[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 811 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 811

    To incorporate environmental concerns into technology programs 
established in the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

               April 22 (legislative day, April 19), 1993

   Mr. Kerry introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To incorporate environmental concerns into technology programs 
established in the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act shall be referred to as the ``Environmental 
Competitiveness Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The national policy of the United States declares that 
        pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever 
        feasible, prior to environmentally sound recycling, treatment, 
        or landfilling.
            (2) There are significant opportunities for industry to 
        reduce or prevent pollution at the source through cost-
        effective changes in production, operation, and raw materials 
        use.
            (3) Such changes offer industry substantial savings in 
        reduced raw material, pollution control, and liability costs, 
        and help to protect the environment and reduce risks to worker 
        health and safety.
            (4) Federal Government estimates indicate that businesses 
        can reduce their waste generation 33 percent to 50 percent by 
        implementing source reduction techniques, and private sector 
        studies suggest that some industry sectors can reduce their 
        waste by up to 80 percent through the use of such techniques.
            (5) In most cases, source reduction and energy efficiency 
        techniques do not require the purchase of new equipment, but 
        merely a better understanding of how to use equipment currently 
        available.
            (6) In fact, one recent study indicated that 25 percent of 
        all source reduction activities require no capital investment 
        for implementation and, of those that require capital, 50 
        percent of the capital expenditures were recouped in savings 
        in, on average, less than 18 months.
            (7) The private sector must take the lead in reducing the 
        production of waste by manufacturing companies and, in fact, 
        many large companies have contracted with consultants or 
        performed internal audits to find methods for reducing 
        pollution in their own processes.
            (8) Source reduction is fundamentally different from, and 
        more desirable than, waste management and pollution control and 
        should be promoted by Federal agencies, particularly the 
        Department of Commerce in its role in assisting businesses.
            (9) The Federal Government can assist small- and medium-
        sized companies that often are unaware of the techniques 
        available for pollution prevention and the possible savings 
        from employing them, and such Government assistance will help 
        meet the dual goals of modernizing manufacturing and improving 
        the environment.
            (10) The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department 
        of Energy can provide the Manufacturing Technology Centers with 
        technical expertise in this area.
            (11) The Environmental Protection Agency has conducted over 
        200 source reduction assessments for manufacturers and the 
        Department of Energy has conducted over 4,100 energy audits 
        which have saved companies $419 million and 77 trillion Btu's 
        of energy.
            (12) Assisting small- and medium-sized companies to reduce 
        the waste products created during the manufacturing process 
        will reduce the companies' costs, and thus improve the 
        competitiveness of such companies, by--
                    (A) reducing their costs of disposal;
                    (B) reducing their costs of complying with 
                environmental regulations;
                    (C) reducing their raw material costs;
                    (D) reducing liability costs associated with 
                transport and disposal; and
                    (E) assisting these companies in identifying areas 
                where their production processes are inefficient.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY.

    The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
3701 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new title:

                ``TITLE III--MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES

``SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS.

    ``As used in this title--
            ``(1) Advanced manufacturing technology.--The term 
        `advanced manufacturing technology' includes--
                    ``(A) numerically controlled machine tools, robots, 
                automated process control equipment, computerized 
                flexible manufacturing systems, associated computer 
                software, and other technology for improving 
                manufacturing and industrial production that advances 
                the state-of-the-art; and
                    ``(B) novel techniques and processes designed to 
                improve manufacturing quality, productivity, and 
                practice, and to promote sustainable development, 
                including engineering design, quality assurance, 
                concurrent engineering, continuous process production 
                technology, energy efficiency, waste minimization, 
                design for recyclability or parts reuse, inventory 
                management, upgraded worker skills, and communications 
                with customers and suppliers.
            ``(2) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of 
        the Institute.
            ``(3) Institute.--The term `Institute' means the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology.
            ``(4) Modern technology.--The term `modern technology' 
        means the best available proven technology, techniques, and 
        processes appropriate to enhancing the productivity of 
        manufacturers.
            ``(5) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of Commerce.
            ``(6) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' means 
        the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology.
            ``(7) Source reduction.--The term `source reduction' has 
        the same meaning as in section 6603 of the Pollution Prevention 
        Act of 1990.

``SEC. 302. TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY MANUFACTURING INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Institute a 
Twenty-First Century Manufacturing Infrastructure Program, which shall 
include--
            ``(1) the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development 
        Program established under section 303; and
            ``(2) the National Manufacturing Outreach Program 
        established under section 304 and the associated programs 
        established under sections 25 and 26 of the National Institute 
        of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k-l).
    ``(b) Program Funding.--The Secretary, through the Under Secretary 
and the Director, may accept the transfer of funds from any other 
Federal agency and may use those funds to implement the Twenty-First 
Century Manufacturing Infrastructure Program and support its 
activities.

``SEC. 303. ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Program Direction.--The Secretary, through the Under 
Secretary and the Director, shall establish an Advanced Manufacturing 
Technology Development Program which shall include advanced 
manufacturing systems and networking projects.
    ``(b) Program Goal.--The goal of the Advanced Manufacturing 
Technology Development Program is to create collaborative multiyear 
technology development programs involving United States industry and, 
as appropriate, other Federal agencies, the States, worker 
organizations, universities, and other interested persons, in order to 
develop, refine, test, and transfer design and manufacturing 
technologies and associated applications, including advanced computer 
integration and electronic networks.
    ``(c) Program Components.--The Advanced Manufacturing Technology 
Development Program shall include--
            ``(1) the advanced manufacturing research and development 
        activities at the Institute; and
            ``(2) one or more technology development testbeds within 
        the United States, selected in accordance with procedures, 
        including cost sharing, established for the Advanced Technology 
        Program under section 28 of the National Institute of Standards 
        and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n), whose purpose shall be to 
        develop, refine, test, and transfer advanced manufacturing and 
        networking technologies and associated applications through a 
        direct manufacturing process.
    ``(d) Activities.--The Advanced Manufacturing Technology 
Development Program, under the coordination of the Secretary, through 
the Director, shall--
            ``(1) test and, as appropriate, develop the equipment, 
        computer software, and systems integration necessary for the 
        successful operation within the United States of advanced 
        design and manufacturing systems and associated electronic 
        networks;
            ``(2) establish at the Institute and the technology 
        development testbed or testbeds--
                    ``(A) prototype advanced computer-integrated 
                manufacturing systems; and
                    ``(B) prototype electronic networks linking 
                manufacturing systems;
            ``(3) assist industry to develop and implement voluntary 
        consensus standards relevant to advanced computer-integrated 
        manufacturing operations, including standards for networks, 
        electronic data interchange, and digital product data 
        specifications;
            ``(4) help to make high-performance computing and 
        networking technologies an integral part of design and 
        production processes where appropriate;
            ``(5) conduct research to identify and overcome technical 
        barriers to the successful and cost-effective operation of 
        advanced manufacturing systems and networks;
            ``(6) facilitate industry efforts to develop and test new 
        applications for manufacturing systems and networks;
            ``(7) involve in the Advanced Manufacturing Technology 
        Development Program, to the maximum extent practicable, both 
        those United States companies that make manufacturing and 
        computer equipment and a broad range of company personnel from 
        those companies that buy the equipment;
            ``(8) identify training needs, as appropriate, for company 
        managers, engineers, and employees in the operation and 
        applications of advanced manufacturing technologies and 
        networks, with a particular emphasis on training for production 
        workers in the effective use of new technologies;
            ``(9) work with private industry, universities, and other 
        interested parties to develop standards for the use of advanced 
        computer-based training systems, including multimedia and 
        interactive learning technologies;
            ``(10) involve small- and medium-sized manufacturers in its 
        activities;
            ``(11) exchange information and personnel, as appropriate, 
        between the technology development testbeds and the electronic 
        network created under this section; and
            ``(12) incorporate and experiment with source reduction 
        techniques and technologies, through consultation with the 
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, at the 
        technology testbed or testbeds.
    ``(e) Testbed Awards.--(1) In selecting applicants to receive 
awards under subsection (c)(2) of this section, the Secretary shall 
give particular consideration to applicants that have existing computer 
expertise in the management of business, product, and process 
information such as digital data product and process technologies and 
customer-supplier information systems, and the ability to diffuse such 
expertise into industry, and that, in the case of joint research and 
development ventures, includes both suppliers and users of advanced 
manufacturing equipment.
    ``(2) An industry-led joint research and development venture 
applying for an award under subsection (c)(2) of this section may 
include one or more State research organizations, universities, 
independent research organizations or Regional Centers for the Transfer 
of Manufacturing Technology (as created under section 25 of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act) and other 
organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    ``(f) Advice and Assistance.--(1) Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this title, and before any request for proposals 
is issued, the Secretary shall hold one or more workshops to solicit 
advice from United States industry and from other Federal agencies, 
particularly the Department of Defense, regarding the specific missions 
and activities of the testbeds.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall, to the greatest extent possible, 
coordinate activities under this section with activities of other 
Federal agencies and initiatives relating to computer-aided acquisition 
and logistics support, electronic data interchange, flexible computer-
integrated manufacturing, and enterprise integration.
    ``(3) The Secretary may request and accept funds, facilities, 
equipment, or personnel from other Federal agencies in order to carry 
out responsibilities under this section.
    ``(g) Application of Antitrust Laws.--Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to create any immunity to any civil or criminal action 
under any Federal or State antitrust law, or to alter or restrict in 
any manner the applicability of any Federal or State antitrust law.

``SEC. 304. NATIONAL MANUFACTURING OUTREACH PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment and Purpose.--There is hereby established a 
National Manufacturing Outreach Program (hereafter in this section 
referred to as the `Outreach Program'). The Secretary, acting through 
the Under Secretary and the Director, shall implement and coordinate 
the Outreach Program in accordance with an initial plan to be prepared 
and submitted to Congress not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this title and a 5-year plan for the Outreach Program to 
be submitted to the Congress not later than 12 months after the date of 
enactment of this title and to be updated annually. The purpose of the 
Outreach Program is to link and strengthen the Nation's manufacturing 
extension centers and activities in order to assist United States 
manufacturers, especially small- and medium-sized firms, to expand and 
accelerate the use of modern manufacturing practices, and to accelerate 
the development and use of advanced manufacturing technology.
    ``(b) Components.--The Outreach Program shall be a partnership of 
the Department of Commerce, the States, the private sector, and, as 
appropriate, other Federal agencies to provide a national system of 
manufacturing extension centers and technical services to United States 
companies, particularly small- and medium-sized manufacturers. The 
Outreach Program shall include the following components:
            ``(1) Manufacturing Outreach Centers, as provided for under 
        subsection (c) of this section.
            ``(2) Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing 
        Technology, as established under section 25 of the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology Act, and the State 
        Technology Extension Program, as established under section 26 
        of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act.
            ``(3) An organization, coordinated and funded by the 
        Institute, which links and supports Manufacturing Outreach 
        Centers and Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing 
        Technology, and which operates the Technology Extension Network 
        and Clearinghouse established under subsection (d) of this 
        section.
            ``(4) Such technology and manufacturing extension centers 
        supported by other Federal departments and agencies as the 
        Secretary may deem appropriate for inclusion in the Outreach 
        Program.
    ``(c) Manufacturing Outreach Centers.--(1) Government and private 
sector organizations, actively engaged in technology or manufacturing 
extension activities, may apply to the Secretary to be designated as 
Manufacturing Outreach Centers. Eligible organizations may include 
Federal, State, and local government agencies, their extension 
programs, and their laboratories; small business development centers; 
and appropriate programs run by professional societies, worker 
organizations, industrial organizations, for-profit or nonprofit 
organizations, universities, community colleges, and technical schools 
and colleges, including, where appropriate, vendor-supported 
demonstrations of production applications.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall establish terms and conditions of 
participation and may provide financial assistance, on a cost-shared 
basis and through competitive, merit-based review processes, to 
nonprofit or government participants throughout the United States to 
enable them to--
            ``(A) join the Outreach Program and disseminate its 
        technical and information services to United States 
        manufacturing firms, particularly small- and medium-sized 
        firms; and
            ``(B) strengthen their efforts to help small- and medium-
        sized United States manufacturers to expand and accelerate the 
        use of modern and advanced manufacturing practices.
    ``(3) Each Manufacturing Outreach Center shall have the option of 
affiliating or not affiliating with one or more Regional Centers for 
the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology. If such a Manufacturing 
Outreach Center chooses to make such an affiliation, the Secretary, 
through the Director, shall take such steps as appropriate to ensure a 
productive working partnership between such center and the Regional 
Center or centers with which it affiliates.
    ``(d) Dissemination of Source Reduction and Energy Efficiency 
Technologies.--(1) Each Regional Center for the Transfer of 
Manufacturing Technology shall designate at least one employee who 
shall conduct or assist in the conducting of energy efficiency and 
source reduction assessments of client companies of the Regional 
Centers and the Manufacturing Outreach Centers. These assessments shall 
assist such client companies (especially companies in those industries 
identified by the Environmental Competitiveness Commission under 
section 5(d) of the Environmental Competitiveness Act of 1993) in 
identifying opportunities for energy efficiency conservation and source 
reduction through improvements in manufacturing processes or the 
purchase of new equipment.
    ``(2) In order to facilitate these energy efficiency and source 
reduction assessments--
            ``(A) the employees designated under paragraph (1) shall 
        receive training, at the expense of the Department of Commerce, 
        from the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection 
        Agency, concerning the conducting of energy efficiency and 
        source reduction assessments; and
            ``(B) not later than 12 months after the date of enactment 
        of this section, the Institute, in consultation with the 
        Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, 
        shall make available a software assessment package to the 
        Regional Centers and the Manufacturing Outreach Centers for the 
        purpose of assisting client companies in identifying 
        opportunities for improved energy efficiency and source 
        reduction.
    ``(e) Technology Extension Communications Network.--The Department 
of Commerce shall provide for an instantaneous, interactive 
communications network to serve the Outreach Program, to facilitate 
interaction among Manufacturing Outreach Centers, Regional Centers for 
the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology, and Federal agencies and to 
permit the collection and dissemination in electronic form, in a timely 
and accurate manner, of information described in subsection (f). Such 
communications infrastructure shall, wherever practicable, make use of 
existing computer networks, databases, and electronic bulletin boards. 
Communications infrastructure arrangements, including user fees and 
appropriate electronic access for public and private information 
suppliers and users shall be addressed in the 5-year plan prepared 
under subsection (a) of this section.
    ``(f) Clearinghouse.--(1) The Secretary shall develop a 
clearinghouse system, using the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, the National Technical Information Service, and private 
sector information providers and carriers where appropriate to--
            ``(A) identify expertise and acquire information, 
        appropriate to the purpose of the Outreach Program stated in 
        subsection (a), from all available Federal sources, and where 
        appropriate from other sources, providing assistance where 
        necessary in making such information electronically available 
        and compatible with the electronic network;
            ``(B) ensure ready access by United States manufacturers 
        and other interested private sector parties to the most recent 
        relevant available information and expertise; and
            ``(C) inform such manufacturers of the availability of such 
        information, to the extent practicable.
    ``(2) The clearinghouse shall include information available 
electronically on--
            ``(A) activities of Manufacturing Outreach Centers, 
        Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology, 
        the State Technology Extension Program, and the users of the 
        electronic network;
            ``(B) domestic and international standards from the 
        Institute and private sector organizations and other export 
        promotion information, including conformity assessment 
        requirements and procedures;
            ``(C) the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Program, and quality 
        principles and standards;
            ``(D) manufacturing processes minimizing waste and negative 
        environmental impact;
            ``(E) federally funded technology development and transfer 
        programs;
            ``(F) responsibilities assigned to the Clearinghouse for 
        State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and 
        Innovation under section 102;
            ``(G) how to access databases and services; and
            ``(H) other subjects relevant to the ability of companies 
        to manufacture and sell competitive products throughout the 
        world.
    ``(g) Principles.--In carrying out this section, the Department of 
Commerce shall take into consideration the following principles:
            ``(1) The Outreach Program and the electronic network shall 
        be established and operated through cooperation and co-funding 
        among Federal, State, and local governments, other public and 
        private contributors, and end users.
            ``(2) The Outreach Program and the electronic network shall 
        utilize and leverage, to the extent practicable, existing 
        organizations, databases, electronic networks, facilities, and 
        capabilities, and shall be designed to complement rather than 
        supplant State and local programs.
            ``(3) The Outreach Program should, to the extent 
        practicable, involve key stakeholders at all levels in the 
        planning and governance of modernization strategies; 
        concentrate on assisting local clusters of firms; promote 
        collaborative learning and cooperative action among small and 
        large manufacturers; link industrial modernization programs 
        tightly to existing and future Federal training initiatives, 
        including those for youth apprenticeship programs; encourage 
        small firms to seek modernization services by working with 
        major manufacturers to strengthen and coordinate their supplier 
        assessment, certification, and development programs; identify 
        and honor best practices by firms and the programs that support 
        them; provide funding based on performance and ensure rigorous 
        evaluation of extension services; as appropriate, coordinate 
        Federal programs that support manufacturing modernization; and 
        work with Federal, State, and private organizations so that 
        Outreach Centers and Regional Centers for the Transfer of 
        Manufacturing Technology can provide referrals to other 
        important business services, such as assistance with financing, 
        training, and exporting.
            ``(4) The Outreach Program shall work with other Federal 
        agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, to 
        develop training programs and materials for the employees of 
        the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing 
        Technology and the Manufacturing Outreach Centers. The purposes 
        of these training programs and materials shall include--
                    ``(A) to assure that the centers can provide a 
                standard of quality suitable to the purposes of the 
                Outreach Program;
                    ``(B) to familiarize employees with industry best 
                practices and modernization standards in crucial areas, 
                including energy efficiency and source reduction; and
                    ``(C) to train employees to perform client company 
                assessments in order to identify opportunities for 
                modernization.
            ``(5) The Outreach Program and the electronic network and 
        communications infrastructure provided for under subsection 
        (d), shall be subject to all applicable provisions of law for 
        the protection of trade secrets and confidential business 
        information.
            ``(6) Local or regional needs should determine the 
        management structure and staffing of the Manufacturing Outreach 
        Centers. The Outreach Program shall strive for geographical 
        balance with the ultimate goal of access for all United States 
        manufacturers.
            ``(7) Manufacturing Outreach Centers should have the 
        capability to deliver outreach services directly to 
        manufacturers; actively work with, rather than supplant, the 
        private sector; and to the extent practicable, maximize the 
        exposure of manufacturers to demonstrations of modern 
        technologies in use.
            ``(8) Manufacturing Outreach Centers shall focus, where 
        possible, on the development and deployment of flexible 
        manufacturing practices applicable to both defense and 
        commercial applications.
            ``(9) The Outreach Program shall, in addition to deploying 
        advanced manufacturing technology, help client companies 
        identify opportunities for modernization, including improving 
        source reduction and energy efficiency techniques and 
        technologies.
            ``(10) The Department of Commerce shall develop mechanisms 
        for--
                    ``(A) soliciting the perspectives of manufacturers 
                using the services of the Manufacturing Outreach 
                Centers and Regional Centers for the Transfer of 
                Manufacturing Technology; and
                    ``(B) evaluating the effectiveness of the 
                Manufacturing Outreach Centers.''.

SEC. 4. GRANTS PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to award 
grants to State technology assessment offices for the purpose of 
deploying source reduction and environmental technologies to companies 
in the States.
    (b) Regulation.--The grants awarded pursuant to subsection (a) 
shall be in such amounts, and subject to such conditions and 
restrictions as the Secretary of Commerce shall prescribe by 
regulation.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this section.

SEC. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETITIVENESS COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known 
as the Environmental Competitiveness Commission (hereafter in this Act 
referred to as the ``Commission'').
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 9 
        members which shall include the following:
                    (A) Three representatives of the Environmental 
                Protection Agency.
                    (B) Two representatives of the Department of 
                Commerce.
                    (C) Two individuals appointed by the Administrator 
                from among representatives of the United States 
                environmental technology industry.
                    (D) Two individuals appointed by the Administrator 
                from among representatives of nonprofit, consumer 
                protection, or environmental conservation 
                organizations.
            (2) Appointment.--The members of the Commission shall be 
        appointed by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
        Agency (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 
        ``Administrator'') not later than 30 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
            (3) Chairperson.--The Administrator shall designate one 
        member of the Commission to serve as the Chairperson of the 
        Commission.
            (4) Period of appointment; vacancies.--Members shall be 
        appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the 
        Commission shall not affect its powers but shall be filled in 
        the same manner as the original appointment.
    (c) Meetings.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall meet at the call of 
        the Chairperson.
            (2) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the 
        Commission shall hold its first meeting.
            (3) Open meetings.--The meetings of the Commission shall be 
        open to the public and timely public notice shall be provided 
        in advance of each regular meeting of the Commission.
    (d) Duties of the Commission.--The Commission shall--
            (1) identify the 10 small business industries that would 
        benefit the most from source reduction technical assistance 
        provided by the Federal Government; and
            (2) submit a list of the 10 industries identified in 
        paragraph (1) to the Administrator, the Secretary of Commerce, 
        and the Congress not later than 6 months after the date on 
        which all members of the Commission have been appointed by the 
        Administrator under subsection (b)(2).
    (e) Staff and Administration.--
            (1) Support services.--The Administrator shall provide to 
        the Commission such administrative and technical support 
        services as are necessary for the effective functioning of the 
        Commission.
            (2) Other support.--The Administrator of General Services 
        shall furnish the Commission with such offices, equipment, 
        supplies, and services as the Administrator of General Services 
        is authorized to furnish to any other agency or instrumentality 
        of the United States.
            (3) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Commission 
        who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government 
        shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of 
        the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the 
        Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States 
        Code, for each day (including travel time) during which such 
        member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the 
        Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or 
        employees of the United States shall serve without compensation 
        in addition to that received for their services as officers or 
        employees of the United States.
            (4) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall 
        be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
        under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
        Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business 
        in the performance of services for the Commission.
    (f) Powers of the Commission.--
            (1) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit 
        and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
        receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to 
        carry out the purposes of this Act.
            (2) Information from federal agencies.--The Commission may 
        secure directly from any Federal department or agency such 
        information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out 
        the provisions of this Act. Upon request of the Chairperson of 
        the Commission, the head of such department or agency shall 
        furnish such information to the Commission.
            (3) Postal services.--The Commission may use the United 
        States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
        as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
            (4) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of 
        gifts or donations of services or property.
    (g) Sunset.--The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the date 
on which the Commission submits its list under subsection (d).

                                 <all>

S 811 IS----2