I
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1402
To establish the Commission on Probabilistic Methods.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 17, 1997
Mr. TRAFICANT introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
A BILL
To establish the Commission on Probabilistic Methods.
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 Prob-
abilistic Methods Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) probabilistic methods have wide applicability
in improving process efficiency and eliminating over-
design in government programs and purchases;
(2) the integration of probabilistic methods into
business practices has contributed significantly to
the success of industry quality programs and has
saved billions of dollars for companies;
(3) Federal use of probabilistic methods is less
advanced than it is in industry;
(4) probabilistic methods hold out the promise
of better understanding of safety and environmental
risks, and if properly applied can lead to more busi-
ness-friendly regulations;
(5) if made an integral part of federally funded
design efforts, probabilistic methods could lead to a
better understanding of the specifications a product
must meet and reduce overdesign and associated
costs; and
(6) appropriate use of probabilistic methods
within the programs of the Department of Transpor-
tation could lead through quantification of uncer-
tainties to more reliable, less costly components of
our transportation system, including roads, bridges,
and automotive, aerospace, and mass transit sys-
tems, and could also benefit the programs of other
Federal agencies such as the Department of De-
fense, the Department of Commerce, and the Na-
tional Institutes of Health.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
The Administrator of the Research and Special Pro-
grams Administration of the Department of Transpor-
tation (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Administrator’’)
shall establish a commission to be known as the ‘‘Commis-
sion on Probabilistic Methods’’ (in this Act referred to as
the ‘‘Commission’’).
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall—
(1) identify where and how probabilistic meth-
ods can help the Department of Transportation;
(2) assess the extent to which probabilistic
methods can help the Department of Transportation
maximize return on investment and increase public
safety;
(3) evaluate the state of probabilistic methods
technology;
(4) identify the probabilistic techniques that are
ready for practical use and recommend guidelines
that can help a user decide what technique to use;
(5) establish models for quantifying uncertain-
ties in major Department of Transportation pro-
grams that affect cost, operation, and performance;
(6) identify key technology areas that must be
further developed;
(7) recommend guidelines for implementation of
probabilistic technology;
(8) recommend how to set reliability levels that
can ensure public safety and be achievable by indus-
try;
(9) recommend probabilistic-based guidelines
for safety tests;
(10) recommend guidelines for creating re-
quired database;
(11) determine appropriate means of expediting
technology transfer and ensuring that the principles
of probabilistic methods are used appropriately in
decisions involving funds under the control of the
Department of Transportation;
(12) identify legal and cultural barriers to the
effective use of probabilistic methods at the Depart-
ment of Transportation;
(13) make recommendations for the use of
probabilistic methods in Department of Transpor-
tation programs;
(14) make recommendations for institutionaliz-
ing probabilistic methods values at the Department
of Transportation after the termination of the Com-
mission; and
(15) recommend pilot projects for evaluation of
probabilistic methods technology.
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission
shall be composed of 19 members as follows:
(1) A chairperson, who shall be a representative
of an engineering society with experience in prob-
abilistic methods, such as the Society of Automotive
Engineers.
(2) Four members from the higher education
community.
(3) Four members from various levels of gov-
ernment.
(4) Four members from industry.
(5) One member representing labor.
(6) One member representing the environmental
community.
(7) One member representing the public inter-
est.
(8) A representative of the Department of De-
fense, appointed by the Secretary of Defense.
(9) A representative of the Department of Com-
merce, appointed by the Secretary of Commerce.
(10) A representative of the National Institutes
of Health, appointed by the Director of the National
Institutes of Health.
The members described in paragraphs (1) through (7)
shall be appointed by the Administrator.
(b) TERMS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each member shall be ap-
pointed for the life of the Commission.
(2) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission
shall be filled in the manner in which the original
appointment was made.
(c) BASIC PAY.—Members shall serve without pay.
(d) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—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.
(e) QUORUM.—10 members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hear-
ings.
(f) INITIAL MEETING.—The initial meeting of the
Commission shall occur within 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(g) AGENDA.—Within 6 months after its initial meet-
ing under subsection (f), the Commission shall transmit
to the Administrator a written agenda for its activities.
ings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Commis-
sion.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate 10 days after sub-
mitting its final report pursuant to section 7(b). Section
14(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.; relating to the termination of advisory com-
mittees) shall not apply to the Commission.
SEC. 9. BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE.
Any spending authority (as defined in subparagraphs
(A) and (C) of section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 651(c)(2)(A) and (C))) au-
thorized by this Act shall be effective only to such extent
and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation
Acts.
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