Climate Solutions Commission Act of 2016

Summary: Climate Solutions Commission Act of 2016 This bill establishes a bipartisan National Climate Solutions Commission that must:  undertake a comprehensive review of economically viable actions or policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States;   make recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the President, Congress, and the states; and  use as its goals for emissions reductions those estimated rates of reduction that reflect the latest scientific findings of what is needed to avoid serious human health and environmental consequences of a changing climate.   In order to be eligible for membership on the Commission, an individual must be a representative from: (1) nongovernmental organizations with expertise in the economy, energy, climate, or public health; or (2) industry organizations from relevant sectors. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must conduct a study of programs, financial tools, and institutions that are focused on: (1) reducing the level of greenhouse gas emissions; or (2) encouraging the research, development, prototyping, and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. The GAO must then report on: (1) the study results; and (2) an assessment of those financial tools, policies, and institutions that are most successful at reducing greenhouse gas emissions while protecting economic growth and employment.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Climate Solutions Commission Act of 
2016''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) there has been a marked increase in extreme weather 
        events and the negative impacts of a changing climate are 
        expected to worsen in every region of the United States;
            (2) if left unaddressed, the consequences of a changing 
        climate have the potential to adversely impact the health of 
        all Americans, harm the economy, and impose substantial costs 
        on State and Federal budgets;
            (3) efforts to reduce climate risk should protect our 
        Nation's economy, security, infrastructure, agriculture, water 
        supply, and public safety; and
            (4) there is bipartisan support for pursuing efforts to 
        reduce greenhouse gas emissions through economically viable, 
        broadly supported private and public policies and solutions.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

    Effective immediately upon the enactment of this Act, there shall 
be established a bipartisan commission to be known as the ``National 
Climate Solutions Commission'' (referred to in this Act as the 
``Commission'').

SEC. 4. PURPOSES OF COMMISSION.

    The Commission shall--
            (1) undertake a comprehensive review of economically viable 
        public and private actions or policies to reduce greenhouse gas 
        emissions in the United States;
            (2) make recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas 
        emissions to the President, Congress, and the States; and
            (3) use as its goals for emissions reductions those 
        estimated rates of reduction that reflect the latest scientific 
        findings of what is needed to avoid serious human health and 
        environmental consequences of a changing climate.

SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--The Commission shall be composed of 10 members, 
appointed not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, as follows:
            (1) One member shall be appointed by the President, who 
        shall serve as cochairman of the Commission.
            (2) One member shall be appointed by the leader of the 
        Senate, in consultation with the leader of the House of 
        Representatives, that are members of the opposite party of the 
        President, who shall serve as cochairman of the Commission.
            (3) Two members shall be appointed by the Majority Leader 
        of the Senate.
            (4) Two members shall be appointed by the Minority Leader 
        of the Senate.
            (5) Two members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
        House of Representatives.
            (6) Two members shall be appointed by the Minority Leader 
        of the House of Representatives.
    (b) Initial Meeting.--The Commission shall meet not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (c)  Recommendations.--The Commission shall provide the 
recommendations described in section 4(2), based on the goals described 
in section 4(3), not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act.
    (d) Eligible Members.--To be considered for membership on the 
Commission, an individual must be a representative from--
            (1) academic, scientific, or other nongovernmental 
        organizations with expertise in the economy, energy, climate, 
        or public health; or
            (2) industry organizations, including small businesses, 
        from relevant sectors such as--
                    (A) energy supply and transmission, including 
                fossil fuels and renewable energy;
                    (B) energy exploration and production, including 
                fossil fuels and renewable energy;
                    (C) solid waste and wastewater;
                    (D) transportation;
                    (E) chemical manufacturing and user industries;
                    (F) agriculture;
                    (G) construction and development; and
                    (H) forestry.
    (e) Ineligible Members.--No employee, owner, director, or other 
affiliated person of an entity which has contributed pursuant to 
section 6(b) may be appointed to the Commission.

SEC. 6. FUNDING FOR THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Limitation.--No additional amounts may be authorized to be 
appropriated to establish or otherwise pay for the activities or 
salaries of the Commission.
    (b) Private Sector Donations.--The Secretary of the Treasury may 
collect and disseminate to the Commission private sector funds donated 
for the purposes of this Act.
    (c) Transparency.--The amounts and sources of all funds donated 
pursuant to subsection (b) and all spending by the Commission shall be 
made publicly available on an Internet website.

SEC. 7. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY AND REPORT.

    (a) Study Required.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a study 
of State, Federal, and private sector energy efficiency and renewable 
energy guaranteed loan programs, Green Banks, and other financial tools 
and institutions that are focused on--
            (1) reducing the level of greenhouse gas emissions, 
        including through sequestration and recycling; or
            (2) encouraging the research, development, prototyping, and 
        deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy 
        technologies.
    (b) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
which the Comptroller General completes the study required by 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a 
report containing--
            (1) the results of the study; and
            (2) an assessment of those financial tools, policies, and 
        institutions most successful at contributing to the reduction 
        of greenhouse gas emissions while protecting economic growth 
        and employment.