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H.R. 1767 105th Congress House

Federal Surplus Property Reform Act of 1997

Official title: To consolidate in the Administrator of General Services authorities relating to the control and utilization of excess and surplus property, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 3, 1997 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative procedureAmerican economic assistanceAmerican military assistanceArmed Forces and National Security
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Arms salesCommerceCongressCongressional oversightConstruction equipmentCrime and Law EnforcementDelegation of powersDepartment of DefenseDepartment of EnergyEconomics and Public FinanceEducationElementary and secondary educationEmergency ManagementEquipment and suppliesExecutive reorganizationExportsFederal aid to educationFederal budgetsFire preventionForeign Trade and International FinanceGeneral Services AdministrationGovernment propertyHigher educationInfrastructureInfrastructure (Economics)International AffairsInternational agenciesInternational reliefLabor and EmploymentLaboratoriesLawMilitary and naval suppliesMilitary base closuresMinoritiesMinority business enterprisesNonprofit organizationsPennsylvaniaPoorResearchScience, Technology, CommunicationsScientific educationScientific instruments and apparatusSmall Business AdministrationSmall businessSocial WelfareSurplus government propertyTeaching materialsTechnical educationTechnological innovations
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 12 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 3, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Readiness.
Jul 3, 1997
Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
Jun 12, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
Jun 12, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology.
Jun 11, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Jun 3, 1997
Referred to House International Relations
Jun 3, 1997
Referred to House Science
Jun 3, 1997
Referred to House Small Business
Jun 3, 1997
Referred to House National Security
Jun 3, 1997
Referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and in addition to the Committees on National Security, Small Business, Science, and International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 3, 1997
Referred to House Government Reform
Jun 3, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 3, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Readiness.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Federal Surplus Property Reform Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to repeal the authority of the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service to receive requests for the transfer to foreign countries or international organizations in foreign assistance or military sales programs of excess supplies of Department of Defense (DOD) construction and fire equipment. Authorizes the Administrator of General Services, instead, to receive such requests.

Limits to nonlethal the type of excess supplies that may be transferred. Allows such transfer for humanitarian relief purposes. Requires the President to certify to the Congress the emergency necessity for any such transaction.

Amends specified Federal law to repeal the general delegation to the Secretary of Defense of disposal authority over personal property.

Repeals the mandate for DOD participation in infrastructure improvement demonstration programs conducted by Regional Equipment Centers in Newport Township and Cambria County, Pennsylvania.

(Sec. 3) Repeals general authority to transfer surplus property to disadvantaged small businesses.

(Sec. 4) Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to transfer surplus equipment to an educational institution with which it has a partnership agreement.

(Sec. 5) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to repeal the authority of a Federal agency head or the director of a Federal laboratory to give excess research equipment to an educational institution or nonprofit organization. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of General Services to delegate such transfer authority to the director of a Federal laboratory.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 9
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1767: Federal Surplus Property Reform Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1767/
MLA
"H.R. 1767: Federal Surplus Property Reform Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1767/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1767, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1767/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1767: Federal Surplus Property Reform Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1767/)
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