Both committees held hearings and took action on the bill before it went to the House floor. Subcommittees are usually the first forum for consideration of legislation. In the House, the Interior Committee's Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands has jurisdiction over archaeology and historic preservation. Seiberling's subcommittee had jurisdiction over such legislation from 1981 through 1986. In the Senate, the Energy Committee's Subcommittee on Public Lands, National Parks and Forests has jurisdiction over preservation legislation.
Bills normally receive their most thorough consideration by subcommittees.
Usually at that level hearings are held to give witnesses a chance to express their views. If a majority of the subcommittee approves, the bill is then referred favorably to the full committee. In full committee, the bill must again be marked up and approved by majority vote before it goes to the floor. Many things can happen to a bill during a mark up. The intent was to require the consent of an owner before a property could be listed on the National Register.