I
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 299
To establish a Commission on Environment and Development.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 5, 1993
Mr. PORTER (for himself, Mr. BEILENSON, Mr. BROWN of California, Mr.
HUGHES, Mrs. MORELLA, Mr. BLACKWELL, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. STUDDS,
and Mr. ACKERMAN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs
A BILL
To establish a Commission on Environment and
Development.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
There is established a commission to be known as the
Commission on Environment and Development (herein-
after in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’).
SEC. 2. FUNCTIONS OF COMMISSION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall—
(1) monitor the actions of the signatories to
documents of the United Nations Conference on En-
vironment and Development that reflect compliance
with or violation of the goals of—
(A) the Articles of Agenda 21 of the Unit-
ed Nations Conference on Environment and De-
velopment,
(B) the Statement of Principles on the
Maintenance, Conservation, and Development of
All Forests,
(C) the United Nations Framework Con-
vention on Climate Change, and
(D) the Convention on Biological Diversity;
(2) monitor and encourage the development of
programs and activities by the United States Gov-
ernment and private organization with a view toward
advancing the objectives of the United Nations Con-
ference on Environment and Development; and
(3) review reports submitted by countries to the
United Nations Commission on Sustainable Develop-
ment, including those submitted by the United
States.
(b) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—In carrying out its
functions, the Commission shall consult with and draw
upon the expertise of United States and foreign non-
governmental organizations, citizens’ groups, and other
public and private bodies concerned with international and
national environmental and sustainable development is-
sues.
SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMISSION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall be com-
posed of 11 members as follows:
(1) Four Members of the House of Representa-
tives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives. Two members shall be selected from
the majority party and two shall be selected, after
consultation with the minority leader of the House,
from the principal minority party.
(2) Four Members of the Senate appointed by
the President of the Senate. Two members shall be
selected from the majority party and two shall be se-
lected, after consultation with the minority leader of
the Senate, from the minority party.
(3) The Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans
and International Environmental and Scientific Af-
fairs.
(4) The Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency.
(5) The Chairman of the Council on Environ-
mental Quality.
(b) CHAIR AND COCHAIR.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be a Chair and
a Cochair of the Commission.
(2) APPOINTMENT.—(A) At the beginning of
each odd-numbered Congress, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives shall designate one of the
House Members as Chair of the Commission. At the
beginning of each even-numbered Congress, the
President of the Senate, on the recommendation of
the majority leader, shall designate one of the Sen-
ate Members as Chair of the Commission.
(B) At the beginning of each odd-numbered
Congress, the President of the Senate, on the rec-
ommendation of the majority leader, shall designate
one of the Senate Members as Cochair of the Com-
mission. At the beginning of each even-numbered
Congress, the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives shall designate one of the House Members as
Cochair of the Commission.
SEC. 4. REPORTS TO AND BY THE COMMISSION.
(a) REPORTS TO THE COMMISSION.—In order to as-
sist the Commission in carrying out its duties, the Presi-
dent shall submit to the Commission semiannual reports
which shall include—
(1) a detailed survey of actions by signatories
of documents of the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development that reflect compli-
ance with or violation of the goals of those docu-
ments; and
(2) a listing and description of present or
planned programs and activities of the appropriate
agencies of the executive branch advancing the ob-
jectives of the United Nations Conference on Envi-
ronment and Development.
(b) REPORTS BY THE COMMISSION.—The Commis-
sion shall report to the House of Representatives and the
Senate on a periodic basis with respect to the matters de-
scribed in section 2(a), and shall provide information to
Members of the House of Representatives and Senate as
requested.
SEC. 5. INVESTIGATIVE POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
In carrying out this Act, the Commission may re-
quire, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testi-
mony of such witnesses and the production of such books,
records, correspondence, memorandums, papers, and doc-
uments as it deems necessary. Subpoenas may be issued
over the signature of the Chair of the Commission or such
other member of the Commission as the Chair may des-
ignate. The Chair of the Commission, or any member des-
ignated by the Chair, may administer oaths to any wit-
ness.
SEC. 6. STAFF OF THE COMMISSION.
The Commission may employ individuals for its staff,
who shall be considered to be congressional employees (as
defined in section 2107 of title 5, United States Code)
for purposes of pay and other employment benefits, rights,
and privileges and for all other purposes.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
To carry out this Act, there is authorized to be appro-
priated to the Commission for each fiscal year such sums
as may be necessary, which are authorized to remain avail-
able until expended.
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