I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3823
To provide for the establishment of a uniform standard of need under the
program of aid to families with dependent children.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 9, 1994
Mr. BARCA of Wisconsin (for himself, Mr. BARCIA of Michigan, and Mr.
BARRETT of Wisconsin) introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL
To provide for the establishment of a uniform standard of
need under the program of aid to families with dependent
children.
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 ‘‘Welfare Fairness Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress find that—
(1) the Wisconsin State Legislature has passed
legislation calling upon the Congress of the United
States to provide for Federal establishment of bene-
fit levels for aid to families with dependent children
(AFDC);
(2) the current variation in benefit levels from
State to State has discouraged families receiving
AFDC from remaining in their home communities,
although it is generally in the best interest of all
citizens to live close to their families, friends, and
support networks, and where job opportunities exist,
and decisions on where to live should not be com-
plicated by the level of AFDC benefits;
(3) under the current system, taxpayers in
States are paying differing amounts, with some
States providing comparatively more in AFDC bene-
fits while others are paying well beneath the level of
poverty; and
(4) because poverty does not know State bound-
aries, and because of the current disparities in the
system for both taxpayers and AFDC recipients,
uniform AFDC benefits should be determined feder-
ally.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
There is established a commission to be known as the
‘‘Commission on Welfare Fairness’’ (in this Act referred
to as the ‘‘Commission’’).
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
Within 1 year after the first date there are 8 mem-
bers of the Commission, the Commission shall, in con-
sultation with State officials responsible for the adminis-
tration of State programs of aid to families with depend-
ent children—
(1) establish a uniform standard of need for re-
cipients of aid to families with dependent children
under a State plan approved under part A of title
IV of the Social Security Act;
(2) devise a formula for adjusting the uniform
standard of need, on an annual basis, for differences
among the States in the cost of living for low income
persons; and
(3) devise a method of adjusting the uniform
standard of need to offset any other documented in-
centive for interstate migration by persons seeking a
higher level of benefits under the program of aid to
families with dependent children.
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission
shall be composed of 15 members appointed by the Presi-
dent, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and
Human Services and with State officials responsible for
the administration of State programs of aid to families
with dependent children, and by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, not later than June 1, 1995.
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—
(1) INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATIONS.—Each mem-
ber of the Commission shall—
(A) have experience in the delivery of so-
cial services; or
(B) represent advocacy groups that work
for the interests of lower income individuals.
(2) GROUP QUALIFICATION.—The members of
the Commission, as a whole, shall represent the var-
ious regions of the United States.
(c) STAGGERED TERMS OF OFFICE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each Commission member
shall be appointed for a term of 6 years, except as
provided in paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) TERMS OF INITIAL APPOINTEES.—As des-
ignated by the President at the time of appointment,
of the members first appointed—
(A) 5 shall be appointed for terms of 2
years; and
(B) 5 shall be appointed for terms of 4
years.
(3) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed to fill
a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the