CHARTER RENEWAL

TICKET TO WORK

AND

WORK INCENTIVES ADVISORY PANEL

[Purpose]{.underline}

Section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act
of 1999 (Act), Public Law 106-170, establishes the Ticket to Work and
Work Incentives Advisory Panel (the Panel) within the Social Security
Administration. The Panel is to advise the Commissioner of Social
Security (the Commissioner), the President, and the Congress on issues
related to work incentives programs, planning and assistance for
individuals with disabilities as provided under section 101(f)(2)(A) of
that Act. The Panel also is to advise the Commissioner on matters
specified in section 101(f)(2)(B) of that Act, including certain issues
related to the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program established
under section 101(a) of that Act.

[Authority]{.underline}

Section 101(f) of Public Law 106-170 establishes the Ticket to Work and
Work Incentives Advisory Panel within the Social Security
Administration. The Panel is governed by the provisions of Public Law
92-463, as amended (5 U. S. Code, Appendix 2), which sets forth
standards for the formation and use of advisory committees, and the
General Services Administration regulations on the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA) at 41 C.F.R. 102-3.5 et seq.

[Functions]{.underline}

*Responsibility*

The Panel shall report to the Commissioner.

*Duties*

The Panel shall have the following duties as provided under section
101(f)(2) of Public Law 106-170:

-   Advise the Commissioner, the President, and the Congress on issues
    related to work incentives programs, planning, and assistance for
    individuals with disabilities, including work incentive provisions
    under titles II, XI, XVI, XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act;
    and

-   With respect to the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (the
    Program) established under section 1148 of the Social Security
    Act\--

> \(i\) Advise the Commissioner with respect to establishing phase-in
> sites for the Program and fully implementing the Program thereafter,
> the refinement of access of disabled beneficiaries to employment
> networks, payment systems, and management information systems, and
> advise the Commissioner whether such measures are being taken to the
> extent necessary to ensure the success of the Program;
>
> \(ii\) Advise the Commissioner regarding the most effective designs
> for research and demonstration projects associated with the Program or
> conducted pursuant to section 302 of Public Law 106-170 (relating to
> demonstration projects providing for reductions in Social Security
> benefits based on earnings);
>
> \(iii\) Advise the Commissioner on the development of performance
> measures relating to quality assurance under section 1148(d)(6) of the
> Social Security Act (relating to quality assurance in the provision of
> services by employment networks); and
>
> \(iv\) Furnish progress reports on the Program to the Commissioner and
> each House of Congress.

The Panel shall be available for consultation upon request\--

-   By the Commissioner during the development and evaluation of the
    study required under section 1148(h)(5)(C) of the Social Security
    Act (relating to a report by the Commissioner on the adequacy of
    incentives for employment networks to provide services under the
    Program to certain individuals);

-   By the Commissioner in connection with the evaluations under section
    101(d)(4) of Public Law 106-170 (relating to assessing the
    effectiveness of activities carried out under the provisions of, and
    amendments made by, section 101 of that law) and the Commissioner\'s
    responsibilities under section 101(d)(4)(C) with respect to such
    evaluations;

-   By the Commissioner in connection with the Commissioner\'s
    responsibility under section 1149(a) of the Social Security Act to
    establish a community-based work incentives planning and assistance
    program as provided under section 1149; and

-   By the Secretary of Health and Human Services in connection with the
    Secretary's responsibility under section 203(f) of Public Law
    106-170 to submit a recommendation to certain committees of Congress
    regarding whether the grant program established under section 203
    should be continued after fiscal year 2011.

Pursuant to section 1150(e) of the Social Security Act, the Panel, as
well as the Commissioner, shall receive the annual report required to be
submitted by each protection and advocacy system that receives a payment
under section 1150 of the Social Security Act.

*Interim Reports and Final Report*

The Panel shall furnish interim reports and a final report to the
President and the Congress as required under section 101(f)(6) of Public
Law 106-170 (refer to \"Reports\" below). The Panel also shall furnish
these reports to the Commissioner.

[Structure]{.underline}

The Panel shall be composed of 12 members of whom 4 will be appointed by
the President, 4 by the Senate and 4 by the House of Representatives as
provided under section 101(f)(3) of Public Law 106-170. No more than two
of the presidential appointments may be of the same political party.
Appointments shall be made without regard to the provisions of Title 5,
U. S. Code, governing appointments to competitive service.

Members shall have experience or expert knowledge as a recipient,
provider, employer, or employee in the fields of, or related to,
employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other
support services. At least one-half of the members appointed shall be
individuals with disabilities, or representatives of individuals with
disabilities, with consideration given to current or former disability
beneficiaries.

Of the 12 members first appointed, one-half of such members shall be
appointed for a term of 2 years and the remaining members shall be
appointed for a term of 4 years in the manner provided under section
101(f)(3)(C) of Public Law 106-170. Thereafter, each member shall be
appointed for a term of 4 years or, if less, for the remaining life of
the Panel as provided under that section. A member appointed to fill a
vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which his or her
predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of
that term. A vacancy in the panel shall be filled in the manner in which
the original appointment was made. A member may serve after the
expiration of his or her term until a successor has taken office.

The President shall designate the Chairperson of the Panel to serve a
term of 4 years.

[Meetings]{.underline}

The Panel shall meet at least quarterly and at other times at the call
of the Chairperson or a majority of its members with advanced
concurrence from a government official designated by the Commissioner of
Social Security who shall be present at all meetings. The Panel may hold
hearings and take testimony and evidence, as appropriate, as provided
under section 101(f)(5)(A) of Public Law 106-170. Eight members of the
Panel shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.

Meetings shall be open to the public except as determined otherwise in
accordance with 5 U.S. Code, Appendix 2, and other applicable law. Due
notice of all meetings shall be given to the public. Meetings shall be
conducted, and records of the proceedings kept, as required by
applicable laws and regulations. A web site will be maintained for the
publication and review of the Panel\'s documents.

All meetings will be held in accessible locations and reasonable
accommodations will be provided to the known needs (i.e., interpreters
for individuals with hearing impairments, Braille and large print copies
of materials for individuals with visual impairments) of the members and
the public in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

[Compensation]{.underline}

Members of the Panel who are not full-time Federal employees shall be
paid compensation at the daily rate of a GS-15, step 10, plus travel
expenses, including per diem for each day (including travel time) the
member attends meetings or otherwise performs duties of the Panel. While
serving away from their homes or regular places of business, the members
will be allowed travel expenses in accordance with Standard Government
Travel Regulations for persons on temporary duty.

[Annual Cost Estimate]{.underline}

The Social Security Administration is responsible for providing the
necessary support for the Panel. The estimated annual cost for operating
the Panel, including compensation and travel expenses for the members
but excluding staff support, is \$1,000,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2006
and \$1,000,000 for FY 2007. The estimated annual person years required
is six staff hired to support the Panel at an annual estimated cost of
\$500,000 for FY 2006 and \$500,000 for FY 2007.

[Consultants]{.underline}

The Panel may also engage additional technical assistance from experts
and consultants skilled in work incentives, medical requirements and the
employment of persons with disabilities as necessary to carry out its
functions as provided under section 101(f)(4)(C) of Public Law 106-170.

[Reports]{.underline}

The Panel shall transmit interim reports at least annually and a final
report to the President and the Congress not later than December 17,
2007. The final report shall contain a detailed statement of the
findings and conclusions of the Panel, together with its recommendations
for legislation and administrative actions which the Panel considers
appropriate.

[Termination]{.underline}

Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, the Panel
shall terminate thirty (30) days after the date of the submission of its
final report.

Approved:

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Date Commissioner of Social Security

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 2006

Congressional Filing Date

(Date Charter filed with the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate)