I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 5677
To establish a Commission to study and make recommendations on the
implementation of standardized voting procedures in the Federal, State,
and local electoral process, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DECEMBER 15, 2000
Mr. HOLT introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on the Judi-
ciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each
case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of
the committee concerned
A BILL
To establish a Commission to study and make recommenda-
tions on the implementation of standardized voting proce-
dures in the Federal, State, and local electoral process,
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 ‘‘Commission on Elec-
tions Procedures Act’’.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the Commission on Elections Pro-
cedures (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commis-
sion’’).
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Commission shall
be to study Federal, State, and local electoral processes
and to make recommendations on the implementation of
standardized voting procedures, including standardized
technology, for Federal, State, and local elections.
SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission
shall be composed of 10 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.
(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 Chairperson or a major-
ity of its members.
(f) CHAIRPERSON
AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The
members of the Commission shall select a Chairperson and
Vice Chairperson 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 examine
the nature and consequences of Federal, State, and local
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 the Commission submits its report under
section 4.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000
for the Commission to carry out this Act.
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