(3) Two members appointed by the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives. 
(4) Two members appointed by the minority 
leader of the House of Representatives. 
(5) Two members appointed by the majority 
leader of the Senate. 
(6) Two members appointed by the minority 
leader of the Senate. 
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.— 
(1) POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION.—Not more 
than 5 members of the Commission shall be from 
the same political party. 
(2) NONGOVERNMENTAL APPOINTEES.—An in-
dividual appointed to the Commission may not be an 
officer or employee of the Federal Government or 
any State or local government. 
(3) OTHER QUALIFICATIONS.—It is the sense of 
Congress that individuals appointed to the Commis-
sion should be prominent United States citizens, 
with national recognition and significant experience 
and expertise in such professions as governmental 
service, public health, medicine, emergency manage-
ment or response, public administration, logistics, 
and organizational management. 
(c) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:30 Apr 10, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6429.IH
H6429
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) IN GENERAL.—All members of the Commis-
sion shall be appointed on or between January 21, 
2021, and February 19, 2021. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—If the determination that a 
public health emergency exists as a result of 
COVID-19, as issued by the Secretary of the De-
partment of Health and Human Services on January 
31, 2020, is not in effect as of August 31, 2020, all 
members of the Commission shall be appointed on or 
between September 1, 2020, and October 1, 2020. 
(d) TERM OF MEMBERS.—Members of the Commis-
sion shall serve for the life of the Commission. 
(e) INITIAL MEETING.—The Commission shall hold 
its initial meeting and begin the operations of the Commis-
sion as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 
March 15, 2021, if appointed pursuant to subsection 
(c)(1), or October 31, 2020, if appointed pursuant to sub-
section (c)(2). 
(f) QUORUM, VACANCIES.—After its initial meeting, 
the Commission shall meet upon the call of the chair-
person or a majority of its members. Six members of the 
Commission shall constitute a quorum. Any vacancy in the 
Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled 
in the same manner in which the original appointment was 
made. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:41 Apr 16, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6429.IH
H6429
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(g) COMPENSATION.—Each member of the Commis-
sion may be compensated at not to exceed the daily equiva-
lent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for a position 
at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 
of title 5, United States Code, for each day during which 
that member is engaged in the actual performance of the 
duties of the Commission. 
(h) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—While away from their 
homes or regular places of business in the performance 
of services for the Commission, members of the Commis-
sion shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons em-
ployed intermittently in the Government service are al-
lowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 5. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) HEARINGS AND EVIDENCE.—The Commis-
sion or, on the authority of the Commission, any 
subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the pur-
pose of carrying out this Act— 
(A) hold such hearings and sit and act at 
such times and places, take such testimony, re-
ceive such evidence, administer such oaths; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:30 Apr 10, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6429.IH
H6429
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(B) subject to paragraph (2)(A), require, 
by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and 
testimony of such witnesses and the production 
of such books, records, correspondence, memo-
randa, papers, and documents, as the Commis-
sion or such designated subcommittee or des-
ignated member may determine advisable. 
(2) SUBPOENAS.— 
(A) ISSUANCE.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—A subpoena may be 
issued under this subsection only— 
(I) by the agreement of the 
chairperson and the vice chairperson; 
or 
(II) by the affirmative vote of 6 
members of the Commission. 
(ii) SIGNATURE.—Subject to clause 
(i), subpoenas issued under this subsection 
may be issued under the signature of the 
chairperson or any member designated by 
a majority of the Commission, and may be 
served by any person designated by the 
chairperson or by a member designated by 
a majority of the Commission. 
(B) ENFORCEMENT.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:30 Apr 10, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6429.IH
H6429
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(i) IN GENERAL.—In the case of con-
tumacy or failure to obey a subpoena 
issued under subparagraph (A), the United 
States district court for the judicial district 
in which the subpoenaed person resides, is 
served, or may be found, or where the sub-
poena is returnable, may issue an order re-
quiring such person to appear at any des-
ignated place to testify or to produce docu-
mentary or other evidence. Any failure to 
obey the order of the court may be pun-
ished by the court as a contempt of that 
court. 
(ii) ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT.—In 
the case of any failure of any witness to 
comply with any subpoena or to testify 
when summoned under authority of this 
section, the Commission may, by majority 
vote, certify a statement of fact consti-
tuting such failure to the appropriate 
United States attorney, who may bring the 
matter before the grand jury for its action, 
under the same statutory authority and 
procedures as if the United States attorney 
had received a certification under sections 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:30 Apr 10, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6429.IH
H6429
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
102 through 104 of the Revised Statutes 
of the United States (2 U.S.C. 192 
through 194). 
(b) CONTRACTING.—The Commission may, to such 
extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropria-
tion Acts, enter into contracts to enable the Commission 
to discharge its duties under this Act. 
(c) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission is author-
ized to secure directly from any executive depart-
ment, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, 
independent establishment, or instrumentality of the 
Government, information, suggestions, estimates, 
and statistics for the purpose of this Act, each of 
whom shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish 
such information directly to the Commission, upon 
request made by the chairperson, the chairperson of 
any subcommittee created by a majority of the Com-
mission, or any member designated by a majority of 
the Commission. 
(2) RECEIPT, HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DIS-
SEMINATION.—Information shall only be received, 
handled, stored, and disseminated by members of 
the Commission and its staff consistent with all ap-
plicable statutes, regulations, and Executive orders. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:30 Apr 10, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6429.IH
H6429
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(d) ASSISTANCE FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) GENERAL
SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION.— 
The Administrator of General Services shall provide 
to the Commission on a reimbursable basis adminis-
trative support and other services for the perform-
ance of the Commission’s functions. 
(2) OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.—In 
addition to the assistance prescribed in paragraph 
(1), departments and agencies of the United States 
may provide to the Commission such services, funds, 
facilities, staff, and other support services as they 
may determine advisable and as may be authorized 
by law. 
(e) GIFTS.—The Commission may accept, use, and 
dispose of gifts or donations of services or property. 
(f) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use 
the United States mails in the same manner and under 
the same conditions as departments and agencies of the 
United States. 
SEC. 6. NONAPPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ACT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission. 
(b) PUBLIC MEETINGS AND RELEASE OF PUBLIC 
VERSIONS OF REPORTS.—The Commission shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:30 Apr 10, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6429.IH
H6429
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) hold public hearings and meetings to the ex-
tent appropriate; and 
(2) release public versions of the reports re-
quired under section 9. 
(c) PUBLIC HEARINGS.—Any public hearings of the 
Commission shall be conducted in a manner consistent 
with the protection of information provided to or developed 
for or by the Commission as required by any applicable 
statute, regulation, or Executive order. 
SEC. 7. STAFF OF COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION.—The 
chairperson, in consultation with the vice chair-
person, in accordance with rules agreed upon by the 
Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation 
of a staff director and such other personnel as may 
be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out 
its functions, without regard to the provisions of 
title 5, United States Code, governing appointments 
in the competitive service, and without regard to the 
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chap-
ter 53 of such title relating to classification and 
General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of 
pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the 
equivalent of that payable for a position at level V 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:30 Apr 10, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6429.IH
H6429
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 
5, United States Code. 
(2) PERSONNEL AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The executive director 
and any personnel of the Commission who are 
employees shall be employees under section 
2105 of title 5, United States Code, for the 
purposes of chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, 
and 90 of that title. 
(B) MEMBERS OF COMMISSION.—Subpara-
graph (A) shall not be construed to apply to 
members of the Commission. 
(b) DETAILEES.—Any Federal Government employee 
may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement 
from the Commission, and such detailee shall retain the 
rights, status, and privileges of his or her regular employ-
ment without interruption. 
(c) CONSULTANT SERVICES.—The Commission is au-
thorized to procure the services of experts and consultants 
in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States 
Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a per-
son occupying a position at level IV of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States 
Code. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:30 Apr 10, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6429.IH
H6429
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 8. SECURITY CLEARANCES FOR COMMISSION MEM-
BERS AND STAFF. 
The appropriate Federal departments or agencies 
shall cooperate with the Commission in expeditiously pro-
viding to the Commission members and staff appropriate 
security clearances to the extent possible pursuant to ex-
isting procedures and requirements, except that no person 
shall be provided with access to classified information 
under this title without the appropriate security clear-
ances. 
SEC. 9. REPORTS OF COMMISSION; TERMINATION. 
(a) INTERIM REPORTS.—The Commission may sub-
mit to the President and Congress interim reports con-
taining such findings, conclusions, and recommendations 
for corrective measures as have been agreed to by a major-
ity of Commission members. 
(b) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the Commission’s initial meeting, the Commission 
shall submit to the President and Congress a final report 
containing such findings, conclusions, and recommenda-
tions for corrective measures as have been agreed to by 
a majority of Commission members. 
(c) TERMINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission, and all the 
authorities of this Act, shall terminate 60 days after 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:30 Apr 10, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6429.IH
H6429
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
the date on which the final report is submitted 
under subsection (b). 
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES BEFORE TER-
MINATION.—The Commission may use the 60-day 
period referred to in paragraph (1) for the purpose 
of concluding its activities, including providing testi-
mony to committees of Congress concerning its re-
ports and disseminating the final report. 
SEC. 10. FUNDING. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Commission such 
sums as may be necessary for any fiscal year, half of which 
shall be derived from the applicable account of the House 
of Representatives, and half of which shall be derived from 
the contingent fund of the Senate. 
(b) DURATION OF AVAILABILITY.—Amounts made 
available to the Commission under subsection (a) shall re-
main available until the termination of the Commission. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:30 Apr 10, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H6429.IH
H6429
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS