Harold Hughes Commission on Alcoholism Act

Summary: Harold Hughes Commission on Alcoholism Act - Establishes the Harold Hughes Commission on Alcoholism to study:  (1) existing Federal agencies and programs related to alcoholism; (2) public education, both directly by governmental agencies and by governmental agencies working with private sector groups; (3) physician instruction; (4) unmet research needs; and (5) treatment effectiveness and cost- effectiveness. 
Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Harold Hughes Commission on 
Alcoholism Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a commission to be known as the Harold Hughes 
Commission on Alcoholism (in this Act referred to as the 
``Commission'').

SEC. 3. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The Commission shall carry out the following 
studies of alcoholism:
            (1) A study of existing Federal governmental agencies and 
        programs related to alcoholism to determine how such programs 
        and agencies could be better designed or coordinated in order 
        to increase the effectiveness of the funds allocated to them.
            (2) A study of how existing government agencies could be 
        more effectively utilized to educate the American public about 
        the known social and financial costs of alcoholism; and how 
        such agencies could work more effectively with private sector 
        groups to better educate the American people about alcoholism 
        its prevention, and treatment.
            (3) A study of the nature and extent of instruction on 
        alcoholism provided to physicians in American medical schools 
        and through the certification and re-certification process in 
        the various States, including an examination of the 
        requirements for accreditation of medical schools as they 
        relate to alcoholism.
            (4) A study of unmet research needs in the area of 
        alcoholism, and how research money can be prioritized for best 
        results and appropriate research funding levels in view of the 
        size and scope of the alcoholism problem.
            (5) A study of the effectiveness of the various forms of 
        alcoholism treatment and the cost-effectiveness of increasing 
        access to public and private treatment for those with 
        alcoholism including the role of managed care.
            (6) Such other studies as the Commission determines to be 
        appropriate.
    (b) Reports.--Not later than two years after the date on which 
amounts under section 8 are first made available for carrying out this 
Act, the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress a 
report describing the findings made in studies under subsection (a). 
The Commission may submit to the President and the Congress such 
interim reports regarding the duties of the Commission under such 
subsection as the Commission determines to be appropriate.

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Composition.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 12 
        voting members appointed in accordance with paragraph (2) and 
        one ex officio voting member designated in paragraph (3).
            (2) Appointed members.--Members of the Commission shall be 
        appointed in accordance with the following:
                    (A) The President shall appoint four individuals 
                from among individuals who are not officers or 
                employees of the Federal Government. Of such 
                individuals--
                            (i) one shall represent the medical 
                        profession and teaching hospitals;
                            (ii) one shall represent employee 
                        assistance programs;
                            (iii) one shall represent entities that 
                        provide health insurance or operate health 
                        plans; and
                            (iv) one shall represent entities that 
                        provide treatment for alcoholism.
                    (B) The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall, 
                after consultation with the majority and minority 
                leaders of the Senate, appoint four individuals. Of 
                such individuals--
                            (i) two shall be Senators; and
                            (ii) two shall be appointed from among 
                        individuals who are not officers or employees 
                        of the Federal Government.
                    (C) The Speaker of the House of Representatives 
                shall, after consultation with the majority and 
                minority leaders of the House, appoint four 
                individuals. Of such individuals--
                            (i) two shall be Members of the House; and
                            (ii) two shall be appointed from among 
                        individuals who are not officers or employees 
                        of the Federal Government.
            (3) Ex officio member.--The Director of the National 
        Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse shall serve as an ex 
        officio member of the Commission.
    (b) Chair.--The President shall designate a member of the 
Commission to serve as the chair of the Commission. The Chair shall be 
a member who was appointed to the Commission from among individuals who 
were not officers or employees of the Federal Government.
    (c) Terms.--The term of a member of the Commission is the duration 
of the Commission.
    (d) Vacancies.--
            (1) Authority of commission.--A vacancy in the membership 
        of the Commission does not affect the power of the remaining 
        members to carry out the duties under section 3.
            (2) Appointment of successors.--A vacancy in the membership 
        of the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the 
        original appointment was made.
            (3) Incomplete term.--If a member of the Commission does 
        not serve the full term applicable to the member, the 
        individual appointed to fill the resulting vacancy shall be 
        appointed for the remainder of the term of the predecessor of 
        the individual.
    (d) Meetings.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall meet at the call of 
        the Chair or a majority of the members, except that not less 
        than two meetings shall be held each year for the duration of 
        the Commission.
            (2) Quorum.--A quorum for meetings of the Commission is 
        constituted by the presence of 7 members, except that a lesser 
        number may conduct hearings under section 6(a).
    (e) Compensation; Reimbursement of Expenses.--
            (1) Compensation.--Members of the Commission may not 
        receive compensation for service on the Commission, subject to 
        paragraph (2).
            (2) Reimbursement.--Members of the Commission may, in 
        accordance with chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, be 
        reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary 
        expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of the Commission.

SEC. 5. STAFF AND CONSULTANTS.

    (a) Staff.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission may appoint and determine 
        the compensation of such staff as may be necessary to carry out 
        the duties of the Commission, including an executive director. 
        Such appointments and compensation may be made without regard 
        to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, that govern 
        appointments in the competitive services, and the provisions of 
        chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title that 
        relate to classifications and the General Schedule pay rates.
            (2) Limitation.--Staff members appointed under paragraph 
        (1) may not be compensated in excess of the maximum rate of 
        basic pay payable for GS-15, except that the executive director 
        may not be compensated in an amount exceeding the maximum rate 
        of basic pay payable under the General Schedule for positions 
        above GS-15.
    (b) Consultants.--The Commission may procure such temporary and 
intermittent services of consultants under section 3109(b) of title 5, 
United States Code, as the Commission may determine to be useful in 
carrying out the duties under section 3. The Commission may not procure 
services under this subsection at any rate in excess of the daily 
equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay payable under the 
General Schedule for positions above GS-15. Consultants under this 
subsection may, in accordance with chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
Code, be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary 
expenses incurred for activities carried out on behalf of the 
Commission pursuant to section 3.

SEC. 6. POWERS.

    (a) In General.--For the purpose of carrying out the duties of the 
Commission under section 3, the Commission may hold such hearings, sit 
and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.
    (b) Obtaining Official Information.--Upon the request of the 
Commission, the heads of Federal agencies shall furnish directly to the 
Commission information necessary for the Commission to carry out the 
duties under section 3.
    (c) Use of Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails 
in the same manner and under the same conditions as Federal agencies.
    (d) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the 
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the 
Commission on a reimbursable basis such administrative support, 
including quarters for the Commission, as may be necessary for the 
Commission to carry out the duties under section 3.
    (e) Acceptance of Gifts.--The Commission may accept cash and in-
kind contributions to the Commission for the purpose of carrying out 
the activities of the Commission.

SEC. 7. DURATION OF COMMISSION.

    The Commission terminates upon the expiration of the 60-day period 
beginning on the date on which the final report is submitted under 
section 3(b).

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS.

    For the purpose of carrying out this Act, there is authorized to be 
appropriated $3,000,000. Amounts appropriated under the preceding 
sentence are available until the termination of the Commission under 
section 7.