(1) Since its launch in 1995, the Web site 
THOMAS has been an important source of free pub-
lic information on Federal legislation. 
(2) In the years since the introduction of 
THOMAS, the Internet has evolved into what is 
commonly referred to as Web 2.0, which encourages 
the reuse of open source information though collabo-
ration, interactivity, and data standardization. 
(3) Allowing the public to download the THOM-
AS Web site’s bulk legislative summary and status 
data will enable independent Web sites and outside 
watchdog groups to use the data in new and innova-
tive ways that make the proceedings of Congress 
easier to follow and government more transparent. 
(4) In its 2007 report on Congressional Infor-
mation and the Internet, the Open House Project 
recommended that Congress ‘‘make available to the 
public a well-supported database of all bill status 
and 
summary 
information 
currently 
accessible 
through the Library of Congress.’’ 
(5) The Open House Project also noted that 
‘‘Six states already publish the status of their state 
legislation in a structured data format: Connecticut, 
Illinois . . . Minnesota, Oregon, Texas and Vir-
ginia.’’ 
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(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Library of Congress should work toward 
improving public access to all THOMAS data, including 
the text of legislation, in bulk. 
SEC. 3. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF BULK LEGISLATIVE 
DATA. 
(a) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY THROUGH INTERNET.— 
As soon as practicable, the Librarian of Congress, in con-
sultation with the Director of the Congressional Research 
Service, the Public Printer, the Clerk of the House of Rep-
resentatives, and the Secretary of the Senate, shall make 
available to the public through the Internet the bulk legis-
lative summary and status data used by the Librarian to 
provide the information the Librarian posts on the 
THOMAS Web site. 
(b) METHOD AND MANNER OF AVAILABILITY.—In 
making available the bulk legislative data required under 
subsection (a), the Librarian shall ensure the following: 
(1) The data is available in a searchable, sort-
able, and downloadable manner. 
(2) The data available for downloading shall in-
clude status and summary information on legisla-
tion. 
(3) The data is provided in a structured, non-
proprietary format. 
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(4) The data is available free of charge. 
(5) The data is updated continuously in a time-
ly manner. 
(6) The database involved includes the following 
supporting information: 
(A) A roster showing each Member of Con-
gress (including each Delegate and Resident 
Commissioner to the Congress), the Member’s 
committee assignments, and the ZIP Codes in-
cluded in each Member’s congressional district. 
(B) Such other supporting information as 
the Librarian considers appropriate. 
(7) The data is provided in a manner consistent 
with the standards developed and published under 
subsection (c). 
(c) DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS.—Prior to mak-
ing available the bulk legislative data described in sub-
section (a), the Librarian of Congress, in consultation with 
the individuals described in such subsection, shall develop 
and publish standards for the downloading and public 
availability of the data, and shall update such standards 
at such frequency as the Librarian considers appropriate. 
SEC. 4. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THOMAS. 
(a) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—There is hereby estab-
lished in the Library of Congress the Advisory Committee 
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on THOMAS (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
‘‘Advisory Committee’’). 
(b) MEMBERS.— 
(1) APPOINTMENT.—The Advisory Committee 
shall consist of 16 members appointed as follows: 
(A) Seven individuals appointed by the Li-
brarian of Congress who have expertise in dis-
ciplines such as legislative access, Internet tech-
nology, and open government, and who shall in-
clude representatives of academia, the nonprofit 
sector, the for-profit sector, and users of the 
THOMAS Web site. 
(B) Four individuals appointed by the Li-
brarian of Congress who are employees of the 
Federal government with expertise in access to 
government information and Internet tech-
nology. 
(C) The Law Librarian of Congress (or the 
Law Librarian’s designee). 
(D) The Clerk of the House of Representa-
tives (or the Clerk’s designee). 
(E) The Secretary of the Senate (or the 
Secretary’s designee). 
(F) The Public Printer (or the Public 
Printer’s designee). 
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(G) The Director of the Congressional Re-
search Service (or the Director’s designee). 
(2) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENTS.—The Li-
brarian of Congress shall appoint the members de-
scribed in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph 
(1) not later than 60 days after the date of the en-
actment of this Act. 
(3) TERM OF SERVICE; VACANCIES.—Members 
of the Advisory Committee shall serve for a term of 
3 years, and may be appointed to additional terms. 
Any vacancy in the Advisory Committee shall be 
filled in the manner in which the original appoint-
ment was made. 
(4) NO COMPENSATION.—Members of the Advi-
sory Committee shall serve without pay, but shall re-
ceive 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. Members of the Advisory Committee 
who are full-time officers or employees of the United 
States may not receive additional pay, allowances, or 
benefits by reason of their service on the Commis-
sion. 
(c) SUPPORT FROM LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS.—The 
Librarian of Congress shall provide the Advisory Board 
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