I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 646
To establish the Commission to Study the Structure and Reauthorization
of the Federal Communications Commission.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 14, 2001
Mr. GILLMOR (for himself, Mr. DEAL of Georgia, Mr. EHRLICH, Mr.
LARGENT, Mr. PICKERING, Mr. STEARNS, and Mrs. WILSON) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
A BILL
To establish the Commission to Study the Structure and
Reauthorization of the Federal Communications Commission.
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 ‘‘Federal Communica-
tions Commission Reform Act’’.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established the Commission to Study the
Structure and Reauthorization of the Federal Commu-
nications Commission (in this Act referred to as the
‘‘Commission’’).
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall study and report on the orga-
nizational structure of the Federal Communications Com-
mission, with an emphasis on determining—
(1) whether that structure should be changed to
reflect the current state of telecommunications, in-
cluding the rise of the Internet; and
(2) whether there should be a reduction in the
number of commissioners.
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission
shall be composed of 7 members, appointed as follows:
(1) 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives in consultation with the
Chairman of the Committee on Commerce of the
House of Representatives and in accordance with
subsection (c).
(2) 2 members appointed by the majority leader
of the Senate in consultation with the Chairman of
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate and in accordance with sub-
section (c).
(3) 2 members appointed by the minority leader
of the House of Representatives in consultation with
the ranking minority member of the Committee on
Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(4) 1 member appointed by the Chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on Com-
merce of the House of Representatives acting jointly.
(b) APPOINTMENTS DEADLINE.—All appointments
under subsection (a) shall be made not later than 45 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) APPOINTMENTS OF FORMER COMMISSIONERS.—
The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the ma-
jority leader of the Senate shall each, under subsection
(a), appoint as a member of the Commission at least 1
former commissioner of the Federal Communications
Commission.
(d) 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.
(e) BASIC PAY.—
(1) RATES OF PAY.—Members shall receive no
pay for their service on the Commission.
(2) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—Each member shall
receive 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.
(f) QUORUM.—4 members shall constitute a quorum,
but a lesser number may hold hearings.
SEC. 5. 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 that the Commission is au-
thorized to take by this section.
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to section 552 of
title 5, United States Code, popularly known as the
Freedom of Information Act, and section 552a of
title 5, United States Code, popularly known as the
Privacy Act of 1974, the Commission may secure di-
rectly from any department or agency of the United
States information necessary to enable it to carry
out this Act. Upon request of the Commission, the
head of such a department or agency shall furnish
that information to the Commission.
(2) INTERVIEWS.—Each commissioner of the
Federal Communications Commission shall, upon re-
quest of the Commission, provide the Commission a
reasonable opportunity to interview such commis-
sioner for the purpose of facilitating the work of the
Commission.
(d) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND DEVISES.— The Com-
mission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests,
or devises of services or property, both real and personal,
for the purpose of facilitating the work of the Commission.
(e) 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.
(f) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon the
request of the Commission, the Administrator of General
Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimburs-
able basis, the administrative support services necessary
for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under
this Act.
(g) GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE ASSISTANCE.—
Upon the request of the Commission, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall assist the Commission
in carrying out this Act.
(h) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Commission may
contract with and compensate government and private
agencies or persons for supplies and other services.
SEC. 6. REPORT.
Not later than 6 months after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Commission shall transmit to the
Congress a report on the findings and conclusions of the
Commission.
SEC. 7. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate upon transmission
of the report required by section 6.
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