Establishment

There is established a commission to be known as the Commission for the Deployment of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (in this Act referred to as the Commission).

Duties of Commission

The Commission shall develop a strategic plan that identifies the best methods available to marshal the resources of the Federal Government, State governments, local governments, the private sector, and academia to achieve the mass commercialization of hydrogen as an energy source for stationary fuel cells and vehicle fuel cells at the soonest possible date. Such plan shall take into account actions previously taken by the Federal Government, State governments, local governments, the private sector, and academia. The Commission shall also examine ways to ensure that the United States can use all available feedstocks for hydrogen production, and shall make recommendations for an appropriate entity to monitor ongoing progress in implementing the strategic plan.

Membership

(a)

Number and appointment

The Commission shall be composed of 8 members appointed as follows: (1)2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (2)2 members appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (3)2 members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate. (4)2 members appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. (b)

Qualifications

Individuals appointed under subsection (a) shall have at least 5 years of professional-level experience in science, technology, engineering, or public policy. The appointing officials shall coordinate their appointments so as to ensure that the Commission has a diverse range of such experience. Individuals appointed under subsection (a) may include any former Federal employees. (c)

Appointment date

Appointments under subsection (a) shall be made not later than 2 months after the date of enactment of this Act. (d)

Vacancies

A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (e)

Basic pay

(1)

Rates of pay

Members shall each be paid at a rate not to exceed the daily rate of basic pay for level V of the Executive Schedule for each day (including travel time) during which they are engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Commission. (2)

Prohibition of compensation of Federal employees

Members of the Commission who are full-time officers or employees of the United States may not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Commission. (f)

Travel expenses

Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. (g)

Quorum

Five members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings. (h)

Chairperson; Vice Chairperson

The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Commission shall be elected by the members. The Vice Chairperson shall be a member of the Commission appointed by an appointing official of a different political party than the official who appointed the Chairperson to the Commission.

Staff of Commission; experts and consultants

(a)

Staff

Subject to rules prescribed by the Commission, the Commission may appoint and fix the pay of personnel as it considers appropriate, including any former Federal employee. (b)

Applicability of certain civil service laws

The staff of the Commission shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. (c)

Experts and consultants

The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. (d)

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.

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. The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before it. (b)

Powers of members and agents

Any member or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which 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. Upon request of the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Commission, 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)

Subpoena power

(1)

In general

The Commission may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence relating to any matter under investigation by the Commission. The attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence may be required from any place within the United States at any designated place of hearing within the United States. (2)

Failure to obey a subpoena

If a person refuses to obey a subpoena issued under paragraph (1), the Commission may apply to a United States district court for an order requiring that person to appear before the Commission to give testimony, produce evidence, or both, relating to the matter under investigation. The application may be made within the judicial district where the hearing is conducted or where that person is found, resides, or transacts business. Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as civil contempt. (3)

Service of subpoenas

The subpoenas of the Commission shall be served in the manner provided for subpoenas issued by a United States district court under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for the United States district courts. (4)

Service of process

All process of any court to which application is made under paragraph (2) may be served in the judicial district in which the person required to be served resides or may be found.

Report

The Commission shall transmit a report to the Congress not later than 8 months after the date of enactment of this Act. The report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations for legislation, administrative actions, and such other actions as the Commission considers appropriate.