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.
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.
Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources.