Omnibus Territories Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2360
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2015-12-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: American Samoa
Appropriations
Aviation and airports
Emergency planning and evacuation
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Licensing and registrations
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Palau
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-07
text: 

Omnibus Territories Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1982, to eliminate the restriction on the use of resettlement and relocation funds by people of the Bikini Atoll for resettlement and relocation only to areas within the Marshall Islands. 
 
The bill permits the use of foreign aircraft to provide and sustain air commerce in American Samoa between the islands of Tutuila and Manu'a. 
 
The bill amends the REAL ID Act of 2005 to provide that citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau who have been admitted as nonimmigrants pursuant to a Compact of Free Association are eligible for driver's licenses or personal identification cards. 

action_date: 2016-08-30
text: 

Omnibus Territories Act of 2015 

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1982, to eliminate the restriction on the use of resettlement and relocation funds by people of the Bikini Atoll for resettlement and relocation to areas only within the Marshall Islands. 
 
The bill limits eligibility for the funds to Bikini people living on Kili and Ejit Islands, but they may use the funds to relocate and resettle outside the Marshall Islands. The use of resettlement funds is subject to the condition that the Department of the Interior submit to Congress a resettlement plan developed in coordination with the Bikini Atoll leadership.
 
Annual fiscal year expenditures from the resettlement fund may not exceed 90% of its average annual earnings for the preceding five years unless for resettlement purposes outside of the Marshall Islands.
 
(Sec. 3) To provide and sustain air transportation in American Samoa between the islands of Tutuila and Manu'a, the Department of Transportation may renew a foreign air carrier's emergency air transportation exemption every 180 days (instead of the current 30-day renewal period that still applies to other areas).
 
(Sec. 4) The bill amends the REAL ID Act of 2005 to provide that citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau who have been admitted as nonimmigrants pursuant to a Compact of Free Association are eligible for driver's licenses or personal identification cards. 

action_date: 2016-09-29
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on August 30, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Omnibus Territories Act of 2015 

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1982, to eliminate the restriction on the use of resettlement and relocation funds by people of the Bikini Atoll for resettlement and relocation to areas only within the Marshall Islands. 
 
The bill limits eligibility for the funds to Bikini people living on Kili and Ejit Islands, but they may use the funds to relocate and resettle outside the Marshall Islands. The use of resettlement funds is subject to the condition that the Department of the Interior submit to Congress a resettlement plan developed in coordination with the Bikini Atoll leadership.
 
Annual fiscal year expenditures from the resettlement fund may not exceed 90% of its average annual earnings for the preceding five years unless for resettlement purposes outside of the Marshall Islands.
 
(Sec. 3) To provide and sustain air transportation in American Samoa between the islands of Tutuila and Manu'a, the Department of Transportation may renew a foreign air carrier's emergency air transportation exemption every 180 days (instead of the current 30-day renewal period that still applies to other areas).
 
(Sec. 4) The bill amends the REAL ID Act of 2005 to provide that citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau who have been admitted as nonimmigrants pursuant to a Compact of Free Association are eligible for driver's licenses or personal identification cards. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-14
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2016-11-14
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2016-09-29
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2016-09-29
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S6285)
action_date: 2016-09-29
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S6285)
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 583.
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/14/2016 with an amendment. With written report No. 114-311.
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/14/2016 with an amendment. With written report No. 114-311.
action_date: 2016-07-13
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2016-04-05
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-426.
action_date: 2015-12-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8439-8440)
action_date: 2015-12-07
text: Introduced in Senate