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S. 169 101st Congress Senate

Global Change Research Act of 1990

Official title: A bill to amend the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 in order to provide for improved coordination of national … Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 in order to provide for improved coordination of national scientific research efforts and to provide for a national plan to improve scientific understanding of the Earth system and the effect of changes in that system on climate and human well-being.

Introduced: January 25, 1989 See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Chemical researchChemicalsClimateClimate change and greenhouse gases
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Congressional reporting requirementsEarth science researchEarth sciencesEnvironmental ProtectionEnvironmental assessmentEnvironmental monitoringEnvironmental researchExecutive reorganizationFederal advisory bodiesFederal budgetsFluorocarbonsGovernment Operations and PoliticsInformation servicesInternational environmental cooperationInternational obligationsNegotiationsOzonePlanningUrban planning
 Everywhere this bill has been 34 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 16, 1990
Became Public Law No: 101-606.
Nov 16, 1990
Signed by President.
Nov 9, 1990
Presented to President.
Nov 9, 1990
Measure Signed in Senate.
Nov 7, 1990
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Oct 28, 1990
Senate agreed to the House amendment by Voice Vote.
Oct 28, 1990
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment by Voice Vote.
Oct 27, 1990
Message on House action received in Senate and held at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
Oct 26, 1990
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of S. 169.
Oct 26, 1990
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 26, 1990
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Oct 26, 1990
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Oct 26, 1990
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Oct 26, 1990
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Oct 26, 1990
On ordering a second Agreed to without objection.
Oct 26, 1990
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Oct 26, 1990
Mr. Walker demanded a second on the motion to suspend the rules.
Oct 26, 1990
Mr. Brown (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Mar 5, 1990
Referred to the Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Agriculture Research, and Environment.
Mar 5, 1990
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Scientific Cooperation.
Feb 22, 1990
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
Feb 20, 1990
Held at the desk.
Feb 20, 1990
Received in the House.
Feb 20, 1990
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Feb 6, 1990
Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 100-0. Record Vote No: 5.
Feb 6, 1990
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 100-0. Record Vote No: 5.
Feb 6, 1990
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Voice Vote.
Feb 6, 1990
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
May 31, 1989
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 78.
May 31, 1989
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Hollings with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 101-40.
Apr 18, 1989
Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 22, 1989
Committee on Commerce. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 101-32.
Jan 25, 1989
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Jan 25, 1989
Introduced in Senate
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Feb 6, 1990 Senate · vote #5 On Passage of the Bill S. 169 Passed 100–0 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 1,232 – To make an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Agreed to Feb 6, 1990
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 Latest action November 16, 1990

Became Public Law No: 101-606.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Global Change Research Act of 1990 - Title I: United States Global Change Research Program - Directs the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology (Council), to establish the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences to carry out Council functions under specified provisions of the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 relating to global change research, to increase the effectiveness and productivity of Federal global change research efforts.

Directs the President to establish an interagency United States Global Change Research Program to improve understanding of global change.

Requires the Chairman of the Council, through the Committee, to develop a National Global Change Research Plan for implementation of the Program. Sets forth required Plan contents and research elements, including that the Plan provide recommendations for collaboration within the Federal Government and among nations. Requires the Chairman to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council to: (1) evaluate the scientific content of the Plan; and (2) provide information and advice and recommended priorities for future global change research.

Requires the Committee to provide general guidance each year to each Federal agency or department participating in the Program with respect to preparation of requests for appropriations related to the Program.

Requires the Council, at least every four years, through the Committee, to submit to the President and the Congress an assessment regarding the findings of the Program and associated uncertainties, the effects of global change, and current and major long-term trends in global change.

Requires that the research findings of the Committee and of Federal agencies and departments be made available to the Environmental Protection Agency and all Federal agencies and departments.

Title II: International Cooperation in Global Change Research - International Cooperation in Global Change Research Act of 1990 - Declares that the President should direct the Secretary of State to initiate discussions with other nations on: (1) international agreements to coordinate global change research; and (2) an international research protocol for cooperation on the development of energy technologies which have minimally adverse effects on the environment.

Directs the President to establish an Office of Global Change Research Information to disseminate to foreign governments and their citizens, businesses, and institutions scientific research useful in preventing, mitigating, or adapting to the effects of global change.

Title III: Growth Decision Aid - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) conduct a study on the implications of growth and development on urban, suburban, and rural communities; and (2) based on the study, produce a decision aid to assist State and local authorities in planning and managing growth and development while preserving community character.

 Bill text 7 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 169: Global Change Research Act of 1990. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-169/
MLA
"S. 169: Global Change Research Act of 1990." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-169/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 169, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-169/.
Markdown link
[S. 169: Global Change Research Act of 1990](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-169/)
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