H.R. 4027: To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make available to the University of Miami property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Virginia Key, Florida, for use by the University for a Marine Life Science Center.

H.R. 4027: To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make available to the University of Miami property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Virginia Key, Florida, for use by the University for a Marine Life Science Center.

108th Congress · introduced 2004-03-24 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · Latest: Became Public Law No: 108-485.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2004-03-24 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 108-485. (final step reached)
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make available to the University of Miami property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Virginia Key, Florida, for use by the University for a Marine Life Science Center.

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 13, 2004. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make available to the University of Miami real property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Virginia Key, Florida, for development by the University for a Marine Life Science Center. Allows the Secretary to make that property available by easement, lease, license, or long-term agreement with the University. Authorizes the use of the property to develop and operate facilities for multidisciplinary environmental and fisheries research, assessment, management, and educational activities. Prohibits the property from being used by the University (including any affiliate of the University) except in accordance with an agreement with the Secretary as described in this Act. Terminates the availability of such property immediately upon use of it by the University for any other purpose or in violation of the agreement. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement to occupy facilities constructed by the University on such property, and to participate with the University in collaborative research at, or administered through, such facilities. Prohibits this Act from being construed to convey or authorize conveyance of any interest of the United States in title to property made available under this Act.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make available to the University of Miami property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Virginia Key, Florida, for use by the University for a Marine Life Science Center.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18] · 3 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4027, A bill to authorize the Secy of Commerce to make available to the university of Miami property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin on Virginia Key, FL, for use by the University for a Mar (2004-07-30); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4027, A bill to authorize the Secy of Commerce to make available to the university of Miami property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin on Virginia Key, FL, for use by the University for a Mar (2004-07-30)

Cosponsors on this site

Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)

Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Jurisdiction: The area or the matters a government or court has authority over.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-108hr4027.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/108/hr>

Record fed-us-cong108-hr4027 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108