11/01/07 1:19 PM
An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 110-416 to state that river watershed areas may be considered as eligible and as priorities to receive funding from the Abandoned Locatable Minerals Mine Reclamation Fund.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Pearce amendment the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pearce demanded a recorded vote and pursuant to the rule, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
11/01/07 1:12 PM
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 780, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pearce amendment.
11/01/07 1:11 PM
Amendment offered by Mr. Pearce.
11/01/07 1:11 PM
An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 110-416 to strike the definition of `undue degradation' in the legislation.
On agreeing to the Rahall amendment as modified Agreed to by voice vote.
11/01/07 1:08 PM
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 780, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rahall amendment, as modified.
11/01/07 1:07 PM
Rahall amendment modified by unanimous consent. Modification was technical in nature.
Amendment offered by Mr. Rahall.
11/01/07 1:07 PM
An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 110-416 to clarify that `valid existing rights' associated with existing mining claims would be protected under the Act. It would clarify that in addition to paying a 4% royalty, existing operations will still need to come into compliance with the Act within 10 years; would clarify that the claim maintenance and location fees currently allotted to administration of the mining laws will continue to be so allotted with the balance going to clean-up of abandoned hardrock mines, subject to appropriations; would clarify that user fees assessed by the BLM to process mining permit applications will be used for administration of the mining law program; would limit the purview of section 504-citizen suits--to permits issued pursuant to title III of the Act; and finally, would clarify that nothing under the Act will affect the sovereign immunity of any Indian Tribe.
11/01/07 11:58 AM
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2262.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Jose E. Serrano to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 780 and Rule XVIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2262 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 780.
11/01/07 11:57 AM
H. Res. 788:
electing a Member to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
11/01/07 11:57 AM
ORDER OF PROCEDURE - Mr. Rahall asked unanimous consent that, during further proceedings today in the House and in the Committee of the Whole, the Chair be authorized to reduce to two minutes the minimum time for electronic voting on any question that otherwise could be subjected to five-minute voting under clause 8 or 9 of rule 20 or under clause 6 of rule 18.
