812 



for failure to comply with rule XVI, clause 7, which prohibits the 

 consideration of nongerniane material, and rule XXI, clause 5, which 

 prohibits appropriations in a legislative bill. 



There are two provisions in the committee substitute which would 

 make waiver of the germaneness rule necessary. One would authorize 

 the Secretary of Commerce to make a comprehensive study of the 

 shellfish industry in the United States to determine the impact of 

 existing laws related to water quality, pesticides, and toxic metals. The 

 purpose of the study, as I understand it, would be to determine what 

 further action needs to be taken to insure the wholesomeness of 

 shellfish. 



The second provision subject to a point of order under the gennane- 

 ness rule directs the President to appoint, subject to Senate approval, 

 an Associate Administrator for Coastal Zone Management. 



Two provisions of the committee substitute would be subject to 

 points of order under rule XXI, clause 5, of the House Kules, whicli 

 prohibits appropriations in a legislative bill : First, one would increase 

 the Federal share of development grants to 80 percent, to offset addi- 

 tional planning requirements placed on the States. It is possible that 

 some of the funds which would be used for the increased grants are 

 already in the pipeline ; second, the committee substitute also provides 

 for the establishment of a revolving fund, to be administered by the 

 Secretary of Conunerce, to guarantee bonds issued by States relative 

 to outer continental shelf energy activities. While the obligations 

 issued by the Secretary would fall under the congressional appropria- 

 tions process, the Secretary would be authorized to use money from the 

 fund to pay administrative expenses not subject to the appropriations 

 process. Points of order against both of these provisions would be 

 waived under the proposed rule. 



Mr. Speaker, the waivers requested by the Committee on IVIerchant 

 Marine and Fisheries will expedite consideration of H.R. 3981, a very 

 important bill. The request for waivers was supported by both majority 

 and minority members of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries 

 Committee. 



The principal provisions of H.R. 3981, as amended, would enable 

 States to cope with coastal zone problems brought about by the energy 

 crisis, particularly the accelerated offshore oil and gas leasing program. 

 When the Coastal Zone Management Act was enacted in 1972, we had 

 not yet felt the full impact of the energy crisis. The need to balance 

 competing demands for increased domestic energy production and 

 l^reservation of valuable coastal resources has caused problems for 

 many States. In some cases, offshore oil production has been too hastily 

 banned. In others, potential coastal recreational areas have been aban- 

 doned because of the need for offshore oil production. In fact, with 

 proper planning and management, the need for increased energy pro- 

 duction and the need for more parks and recreational areas can be 

 met simultaneously. Productivity and preservation can coexist. H.R. 

 3981, as amended would authorize planning grants for States affected 

 by the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas operations and for guaran- 

 tees on bonds issued to provide public services and facilities related to 

 the oil and gas operations. 



The Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries is also proposing 

 certain other changes in the existing law to help solve problems which 



