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HR 3656 99th Congress House

A bill to provide for cost efficiency in the shipment of United States Government cargoes, to establish the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway Advisory Council, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 30, 1985 Introduced by: Kaptur, Marcy Democratic · Ohio See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Advisory bodiesCost controlFederal advisory bodiesGovernment Operations and Politics
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Great LakesInland water transportationLakesMarine transportationMerchant shipsShips and shippingWater and Water Resources Development
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This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 12, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources.
Nov 12, 1985
Executive Comment Requested from DOT, OMB.
Nov 11, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Merchant Marine.
Nov 11, 1985
Executive Comment Requested from USDA, DOD, DOT, Commerce, EPA, St Lawrence Seaway Dev Corp.
Oct 30, 1985
Introduced in House
Oct 30, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Public Works and Transportation.
Oct 30, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
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 Latest action November 12, 1985

Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Title I: Cost Efficiency in the Shipment of United States Government Cargoes - Requires any Federal agency that ships, finances, or otherwise impels Federal cargo to ship such cargo at the lowest cost to the United States.

Prescribes guidelines for: (1) Federal cargo shipments; (2) contracts with foreign entities requiring prompt payment for such shipments; and (3) bid solicitation from ship operators for the transportation of Federal cargo over routes which are not serviced by such operators.

Directs the General Accounting Office to report to the Congress within 24 months after enactment of this Act regarding Federal agency compliance.

Title II: The Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway Advisory Council - Establishes the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway Advisory Council to develop and implement an economic strategy to improve the capacity of the Great Lakes region to market and transport commodities in a timely manner and to maximize the efficiency and benefits of market products produced in the Great Lakes region and products shipped through the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway system.

Prescribes guidelines for such strategy. Requires the Council to report to the President and the Congress regarding such strategy. Terminates the Council 180 days after the submission of such report. Outlines the functions of the Council and authorizes appropriations.

 Related & companion bills 1
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 Committees of jurisdiction 4
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3656: A bill to provide for cost efficiency in the shipment of United States Government cargoes, to establish the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway Advisory Council, and for other purposes.. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3656/
MLA
"H.R. 3656: A bill to provide for cost efficiency in the shipment of United States Government cargoes, to establish the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway Advisory Council, and for other purposes.." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3656/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3656, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3656/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3656: A bill to provide for cost efficiency in the shipment of United States Government cargoes, to establish the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway Advisory Council, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3656/)
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