Section 6. Authorization of Appropriations The bill authorizes the following: $500,000 in fiscal year 1994 for basic research on the development of an advanced cause on arson prevention; $2.0 million for fiscal year 1995 for expansion of arson investigator training programs at the National Fire Academy, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, FBI Training Academy and regional delivery sites; $4.0 million in each of fiscal years 1994 and 1995 for the demonstration grants program; and $250,000 for each of fiscal years 1994 and 1995 for salaries and expenses. Section 7. Sunset The bill sunsets authorization of the programs established by this bill at the close of fiscal year 1995. 1. State Qualifications V. COMMITTEE VIEWS The Arson Prevention Act of 1993 has been endorsed by all the major fire service organizations in the Nation. The Committee believes that a modest amount of seed money will help stem arson problems that State and local governments face each day. The bill supports local and State arson prevention and control activities through a program of demonstration grant awards to states or consortia thereof. In order for a State to qualify for a grant, the entity must make a commitment to the Federal program by assuring the U.S. Fire Administrator that it will: demonstrate that at least 25 percent of the cost of the grant in cash or in-kind will be obtained from non-Federal sources; not decrease its prior level of funding from non-Federal sources for arson programs; use no more than 10 percent of funds provided for administrative costs; and make efforts to ensure that all local jurisdictions will provide arson data to the National Fire Incident Reporting System or the Uniform Crime Reporting Program. 2. Basic Research for Development of Advanced Arson Courses Through research, it has been demonstrated that many of the oldest and most commonly held fire investigation principles are not supported by fact. Many widely held precepts have been found to be in error. Such catchword "principles" as "spalling of concrete or crazing of glass means flammable liquids", came to be widely accepted assumptions. The Committee intends that the U.S. Fire Administration undertake basic research into the causes of arson, both human and physical, and use research findings to develop a new training courses, methods, and techniques. Among the outcomes of such research should be a better understanding of the basic causes of arson and suggested remedies to mitigate this national problem. Improved fire investigations will benefit the fire community and the public at large. 3. Arson Statistics Arson statistics in the U.S. are collected by the National Fire Protection Association, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Fire Administration. In collecting these statistics, each of these organizations focuses on slightly different aspects of the arson problem. Underreporting of arson and gaps in information on those incidents do not provide an adequate and true picture of the problem. The Committee received testimony that recordkeeping and methods for gathering statistics are not uniform. The Committee urges organizations which compile statistics to explore initiatives that will lead to uniformity of collection and analysis of the data. VI. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY During the 2nd Session of the 102nd Congress, Representative Rick Boucher and Representative Curt Weldon introduced H.R. 6037, the Arson Prevention Act of 1992. The broad objectives and some specific provisions of the bill are similar to H.R. 1727. No action was taken on the bill prior to adjournment of the 102nd Congress. In the 103rd Congress, H.R. 1727, the Arson Prevention Act of 1993, was introduced by Science Committee Chairman, Rick Boucher; Ranking Republican Member of the Science Subcommittee, Sherwood Boehlert; full Committee Chairman, George E. Brown, Jr.; Subcommittee Member, Anna Eshoo; and 12 original co-sponsors on April 20, 1993. H.R. 1727 was referred solely to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and its Subcommittee on Science. The Subcommittee on Science held a hearing on the bill on April 20, 1993. An amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1727 was amended and then adopted by the Science Subcommittee on June 17, 1993. An amendment in the nature of a substitute as reported by the Science Subcommittee was amended, adopted, and ordered reported on June 30, 1993 by the full Committee (See Committee Actions). On April 20, 1993 Senator Richard Bryan and Senator Slade Gorton introduced S. 798, The Arson Prevention Act of 1993, which is identical to H.R. 1727. The bill was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. No action has been taken on the measure to date. VII. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Pursuant to Rule XI, Clause 2(1)(3) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, under the authority of Rule X, Clause 2(b)(1) and Clause 3(f), the Committee's oversight findings and conclusions are reflected in the recommendations found in the present bill and report. VIII. OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS No statement of findings and recommendations on oversight activity pursuant to rule X clause 2(c)(2), and rule XI, clause 2(1)(3), of the Rules of the House of Representatives, have been submitted by the Committee on Government Operations for inclusion in this report. IX. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE Hon. GEORGE E. BROWN, Jr., U.S. CONGRESS, Washington, DC, July 9, 1993. Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1727, the Arson Prevention Act of 1993. Enactment of H.R. 1727 would not affect direct spending or receipts. Therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply to the bill. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. Sincerely, ROBERT D. REISCHAUER, Director. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE 1. Bill number: H.R. 1727. 2. Bill title: The Arson Prevention Act of 1993. 3. Bill status: Ordered reported by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on June 30, 1993. 4. Bill purpose: HR 1727 would direct the United States Fire Administration to establish a demonstration program of grants to states for arson research, prevention, and control. The bill would authorize the appropriation of $4,250,000 for each of the fiscal years 1994 and 1995 to fund the grant program. It also would authorize $2 million for 1995 to expand training programs for arson investigators and $500,000 for 1994 to develop a course in arson prevention. 5. Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The costs of this bill fall within budget function 450. Basis of estimate: This estimate assumes appropriation of the full amounts authorized prior to the beginning of each fiscal year. Estimated outlays for existing programs are based on historical outlay rates. Estimated outlays for new programs are based on outlay rates for similar programs. 6. Pay-as-you-go considerations: The Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 sets up pay-as-you-go procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or receipts through 1995. CBO estimates that enactment of H.R. 1727 would not affect direct spending or receipts. Therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply to the bill. 7. Estimated cost to State and local governments: None. 8. Estimate comparison: None. 9. Previous CBO estimate: None. 10. Estimate prepared by: John Webb. 11. Estimate approved by: Paul Van de Water (for C.G. Nuckols, Assistant Director for Budget Analysis). X. IMPACT OF INFLATION In accordance with Rule XI, Clause 2(1)(4), of the Rules of the House of Representatives, this legislation is assessed to have no adverse inflationary effect on prices and costs in the operation of the national economy. XI. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION A quorum being present, the bill was ordered reported on June 30, 1993 by a voice vote of the Committee. XII. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): FEDERAL FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL ACT OF 1974 FEDERAL PROGRAMS TO COMBAT ARSON SEC. 24. (a) The Administrator shall(1) * * * (2) provide training and instructional materials in the skills and knowledge necessary to assist Federal, State, and local fire service and law enforcement personnel in arson prevention, detection, and control, with particular emphasis on the needs of volunteer firefighters for improved and more widely available arson training courses; ARSON PREVENTION GRANTS SEC. 25. (a) IN GENERAL.-The Administrator, through the Office, shall carry out a demonstration program of grant awards, not to exceed 10 in number, to States, or consortia thereof, for programs relating to arson research, prevention, and control. In carrying out the requirements of this section, the Administrator shall award 2-year grants on a competitive, merit basis to States for projects which have one or more of the following goals: (1) To improve the training by States leading to professional certification of arson investigators, in accordance with nationally recognized certification standards. (2) To provide resources for the formation of arson task forces or interagency organizational arrangements involving police and fire departments and other relevant local agencies such as State arson bureaus and the State fire marshal's office. (3) To combat fraud as a cause of arson and to advance research at the State and local levels on the significance and prevention of fraud as a motive for setting fires. (4) To provide for management of arson squads, including(A) training courses for fire departments in arson case management, including standardization of investigative techniques and reporting methodology; (B) preparation of arson unit management guides; and (C) the development and dissemination of new public education materials relating to the arson problem. (5) To combat civil unrest as a cause of arson and to advance research at the State and local levels on the prevention and control of arson linked to urban disorders. (6) To combat juvenile arson, such as juvenile fire-setter counseling programs and similar intervention programs, and to advance research at the State and local levels on the prevention of juvenile arson. (7) To combat drug-related arson and to advance research at the State and local levels on the causes and prevention of drugrelated arson. (8) To combat domestic violence as a cause of arson and to advance research at the State and local levels on the prevention of arson arising from domestic violence. (9) To combat arson in rural areas and to improve the capability of firefighters to identify and prevent arson initiated fires in rural areas and public forests. (10) To improve the capability of firefighters to identify and combat arson through expanded training programs, including (A) training courses at the State fire academies; and (B) innovative courses developed with the National Fire Academy and made available to volunteer firefighters through regional delivery methods, including teleconferencing and satellite delivered television programs. (b) GOALS TO BE REFLECTED IN GRANT AWARDS.-The Administrator shall ensure that each goal described in subsection (a) is embodied within one or more grant awards. (c) STATE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA.-In order to qualify for a grant under this section, a State or consortium thereof shall provide assurances adequate to the Administrator that it (1) will obtain at least 25 percent of the cost of programs funded by the grant, in cash or in kind, from non-Federal sources; (2) will not as a result of receiving the grant decrease its prior level of spending of funds from non-Federal sources for arson research, prevention, and control programs; (3) will use no more than 10 percent of funds provided under the grant for administrative costs of the programs; and (4) is making efforts to ensure that all local jurisdictions will provide arson data to the National Fire Incident Reporting System or the Uniform Crime Reporting program. (d) EXTENSION.-Grants awarded under this section may be extended for additional periods, at the discretion of the Administrator, subject to the availability of appropriations. |