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HR 2974 107th Congress House

Paleontological Resources Preservation Act

Official title: To provide for the protection of paleontological resources on Federal lands, to promote the systematic compilation of baseline paleontological resource data, s… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To provide for the protection of paleontological resources on Federal lands, to promote the systematic compilation of baseline paleontological resource data, science-based decisionmaking, and accurate public education, to provide for a unified management policy regarding paleontological resources on Federal lands, to promote legitimate public access to fossil resources on Federal lands, to encourage informed stewardship of the resources through educational, recreational, and scientific use of the paleontological resources on Federal lands, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 13, 2002 Introduced by: McGovern, James P. Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative remediesCivil actions and liabilityCollection of accountsCommerce
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Crime and Law EnforcementDestruction of propertyFines (Penalties)ForfeitureFossilsFraudGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkGovernment publicityInformersJudicial review of administrative actsLabelingLand useLarcenyLaw
This bill died when the 107th Congress ended
It never became law before the 107th Congress (2001–2002) 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 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 10, 2001
Executive Comment Requested from Interior, USDA.
Oct 10, 2001
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Oct 10, 2001
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health.
Oct 10, 2001
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.
Oct 2, 2001
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Oct 2, 2001
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 10, 2001

Executive Comment Requested from Interior, USDA.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Paleontological Resources Preservation Act - Directs Federal land managers to: (1) manage and protect paleontological resources on Federal land using scientific principles and expertise; (2) develop plans for inventorying, monitoring, and the scientific and educational use of such resources; and (3) establish a program to increase public awareness about the significance of paleontological resources and the need to preserve and provide access to them.

Prohibits a person from collecting a paleontological resource from Federal land without a permit. Authorizes Federal land managers (with the exception of National Park Service managers) to allow casual collecting of abundant invertebrate and plant paleontological resources for scientific, educational, and recreational uses without a permit where not inconsistent with laws governing management of such lands and this Act. Sets forth permit issuance criteria and requirements. Requires any paleontological resource and associated data and records collected under a permit to be deposited in an approved repository.

Prohibits: (1) excavating, removing, or altering a paleontological resource located on Federal lands except in compliance with this Act; (2) exchanging or receiving such a resource that was obtained from Federal lands in violation of Federal law; (3) selling or purchasing a paleontological resource that was obtained from Federal lands; or (4) making or submitting false records, accounts, or identification of any such resources.

Sets forth requirements for the assessment of civil penalties by Federal land managers for violations of any prohibitions contained in regulations or permits issued under this Act. Requires any recovered amounts to be available to such a manager for use: (1) to protect or restore the paleontological resources and sites or to acquire sites with equivalent resources and to protect, monitor, and study the resources and sites; (2) to provide educational materials to the public about paleontological resources and sites; and (3) as a reward.

Requires that information on the nature and specific location of a paleontological resource that requires a permit under this Act or other Federal law be withheld from the public, including under the Freedom of Information Act, except under specified conditions.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2974: Paleontological Resources Preservation Act. 107th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-2974/
MLA
"H.R. 2974: Paleontological Resources Preservation Act." 107th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-2974/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2974, 107th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-2974/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2974: Paleontological Resources Preservation Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-2974/)
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