Valles Caldera Preservation Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-1582
Sponsor: Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]
Introduced: 2003-09-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Claims
Emergency Management
Eminent domain
Energy
Environmental Protection
Fire prevention
Forest fires
Forest products
Historic sites
History
Land transfers
Land use
Law
Mineral reserves
National forests
National parks
National recreation areas
Natural areas
New Mexico
Real estate appraisal
Renewable natural resources
Research natural areas
Trusts and trustees

Summary:
action_date: 2003-09-04
text: 
Valles Caldera Preservation Act of 2003 - Amends the Valles Caldera Preservation Act to permit employees of the Valles Caldera Trust (the Trust) to be hired under an employment agreement. Opens employment in the Trust to non-Federal employees. Allows non-Federal employees of the Trust to be considered for positions in the competitive service that are open to other Federal employees and to be compensated according to General Schedule pay rates.
 
Requires the Trust to determine the character of, and the necessity for, any obligations and expenditures of the Trust and the manner in which obligations and expenditures shall be incurred, allowed, and paid. 
 
Grants authority to the Trust to use permanent judgment appropriations to pay claims, judgments, or settlements against the Trust. 
 
Provides for the rate of compensation of the chairperson of the Trust.
 
Authorizes the Trust to dispose of forage, forest products, or marketable renewable resources as part of its resource management authority.
 
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide under a cooperative agreement with the Trust: (1) fire suppression and rehabilitation services; and (2) wildland fire severity funding for extraordinary fire preparedness. 

action_date: 2004-09-15
text: 
Valles Caldera Preservation Act of 2004 - Amends the Valles Caldera Preservation Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to negotiate a price for buying the remaining mineral interests of the Valles Caldera Preserve in New Mexico. Directs that any difference between the sum estimated to be just compensation by the Secretary and the amount awarded be paid from the permanent judgment appropriation.
 
Requires the Trust to determine the character of, and the necessity for, any obligations and expenditures of the Trust and the manner in which obligations and expenditures shall be incurred, allowed, and paid. 
 
Grants authority to use monies received from claims, judgments, or settlements arising from activities occurring on the Baca Ranch or the Preserve after October 27, 1999, for specified purposes. 
 
Provides for the rate of compensation of the chairperson of the Trust.
 
Authorizes the Trust to dispose of forage, forest products, or marketable renewable resources as part of its resource management authority.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop a plan to carry out fire preparedness, suppression, and emergency rehabilitation services on the Preserve. Authorizes the Secretary to provide presuppression and non-emergency rehabilitation and restoration services for the Trust, to the extent generally authorized at other National Forest System units, at any time on a reimbursable basis.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-09-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.
action_date: 2004-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
action_date: 2004-09-17
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2004-09-17
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2004-09-15
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9327-9328; text as passed Senate: CR S9327-9328)
action_date: 2004-09-15
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9327-9328; text as passed Senate: CR S9327-9328)
action_date: 2004-05-20
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 524.
action_date: 2004-05-20
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-269.
action_date: 2004-05-20
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-269.
action_date: 2004-04-28
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2003-09-11
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 108-196.
action_date: 2003-09-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2003-09-04
text: Introduced in Senate