Congress 2000 Commission Act

Summary: Congress 2000 Commission Act - Establishes the Congress 2000 Commission:  (1) to analyze the current size of the membership of the House of Representatives; (2) to determine whether alternatives to the current method by which Representatives are elected would make the House a more representative body; (3) to consider the continuing dissolution of adherence to the platforms and candidates of the Nation's two major political parties as well as to the reduction in electoral participation by the citizenry; (4) to consider whether alternative methods of electing House Members might include more citizens in the electoral process; (5) to the extent necessary, to formulate proposals for changes in the size of the membership of, and the method of electing Representatives to, the House; and (6) by the end of the 105th Congress, to report to the President and the Congress on its work, together with a draft of legislation to implement such proposals.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Congress 2000 Commission Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a commission to be known as the ``Congress 
2000 Commission'' (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the 
``Commission'').

SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

    The Commission shall--
            (1) analyze the current size of the membership of the House 
        of Representatives considering the requirement for the 
        institution to carry out its responsibilities in an effective 
        manner under the challenges of the new century;
            (2) examine alternatives to the current method by which 
        Representatives are elected (including cumulative voting and 
        proportional representation) to determine if such alternatives 
        would make the House of Representatives a more representative 
        body;
            (3) provide consideration to the continuing dissolution of 
        adherence to the platforms and candidates of the Nation's two 
        major political parties as well as to the reduction in 
        electoral participation by the citizenry;
            (4) consider whether alternative methods of electing House 
        Members might include more citizens in the electoral process;
            (5) to the extent necessary, formulate proposals for 
        changes in the size of the membership of, and the method of 
        electing Representatives to, the House of Representatives; and
            (6) not later than the end of the One Hundred Fifth 
        Congress, submit to the President and the Congress a report of 
        the work of the Commission, together with a draft of 
        legislation (including technical and conforming provisions) to 
        implement the proposals referred to in paragraph (5).

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 15 
members, as follows:
            (1) Two members appointed by the President.
            (2) Ten members appointed by the House of Representatives, 
        in the manner prescribed by the House of Representatives.
            (3) Three members appointed by the Senate, in the manner 
        prescribed by the Senate.
    (b) Qualifications.--In making appointments under this section, the 
appointing authorities shall make a special effort to appoint 
individuals who are particularly qualified to perform the functions of 
the Commission, by reason of either practical experience or academic 
expertise in politics or government.
    (c) Terms and Vacancies.--Each member shall be appointed for the 
life of the Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in 
the manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (d) Pay and Travel.--Each member of the Commission, other than a 
full-time officer or employee of the United States--
            (1) shall be paid the daily equivalent of the annual rate 
        of basic pay payable for level V of the Executive Schedule for 
        each day (including travel time) during which the member is 
        engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the 
        Commission; and
            (2) shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in 
        lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 
        of title 5, United States Code.
    (e) Quorum.--Eight members of the Commission shall constitute a 
quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
    (f) Chairman.--The Chairman of the Commission shall be elected by 
the members.
    (g) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
Chairman or a majority of its members.

SEC. 5. STAFF.

    (a) In General.--With the approval of the Commission, the Chairman 
may appoint and fix the pay of not more than six individuals for the 
staff of the Commission. Such individuals may be appointed without 
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard 
to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of 
that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, 
except that an individual so appointed may not receive pay in excess of 
the maximum annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS-15 of the 
General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.
    (b) Experts and Consultants.--With the approval of the Commission, 
the Chairman may procure temporary and intermittent services in the 
manner prescribed in section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, 
but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the 
maximum annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS-15 of the General 
Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.
    (c) 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.

SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings.--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) 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) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the 
same manner and under the same conditions as departments and agencies 
of the United States.
    (d) 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.

SEC. 7. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall cease to exist on the last day of the month in 
which its report is submitted under section 3.