TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending December 10, 2004

HR 4027 To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make available to the University of Miami property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Virginia Key, Florida, for use by the University for a Marine Life Science Center.

BRIEF

  The bill would allow the University of Miami to build a facility for environmental and fisheries research, assessment, management and educational purposes. The Secretary of Commerce could also lease the facilities constructed by the University.

   The building would be constructed in the Florida Keys just south of Miami on Virginia Key. The building would be part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration facilities where the National Marine Fisheries Southeastern operations are centered.

   The building would be 180,000 square feet and would be built only if the Secretary of Commerce determines that it is in the best interest of the federal government.

Sponsor: Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18^th)

Vote: Passed house by voice vote (Sept 13, 2004); Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent (Dec. 8, 2004); Signed by President Bush as Public Law 108-485 (Dec. 23, 2004)  

Cost to the taxpayers:  The University of Miami is expected to spend $50 million of non-federal money for the construction. ## All Rights Reserved. No reproduction or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.