[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3711 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3711

  To require the President to call a White House Conference on Haiti.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 16, 2011

   Mr. Hastings of Florida introduced the following bill; which was 
 referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the 
 Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To require the President to call a White House Conference on Haiti.

    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 ``White House Conference on Haiti Act 
of 2011''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
            (2) On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck 
        the country of Haiti.
            (3) The earthquake caused massive devastation across Haiti, 
        destroying government buildings, hospitals, schools, and vital 
        aid offices including the headquarters of the United Nations 
        mission to Haiti.
            (4) An estimated 3,000,000 people have been directly 
        affected by the disaster in Haiti, nearly one-third of the 
        country's population, who are currently at risk of long-term 
        displacement and vulnerability.
            (5) Prior to the earthquake, Haiti was still in the process 
        of recovering from a recent series of hurricanes and tropical 
        storms, previous natural disasters, and food shortages and 
        rising commodity prices, but was showing encouraging signs of 
        improvement.
            (6) On October 21, 2010, the Centers for Disease Control 
        and Prevention confirmed an outbreak of cholera in Haiti.
            (7) As of May 29, 2011, there have been 321,066 cases of 
        cholera and 5,337 deaths, and 500,000 total cases are expected 
        by the end of the year.
            (8) President Obama vowed the ``unwavering support'' of the 
        United States and pledged a ``swift, coordinated and aggressive 
        effort to save lives and support the recovery in Haiti''.
            (9) Prior to the earthquake, there were approximately 
        10,000 nongovernmental organizations operating in Haiti.
            (10) At least 3,000,000 Haitians live abroad.
            (11) Haitians abroad provide significant capital to local 
        economies in Haiti through travel and remittances and have the 
        potential to advance reconstruction efforts by providing needed 
        skills and resources.
            (12) The response to the tragedy from the global community 
        has been overwhelmingly positive.
            (13) Individuals, businesses, and philanthropic 
        organizations across the United States and throughout the 
        international community have responded in support of Haiti 
        during this time of crisis.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF THE CONFERENCE.

    (a) Authority To Call Conference.--Not later than June 30, 2012, 
the President shall call the White House Conference on Haiti (in this 
Act referred to as the ``Conference'') to be convened not later than 6 
months after the selection of the Policy Committee established in 
section 4, in order to make fundamental policy recommendations on ways 
to assist in the recovery and long-term development of Haiti.
    (b) Planning and Direction.--The Secretary of State and the 
Secretary of Homeland Security (in this Act referred to as the ``Co-
chairs'') shall plan, conduct, and convene the Conference, in 
consultation with other appropriate Cabinet members.
    (c) Purposes of Conference.--The purposes of the Conference are 
to--
            (1) bring attention to the ongoing challenges facing Haiti 
        and the progress made in its recovery from the January 12, 
        2010, earthquake;
            (2) promote collaboration and coordination between the 
        United States Government, foreign governments, the private 
        sector, international nongovernmental organizations, and the 
        Haitian Diaspora;
            (3) identify gaps or duplication in the provision of 
        humanitarian assistance;
            (4) highlight innovative ideas for sustainable rebuilding 
        and redevelopment in Haiti;
            (5) share best practices in development assistance in Haiti 
        and in nations facing similar challenges;
            (6) develop opportunities for greater involvement in 
        Haiti's recovery by the Haitian Diaspora and the private 
        sector;
            (7) review the structure, scope, and effectiveness of 
        existing policies and initiatives by public and private 
        entities regarding development assistance, stability, and long-
        term economic growth in Haiti; and
            (8) identify possible changes to United States immigration, 
        trade, and foreign aid policies that may assist in a more 
        rapid, sustainable recovery.

SEC. 4. POLICY COMMITTEE; RELATED COMMITTEES.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than July 31, 2012, there is 
established a Policy Committee comprising of 17 members to be selected 
as follows:
            (1) Presidential appointees.--Nine members shall be 
        selected by the President and shall include--
                    (A) 3 members who are officers or employees of the 
                United States; and
                    (B) 6 members with experience in addressing the 
                needs of disaster-stricken and developing countries.
            (2) House appointees.--
                    (A) Selection by speaker.--Two members shall be 
                selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
                after consultation with the chairperson of the 
                Committee on Foreign Affairs, the chairperson of the 
                Committee on Homeland Security, the chairperson of the 
                Committee on the Judiciary, the chairperson of the 
                Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the chairperson 
                of the Committee on Financial Services, of the House of 
                Representatives.
                    (B) Selection by minority leader.--Two members 
                shall be selected by the minority leader of the House 
                of Representatives, after consultation with the ranking 
                minority members of such committees.
            (3) Senate appointees.--
                    (A) Selection by majority leader.--Two members 
                shall be selected by the majority leader of the Senate, 
                after consultation with members of the Committee on 
                Foreign Relations, the Committee on Homeland Security 
                and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Commerce, 
                Science, and Transportation, and the Committee on 
                Finance, of the Senate.
                    (B) Selection by minority leader.--Two members 
                shall be selected by the minority leader of the Senate, 
                after consultation with members of such committees.
    (b) Voting; Chairperson.--
            (1) Voting.--The Policy Committee shall act by the vote of 
        a majority of the members present. A quorum of Committee 
        members shall not be required to conduct Committee business.
            (2) Chairperson.--The Under Secretary of State for Public 
        Diplomacy and Public Affairs shall serve as the chairperson of 
        the Policy Committee. The chairperson may vote only to break a 
        tie vote of the other members of the Policy Committee.
    (c) Duties of the Policy Committee.--The Policy Committee shall 
initially meet at the call of the Co-chairs, not later than 30 days 
after the last member is selected under subsection (a). Subsequent 
meetings of the Policy Committee shall be held at the call of the 
chairperson. Through meetings, hearings, and working sessions, the 
Policy Committee shall--
            (1) make recommendations to the Co-chairs to facilitate the 
        timely convening of the Conference;
            (2) submit to the Co-chairs a proposed agenda for the 
        Conference not later than 90 days after the first meeting of 
        the Policy Committee;
            (3) make recommendations for the delegates of the 
        Conference;
            (4) establish the number of delegates to be selected under 
        section 5; and
            (5) establish an executive committee consisting of 3 
        members of the Policy Committee to work with delegates of the 
        Conference.

SEC. 5. CONFERENCE DELEGATES.

    To carry out the purposes of the Conference, the Co-chairs shall 
bring together delegates representative of the spectrum of thought in 
the fields of development and humanitarian assistance, infrastructure 
development, trade, democratic strengthening, and Haitian culture and 
history, without regard to political affiliation or past partisan 
activity, who shall include--
            (1) representatives of the United States and international 
        governments;
            (2) members of the Haitian Diaspora;
            (3) representatives of international nongovernmental 
        organizations; and
            (4) individuals from private sector entities.

SEC. 6. CONFERENCE ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) Administration.--In administering this section, the Co-chairs 
shall--
            (1) provide written notice to all members of the Policy 
        Committee of each meeting, hearing, or working session of such 
        Committee not later than 48 hours before the occurrence of such 
        meeting, hearing, or working session;
            (2) request the cooperation and assistance of the heads of 
        such other Federal departments and agencies as may be 
        appropriate, including the detailing of personnel;
            (3) make available for public comment a proposed agenda 
        prepared by the Policy Committee, which will reflect to the 
        greatest extent possible the major issues facing assistance to 
        Haiti with the purposes of the Conference set forth in section 
        3(c);
            (4) prepare and make available background materials that 
        the Co-chairs deem necessary for the use of delegates to the 
        Conference; and
            (5) employ such additional personnel as may be necessary to 
        carry out the provisions of this Act without regard to 
        provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
        appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to 
        chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title 
        relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.
    (b) Duties.--In carrying out the Co-chairs's responsibilities and 
functions under this section, the Co-chairs shall ensure that--
            (1) the proposed agenda prepared under subsection (a)(3) is 
        published in the Federal Register not later than 30 days after 
        such agenda is approved by the Policy Committee;
            (2) the personnel employed under subsection (a)(5) are 
        fairly balanced in terms of points of views represented and are 
        appointed without regard to political affiliation or previous 
        partisan activities;
            (3) the recommendations of the Conference are not 
        inappropriately influenced by any public official or by any 
        special interest, but instead are the result of the independent 
        and collective judgment of the delegates of the Conference; and
            (4) before the Conference is convened--
                    (A) current and adequate statistical data and other 
                information on health and social outcomes in Haiti, and
                    (B) such information as may be necessary to 
                evaluate programs and policies relating to Haiti,
        which the Co-chairs may obtain by making grants to or entering 
        into an agreement with, public agencies or nonprofit 
        organizations, are readily available in advance of the 
        Conference to the delegates.
    (c) Gifts.--The Co-chairs may accept, on behalf of the United 
States, gifts (in cash or in kind, including voluntary and 
uncompensated services), which shall be available to carry out this 
Act. Gifts of cash shall be available in addition to amounts 
appropriated to carry out this Act. Gifts may be earmarked by the donor 
or the executive committee for a specific purpose.
    (d) Records.--The Co-chairs shall maintain records regarding--
            (1) the sources, amounts, and uses of gifts accepted under 
        subsection (c); and
            (2) the identity of each person receiving assistance to 
        carry out this Act, and the amount of such assistance received 
        by each such person.

SEC. 7. REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE.

    (a) Preliminary Report.--Not later than 100 days after the 
Conference adjourns, the Policy Committee shall prepare a preliminary 
report on the Conference which shall be published in the Federal 
Register and submitted to Members of Congress and relevant 
administration officials. The Policy Committee shall request that 
Members of Congress and administration officials submit to the Policy 
Committee, not later than 45 days after receiving such report, their 
views and findings on such report.
    (b) Final Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date on which 
the Conference adjourns, the Policy Committee shall--
            (1) prepare a final report of the Conference which shall 
        include a compilation of the views and findings of the Members 
        of Congress and administration officials received under 
        subsection (a); and
            (2) publish in the Federal Register, and transmit to the 
        President and to Congress, the recommendations for the 
        administrative action and the legislation necessary to 
        implement the recommendations contained in such report.

SEC. 8. STATUS REPORTS.

    (a) Initial Status Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the Conference adjourns, the Under Secretary of State for Public 
Diplomacy and Public Affairs shall--
            (1) prepare a status report documenting the implementation 
        of the recommendations contained in the final report described 
        in section 7(b)(1); and
            (2) publish in the Federal Register, and transmit to the 
        President and to Congress, such status report.
    (b) Subsequent Status Reports.--Not later than 5 years after the 
date on which the Conference adjourns, and every 5 years thereafter 
until all recommendations in the final report described in section 
7(b)(1) are achieved, the Comptroller General shall--
            (1) prepare a status report documenting the implementation 
        of the recommendations contained in such final report; and
            (2) publish in the Federal Register, and transmit to the 
        President and to Congress, such status report.

SEC. 9. COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

    (a) Hearings on Reports.--The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate shall each hold hearings on the recommendations and status 
reports received by Congress under sections 7(b)(2), 8(a)(2), and 
8(b)(2).
    (b) Hearings.--The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate 
shall each hold annual hearings on recovery and long-term development 
of Haiti.
    (c) Exercise of Rulemaking Authority.--Subsections (a) and (b) are 
enacted--
            (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the House of 
        Representatives and Senate, and, as such, they shall be 
        considered as part of the rules of the House or Senate (as the 
        case may be), and such rules shall supersede any other rule of 
        the House or Senate only to the extent that rule is 
        inconsistent therewith; and
            (2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of 
        either House to change such rules (so far as relating to the 
        procedure in such House) at any time, in the same manner, and 
        to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of the 
        House or Senate.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Authorization.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
        carry out this Act--
                    (A) such sums as may be necessary for the first 
                fiscal year in which the Policy Committee plans the 
                Conference and for the following fiscal year; and
                    (B) such sums as may be necessary for the fiscal 
                year in which the Conference is held.
            (2) Limitation.--Any new spending authority or new 
        authority to enter into contracts under this Act, and under 
        which the United States is obligated to make outlays, shall be 
        effective only to the extent, and in such amounts, as are 
        provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
    (b) Availability of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), funds 
        appropriated to carry out this Act and funds received as gifts 
        under section 6(c) shall remain available for obligation or 
        expenditure until the expiration of the 1-year period beginning 
        on the date the Conference adjourns.
            (2) Unobligated funds.--Except as provided in paragraph 
        (3), any such funds neither obligated nor expended before the 
        expiration of the 1-year period beginning on the date the 
        Conference adjourns shall be returned to the United States 
        Treasury.
            (3) Conference not convened.--If the Conference is not 
        convened before December 31, 2012, a trust fund shall be 
        established and such funds shall be deposited in the trust fund 
        and shall only be available for a future Conference on Haiti.
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