The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TEXT OF AMENDMENTS” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Senate section on pages S502 on Jan. 30, 2008.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS
SA 3972. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2483, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end, add the following:
TITLE IX--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 901. REQUIREMENT OF APPROVAL OF CERTAIN CITIZENS.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, and the Forest Service, acting individually or in coordination, shall not assume control of any parcel of land located in a State unless the citizens of each political subdivision of the State in which a portion of the parcel of land is located approve the assumption of control by a referendum.
(b) National Emergencies.--The requirement described in subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a national emergency, as determined by the President.
(c) Private Landowners.--The requirement described in subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a voluntary transaction between a private landowner and the Federal Government of a parcel of land.
(d) Duration of Approval.--
(1) In general.--With respect to a parcel of land described in subsection (a), the approval of the citizens of each political subdivision in which a portion of the parcel of land is located terminates on the date that is 10 years after the date on which the citizens of each political subdivision approve the control of the parcel of land by the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, or the Forest Service under that subsection.
(2) Renewal of approval.--With respect to a parcel of land described in subsection (a), the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, or the Forest Service, as applicable, may renew, by referendum, the approval of the citizens of each political subdivision in which a portion of the parcel of land is located.
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