United States Consensus Council Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-908
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2003-04-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution
Auditing
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Decision making
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Finance and Financial Sector
Industrial arbitration
Industrial relations
Labor and Employment
Law
Lobbying
Mediation
Nonprofit organizations
Policy sciences
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-11
text: United States Consensus Council Act of 2003 - Establishes the United States Consensus Council to develop and conduct processes to build consensus on national policy issues.
Authorizes the Council to: (1) enter into formal relationships with other institutions; (2) identify particular public policy issues for which the Council's expertise would be useful in building a consensus; (3) coordinate with, make referrals to, and receive referrals from other conflict or dispute resolution instrumentalities, including the United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution or the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; and (4) develop and apply criteria for determining whether the Council will enter into a consensus-building process on a particular issue.
Vests Council powers in a Board of Directors. Prohibits any Director from being a Federal officer or employee, including a Member of Congress. Provides for a Council President appointed by the Board.
Prohibits the Council from engaging in lobbying activities or being a client.
action_date: 2003-07-22
text: 
United States Consensus Council Act of 2003 - Establishes the United States Consensus Council to develop and conduct processes to build consensus on national policy issues.
 
Authorizes the Council to: (1) enter into formal relationships with other institutions; (2) identify particular public policy issues for which the Council's expertise would be useful in building a consensus; (3) coordinate with, make referrals to, and receive referrals from other conflict or dispute resolution instrumentalities, including the United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution or the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; and (4) develop and apply criteria for determining whether the Council will enter into a consensus-building process on a particular issue. Prohibits the Council from: (1) taking any action relating to a matter within the authority of the United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution or the Federal Mediation Service without the consent of the Institute or Service; or (2) duplicate or interfere with the activities and responsibilities of the Institute or Service. Requires: (1) the Institute or Service to respond to a Council consent request within 30 days; and (2) the Council, Institute, and Service to consult with one another to identify opportunities for collaboration in fulfilling their respective purposes and programs. 
Vests Council powers in a Board of Directors. Prohibits any Director from being a Federal officer or employee, including a Member of Congress. Provides for a Council President appointed by the Board. 
Requires the Council to report annually to the President and each House of Congress on prior-year activities and audits. 
Prohibits the Council from engaging in lobbying activities or being a client. 
Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2008.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-07-22
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 221.
action_date: 2003-07-22
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Collins with amendments. With written report No. 108-110.
action_date: 2003-07-22
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Collins with amendments. With written report No. 108-110.
action_date: 2003-06-17
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2003-04-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2003-04-11
text: Introduced in Senate