Commission on the Year 2000 Computer Problem Act

Summary: Commission on the Year 2000 Computer Problem Act - Establishes the National Commission on the Year 2000 Computer Problem to identify problems and recommend possible solutions with respect to the proper transition of private and public sector computers from the year 1999 to the year 2000.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Commission on the Year 2000 
Computer Problem Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (a) The Congress of the United States recognizes the 
        existence of a severe computer problem that may have extreme 
        negative economic and national security consequences in the 
        year 2000 and beyond.
            (b) Most computer programs (particularly in mainframes) in 
        both the public and private sector express dates with only two 
        digits and assume the first two digits are ``19'', and that 
        therefore most programs read 00-01-01 as January 1, 1900; and 
        that these programs will not recognize the year 2000 or the 
        21st century without a massive rewriting of codes.
            (c) The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has completed 
        a report on the implications of the ``Year 2000 Computer 
        Problem'' and according to CRS, each line of computer code will 
        need to be analyzed and either passed on or be rewritten and 
        this worldwide problem could cost as much as $600 billion to 
        repair. We recognize that no small share of the American burden 
        will fall on the shoulders of the Federal Government and on 
        State and local governments.
            (d) Six issues need to be addressed:
                    (1) An analysis of the history and background 
                concerning the reasons for the occurance of the Year 
                2000 problem.
                    (2) The cost of reviewing and rewriting codes for 
                both the Federal and State Governments over the next 
                three years, including a legal analysis of 
                responsibilities for such costs and possible equitable 
                bases for sharing them.
                    (3) The time it will take to get the job done and, 
                if not by 2000, what agencies are at risk of not being 
                able to perform basic services.
                    (4) The development of balanced and sound contracts 
                with the computer industry available for use by Federal 
                agencies, and if such outside contractual assistance is 
                needed, to assist such agencies in contracting for and 
                effectuating Year 2000 compliance for current computer 
                programs and systems as well to ensure Year 2000 
                compliance for all programs and systems acquired in the 
                future.
                    (5) An analysis of what happens to the United 
                States economy if the problem is not resolved by mid-
                1999.
                    (6) Recommendations to the President and the 
                Congress concerning lessons to be learned and policies 
                and actions to be taken in the future to minimize the 
                Year 2000 public and private sector costs and risks.
            (e) The Congress recognizes that an Executive Branch 
        Interagency Committee has been established to raise awareness 
        of this problem and facilitate efforts at solving it; but that 
        in order to best minimize the impact and cost of this problem, 
        and recognizing the extreme urgency of this problem, this 
        bipartisan commission will be established to both address these 
        issues and take responsibility for assuring that all Federal 
        agencies be computer compliant by January 1, 1999.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

    (a) There is established a commission to be known as the ``National 
Commission on the Year 2000 Computer Problem'' (hereinafter in this 
section referred to as the ``Commission''). The Commission shall be 
composed of fifteen members appointed or designated by the President 
and selected as follows:
            (1) Five members selected by the President from among 
        officers or employees of the Executive Branch, private citizens 
        of the United States, or both. Not more than three of the 
        members selected by the President shall be members of the same 
        political party.
            (2) Five members selected by the President Pro Tempore of 
        the Senate, in consultation with the majority and minority 
        leaders, from among officers or employers of the Senate, 
        private citizens of the United States, or both. Not more than 
        three of the members selected by the President Pro Tempore 
        shall be members of the same political party.
            (3) Five members selected by the Speaker of the House of 
        Representatives, in consultation with the majority and minority 
        leaders, from among Members of the House, private citizens of 
        the United States, or both. Not more than three of the members 
        selected by the Speaker shall be members of the same political 
        party.
    (b) The President shall designate a Chairman from among the members 
of the Commission.

SEC. 4. FUNCTION OF COMMISSION.

    (a) It shall be the function of the Commission to conduct a study 
on the historical, current and long term condition of computer programs 
as they relate to date fields and the year 2000; identify problems that 
threaten the proper functions of computers as the public and private 
sectors approach the 21st Century; analyze potential solutions to such 
problems that will address the brief time there remains to meet this 
problem, the substantial cost of reviewing and rewriting codes, and the 
shared responsibilities for such costs; and provide appropriate 
recommendations (including potential balanced and sound contracts with 
the computer industry available for use by Federal agencies) to the 
Secretary of the Defense (as this is a matter of National Security), 
the President and the Congress.
    (B) The Commission shall submit to Congress a final report 
containing such recommendations concerning the Year 2000 Computer 
problem; including proposing new procedures, rules, regulations, or 
legislation that is needed to ensure the proper transition of the 
computers of the Federal Government and local and State governments 
from the year 1999 to the year 2000.
    (C) The Commission shall make its report to the President by 
December 31, 1997.

SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) The heads of Executive Agencies shall, to the extent permitted 
by law, provide the Commission such information as it may require for 
the purpose of carrying out its functions.
    (b) Members of the Commission shall serve without any additional 
compensation for their work on the Commission.
    (c) Travel Expenses.--While away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of services for the Commission, members 
of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses including per diem 
in lieu of substance, in the same manner as persons employed 
intermittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under 
section 5703(b) of title 5, United States Code.
    (d) The Commission shall have a staff headed by an Executive 
Director. Any expenses of the Commission shall be paid from such funds 
as may be available to the Secretary of Defense.

SEC. 6. TERMINATION.

    (a) The Commission, and all the authorities of this title, shall 
terminate thirty days after submitting its report.