Services of the House of Representatives and the Commit-
tee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Sen-
ate.
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) APPOINTMENT.—The Commission shall be
composed of 12 members, appointed not later than
90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act
as follows:
(A) 4 members shall be appointed by the
President.
(B) 4 members shall be appointed by the
Chairperson of the Committee on Banking and
Financial Services of the House of Representa-
tives.
(C) 4 members shall be appointed by the
Chairperson of the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—
(A) MEMBERS OF TRIBES.—At all times,
not less than 8 of the members of the Commis-
sion shall be members of federally recognized
Indian tribes.
(B) EXPERIENCE
IN
LAND
TITLE
MAT-
TERS.—All members of the Commission shall
have experience in and knowledge of land title
matters relating to Indian trust lands.
(3) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the
Commission shall be one of the members of the
Commission appointed under paragraph (1)(C), as
elected by the members of the Commission.
(4) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy on the Commis-
sion shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in
the manner in which the original appointment was
made.
(5) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members of the Com-
mission shall serve without pay, but each member
shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702
and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(c) INITIAL MEETING.—The Chairperson of the Com-
mission shall call the initial meeting of the Commission.
Such meeting shall be held within 30 days after the Chair-
person of the Commission determines that sums sufficient
for the Commission to carry out its duties under this Act
have been appropriated for such purpose.
(d) DUTIES.—The Commission shall analyze the sys-
tem of the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department
of the Interior for maintaining land ownership records and
title documents and issuing certified title status reports
relating to Indian trust lands and, pursuant to such analy-
sis, determine how best to improve or replace the system—
(1) to ensure prompt and accurate responses to
requests for title status reports;
(2) to eliminate any backlog of requests for title
status reports; and
(3) to ensure that the administration of the sys-
tem will not in any way impair or restrict the ability
of Native Americans to obtain conventional loans for
purchase of residences located on Indian trust lands,
including any actions necessary to ensure that the
system will promptly be able to meet future demands
for certified title status reports, taking into account
the anticipated complexity and volume of such re-
quests.
(e) REPORT.—Not later than the date of the termi-
nation of the Commission under subsection (h), the Com-
mission shall submit a report to the Committee on Bank-
ing and Financial Services of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate describing the analysis and deter-
minations made under subsection (d).
(f) POWERS.—
(1) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.—The Commis-
sion may, for the purpose of carrying out this sec-
tion, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places,
take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commis-
sion considers appropriate.
(2) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon re-
quest of the Commission, the head of any Federal
department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable
basis, any of the personnel of that department or
agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out
its duties under this section.
(3) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commis-
sion may secure directly from any department or
agency of the United States information necessary
to enable it to carry out this section. Upon request
of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of
that department or agency shall furnish that infor-
mation to the Commission.
(4) MAILS.—The Commission may use the
United States mails in the same manner and under
the same conditions as other departments and agen-
cies of the United States.
(5) ADMINISTRATIVE
SUPPORT
SERVICES.—
Upon the request of the Commission, the Adminis-
trator of General Services shall provide to the Com-
mission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative
support services necessary for the Commission to
carry out its duties under this section.
(6) STAFF.—The Commission may appoint per-
sonnel as it considers appropriate, subject to the
provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing
appointments in the competitive service, and shall
pay such personnel in accordance with the provisions
of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of
that title relating to classification and General
Schedule pay rates.
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To carry
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated
$500,000. Such sums shall remain available until ex-
pended.
(h) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate
1 year after the date of the initial meeting of the Commis-
sion.
Æ