Global Change Research Act of 1990
Public Law 101-606 · S. 169 · 101st Congress · began in the Senate
Signed by George H. W. Bush (R) on Nov 16, 1990 · Science, Technology, Communications
Sponsor: Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-SC)
Cosponsors (26): Sen. John Kerry, Sen. Albert Gore,
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.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Global Change Research Act of 1990 - Title I: United States Global Change Research Program - Directs the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology (Council), to establish the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences to carry out Council functions under specified provisions of the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 relating to global change research, to increase the effectiveness and productivity of Federal global change research efforts.
Directs the President to establish an interagency United States Global Change Research Program to improve understanding of global change.
Requires the Chairman of the Council, through the Committee, to develop a National Global Change Research Plan for implementation of the Program. Sets forth required Plan contents and research elements, including that the Plan provide recommendations for collaboration within the Federal Government and among nations. Requires the Chairman to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council to: (1) evaluate the scientific content of the Plan; and (2) provide information and advice and recommended priorities for future global change research.
Requires the Committee to provide general guidance each year to each Federal agency or department participating in the Program with respect to preparation of requests for appropriations related to the Program.
Requires the Council, at least every four years, through the Committee, to submit to the President and the Congress an assessment regarding the findings of the Program and associated uncertainties, the effects of global change, and current and major long-term trends in global change.
Requires that the research findings of the Committee and of Federal agencies and departments be made available to the Environmental Protection Agency and all Federal agencies and departments.
Title II: International Cooperation in Global Change Research - International Cooperation in Global Change Research Act of 1990 - Declares that the President should direct the Secretary of State to initiate discussions with other nations on: (1) international agreements to coordinate global change research; and (2) an international research protocol for cooperation on the development of energy technologies which have minimally adverse effects on the environment.
Directs the President to establish an Office of Global Change Research Information to disseminate to foreign governments and their citizens, businesses, and institutions scientific research useful in preventing, mitigating, or adapting to the effects of global change.
Title III: Growth Decision Aid - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) conduct a study on the implications of growth and development on urban, suburban, and rural communities; and (2) based on the study, produce a decision aid to assist State and local authorities in planning and managing growth and development while preserving community character.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Science, Space, and Technology Committee · House · referred toSubcommittee: Environment Subcommittee; International Scientific Cooperation Subcommittee
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee · Senate · hearings by (full committee), markup by, referred to, reported by
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.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 21 actions.
- Nov 16, 1990Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 101-606.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Nov 9, 1990PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Oct 28, 1990Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to the House amendment by Voice Vote.
- Oct 26, 1990FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- FloorFloor · On ordering a second Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Walker demanded a second on the motion to suspend the rules.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Brown (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Mar 5, 1990CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Environment Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to International Scientific Cooperation Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
- Feb 22, 1990CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
- Feb 6, 1990FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 100-0. Record Vote No: 5.Senate roll call 5
- FloorFloor · The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
- May 31, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Apr 18, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Feb 22, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Jan 25, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
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.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.