Reporting H.R. 1505 Out of Committee (Passed 26-17. View Roll Call Vote)
This bill would prohibit the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture from taking actions which impede Border Security from doing their job on federal land within 100 miles of the U.S. border with Mexico and Canada.
Bishop Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (Agreed to by Voice Vote.)
This amendment in the nature of a substitute clarifies that the waiver authority in H.R. 1505 only applies to public land managed by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture within 100 miles of the border; Removes language which included “maritime” borders, therefore limiting the bill to the land border with Mexico and Canada; Adds language to protect existing legal uses, such as leasing of federal lands for grazing. This authority cannot used to eliminate recreational or economic activities; Changes references to “The Secretary of Homeland Security” to “U.S. Customs and Border Protection” to emphasize that this authority is limited to border security operations and personnel. It is not a broad new authority across the federal government; Strictly limits the authority for following activities: Construct and maintain patrol roads; Construct fences; vehicles to patrol; Install, maintain and operate surveillance equipment and sensors; Use of aircraft; Deployment of temporary tactical infrastructure, including forward operating bases; Adds a five-year sunset from the date of enactment of the bill in order to allow Congress the opportunity to evaluate its effectiveness.
Grijalva Amendment #001 – Inclusion of Mining Laws (Agreed to by Voice Vote.)
This amendment would add three mining laws to those that could be that could be waived by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in order to secure the border. However, the Bishop amendment protects mining operations and other legal uses of public lands.
Grijalva Amendment #002 – Exclusion of Tribal Lands (Failed 13-25. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment would remove tribal lands from inclusion in the bill.
* For complete legislative action for the October 5, 2011 Full Committee Markup, click here.
