[1318] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Text of HR 5983
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (ALA Washington Office)
Fri Sep 25 14:35:42 1992
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1992 12:51:16 CDT
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TEXT OF H.R. 5983 APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION ON
SEPTEMBER 23, 1992:
102D CONGRESS H.R. 5983
2D SESSION
To establish in the Government Printing Office a means of enhancing
electronic public access to a wide range of Federal electronic information.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 22, 1992
Mr. ROSE (for himself, Mr. THOMAS of California, and Mr. ROBERTS)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House
Administration
A BILL
To establish in the Government Printing Office a means of enhancing
electronic public access to a wide range of Federal electronic information.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Government Printing Office Electronic
Information Access Enhancement Act of 1992".
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 44, UNITED STATES CODE.
(a) IN GENERAL.-- Title 44, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 41--ACCESS TO FEDERAL
ELECTRONIC INFORMATION
Sec.
4101. Electronic directory of Federal electronic information; online
access to the Congressional Record and the Federal Register.
4102. Fees.
4101. Electronic directory of Federal electronic information; online
access to the Congressional Record and the Federal Register
(a) IN GENERAL.--The Superintendent of Documents, under the direction
of the Public Printer, shall--
(1) Maintain an electronic directory of Federal public information
stored electronically; and
(2) provide a system of online access to the Congressional Record,
the Federal Register, and, as determined by the Superintendent of
Documents, other appropriate publications distributed by the Superintendent
of Documents.
(b) DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS.--To the extent practicable, the
Superintendent of Documents shall accommodate any request by the head of a
department or agency to include in the system of access referred to in
subsection (a)(2) information that is under the control of the department
or agency involved.
(c) CONSULTATION.--In carrying out this section, the Superintendent
of Documents shall consult--
(1) users of the directory and the system of access provided for
under subsection (a); and
(2) other providers of similar information services.
The purpose of such consultation shall be to assess the quality and value
of the directory and the system, in light of user needs.
4102. Fees
(a) IN GENERAL.--The Superintendent of Documents, under the direction
of the Public Printer, may charge reasonable fees for use of the directory
and the system of access provided for under section 4101, except that use
of the directory and the system shall be made available to depository
libraries without charge. The fees received shall be treated in the same
manner as moneys received from sale of documents under section 1702 of this
title.
(b) COST RECOVERY.--The fees charged under this section should be set
so as to recover the incremental cost of dissemination of the information
involved, with the cost to be computed without regard to section 1708 of
this title.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.--The table of chapters for title 44, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
41. Access to Federal electronic information.
(c) SPECIAL RULE.--The directory and the system of access referred to
in section 4101 of title 44, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a), shall be operational not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. FEASIBILITY STUDY BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS.
(a) IN GENERAL.--The Superintendent of Documents, under the direction
of the Public Printer, shall conduct a study of the feasibility of
enhancing public access to Federal electronic information. In conducting
the study, the Superintendent of Documents shall--
(1) consult the heads of departments and agencies of the Government,
other users of Federal electronic information, and other persons likely to
be affected by such enhanced public access;
(2) assess the maximum use feasible of computer systems, data storage
systems, and retrieval software that are maintained by the departments and
agencies of the Government to enhance access to Federal electronic
information;
(3) determine the feasibility of providing access to Federal
electronic information through a wide range of electronic networks,
including the Internet and the National Research and Education Network;
(4) in conjunction with the National Institute of Standards and
Technology and other appropriate persons, study the development of
compatible standards for dissemination throughout the Government;
(5) specify the development and maintenance costs of the directory and
the system of access provided for under chapter 41 of title 44, United
States Code;
(6) analyze the cost savings to be derived from the directory and the
system of access; and
(7) obtain an independent evaluation from the Comptroller General of
the utility and efficiency of the directory and the system of access.
(b) REPORT.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Superintendent of Documents shall submit a report of the
study to the Congress. The report shall include, as a separate part, the
evaluation referred to in subsection (a)(7).
(c) DEFINITION.--As used in this section, the term "Federal electronic
information" means Federal public information stored electronically.
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* American Library Assn. * Internet NU_ALAWASH@CUA.EDU *
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