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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 2870 (105th)

Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

7 November 1997

Last action

29 July 1998 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 105-214.

Sponsors

Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH], Rep. Kasich, John R. [R-OH-12], Rep. Hamilton, Lee H. [D-IN-9], Rep. Furse, Elizabeth [D-OR-1], Rep. Ewing, Thomas W. [R-IL-15], Rep. Hastert, J. Dennis [R-IL-14], Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12], Rep. Klug, Scott L. [R-WI-2], Rep. Pryce, Deborah [R-OH-15], Rep. LaTourette, Steven C. [R-OH-14], Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1], Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH], Rep. Stokes, Louis [D-OH-11], Rep. Sawyer, Tom [D-OH-14], Rep. Pastor, Ed [D-AZ-4], Rep. Camp, Dave [R-MI-4], Rep. Latham, Tom [R-IA-3], Del. Faleomavaega, Eni F. H. [D-AS-At Large], Rep. Lipinski, William O. [D-IL-3], Rep. Wexler, Robert [D-FL-19], Rep. Kolbe, Jim [R-AZ-8], Rep. Dooley, Calvin M. [D-CA-20], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Gallegly, Elton [R-CA-24], Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5], Rep. Luther, Bill [D-MN-6], Rep. Bilbray, Brian P. [R-CA-50], Rep. Kelly, Sue W. [R-NY-19], Rep. Hobson, David L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Leach, James A. [R-IA-2], Rep. Shays, Christopher [R-CT-4], Rep. McHugh, John M. [R-NY-23], Rep. Woolsey, Lynn C. [D-CA-6], Rep. Gutierrez, Luis V. [D-IL-4], Rep. Lantos, Tom [D-CA-12], Rep. Ballenger, Cass [R-NC-10], Rep. Campbell, Tom [R-CA-15], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Skaggs, David E. [D-CO-2], Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4], Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3], Rep. Bereuter, Doug [R-NE-1], Rep. Manzullo, Donald A. [R-IL-16], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Porter, John Edward [R-IL-10]

Subjects

Environment, Taxation

Source updated

7 April 2025

Environment · Taxation

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish a Tropical Forest Facility in the Department of the Treasury to provide for the administration of debt reduction in accordance with this Act. Makes eligible for Facility benefits developing countries with tropical forests that: (1) meet certain requirements applicable to Latin American and Caribbean countries for eligibility for Enterprise for the Americas Facility benefits; and (2) have put in place major investment reforms in conjunction with international development bank loans or are making progress toward open investment regimes. Authorizes the President to: (1) reduce debt owed to the United States (outstanding as of January 1, 1997) by eligible countries as a result of concessional loans made under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or predecessor foreign economic assistance legislation or credits extended under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954; and (2) sell to any eligible purchaser any loan or portion of a loan made before such date to any eligible country pursuant to the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 or, on receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser, to reduce or cancel such loan. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into a Tropical Forest Agreement with any eligible country concerning the operation and use of the Tropical Forest Fund required to be established by a country to receive payments of interest on new obligations issued under this Act. Requires Funds to be used to provide grants to preserve, maintain, and restore tropical forests in beneficiary countries. Provides that grants shall be made to: (1) nongovernmental environmental, conservation, and indigenous peoples organizations in beneficiary countries; (2) other appropriate local or regional entities; and (3) governments of such countries, in exceptional circumstances. Makes grants of more than $100,000 subject to veto by the U.S. Government or the government of the beneficiary country. Establishes a Tropical Forest Board to: (1) advise the Secretary of State on the negotiations of Tropical Forest Agreements; (2) ensure that a suitable administering body is identified for each Fund; and (3) review the programs, operations, and fiscal audits of each administering body. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the Facility.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 7 November 1997

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 7 November 1997

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2217)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 7 November 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 7 November 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 21 November 1997

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.

    Source: Committee

  6. 23 January 1998

    Committee

    Executive Comment Requested from State.

    Source: Committee

  7. 4 March 1998

    Committee

    Committee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  8. 10 March 1998

    Committee

    Executive Comment Received from State.

    Source: Committee

  9. 11 March 1998

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  10. 11 March 1998

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  11. 12 March 1998

    Passed

    Mr. Campbell asked unanimous consent that the Committee on International Relations have until midnight on March 13 to file a report on H.R. 2870. Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Committee

  12. 13 March 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 251.

    Source: Calendars

  13. 13 March 1998

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 105-443. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.

    Source: Committee

  14. 13 March 1998

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 105-443. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.

    Source: Committee

  15. 17 March 1998

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 388 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2870 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on International Relations now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments.

    Source: Floor

  16. 19 March 1998

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2870.

    Source: Floor

  17. 19 March 1998

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

    Source: IntroReferral

  18. 19 March 1998

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  19. 19 March 1998

    Vote

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 356 - 61 (Roll No. 63).

    Source: Floor

  20. 19 March 1998

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 356 - 61 (Roll No. 63).

    Source: Floor

  21. 19 March 1998

    Passed

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

    Source: Floor

  22. 19 March 1998

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  23. 19 March 1998

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2870 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on International Relations now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments.

    Source: Floor

  24. 19 March 1998

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Ray LaHood to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  25. 19 March 1998

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 388 and Rule XXIII.

    Source: Floor

  26. 19 March 1998

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 388. (consideration: CR H1307-1319)

    Source: Floor

  27. 19 March 1998

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 388 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  28. 14 July 1998

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

    Source: Floor

  29. 14 July 1998

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1758 with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

  30. 14 July 1998

    Discharge

    Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8157-8159)

    Source: Discharge

  31. 14 July 1998

    Committee

    Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8157-8159)

    Source: Committee

  32. 15 July 1998

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  33. 15 July 1998

    Passed

    On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H5507-5511)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  34. 15 July 1998

    Passed

    Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H5507-5511)

    Source: NotUsed

  35. 15 July 1998

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Gilman asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  36. 15 July 1998

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  37. 17 July 1998

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  38. 17 July 1998

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  39. 29 July 1998

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 105-214.

    Source: President

  40. 29 July 1998

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  41. 29 July 1998

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

18 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 29 July 1998

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 29 July 1998

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  • Engrossed Amendment Senate (text)

    Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 14 July 1998

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  • Engrossed Amendment Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 14 July 1998

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 14 July 1998

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 19 March 1998

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 19 March 1998

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 19 March 1998

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 19 March 1998

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 19 March 1998

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 13 March 1998

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 13 March 1998

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  • Reported to House with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 13 March 1998

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 7 November 1997

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 7 November 1997

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 7 November 1997

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