[House Report 110-654]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 110-654
======================================================================
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
_______
May 19, 2008.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Res. 1137]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the resolution (H. Res. 1137) supporting the goals
and ideals of National Public Works Week, and for other
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon
without amendment and recommend that the resolution be agreed
to.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 1137 recognizes the contribution of public works
professionals to communities across the country by facilitating
a resolution to recognize this year's National Public Work's
Week: May 18 through 24, 2008.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
``Public works'' is loosely defined as projects or programs
carried out by the federal or state government for the benefit
of the community. These projects and programs include:
transportation systems, such as rail, highways, and public
transit; water supply infrastructure; sewage and refuse
disposal systems; public buildings; and other structures and
facilities.
Public works infrastructure, facilities, and services
provide safety, health, and economic assurances for both large
and small populations. These services could not be provided in
the efficient and effective method in which they are without
the skill of public works professionals, such as engineers,
administrators, and servicemen.
National Public Works Week is observed each year during the
month of May, and is aimed at increasing awareness of the
dedication of public works professionals.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 1137 recognizes the significant diverse
contributions that public works professionals make every day to
improve the U.S. public infrastructure and the communities that
they serve, and states that the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideas of National Public
Works Week;
(2) recognizes and celebrates the important service
that public works professionals make to each citizen's
daily life; and
(3) urges citizens and communities throughout the
United States to pay tribute to these efforts from May
18 through May 24, 2008, together with the Federal
government.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On April 23, 2008, Chairman James L. Oberstar introduced H.
Res. 1137, supporting the goals and ideals of National Public
Works Week.
On May 7, 2008, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Environment met to consider H. Res. 1137. The Subcommittee
agreed to H. Res. 1137 and favorably recommended it to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by voice vote.
On May 15, 2008, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 1137.
The Committee agreed to the resolution and ordered it reported
favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum present.
RECORD VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII 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 ordering H.
Res. 1137 reported. A motion to order H. Res. 1137 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)(I) 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
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 1137
is a House resolution and therefore does not have the force of
law. As such, there is no cost associated with this legislation
for fiscal year 2008, or for any fiscal year thereafter.
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
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee
advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes
funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level
for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under
current law is required.
2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and
objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is required.
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 advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding, so no cost estimate nor comparison for any
measure that authorizes funding is required.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, H. Res. 1137 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
With respect to clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 1137 is a resolution
of the House of Representatives and therefore does not have the
force of law. As such, clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII does not
apply.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
H. Res. 1137 contains no federal mandates.
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. Res. 1137 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. Res. 1137 makes no changes in existing law.