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Helium Privatization Act of 1996

Introduced: March 5, 1996 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 18 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 27, 1996
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 477.
Jun 27, 1996
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with an amendment. With written report No. 104-302.
Jun 25, 1996
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Department of the Interior, and Office of Management and Budget.
Jun 19, 1996
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
May 2, 1996
Referred to Subcommittee on Forests and Public Lands.
May 1, 1996
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Apr 30, 1996
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4138-4151, H4161-4162)
Apr 30, 1996
Mr. Allard moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Apr 30, 1996
Considered as unfinished business.
Apr 30, 1996
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 411 - 10 (Roll No. 137).
Apr 30, 1996
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 30, 1996
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 411 - 10 (Roll No. 137).
Apr 30, 1996
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Apr 30, 1996
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Mar 11, 1996
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Mar 11, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Mar 5, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Mar 5, 1996
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Apr 30, 1996 House · vote #137 Suspend the rules and pass Passed 411–10 See who voted →
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Helium Privatization Act of 1996 - Amends the Helium Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) enter into agreements with private parties for the recovery and disposal of helium on Federal lands; (2) grant leasehold rights to such helium; (3) store and transport crude helium; and (4) maintain and operate existing crude helium storage at the Bureau of Mines Cliffside Field.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) cease producing, refining, and marketing refined helium; and (2) dispose of all facilities, equipment, and Federal property interests relating to refined helium activities.

Requires the Secretary to impose fees for helium storage, withdrawal, or transportation services.

Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the purchase of helium by Federal agencies from certain private persons; and (2) the sale of crude helium by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to make crude helium sales in amounts that will cause minimum market disruption. Mandates that proceeds from helium sales be paid to the Treasury.

(Sec. 5) Instructs the Secretary to eliminate helium stockpiles by a prescribed deadline. Repeals the Secretary's authority to borrow under the Helium Act.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Texas Plains Girl Scout Council for consideration of one dollar specified lands in Potter County, Texas, reserving easements to the United States for pipeline rights-of-way.

(Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Congress on whether disposal of helium reserves (including crude helium reserves) will have a substantial adverse effect upon U.S. scientific, technical, biomedical, or national security interests; (2) determine whether disposal of the helium reserve will have a substantial adverse effect on the U.S. helium industry, the U.S. helium market or such interests; and (3) if the Secretary determines that selling the crude helium reserves will have a substantial adverse effect on the industry, market, or such interests, make recommendations to the Congress, including proposed legislation, necessary to avoid such effects.

What's happening now June 27, 1996

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 477.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1