House passes bill for USFA funding
The House of Representatives passed the Fire Administration Authorization Act of 1997 (HR 1272) in April. The bill was referred to the Senate in late April, where it was read twice. At press time, it was awaiting action by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Among the major provisions of the version of the bill passed by the House are the following:
Authorizes an appropriation of $29.6 million for 1998 and $30.5 million for 1999 for U.S. National Fire Academy activities.
Permits successor fire safety standards to be used as guidelines in addition to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 74, Standard 13 or 13-R, or Standard 101 (Life Safety Code) for installation of hard-wired, single-station smoke detectors or automatic sprinkler systems in places of public accommodation affecting commerce and federally assisted buildings.
Requires that the USFA administrator inform the Congress 60 days in advance of the termination or transfer of any significant function of the Administration to a private sector entity.
Prohibits funds authorized by this Act from being used to influence legislation before the Congress; federal officers or employees may communicate to members of Congress on requests for legislation or appropriations they deem necessary for the efficient conduct of the public business.
Requests that the House Committee on Science and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be notified if funds authorized by the Act are subject to a programming action that requires notice to be provided to the Appropriations Committees. The Administrator is to notify all such committees not later than 15 days before any major reorganization of any Administration program, project, or activity.
Urges the Administration to give high priority to correcting, assess the risk to operations posed by, plan and budget for, and develop contingency plans for data-related year 2000 problems in its computer systems.
Prohibits funds appropriated under this Act from being expended by an entity unless such entity complies with the Buy American Act.
