Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Duplicative and Noncompetitive Federal Regulations Act

Summary: Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Duplicative and Noncompetitive Federal Regulations Act - Establishes the Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Duplicative and Noncompetitive Federal Regulations.  Requires the Commission to:  (1) survey the private sector to determine which Federal regulations are duplicative or impede competition; (2) conduct in-depth reviews of regulations promulgated by executive agencies; (3) review existing General Accounting Office, Congressional Budget Office, and Inspector General reports and other governmental and nongovernmental recommendations for reducing duplicative or noncompetitive Federal regulations, and, based on such review, periodically report to the President and the Congress on those recommendations, with estimated savings, that the Commission determines are most significant; and (4) submit to the President and the Congress recommendations for streamlining Federal regulations and reducing costs and unnecessary paperwork that result from such regulations for both the Federal Government and the private sector.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate 
Duplicative and Noncompetitive Federal Regulations Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a commission known as the Blue Ribbon 
Commission to Eliminate Duplicative and Noncompetitive Federal 
Regulations (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the 
``Commission'').

SEC. 3. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The Commission shall--
            (1) conduct a survey of the private sector to determine 
        which Federal regulations are duplicative or impede 
        competition;
            (2) conduct in-depth reviews of regulations promulgated by 
        the executive agencies;
            (3)(A) review existing Government Accounting Office 
        reports, Congressional Budget Office reports, Inspector General 
        reports, and other existing governmental and nongovernmental 
        recommendations for reducing duplicative or noncompetitive 
        Federal regulations; and
            (B) based on the review conducted pursuant to subparagraph 
        (A), periodically submit to the President and the Congress a 
        report on those recommendations, with estimated savings, that 
        the Commission determines are most significant, and include in 
        the report a determination of whether such recommendations can 
        be implemented by Executive order or whether it requires 
        legislative action; and
            (4) submit to the President and the Congress 
        recommendations for streamlining Federal regulations and 
        reducing costs and unnecessary paperwork that result from such 
        regulations for both the Federal Government and the private 
        sector.
    (b) Particular Areas to Be Examined.--In fulfilling the duties 
required by (a), the Commission shall identify and address--
            (1) opportunities for increased efficiency and reduced 
        costs in regulations promulgated by the Federal Government that 
        can be realized by executive action or legislation without 
        jeopardizing safety or environmental quality;
            (2) specific reforms of the regulatory process that would 
        yield savings, increase accountability and efficiency, and 
        enhance public confidence in the regulatory process; and
            (3) specific areas in the Federal Government where 
        potential savings would justify further study.

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Number and Appointment.--The membership of the Commission shall 
be as follows:
            (1) Thirteen members shall be appointed by the President 
        from among individuals who are not officers or employees of a 
        Federal, State, of local government and who are especially 
        qualified to serve on the Commission by virtue of their 
        education, training or experience.
            (2) The majority leader and minority leader of the Senate 
        and the Speaker and minority leader of the House of 
        Representatives may submit recommendations to the President 
        concerning appointments to the Commission.
            (3) Not more than seven members of the Commission shall be 
        of the same political party.
    (b) Continuation of Membership.--If a member of the Commission 
becomes an officer or employee of a Federal, State, or local 
government, such individual may continue as a member of the Commission 
for not longer than the thirty-day period beginning on the date such 
individual becomes such an officer or employee.
    (c) Appointment of Original Members.--Appointments shall be made 
within thirty days of enactment of this Act.
    (d) Terms.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of the 
Commission.
    (e) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled within 
thirty days in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (f) Compensation.--
            (1) Rates of pay.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        members of the Commission shall serve without pay.
            (2) Travel expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall 
        receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsidence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 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.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall be 
elected by the members of the Commission from among the members.
    (i) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at least once each month 
at the call of the Chairperson of the Commission.

SEC. 5. STAFF AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

    (a) Director.--The Commission shall have a Director appointed by 
the Chairperson of the Commission and paid at a rate determined by the 
Commission.
    (b) Staff.--With the approval of the Commission, the Director of 
the Commission may appoint such personnel as the Director considers 
appropriate.

SEC. 6. POWERS.

    (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) Delegation of Authority.--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) Information.--The Commission may secure directly from any 
Federal agency information necessary to enable it to carry out this 
Act. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the 
Federal agency shall furnish the information to the Commission.
    (d) Contractual Authority.--The Commission may contract with and 
compensate government and private agencies or persons for supplies or 
services without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 
U.S.C. 5).
    (e) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or 
donations of services or property.

SEC. 7. REPORTS.

    (a) Periodic Reports.--Pursuant to section 3(a)(3), the Commission 
shall issue periodic reports to the President and the Congress.
    (b) Final Report.--Not later than two years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the President and 
the Congress a final report setting forth the findings and conclusions 
of the Commission and specific recommendations for legislative and 
administrative actions that the Commission determines to be 
appropriate.

SEC. 8. FUNDING.

    The Commission shall be funded, staffed and equipped, to the extent 
practicable and permitted by law, by the private sector without cost to 
the Federal Government. To accomplish this objective, it is expected 
that the Secretary of Commerce will engage in a joint project with a 
nonprofit organization, pursuant to the first section of Public Law 91-
412 (15 U.S.C. 1525) for the purpose of aiding the Commission in 
exercising its power and performing its duties under this Act.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
Commission shall terminate not later than the expiration of the thirty-
day period beginning on the date on which the Commission submits its 
final report under section 7(b).
    (b) Extension of Life of Commission.--The President may extend the 
life of the Commission for a six month period beginning on the date on 
which the Commission terminates under subsection (a), and for 
successive six month periods thereafter.