To establish a national commission to review the regular military compensation of members of the Armed Forces and develop recommendations to end the dependence of some members and their families on Federal and local assistance programs.

Summary: Establishes the National Commission on Fairness in Military Compensation to:  (1) determine the extent to which military personnel or their dependents rely on food stamps, the special supplemental food program under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, and other Federal or local assistance programs as a necessary supplement to their regular military compensation, and the circumstances that lead to such dependence; and (2) submit to the President and the Congress a report on its findings and its recommendations on possible changes in the military pay structure so that military personnel will receive adequate compensation and no longer rely on such other forms of assistance.  Limits to $750,000 the total authorized expenses of the Commission.  Requires the Comptroller General to audit Commission books and records in order to ensure compliance with such expense limit. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of its report.

SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL COMMISSION ON FAIRNESS IN MILITARY 
              COMPENSATION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known 
as the ``National Commission on Fairness in Military Compensation'' (in 
this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').
    (b) Membership of Commission.--The Commission shall consist of 16 
members, as follows:
            (1) The Secretary of Defense.
            (2) The Secretary of Agriculture.
            (3) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
            (4) The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
            (5) Two Members of the Senate, one Member selected by the 
        President pro tempore of the Senate and one Member selected by 
        the minority leader of the Senate.
            (6) Two Members of the House of Representatives, one Member 
        selected by the Speaker of the House and one Member selected by 
        the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
            (7) Eight additional members appointed by the President 
        from the general public or as representatives of nonprofit or 
        military advocacy organizations, such as--
                    (A) the American Legion;
                    (B) the Veterans of Foreign Wars;
                    (C) the USO;
                    (D) the Non-Commissioned Officers Association;
                    (E) the Retired Enlisted Association;
                    (F) the Fleet Reserve Association;
                    (G) the Association of the United States Army;
                    (H) the National Military Family Association; and
                    (I) the Air Force Sergeants Association.
    (c) Time for Appointment.--The members of the Commission required 
to be appointed or selected under subsection (b) shall be appointed or 
selected not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.
    (d) Chairperson.--The Commission shall elect a Chairperson from 
among its membership.

SEC. 2. FUNCTIONS OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Review of Fairness of Military Compensation.--The Commission 
shall determine the extent to which members of the Armed Forces or 
their dependents have come to rely on food stamps, the special 
supplemental food program under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act 
of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), and other Federal or local assistance 
programs as a necessary supplement to their regular military 
compensation and the circumstances that lead to such dependence. In the 
case of members of the Armed Forces stationed outside the United States 
who are unable to receive such assistance, the Commission shall also 
determine the general standard of living for these members and their 
dependents.
    (b) Report and Recommendations.--On the basis of the review 
conducted under subsection (a), the Commission shall prepare and submit 
to the President and Congress a report containing the findings of the 
Commission and specific recommendations on possible changes in the 
military pay structure or other methods to ensure that members of the 
Armed Forces receive adequate compensation so that they are able to 
provide for themselves and their families without seeking special 
financial assistance to maintain a decent standard of living. The 
report shall be submitted within 180 days after the first meeting of 
the Commission.

SEC. 3. GENERAL POWERS OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall 
constitute a group for the transaction of business.
    (b) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the Commission shall not affect its 
powers, but shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made.
    (c) Prohibition of Additional Pay.--Members of the Commission who 
are officers or employees of the United States shall receive no 
additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on 
the Commission. Members appointed from among private citizens of the 
United States may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem, in 
lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving 
intermittently in the government service to the extent funds are 
available for such expenses.
    (d) Hearings.--For the purpose of carrying out this Act, the 
Commission may hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and 
places as the Commission may find advisable.
    (e) Rules and Regulations.--The Commission may adopt such rules and 
regulations as may be necessary to establish its procedures and to 
govern the manner of its operations, organization, and personnel.
    (f) Assistance From Federal Agencies.--(1) The Commission may 
request from the head of any Federal agency or instrumentality such 
information as the Commission may require for the purpose of this Act. 
Upon request made by the Chairperson of the Commission, each such 
agency or instrumentality shall furnish such information to the 
Commission, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the 
exceptions set forth in section 552 of title 5, United States Code 
(commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act).
    (2) Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of 
any Federal agency or instrumentality shall, to the extent possible and 
subject to the discretion of such head--
            (A) make any of the facilities and services of such agency 
        or instrumentality available to the Commission; and
            (B) detail any of the personnel of such agency or 
        instrumentality to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, to 
        assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under this 
        Act, except that any expenses of the Commission incurred under 
        this subparagraph shall be subject to the limitation on total 
        expenses set forth in section 4(b).
    (g) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the 
same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal agencies.
    (h) Contracting.--The Commission may, to such extent and in such 
amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter into contracts 
with State agencies, private firms, institutions, and individuals for 
the purpose of conducting research or surveys necessary to enable the 
Commission to discharge its duties under this Act, subject to the 
limitation on total expenses set forth in section 4(b).
    (i) Staff.--Subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted 
by the Commission, the Chairperson of the Commission (subject to the 
limitation on total expenses set forth in section 4(b)) shall have the 
power to appoint, terminate, and fix the compensation (without regard 
to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the 
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of provision of law, 
relating to the number, classification, and General Schedule rates) of 
an Executive Director, and of such additional staff as the Chairperson 
deems advisable to assist the Commission, at rates not to exceed a rate 
to the maximum rate for GS-15, of the General Schedule under section 
5332 of such title.

SEC. 4. EXPENSES OF COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--Any expenses of the Commission shall be paid from 
such funds as may be available to the Secretary of Defense.
    (b) Limitation.--The total expenses of the Commission shall not 
exceed $750,000.
    (c) GAO Audit.--Prior to the termination of the Commission, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an audit of the 
financial books and records of the Commission to determine that the 
limitation on expenses has been met, and shall include its 
determination in an opinion to be included in the report of the 
Commission.

SEC. 5. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.

    The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the date on which the 
Commission submits its final report under section 2(b).