In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
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Question: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act of 
2001''.

SEC. 2. CREDIT FOR EXPENSES FOR LONG-TERM TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES IN 
              HIGHLY SKILLED SMALL BUSINESS TRADES.

    (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business-related 
credits) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 45E. EXPENSES FOR LONG-TERM TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES IN HIGHLY 
              SKILLED SMALL BUSINESS TRADES.

    ``(a) General Rule.--For purposes of section 38, in the case of a 
small business employer, the highly skilled trades training credit 
determined under this section for the taxable year is $15,000 for each 
employee having a qualified training year ending with or within such 
taxable year (whether or not such employee is an employee of the 
taxpayer as of the close of such taxable year).
    ``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Small business employer.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `small business 
                employer' means, with respect to any taxable year, any 
                employer who employed an average of 250 or fewer 
                employees on business days during such taxable year.
                    ``(B) Controlled groups.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), all persons treated as a single 
                employer under subsection (b), (c), (m), or (o) of 
                section 414 shall be treated as a single employer.
            ``(2) Qualified training year.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified training 
                year' means each year during the training period in 
                which the employee received at least 1,500 hours of 
                training (including on-the-job training and training at 
                multi-employer training facilities) from the taxpayer 
                (or any predecessor) under a qualified training program 
                as an apprentice in any highly skilled trade.
                    ``(B) Highly skilled trades.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), the term `highly skilled trades' 
                means--
                            ``(i) precision machinists,
                            ``(ii) die makers,
                            ``(iii) mold makers,
                            ``(iv) tool and die designers,
                            ``(v) heating, ventilating, air 
                        conditioning, refrigeration, and roofing 
                        contractors,
                            ``(vi) the trade of masonry,
                            ``(vii) plumbers,
                            ``(viii) pipefitters,
                            ``(ix) patternmakers,
                            ``(x) foundry technicians,
                            ``(xi) electricians,
                            ``(xii) recreational marine production and 
                        design workers,
                            ``(xiii) 2-way radio technicians,
                            ``(xiv) welders,
                            ``(xv) shipfitters,
                            ``(xvi) propellor machinists,
                            ``(xvii) electronic instrumentation 
                        specialists, and
                            ``(xviii) other highly skilled trades 
                        specified in regulations prescribed by the 
                        Secretary.
                Such term shall not include any trade if the customary 
                apprenticeship period for such trade is less than 2 
                years.
                    ``(C) Qualified training program.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The term `qualified 
                        training program' means a written plan of study 
                        and training for individuals in, or entering 
                        into, highly skilled trades.
                            ``(ii) Description of programs.--A plan 
                        under clause (i) must be a program described in 
                        one of the following subclauses:
                                    ``(I) An apprenticeship program 
                                registered and certified with the 
                                Secretary of Labor under section 1 of 
                                the National Apprenticeship Act (29 
                                U.S.C. 50).
                                    ``(II) A program licensed, 
                                registered, or certified by the 
                                workforce investment board or 
                                apprenticeship agency or council of a 
                                State or administered in compliance 
                                with apprenticeship laws of a State.
                                    ``(III) A program conducted by a 
                                vocational or technical education 
                                school, community college, or 
                                industrial or trade training 
                                organization.
                                    ``(IV) A program which conforms to 
                                apprentice training programs developed 
                                or administered by an employer trade 
                                group or committee.
                                    ``(V) An industry sponsored or 
                                administered program which is clearly 
                                identified and commonly 
recognized within an industry and which meets the requirements of 
clause (iii).
                            ``(iii) Requirements.--A program meets the 
                        requirements of this clause if such program--
                                    ``(I) is accessible to individuals 
                                without discrimination on the basis of 
                                race, sex, color, religion, or national 
                                origin,
                                    ``(II) provides an overview of the 
                                trade, including the history and modern 
                                developments in such trade,
                                    ``(III) provides related 
                                instruction of the fundamental, 
                                intermediate, and advanced skills, 
                                techniques, and materials of the trade,
                                    ``(IV) provides training in math, 
                                measurement, and blueprint reading 
                                skills, if such skills are required in 
                                the trade,
                                    ``(V) provides training on trade 
                                specific tools and equipment,
                                    ``(VI) provides on-the-job training 
                                which allows performance of work under 
                                close supervision of an instructor or 
                                skilled worker, and
                                    ``(VII) provides periodic review 
                                and evaluation of participants to 
                                demonstrate proficiency in skills, 
                                including the use of tests and 
                                assessment of individual and group 
                                projects.
            ``(3) Training period.--The term `training period' means, 
        with respect to an employee, the period--
                    ``(A) beginning on the date that the employee 
                begins employment with the taxpayer as an apprentice in 
                the highly skilled trade, and
                    ``(B) ending on the earlier of--
                            ``(i) the date that such apprenticeship 
                        with the employer ends, or
                            ``(ii) the date which is 4 years after the 
                        date referred to in subparagraph (A).
    ``(c) Coordination With Other Credits.--The amount of credit 
otherwise allowable under sections 51(a) and 1396(a) with respect to 
any employee shall be reduced by the credit allowed by this section 
with respect to such employee.''.
    (b) Credit Made Part of General Business Credit.--Subsection (b) of 
section 38 of such Code is amended by striking ``plus'' at the end of 
paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (13) and 
inserting ``, plus'', and by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
            ``(14) in the case of a small business employer (as defined 
        in section 45E(b)), the highly skilled trades training credit 
        determined under section 45E(a).''.
    (c) Denial of Double Benefit.--Section 280C of such Code is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Credit for Training Expenses for Employees in Highly Skilled 
Small Business Trades.--No deduction shall be allowed for that portion 
of the expenses otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year 
which is equal to the amount of the credit determined for the taxable 
year under section 45E(a).''.
    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart D of 
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item:

                              ``Sec. 45E. Expenses for long-term 
                                        training of employees in highly 
                                        skilled small business 
                                        trades.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to expenses paid or incurred in the taxable years ending after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.

Answer: Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide small employers with a highly skilled trades training credit.


Question: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``American Family Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF FULLY REFUNDABLE CHILD TAX CREDIT.

    (a) Elimination of Existing Child Tax Credit.--Subpart A of part IV 
of subchapter A of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986 is amended by striking section 24.
    (b) Establishment of Fully Refundable Child Tax Credit.--Subpart C 
of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of subtitle A of such Code is 
amended by inserting after section 36B the following new section:

``SEC. 36C. CHILD TAX CREDIT.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--There shall be allowed as a credit 
against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount 
equal to the sum of--
            ``(1) with respect to each qualifying child of the taxpayer 
        who has attained 6 years of age before the close of such 
        taxable year and for which the taxpayer is allowed a deduction 
        under section 151, an amount equal to $3,000, and
            ``(2) with respect to each qualifying child of the taxpayer 
        who has not attained 6 years of age before the close of such 
        taxable year and for which the taxpayer is allowed a deduction 
        under section 151, an amount equal to 120 percent of the dollar 
        amount in paragraph (1).
    ``(b) Limitation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The amount of the credit allowable under 
        subsection (a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the 
        applicable amount for each $1,000 (or fraction thereof) by 
        which the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income exceeds the 
        threshold amount. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the 
        term `modified adjusted gross income' means adjusted gross 
        income increased by any amount excluded from gross income under 
        section 911, 931, or 933.
            ``(2) Threshold amount.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For purposes of paragraph (1), 
                the term `threshold amount' means--
                            ``(i) $110,000 in the case of a joint 
                        return,
                            ``(ii) $75,000 in the case of an individual 
                        who is not married, and
                            ``(iii) $55,000 in the case of a married 
                        individual filing a separate return.
                    ``(B) Marital status.--For purposes of this 
                paragraph, marital status shall be determined under 
                section 7703.
            ``(3) Applicable amount.--For purposes of paragraph (1), 
        the term `applicable amount' means an amount equal to the 
        quotient of--
                    ``(A) the amount of the credit allowable under 
                subsection (a), as determined without regard to this 
                subsection, divided by
                    ``(B) an amount equal to the product of--
                            ``(i) $20, multiplied by
                            ``(ii) the total number of qualifying 
                        children of the taxpayer.
    ``(c) Qualifying Child.--
            ``(1) In general.--In this section, the term `qualifying 
        child' means a qualifying child of the taxpayer (as defined in 
        section 152(c)) who has not attained 19 years of age.
            ``(2) Exception for certain non-citizens.--The term 
        `qualifying child' shall not include any individual who would 
        not be a dependent if subparagraph (A) of section 152(b)(3) 
        were applied without regard to all that follows `resident of 
        the United States'.
    ``(d) Inflation Adjustment.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of any taxable year 
        beginning after 2017, the $3,000 amount in subsection (a)(1) 
        shall be increased by an amount equal to--
                    ``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                    ``(B) the cost of living adjustment determined 
                under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which 
                the taxable year begins determined by substituting 
                `calendar year 2016' for `calendar year 1992' in 
                subparagraph (B) thereof.
            ``(2) Rounding.--If any increase determined under paragraph 
        (1) is not a multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to 
        the nearest multiple of $50.
    ``(e) Identification Requirements.--
            ``(1) Qualifying child identification requirement.--No 
        credit shall be allowed under this section to a taxpayer with 
        respect to any qualifying child unless the taxpayer includes 
        the name and taxpayer identification number of such qualifying 
        child on the return of tax for the taxable year and such 
        taxpayer identification number was issued on or before the due 
        date for filing such return.
            ``(2) Taxpayer identification requirement.--No credit shall 
        be allowed under this section if the identifying number of the 
        taxpayer was issued after the due date for filing the return 
        for the taxable year.
    ``(f) Taxable Year Must Be Full Taxable Year.--Except in the case 
of a taxable year closed by reason of the death of the taxpayer, no 
credit shall be allowable under this section in the case of a taxable 
year covering a period of less than 12 months.
    ``(g) Restrictions on Taxpayers Who Improperly Claimed Credit in 
Prior Year.--
            ``(1) Taxpayers making prior fraudulent or reckless 
        claims.--
                    ``(A) In general.--No credit shall be allowed under 
                this section for any taxable year in the disallowance 
                period.
                    ``(B) Disallowance period.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), the disallowance period is--
                            ``(i) the period of 10 taxable years after 
                        the most recent taxable year for which there 
                        was a final determination that the taxpayer's 
                        claim of credit under this section was due to 
                        fraud, and
                            ``(ii) the period of 2 taxable years after 
                        the most recent taxable year for which there 
                        was a final determination that the taxpayer's 
                        claim of credit under this section was due to 
                        reckless or intentional disregard of rules and 
                        regulations (but not due to fraud).
            ``(2) Taxpayers making improper prior claims.--In the case 
        of a taxpayer who is denied credit under this section for any 
        taxable year as a result of the deficiency procedures under 
        subchapter B of chapter 63, no credit shall be allowed under 
        this section for any subsequent taxable year unless the 
        taxpayer provides such information as the Secretary may require 
        to demonstrate eligibility for such credit.
    ``(h) Reconciliation of Credit and Advance Credit.--
            ``(1) In general.--The amount of the credit allowed under 
        this section for any taxable year shall be reduced (but not 
        below zero) by the aggregate amount of any advance payments of 
        such credit under section 7527A for such taxable year.
            ``(2) Excess advance payments.--If the aggregate amount of 
        advance payments under section 7527A for the taxable year 
        exceed the amount of the credit allowed under this section for 
        such taxable year (determined without regard to paragraph (1)), 
        the tax imposed by this chapter for such taxable year shall be 
        increased by the amount of such excess''.
    (c) Advance Payment of Credit.--Chapter 77 of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 7527 the following 
new section:

``SEC. 7527A. ADVANCE PAYMENT OF CHILD TAX CREDIT.

    ``(a) In General.--As soon as practicable and not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
establish a program for making advance payments of the credit allowed 
under section 36C on a monthly basis (determined without regard to 
subsection (h)(1) of such section), or as frequently as the Secretary 
determines to be administratively feasible, to taxpayers allowed such 
credit.
    ``(b) Limitation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may make payments under 
        subsection (a) only to the extent that the total amount of such 
        payments made to any taxpayer during the taxable year does not 
        exceed an amount equal to the excess, if any, of--
                    ``(A) subject to paragraph (2), the amount 
                determined under subsection (a) of section 36C with 
                respect to such taxpayer (determined without regard to 
                subsection (h) of such section) for such taxable year, 
                over
                    ``(B) the estimated tax imposed by subtitle A, as 
                reduced by the credits allowable under subparts A and C 
                (with the exception of section 36C) of such part IV, 
                with respect to such taxpayer for such taxable year, as 
                determined in such manner as the Secretary deems 
                appropriate.
            ``(2) Application of threshold amount limitation.--The 
        program described in subsection (a) shall make reasonable 
        efforts to apply the limitation of section 36C(b) with respect 
        to payments made under such program.''.
    (d) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of 
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Internal Revenue 
        Code of 1986 is amended by striking the item relating to 
        section 24.
            (2) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of 
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of subtitle A of such Code is amended 
        by inserting after the item relating to section 36B the 
        following:

``Sec. 36C. Child tax credit.''.
            (3) The table of sections for chapter 77 of such Code is 
        amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7527 
        the following new item:

``Sec. 7527A. Advance payment of child tax credit.''.
            (4) Subparagraph (B) of section 45R(f)(3) of such Code is 
        amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) Special rule.--Any amounts paid pursuant to 
                an agreement under section 3121(l) (relating to 
                agreements entered into by American employers with 
                respect to foreign affiliates) which are equivalent to 
                the taxes referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be 
                treated as taxes referred to in such subparagraph.''.
            (5) Section 152(f)(6)(B)(ii) of such Code is amended by 
        striking ``section 24'' and inserting ``section 36C''.
            (6) Paragraph (26) of section 501(c) of such Code is 
        amended in the flush matter at the end by striking ``section 
        24(c))'' and inserting ``section 36C(c)) who has not attained 
        17 years of age''.
            (7) Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of such Code is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``24(d),'', and
                    (B) by inserting ``36C,'' after ``36B,''.
            (8) Section 6213(g)(2) of such Code is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``section 
                24(e)'' and inserting ``section 36C(e)'', and
                    (B) in subparagraph (L), by striking ``24, or 32'' 
                and inserting ``32, or 36C''.
            (9) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United 
        States Code, is amended by inserting ``36C,'' after ``36B,''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.

Answer: American Family Act of 2017  This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the child tax credit, to: (1) make the credit fully refundable, (2) increase the amount of the credit and allow an additional credit for children who are under six years of age, (3) require the amount of the credit to be adjusted annually for inflation after 2017, and (4) require the Department of the Treasury to establish a program for making advance payments of the credit on a monthly basis. 


Question: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
    This Act may be cited as the ``Commission on the Abolition of the 
Transatlantic Slave Trade Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
        (1) On March 2, 1807, President Thomas Jefferson signed into 
    law a bill approved by the Congress ``An Act to prohibit the 
    importation of slaves into any port or place within the 
    jurisdiction of the United States'' (hereinafter in this Act 
    referred to as the ``1808 Transatlantic Slave Trade Act'') and made 
    it unlawful ``to import or bring into the United States or 
    territories thereof from any foreign kingdom, place or country, any 
    negro, mulatto, or person of colour, with intent to hold, sell, or 
    dispose of such * * * as a slave, or to be held to service or 
    labour''.
        (2) Article I, Section 9 of the United States Constitution 
    clearly spelled out that the international slave trade could not be 
    banned before 1808, and it is only on January 1, 1808, that the 
    1808 Transatlantic Slave Trade Act went into effect.
        (3) An Act entitled ``An Act to continue in force `An act to 
    protect the commerce of the United States, and punish the crime of 
    piracy,' and also to make further provisions for punishing the 
    crime of piracy'', enacted May 15, 1820, made it unlawful for any 
    citizen of the United States to engage ``in the slave trade, or * * 
    *, being of the crew or ship's company of any foreign ship * * *, 
    seize any negro or mulatto * * * with the intent to make * * * a 
    slave * * * or forcibly bring * * * on board any such ship * * 
    *.''.
        (4) The transatlantic slave trade entailed the kidnapping, 
    purchase, and commercial export of Africans, mostly from West and 
    Central Africa, to the European colonies and new nations in the 
    Americas, including the United States, where they were enslaved in 
    forced labor between the 15th and mid-19th centuries.
        (5) The term ``Middle Passage'' refers to the horrific part of 
    the transatlantic slave trade when millions of Africans were 
    chained together and stowed by the hundreds in overcrowded ships 
    where they were forced into small spaces for months without relief 
    as they were transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas.
        (6) During the Middle Passage, enslaved Africans resisted their 
    enslavement through non-violent and violent means, including hunger 
    strikes, suicide, and shipboard revolts, the most historically-
    recognized events taking place on board the Don Carlos in 1732 and 
    on board the Amistad in 1839.
        (7) Scholars estimate that, at a minimum, between 10,000,000 
    and 15,000,000 Africans survived the Middle Passage, were imported 
    as chattel through customs houses and ports across the Americas, 
    and were sold into slavery.
        (8) The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United 
    States recognizes that ``Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, 
    except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been 
    duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place 
    subject to their jurisdiction.''.
        (9) The slave trade and the legacy of slavery continue to have 
    a profound impact on social and economic disparity, hatred, bias, 
    racism, and discrimination, and continue to affect people in the 
    Americas, particularly those of African descent.
        (10) In 2007, the British Parliament marked the 200th 
    anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the former 
    British Empire with plans launched by the Department for Education 
    and Skills which provided joint funding of  910,000 ($1,800,000) 
    for the Understanding Slavery Initiative, and the Heritage Lottery 
    Fund announced awards of over  20,000,000 ($40,000,000) for 
    projects to commemorate the anniversary.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish the 
Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade to--
        (1) ensure a suitable national observance of the bicentennial 
    anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade by 
    sponsoring and supporting commemorative programs;
        (2) cooperate with and assist programs and activities 
    throughout the United States in observance of the bicentennial 
    anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade;
        (3) assist in ensuring that the observations of the 
    bicentennial anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic 
    slave trade are inclusive and appropriately recognize the 
    experiences of all people during this period in history;
        (4) support and facilitate international involvement in 
    observances of the bicentennial anniversary of the abolition of the 
    transatlantic slave trade; and
        (5) study the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on the 
    United States and the Americas.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
    There is established a commission to be known as the ``Commission 
on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade'' (referred to in 
this Act as the ``Commission'').
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND RELATED MATTERS.
    (a) Membership.--
        (1) In general.--
            (A) The Commission shall be composed of nine members, of 
        whom--
                (i) three shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
            House of Representatives;
                (ii) two shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of 
            the Senate;
                (iii) two shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of 
            the House of Representatives; and
                (iv) two shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of 
            the Senate.
            (B) Each appointing authority described in subparagraph (A) 
        shall appoint the initial members of the Commission not later 
        than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
        (2) Qualifications.--Members of the Commission shall be 
    individuals with demonstrated expertise or experience in the study 
    and program facilitation on the transatlantic slave trade and the 
    institution of slavery as it relates to the United States and the 
    Americas.
        (3) Term; vacancies.--
            (A) Term.--A member of the Commission shall be appointed 
        for the life of the Commission.
            (B) Vacancies.--
                (i) In general.--A vacancy on the Commission shall be 
            filled in the same manner in which the original appointment 
            was made.
                (ii) Partial term.--A member appointed to fill a 
            vacancy on the Commission shall serve for the remainder of 
            the term for which the predecessor of the member was 
            appointed.
        (4) Meetings.--
            (A) In general.--The Commission shall meet--
                (i) as many times as necessary; or
                (ii) at the call of the Chairperson or the majority of 
            the members of the Commission.
            (B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the 
        Commission shall hold its initial meeting.
            (C) Notice of meetings.--All Commission members shall be 
        given reasonable advance notice of all Commission meetings.
            (D) Appointment of chairperson and executive director.--Not 
        later than 60 days after the date on which all members of the 
        Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall--
                (i) designate one of the members as Chairperson; and
                (ii) select an executive director as described under 
            subsection (d)(2).
        (5) Voting.--
            (A) In general.--The Commission shall act only on an 
        affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the 
        Commission.
            (B) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission, 
        which includes at least one member appointed pursuant to clause 
        (iii) or (iv) of paragraph (1)(A), shall constitute a quorum 
        for conducting business but fewer members may meet or hold 
        hearings.
    (b) Duties.--
        (1) In general.--The Commission shall--
            (A) plan, develop, and execute programs and activities 
        appropriate to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the 
        abolition of the transatlantic slave trade;
            (B) facilitate commemoration-related activities throughout 
        the United States;
            (C) encourage civic, historical, educational, religious, 
        economic, and other organizations, as well as State and local 
        governments, throughout the United States to organize and 
        participate in anniversary activities to expand the 
        understanding and appreciation of the significance of the 
        transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, 
        particularly as it relates to the United States;
            (D) coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly 
        research on, publication about, and interpretation of, the 
        transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, 
        particularly as it relates to the United States;
            (E) assist in the development of appropriate programs and 
        facilities to ensure that the bicentennial anniversary of the 
        abolition of the transatlantic slave trade provides a lasting 
        legacy and long-term public benefit;
            (F) support and facilitate marketing efforts for the 
        issuance of a commemorative coin, postage stamp, and related 
        activities for observances;
            (G) facilitate the convening of a joint meeting or joint 
        session of the Congress for ceremonies and activities relating 
        to the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of 
        slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States;
            (H) promote the sponsorship of conferences, exhibitions, or 
        public meetings concerning the transatlantic slave trade and 
        the institution of slavery, particularly as it relates to the 
        United States;
            (I) coordinate and facilitate the sponsorship of high 
        school and collegiate essay contests concerning the 
        transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, 
        particularly as it relates to the United States; and
            (J) examine reports of modern-day slavery and human 
        trafficking to raise the public's awareness of these matters 
        and ensure such atrocities do not go unnoticed by the people of 
        the United States.
        (2) Initial report.--Not later than March 31, 2009, the 
    Commission shall submit to the Congress a report containing a 
    summary of the activities of the Commission for 2008.
    (c) Powers of the Commission.--The Commission may--
        (1) accept donations and gift items related to the 
    transatlantic slave trade, the institution of slavery, and the 
    significance of slavery to the history of the United States;
        (2) appoint such advisory committees as the Commission 
    determines necessary to carry out this Act;
        (3) authorize any member or employee of the Commission to take 
    any action that the Commission is authorized to take under this 
    Act;
        (4) procure supplies, services, and property, and make or enter 
    into contracts, leases, or other legal agreements, to carry out 
    this Act (except that any contracts, leases, or other legal 
    agreements made or entered into by the Commission shall not extend 
    beyond the date of the termination of the Commission); and
        (5) use the United States mails in the same manner and under 
    the same conditions as other Federal agencies.
    (d) Personnel Matters.--
        (1) Compensation of members of the commission.--
            (A) Basic pay.--Members of the Commission shall not receive 
        compensation for the performance of their duties on behalf of 
        the Commission.
            (B) Travel expenses.--Upon approval of the Chairperson, a 
        member of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, 
        including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized 
        for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 
        of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or 
        regular place of business in the performance of their duties on 
        behalf of the Commission.
        (2) Staff.--
            (A) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall, 
        without regard to the civil service laws (including 
        regulations), appoint and terminate an executive director and 
        such other additional personnel as are necessary to enable the 
        Commission to perform its duties.
            (B) Executive director.--
                (i) Qualifications.--The person appointed executive 
            director shall have demonstrated expertise or experience in 
            the study and program facilitation on the transatlantic 
            slave trade and the institution of slavery, particularly as 
            it relates to the United States.
                (ii) Confirmation.--The employment of an executive 
            director shall be subject to confirmation by the members of 
            the Commission.
            (C) Compensation.--The Chairperson of the Commission may 
        fix the compensation of the executive director and other 
        personnel without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and 
        subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, 
        relating to classification of positions and General Schedule 
        pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive 
        director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable 
        for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of 
        such title.
            (D) Volunteer and uncompensated services.--Notwithstanding 
        section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission 
        may accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services as the 
        Commission determines necessary.
    (e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The 
Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent 
services in accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5, United States 
Code, at rates for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent 
of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5316 of that title.
    (f) Non-Applicability of FACA.--Section 14(b) of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the 
Commission.
SEC. 5. TERMINATION.
    (a) Date of Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on 
December 31, 2009.
    (b) Final Report.--Upon termination, the Commission shall submit to 
the Congress a report containing--
        (1) a detailed statement of the activities of the Commission; 
    and
        (2) a final accounting of the funds received and expended by 
    the Commission.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.

Answer:
Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act - Establishes the Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Sets forth Commission duties, including: (1) planning activities appropriate to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade; (2) encouraging civic, historical, educational, religious, economic entities, as well as state and local governments to participate in anniversary activities; (3) facilitating the convening of a joint meeting or joint session of the Congress for related ceremonies and activities; (4) promoting the sponsorship of related conferences and exhibitions; and (5) examining reports and raise public awareness of of modern-day slavery and human trafficking.

Directs the Commission to submit an initial report to Congress by March 31, 2009, and a final report upon termination.

Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2009.