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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 4168 (104th)

Helium Privatization Act of 1996

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

25 September 1996

Last action

9 October 1996 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 104-273.

Sponsors

Rep. Cox, Christopher [R-CA-48]

Subjects

Energy, Transport

Source updated

7 April 2025

Energy · Transport

Summary

Helium Privatization Act of 1996 - Amends the Helium Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) enter into agreements with private parties for the recovery and disposal of helium on Federal lands; (2) grant leasehold rights to such helium; (3) store and transport crude helium; and (4) maintain and operate existing crude helium storage at the Bureau of Mines Cliffside Field. Directs the Secretary to: (1) cease producing, refining, and marketing refined helium; and (2) dispose of all facilities, equipment, and Federal property interests relating to refined helium activities. Requires the Secretary to impose fees for helium storage, withdrawal, or transportation services. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the purchase of helium by Federal agencies from certain private persons; and (2) the sale of crude helium by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to make crude helium sales in amounts that will cause minimum market disruption. Mandates that proceeds from helium sales be paid to the Treasury. Instructs the Secretary to eliminate helium stockpiles by a prescribed deadline. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Texas Plains Girl Scout Council for consideration of one dollar specified lands in Potter County, Texas, reserving easements to the United States for pipeline rights-of-way. Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Congress on whether disposal of helium reserves (including crude helium reserves) will have a substantial adverse effect upon U.S. scientific, technical, biomedical, or national security interests; (2) determine whether disposal of the helium reserve will have a substantial adverse effect on the U.S. helium industry, the U.S. helium market or such interests; and (3) if the Secretary determines that selling the crude helium reserves will have a substantial adverse effect on the industry, market, or such interests, make recommendations to the Congress, including proposed legislation, necessary to avoid such effects.

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

Timeline

  1. 25 September 1996

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Resources.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 25 September 1996

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 25 September 1996

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 26 September 1996

    Passed

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

    Source: Floor

  5. 26 September 1996

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate, read twice.

    Source: IntroReferral

  6. 26 September 1996

    Passed

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  7. 26 September 1996

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  8. 26 September 1996

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

    Source: Floor

  9. 26 September 1996

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H11268-11273)

    Source: Floor

  10. 26 September 1996

    Floor

    Mr. Young (AK) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    Source: Floor

  11. 28 September 1996

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S11669)

    Source: Floor

  12. 28 September 1996

    Passed

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11669)

    Source: Floor

  13. 30 September 1996

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  14. 30 September 1996

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  15. 9 October 1996

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 104-273.

    Source: President

  16. 9 October 1996

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  17. 9 October 1996

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

11 official files

Public Law (text)

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Leesvertaling

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 10 October 1996

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 10 October 1996

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN · 28 September 1996

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN · 28 September 1996

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  • Received in Senate (text)

    Received in Senate · EN · 26 September 1996

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  • Received in Senate (PDF)

    Received in Senate · EN · 26 September 1996

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 26 September 1996

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 26 September 1996

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 25 September 1996

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 25 September 1996

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 25 September 1996

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