[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1625 Introduced in House (IH)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1625
To establish the Samuel Kelner Commission on Youth.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 26, 2001
Mr. Ramstad introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Samuel Kelner Commission on Youth.
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 may be cited as the ``Samuel Kelner Commission on Youth
Authorization Act''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a commission to be known as the ``Samuel
Kelner Commission on Youth'' (in this Act referred to as the
``Commission'').
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall seek to reduce apathy among American youth
regarding the Nation's system of government by discussing and making
policy recommendations on issues affecting American youth, including
issues in the following subject areas:
(1) Public education.
(2) Youth employment and wages.
(3) Higher education financing.
(4) Youth drug abuse and violence.
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 8
members, appointed as follows:
(1) 4 members appointed by the President.
(2) 1 member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
(3) 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the House
or Representatives.
(4) 1 member appointed by the majority leader of the
Senate.
(5) 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate.
(b) Age Limit.--An individual may not be appointed under subsection
(a) if that individual will attain 18 years of age by the date of the
Commission's first meeting or conference that occurs after that
individual's appointment in the term for which the individual is
appointed.
(c) Terms.--
(1) In general.--Each member shall be appointed for a term
of 1 year beginning on August 1 and may be reappointed.
(2) Initial term.--The first 8 members shall be appointed
for the 1-year period that begins on August 1 of the calendar
year that follows the calendar year of the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(d) Vacancies.--Any member appointed to fill a vacancy before the
expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed
shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A vacancy in
the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original
appointment was made.
(e) Pay.--Members shall serve without pay.
(f) Travel Expenses.--Each member shall receive travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections
5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(g) Quorum.--A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum,
except that a lesser number may hold hearings.
(h) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall be
elected by the members.
(i) Meetings.--
(1) In general.--In each 1 year period beginning August 1
the Commission--
(A) shall conduct 4 meetings each spanning a period
of not more than 3 days; and
(B) shall conduct 1 conference spanning a period of
not more than 1 week.
(2) Scheduling.--
(A) Initial meeting.--The initial meeting of the
Commission each year under paragraph (1)(A) shall begin
on the first Thursday in August.
(B) Remaining meetings.--The Commission, by
majority vote at the initial meeting each year, shall
determine the dates of the remaining meetings and the
conference under paragraph (1) for that year.
(3) Emergency meeting.--In addition to the meetings
required under paragraph (1), the Commission shall, at the call
of the President, conduct 1 emergency meeting spanning a period
of not more than 3 days.
SEC. 5. DIRECTOR; STAFF; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.
(a) Director.--
(1) Appointment.--The Commission shall have a Director who
shall be appointed by the President.
(2) Pay.--The Director shall be paid at the rate of basic
pay for GS-12 of the General Schedule.
(b) Staff.--The Commission may appoint additional personnel as it
considers appropriate.
(c) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--The Director and
staff of the Commission shall be appointed subject to the provisions of
title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive
service.
(d) Experts and Consultants.--The Commission may procure temporary
and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
States Code.
(e) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request of the Commission, the
head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable
basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the
Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act.
SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
(a) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may, for the purpose of
carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places,
take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers
appropriate.
(b) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of the
Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action that
the Commission is authorized to take by this section.
(c) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly
from any department or agency of the United States information
necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. The Chairperson may
request such information if such request is authorized by a majority
vote of the Commission. Upon request of the Chairperson, the head of
that department or agency shall furnish that information to the
Commission.
(d) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the United States.
(e) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the
Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support
services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities
under this Act.
(f) Contract Authority.--To the extent and in the amounts provided
in advance in appropriations Acts, the Director may contract with and
compensate government and private agencies or person for supplies and
other services.
SEC. 7. ANNUAL REPORTS.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall submit to the President and
the Congress a report not later than July 1 each year.
(b) Contents.--Each report shall include policy recommendations on
issues affecting youth, including issues in the following subject
areas:
(1) Public education.
(2) Youth employment and wages.
(3) Higher education financing.
(4) Youth drug abuse and violence.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate 5 years after the beginning of the
terms of its first members.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Commission to carry
out this Act $100,000 for each of fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
and 2006. Such sums may remain available until expended.
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