Federal Courts of Appeals Modernization Act

Summary: Federal Courts of Appeals Modernization Act This bill establishes a Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals to: (1) study the present division of the U.S. courts of appeals, with particular references to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and (2) submit to the President and Congress recommendations for changes in circuit boundaries or structure for the expeditious and effective disposition of the caseload of such courts. The commission shall be composed of five members appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Courts of Appeals 
Modernization Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a Commission on Structural Alternatives for 
the Federal Courts of Appeals (in this Act referred to as the 
``Commission'').

SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 5 members who 
shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.
    (b) Appointment.--The members of the Commission shall be appointed 
not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (c) Vacancy.--Any vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the 
same manner as the original appointment.
    (d) Chair.--The Commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from 
among its members.
    (e) Quorum.--Three members of the Commission shall constitute a 
quorum.

SEC. 4. DUTIES.

    The Commission shall--
            (1) study the present division of the United States courts 
        of appeals, with particular references to the United States 
        Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and
            (2) submit to the President and Congress a report on the 
        recommendations of the Commission with respect to changes in 
        circuit boundaries or structure as may be appropriate for the 
        expeditious and effective disposition of the caseload of the 
        United States courts of appeals, consistent with fundamental 
        concepts of fairness and due process.

SEC. 5. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

    (a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Commission who is 
not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be 
compensated at a rate equal to $300 for each day (including travel 
time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of the 
duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are 
officers or employees of the United States shall serve without 
compensation in addition to that received for their services as 
officers or employees of the United States.
    (b) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall be 
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at 
rates not greater than those described in section 456 of title 28, 
United States Code.

SEC. 6. STAFF.

    (a) Executive Director.--The Commission may appoint an executive 
director who shall be compensated at a rate not greater than the daily 
equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for a position at 
GS-15 of the General Schedule for each day (including travel time) 
during which the executive director is engaged in the performance of 
the duties of the Commission.
    (b) Staff.--The Executive Director, with the approval of the 
Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation of such additional 
personnel as the Executive Director determines necessary, 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 chapter 53 of such title 
relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that 
a rate of pay fixed under this subsection may not exceed the annual 
maximum rate of basic pay for a position above GS-15 of the General 
Schedule under section 5108 of title 5, United States Code.
    (c) Experts and Consultants.--The Executive Director may procure by 
contract the temporary or intermittent services of experts or 
consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States 
Code, at rates for individuals that are not greater than the daily 
equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay for a comparable position 
paid under the General Schedule.
    (d) Services.--The Administrative Office of the United States 
Courts shall provide administrative services, including financial and 
budgeting services, to the Commission on a reimbursable basis. The 
Federal Judicial Center shall provide necessary research services to 
the Commission on a reimbursable basis.

SEC. 7. INFORMATION.

    The Commission is authorized to request from any department, 
agency, or independent instrumentality of the United States any 
information and assistance the Commission determines necessary to carry 
out its functions under this Act. Each such department, agency, and 
independent instrumentality is authorized to provide such information 
and assistance to the extent permitted by law when requested by the 
Chair of the Commission.

SEC. 8. STUDY AND REPORT.

    (a) Study.--Not later than the 10-month period beginning on the 
date on which a quorum of the Commission is present, the Commission 
shall conclude a study on the issues described in section 4(1).
    (b) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which the 
period described in subsection (a) expires, the Commission shall submit 
to the President and Congress the report described in section 4(1).

SEC. 9. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the Commission submits 
the report described in section 8(b).

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
not to exceed $1,000,000 to carry out this Act, to remain available 
until expended.