I
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2609
To establish a Presidential Commission to investigate and propose solutions
to reduce the broadcasting of violence on television.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 1, 1993
Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mrs. ROUKEMA) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To establish a Presidential Commission to investigate and
propose solutions to reduce the broadcasting of violence
on television.
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 ‘‘Presidential Commis-
sion on TV Violence and Children Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) the United States is continuing to experi-
ence widespread increases in violence and violent
crime which threaten the well-being of our society;
(2) graphic and gratuitous violence continue to
be a widespread and integral part of television pro-
gramming;
(3) an extensive, 20-year body of research exists
indicating a causal relationship between violence on
television and violence in society; and
(4) there is a need to find solutions that limit
the harmful influence of television violence and yet
maintain our freedom of expression.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a commission to be known as the
‘‘Presidential Commission on TV Violence and Children’’
(in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’).
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall—
(1) review and report on findings linking tele-
vision violence and violence in children and society;
(2) solicit opinions from children and their par-
ents on their views concerning television violence and
their suggestions for lessening its negative effects;
(3) solicit opinions from public health, crime,
and education experts; and broadcast, cable, film
and advertising industry of television violence and
their recommendations for lessening its negative ef-
fects; and
(4) present a final report and recommendations
for comprehensive strategies and solutions to allevi-
ate harmful effects of television violence that con-
tinue to preserve our tradition of free expression.
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission
shall be composed of—
(1) the Surgeon General;
(2) the Attorney General; and
(3) 26 members appointed by the President as
follows:
(A) 12 shall be individuals from the follow-
ing groups: broadcast television networks and
their local affiliates; independent television sta-
tions; cable industry; film studios; writers and
producers of television shows and film; and
major advertisers.
(B) 8 shall be individuals from the follow-
ing groups: parents and children; parents orga-
nizations; and leaders of community and reli-
gious groups.
(C) 6 shall be individuals from the follow-
ing groups: public health experts who study tel-
evision violence; crime prevention experts who
study television violence; and education experts
who study television violence.
(b) TERMS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each member shall be ap-
pointed for the life of the Commission.
(2) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed to fill
a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the
term for which the member’s predecessor was ap-
pointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of
that term. A member may serve after the expiration
of that member’s term until a successor has taken
office. A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled
in the manner in which the original appointment was
made.
(c) PAY PROHIBITED.—
(1) RATES
OF
PAY.—Except as provided in
paragraph (2), members of the Commission shall
serve without pay.
(2) PROHIBITION OF COMPENSATION OF FED-
ERAL
EMPLOYEES.—Members of the Commission
who are full-time officers or employees of the United
States or Members of Congress may not receive ad-
ditional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of
their service on the Commission.
(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.—A majority of the members of the
Commission shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number
may hold hearings.
(f) CHAIRPERSON; VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The Sur-
geon General shall serve as chairperson and the Attorney
General shall serve as vice chairperson of the Commission.
(g) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the
call of the chairperson.
SEC. 6. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION; EXPERTS
AND CONSULTANTS.
(a) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall, without re-
gard to section 5311(b) of title 5, United States Code,
have a Director who shall be appointed by the Commis-
sion. The Director shall be paid at the maximum rate of
basic pay payable for GS–13 of the General Schedule.
(b) STAFF.—The Commission may appoint and fix
the pay of additional personnel as it considers appropriate.
(c) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE
LAWS.—The staff of the Commission 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.
(d) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon request
of the Chairperson, the head of any Federal department
or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the
personnel of that department or agency to the Commission
to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act.
SEC. 7. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hear-
ings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and
receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.
(b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any mem-
ber or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the
Commission, take any action which the Commission is au-
thorized to take by this section.
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission
may secure directly from any department or agency of the
United States information necessary to enable it to carry
out this Act. Upon request of the Chairperson or Vice
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that depart-
ment or agency shall furnish that information to the Com-
mission.
(d) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United
States.
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities
under this Act.
SEC. 8. REPORTS.
The Commission shall transmit a final report to the
President and the Congress not later than one year from
the date the Commission members are appointed. The
final report shall contain a detailed statement of the find-
ings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its
recommendations for such legislative, administrative, and
voluntary actions on the part of appropriate industry as
the Commission considers appropriate to alleviate the
harmful effects of television violence.
SEC. 9. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate 6 months after sub-
mitting its final report pursuant to section 8.
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 to
carry out this Act.
SEC. 11. 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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