Earth Data and Information Service Act of 1980
Latest action. Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Earth Data and Information Service Act of 1980 - Establishes the Earth Data and Information Service within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect, interpret, compile, and distribute data obtained by remote sensing satellites and other sources on the Earth's resources and environment. Directs the Service to: (1) provide rapid processing of, and ready access to, such data at a reasonable cost to both foreign and domestic users; (2) promote competition among suppliers of equipment and services to the Service; and (3) make available to all users remote sensing data and basic information products and services. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) plan, initiate, construct, acquire, own, manage, and operate an Earth Data and Information System to provide a reliable source of useful data and basic information products to users; (2) include in such system remote satellites, ground facilities and other necessary equipment; (3) establish communication networks to transmit such data and products to users on a timely basis. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Federal Communications Commission in establishing such networks. Stipulates that the communication services needed for such networks, insofar as practicable, shall be procured from the private sector. Permits the Secretary to: (1) recommend continued research and development by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on remote sensing components and systems for both space and ground operations of the System; (2) arrange for the participation of specified personnel in operating and planning the System; and (3) widely disseminate the data and basic information products to the users. Permits the Secretary, under the President's supervision, to participate in a program of international activities related to the functions of the Service. Directs the Secretary to establish a schedule of user charges for products and services provided under this Act. Sets forth penalties for unlawful reproduction for sale or distribution of any data or basic information products produced by the Service. Specifies procedures by which the President may transfer to the Service related functions of any other Federal department or agency. Requires the Secretary to present to the President, who shall transmit to Congress in January of each year, a report containing a description of the activities and accomplishments of the Service during the preceding year. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Introduced in Senate" stage on September 30, 1980. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.
Where is it in the process, and what happens next?
4 steps remain before this bill could become law.
The record's latest action, on September 30, 1980: Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Clearing the committees it was referred to, and being scheduled for a floor vote
- Passage by the Senate
- Passage by the House
- The President's signature. If the President vetoes it, two-thirds of both chambers must vote to override.
How likely is it to become law?
Civibrief does not forecast outcomes and this page has no opinion about this one. What the record supports is a base rate, which is a fact about the whole pile, not a prediction about this measure.
In the 96th Congress (1979-80), 613 of the 12,581 bills and joint resolutions introduced became law, about 4.9 percent. That count covers every measure at every stage, including the many that never left committee.
This one is not there yet: 4 steps are still outstanding, listed above.
Has anyone actually voted on it?
No. No roll call in this Congress cites this measure. That is the ordinary outcome: most measures never reach a recorded floor vote, and a committee ends most of them simply by not acting.
A vote is not the only thing that happens to a measure. Hearings, markups, and referrals are all recorded actions, and none of them is a vote of the full chamber.
Who is behind it?
ADLAI STEVENSON (D-IL) introduced it on September 30, 1980, and 9 members have since signed on as cosponsors.
They are 9 Democrats.
Cosponsoring is a formal signature on the text. It is not a commitment to vote for the measure, it does not bind anyone's party, and a long list of cosponsors is a measure of attention rather than of prospects.
How long has it been in play?
It was introduced on September 30, 1980, 16781 days ago. The most recent recorded action was 16781 days ago, on September 30, 1980.
Measures do not carry over. Anything the 96th Congress has not finished by January 3, 1981 dies when the term ends, and has to be introduced again from the start in the next Congress.
Every answer above is assembled from this measure's own record on Congress.gov and from published counts of what Congress has passed before. Civibrief does not predict outcomes and takes no position on any measure.
Vote history
- SenateIn committee, no floor vote yet
- HouseAwaits Senate passage
- PresidentAwaits both chambers