I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 3192
To establish an advisory board to monitor the collection and allocation of
relief funds by charitable organizations in response to a disaster.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OCTOBER 31, 2001
Mr. GILMAN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
A BILL
To establish an advisory board to monitor the collection
and allocation of relief funds by charitable organizations
in response to a disaster.
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 ‘‘Disaster Relief Char-
ities Accountability Act’’.
SEC. 2. DISASTER RELIEF FUND DEFINED.
In this Act the term ‘‘disaster relief fund’’ means a
fund established by a charitable organization for relief of
a specific disaster with contributions totaling at least
$25,000.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a board to be known as the
‘‘Charity Accountability Board’’ (in this Act referred to
as the ‘‘Board’’).
SEC. 4. DUTIES.
The Board shall—
(1) request information from and make rec-
ommendations to qualifying charitable organizations
regarding—
(A) the amount of disaster relief funds col-
lected and dispersed by such organizations;
(B) the administrative costs incurred by
such organizations in administering disaster re-
lief funds; and
(C) the criteria used by such organizations
in dispersing disaster relief funds;
(2) provide information about disaster relief
funds to disaster victims and those wishing to con-
tribute to such funds; and
(3) report to the President and the Congress on
the status of such funds.
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) APPOINTMENT AND TERMS.—The Board shall be
composed of 5 members appointed as follows:
(1) The Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, or the Director’s delegate.
(2) Two members appointed by the President,
who shall each serve for a term of 4 years.
(3) One member appointed by the Speaker of
the House, who shall serve for a term of 2 years.
(4) One member appointed by the majority
leader of the Senate, who shall serve for a term of
2 years.
(b) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission shall
be filled in the manner in which the original appointment
was made.
(c) BASIC PAY AND TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members
shall serve without pay but shall receive travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance
with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter
57 of title 5, United States Code.
(d) MEETINGS.—The Board shall meet at the call of
a majority of its members.
SEC. 6. DIRECTOR AND STAFF.
(a) DIRECTOR.—The Board may appoint a Director
and such additional personnel as it considers appropriate.
(b) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE
LAWS.—Any Director and staff appointed under sub-
section (a) shall be appointed subject to the provisions of
title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the
competitive service, and shall be paid 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.
SEC. 7. REPORTING.
The Board shall transmit to the President and the
Congress monthly reports concerning the information col-
lected and disseminated and recommendations made by
the Board, and any other information the Board considers
appropriate.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION.
Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Advisory Com-
mittee Act (5 U.S.C. App. relating to the termination of
advisory committees) shall not apply to the Board.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums
as may be necessary to carry out this Act, to remain avail-
able until expended.
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