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Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988

Public Law 100-691 · H.R. 1975 · 100th Congress · began in the House

Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Nov 18, 1988 · Public Lands and Natural Resources

Sponsor: Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA-9)

Cosponsors (29): Rep. Larry Craig,

Passage votes

  • HouseVoice vote
  • SenateVoice vote
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, as appropriate, to issue such regulations as are necessary to protect significant caves on Federal lands and to provide for the exchange of information between Government authorities and those who use such caves. Directs the Secretary to take such actions as may be necessary to further the purposes of this Act, including: (1) identifying significant caves; (2) restricting the use of such caves; (3) entering into volunteer management agreements with the caving community; and (4) appointing advisory committees. Requires that such caves be considered in subsequent land management plans.

Restricts the release of information concerning the location of any Federal cave. Authorizes the Secretary to provide such information upon the written request by Federal and State agencies or bona fide educational and research institutions. Requires such a request to include an assurance to protect the confidentiality of such information.

Authorizes the Secretary to issue permits for the collection and removal of Federal cave resources. Subjects the issuance of such permits to terms which may include the posting of bonds to insure compliance with any permit. Requires the Secretary to revoke permits for violations of this Act or permit conditions. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to delegate permit authority to an Indian tribe for caves on Indian lands at a tribe's request.

Requires a tribe's permission before the removal of any cave resource on such tribe's land. Entitles a tribe to notice before the issuance of a permit if the Secretary determines that possible harm or destruction of a religious or cultural site may occur.

Imposes criminal penalties for the alteration of a cave or interference with cave resources, including the sale or exchange of cave resources removed without permission. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act or permit conditions.

Authorizes appropriations. Places permit fees and fines in a special fund in the Treasury for cave management.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 18 actions.

  1. Nov 18, 1988Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 100-691.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Nov 10, 1988PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Oct 21, 1988Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Senate Amendments by Voice Vote.
  5. FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
  6. Sep 28, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  7. Sep 22, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  8. Jun 16, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by National Parks Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  9. Mar 29, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  10. Mar 28, 1988FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  11. CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Natural Resources Committee
  12. Mar 16, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Natural Resources Committee
  13. Mar 3, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Reported by National Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee
  14. CommitteeCommittee · Markup by National Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee
  15. Jul 23, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by National Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee
  16. May 8, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Referred to National Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee
  17. Apr 7, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Natural Resources Committee
  18. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.