of firearms, but also with the development of technology that led to changes in the American way of life. Coltsville set the standard of excellence during the Industrial Revolution and continues to be significant as a place where Americans learn the importance of that period in history. In 1998 the National Park Service conducted a special resource reconnaissance study of the Connecticut River Valley to evaluate the significance of historic manufacturing sites and found that the Coltsville region contains an unequaled concentration of historic resources relating to precision manufacturing. Further study is needed to find if the area warrants designation as a unit of the National Park System. As part of the study, the Committee expects that the Secretary of the Interior will determine any potential impacts that designation of the site is likely to have on land within or bordering the study area that is privately owned at the time that the study is conducted. COMMITTEE ACTION S. 233 was introduced on January 29, 2003, by Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and passed in the Senate on March 4, 2003 by unanimous consent. The bill was then referred to the Committee on Resources and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands. On July 9, 2003, the Full Resources Committee met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands was discharged from further consideration of the bill by unanimous consent. No amendments were offered and the bill was then ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT Article I, section 8, and Article IV, section 3 of the Constitution of the United States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII 1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures. 3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or objective of this bill is to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of Coltsville in the State of Connecticut for potential inclusion in the National Park System. 4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate for this bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office: U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, August 11, 2003. Hon. Richard Pombo, Chairman, Committee on Resources, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 233, the Coltsville Study Act of 2003. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis. Sincerely, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director. Enclosure. S. 233--Coltsville Study Act of 2003 S. 233 would direct the Department of the Interior to conduct a study of an area in Connecticut known as Coltsville to evaluate the area's national significance. The study also would assess the feasibility and suitability of designating Coltsville as a unit of the National Park System. The act would authorize the appropriation of whatever amounts are necessary for the study and would require the department to report on its findings and recommendations within three years of receiving funds. Assuming the availability of appropriated funds, CBO estimates that it would cost about $250,000 over the next three years to complete the required study and report. Enacting the legislation would not affect spending or revenues. S. 233 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. On February 7, 2003, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S. 233 as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on February 5, 2003. The two versions of S. 233 are identical, as are the cost estimates. The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Deborah Reis. The estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director of the Budget Analysis Division. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4 This bill contains no unfunded mandates. PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or tribal law. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing law.