*EPF309 01/23/2002
House Reauthorizes Asian Elephant Conservation Act
(House approves 349-23 H.R. 700, as amended by Senate) (240)

By Steve La Rocque
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- The House of Representatives passed H.R. 700, the bill reauthorizing the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, on its first day back in session since the winter holiday recess.

On January 23, the House took up the issue of reauthorizing for five years (through the end of fiscal year 2007) the bill that provides funding for efforts to preserve the Asian elephant and its habitat.

The House passed the Senate version of H.R. 700 by a 349 to 23 roll call vote, with 63 lawmakers listed as not voting. The Senate made technical changes to the original House bill.

The bill, as amended, authorizes funds for the Multinational Species Conservation Fund instead of for a fund specifically designated for the Asian elephant. Similar legislation for specific efforts to preserve Asian tigers and rhinoceros and the African elephant also would provide funding for the Multinational Species Conservation Fund, which would support programs for preserving the endangered fauna.

Representative James Saxton (Republican of New Jersey) introduced H.R. 700 February 14, 2001 to the House of Representatives. Saxton was an author of the original Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997.

The Senate passed its amended version of H.R. 700 December 18, 2001.

The bill will now go to the president for consideration. If the measure receives the president's signature, it will then become law.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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