I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 49
To establish the United States Commission on Election Law Reform to
study election procedures used in the United States and issue a report
and recommendations on revisions to such procedures, and for other
purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 3, 2001
Mr. CLYBURN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on the
Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned
A BILL
To establish the United States Commission on Election Law
Reform to study election procedures used in the United
States and issue a report and recommendations on revi-
sions to such procedures, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Election Law Reform
Act of 2001’’.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the United States Commission on
Election Law Reform (hereafter in this Act referred to as
the ‘‘Commission’’).
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Commission shall
be to study Federal, State, and local election procedures
and to make recommendations on revisions to such proce-
dures.
SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission
shall be composed of 12 members who shall be appointed
as follows:
(1) 2 shall be appointed by the President.
(2) 2 shall be appointed by the majority leader
of the Senate.
(3) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader
of the Senate.
(4) 2 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
(5) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader
of the House of Representatives.
(6) 2 shall be individuals serving as Commis-
sioners of the United States Commission on Civil
Rights, who shall be appointed by the Chairperson
of the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
(b) QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS.—Members shall
be appointed to the Commission from among individuals
who have expertise in election laws, the United States
Constitution, and the history of the United States, or
other pertinent qualifications or experience.
(c) TERMS.—Members of the Commission shall be
appointed not later than 60 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. Appointments shall be for the life of the
Commission.
(d) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission shall
not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same man-
ner as the original appointment.
(e) MEETINGS.—
(1) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days
after the date on which all members of the Commis-
sion have been appointed, the Commission shall hold
its first meeting.
(2) ADDITIONAL MEETINGS.—The Commission
shall meet at the call of the Chair or a majority of
its members.
(f) CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.—The members of the
Commission shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from
among its members.
(g) QUORUM.—A majority of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall conduct a
study of the election procedures used to carry out Federal,
State, and local government elections in the United States
and make recommendations on its findings.
(b) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after
the date of the initial meeting of the Commission, the
Commission shall submit to the President, the Congress,
and the Federal Election Commission a final report which
includes an analysis of the matters considered under the
study carried out under subsection (a) and recommenda-
tions for addressing the problems identified as part of the
Commission’s analysis.
(c) SEPARATE VIEWS.—Any member of the Commis-
sion may submit additional findings and recommendations
as part of the final report.
SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold such
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such
testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission
may find advisable to fulfill the requirements of this Act.
The Commission may administer oaths and affirmations
to witnesses appearing before the Commission.
(b) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The
Commission may secure directly from any Federal depart-
ment or agency such information as the Commission con-
siders necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Upon request of the chairperson of the Commission, the
head of such department or agency shall furnish such in-
formation to the Commission.
(c) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use
the United States mails in the same manner and under
the same conditions as other departments and agencies of
the Federal Government.
(d) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon
the request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the Ad-
ministrator of General Services shall provide to the Com-
mission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative sup-
port services that are necessary to enable the Commission
to carry out its duties under this Act.
SEC. 6. 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 the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay pre-
scribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under sec-
tion 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (in-
cluding 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.—The members of the Com-
mission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per
diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employ-
ees of agencies under subchapter 1 of chapter 57 of title
5, United States Code, while away from their homes or
regular places of business in the performance of services
for the Commission.
(c) STAFF.—(1) The chairperson of the Commission
may appoint and terminate staff of the Commission, re-
quest the detail of Federal employees, and accept tem-
porary and intermittent services in accordance with sec-
tion 3161 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) The employment of an executive director of the
Commission shall be subject to the approval of the Com-
mission.
SEC. 7. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the
date on which it submits the final report under
section 4.
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