An Act to authorize appropriations for certain insular areas of the United States, and for other purposes.
Public Law 95-348 · S. 2821 · 95th Congress · began in the Senate
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Aug 18, 1978 · Government Operations and Politics
Sponsor: Sen. Scoop Jackson (D-WA)
Cosponsors: None
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
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.
(Senate agreed to House amendments with an amendment)
Authorizes the appropriation to the Secretary of the Interior of specified sums for grants to the Government of Guam for the construction of public facilities and the maintenance of essential services. States that such authorization shall be effective on October 1, 1978.
Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress an analysis of the capital infrastructure needs of Guam for the period 1985-1990.
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to remit, annually from specified sources, to the government certain sums based on the total amount of such duties, taxes, and fees as the Governor of Guam estimates will be collected in Guam as soon as the Legislature of Guam enacts legislation establishing a fiscal year commencing on October 1, and ending on September 30.
Authorizes appropriations for the rehabilitation and resettlement of Bikini Atoll and Kili Island, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Allots a specified amount for the relocation and resettlement of the Bikini people within the Marshall Islands and for compensation. Stipulates that none of the funds authorized shall be available for payment of any attorneys fees or associated expenses.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on the progress of efforts to relocate the displaced people of Bikini Island.
Authorizes appropriations for the construction of the Saipan Permanent Power Station for the Northern Mariana Islands together with upgrading, rehabilitation, or replacement of distribution facilities.
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture at the request of the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands: (1) to implement a food stamp program in all or some of such Islands with such income standards of eligibility, deductions, and allotment values which the Secretary determines are suited to the economic and social circumstances of such Islands; and (2) to distribute or permit distribution of federally donated foods if no such program is requested.
Authorizes appropriations to the Government of the Virgin Islands: (1) to promote economic development in the Virgin Islands; and (2) for the construction of public facilities and the maintenance of essential services.
Directs the Secretary to annually remit to such government, certain sums based on the total amount of such duties, taxes, and fees as the Governor of the Virgin Islands estimates will be collected in the Virgin Islands as soon as the Legislature of such islands enacts legislation establishing a fiscal year commencing on October 1, and ending on September 30.
Authorizes sums for fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981 for grants to such government to offset any anticipated deficit during such fiscal years.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress on the financial condition of the Virgin Islands. Sets forth specific information to be included in such report.
Authorizes the Director of the National Park Service to develop, maintain, and administer the existing American Memorial Park, located at Lanapag Harbor Reservation, Saipan.
Establishes the War in the Pacific National Historical Park to conserve and interpret outstanding natural, scenic, and historic values and objects on the Island of Guam. Authorizes appropriations, effective October 1, 1978, for the acquisition of lands or interest in land, and for development to establish such monument.
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to submit to specific committees of the Congress a study of areas and sites in the Pacific suitable for possible inclusion as national historic parks.
Includes Hassel Island, located in Saint Thomas Harbor, and the adjourning lands, submerged lands, and waters, in the Virgin Island National Park. Authorizes appropriations for conservation and rehabilitation of historic structures and for development of public facilities on Hassel Island.
Makes authorizations of moneys appropriated effective October 1, 1978.
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.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 15 actions.
- Aug 18, 1978Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 95-348.
- Aug 9, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- Aug 8, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Aug 4, 1978Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendment.
- Aug 3, 1978Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to House amendments with an amendment.
- Jun 7, 1978FloorFloor · Measure reconsidered and repassed Senate with amendments.
- FloorFloor · House vacated its action on passage of 6/5/78.
- Jun 5, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H. R. 12481.
- FloorFloor · Measure called up by unanimous consent in House.
- May 10, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- May 5, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Apr 4, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources 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.