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Educational Research, Development, and Dissemination Excellence Act - Major Owens (D-NY) introduced H.R.4014 on November 26 to improve national education efforts through the coordination and expansion of research and dissemination programs. The Smithsonian is identified among those Federal entities engaged in such activities that may benefit from administrative and legislative changes necessary to facilitate greater agency interaction and information exchange. The bill was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor.

Freedom of Information Act - There has been no action on H.R.1423 to improve public access to government information by terminating unreasonable penalties, eliminating exemptions, minimizing delays, and setting reasonable fee schedules. The definition of "agency" in the bill is amended to include the Smithsonian. 

Higher Education Amendments of 1992 - Senate and House conference action is pending on S.1150, which includes a provision designating the "Council of American Overseas Research Centers, Smithsonian Institution" as the accrediting body for overseas research centers.

Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Act - H.R.3486 would authorize the Interior Department to establish a program to assess the health trends of U.S. marine mammal populations; provide for a coordinated response to strandings and catastrophic events involving marine mammals; and to work in conjunction with the Smithsonian to gather and analyze data, by region, on the species, numbers, conditions, and causes of illness or death of stranded marine mammals, and other appropriate life history information. The Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries held a mark-up on the measure on April 29.

National Biological Diversity Conservation and Environmental Research Act - There has been no further action on H.R.2082 and H.R.585 or on S.58 to establish a National Scientific Advisory Committee to oversee a national biodiversity conservation strategy; coordinate Federal conservation plans; and establish within the Smithsonian a National Center for Biological Diversity and Conservation Research, in cooperation with EPA, to be the focal point for research, data compilation, and dissemination of biodiversity information.

National Historic Preservation Act Amendments - Federal leadership in historic preservation would be re-asserted by Senate and House bills, S.684 and H.R.1601 and Federal-State partnerships extended to Indian tribes. Preservation education programs would be strengthened by the creation within the National Park Service of a National Center for Preservation Technology with authority to establish affiliated regional centers. The Secretary of Interior is directed to consult with the Smithsonian, among others, in the development of preservation education programs. In addition, a Smithsonian representative is designated to serve on the Preservation Technology Board responsible for leadership, policy advice, and coordination and professional oversight of the NPS National Center for Preservation Center. A Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing was held on March 17 on S.684; the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs held subcommittee hearings on April 28 on H.R.1601.