An Act to create a bipartisan commission to study Federal laws limiting political activity by officers and employees of Government
PL 89-617 (S.1474), enacted 10/03/1966

868 
PUfeLIC LAW 89-617-OCT. 3, 1966 
[80 STAT. 
Public Law 89-617 
October 3, 1966 
AN ACT 
[s. 1474] 
r^Q create a bipartisan commission to study Federal laws limiting political 
activity by officers and emi)loyees of Government. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
pZytlT.^ ^^' 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
Political activ-
ity, study. 
ESTABUSHMENT OF COMMISSION 
SECTION 1. There is hereby established a commission to be known as 
the Commission on Political Activity of Government Personnel (in 
this Act referred to as the "Commission"). 
MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION 
SEC. 2. (a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission shall be 
composed of twelve members as follows: 
(1) Four appointed by the President of the United States, two from 
the executive branch of the Government and two from private life; 
(2) Four appointed by the President of the Senate, two from the 
Senate and two from private life; and 
(3) Four appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
two from the House of Representatives and tw'o from private life. 
(b) POLITICAL AFFILIATION.—Of each class of two members ap-
pointed under subsection (a), not more than one member shall be from 
each of the two major political parties, 
(c) VACANCIES.—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. 
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMISSION 
SEC. 3. The Commission shall elect a Chairman and a Vice Chairman 
from among its members. 
QUORUM 
SEC. 4. Seven members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. 
COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION 
SEC. 5. (a) MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.—Members of Congress who 
are 
members of the Commission shall serve without compensation in addi-
tion to that received for their services as Members of Congress; but 
they shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary 
expenses incurred by them in the performance of the duties vested in 
the Commission. 
(b) MEMBERS FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.—The members of the 
Commission who are in the executive branch of the Government shall 
serve without compensation in addition to that received for their serv-
ices in the executive branch, but they shall be reimbursed for travel, 
subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the per-
formance of the duties vested in the Commission. 
(c) MEMBERS FROM PRIVATE LIFE.—The members from private life 
shall each receive $50 per diem when engaged in the actual perform-
ance of duties vested in the Commission, plus reimbursement for 
travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in 
the performance of such duties. 
80 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 89-617-OCT. 3, 1966 
869 
STAFF OF T H E COMMISSION 
SEC. 6. (a) The Commission shall have power to appoint and fix 
the compensation of such personnel as it deems advisable, without 
regard to the provisions of the civil service laws and the Classification 
Act of 1949, as amended. 
(b) The Commission may procure, without regard to the civil serv- note 
ice laws and the Classification Act of 1949, as amended, temporary 
and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized for the 
departments by section 15 of the Administrative Expenses Act of 1946 
(5 U.S.C. 55a), but at rates not to exceed $50 per diem for individuals. 
63 Stat. 954. 
5 u s e 1071 
60 Stat. 810. 
dent and Con-
gress. 
DUTIES OF T H E COMMISSION 
SEC. 7. (a) STUDY AND INVESTIGATION.—The Commission shall make 
a full and complete investigation and study of the Federal laws which 
limit or discourage the participation of Federal and State officers and 
employees in political activity with a view to determining the effect of 
such laws, the need for their revision or elimination, and an appraisal 
of the extent to which undesirable results might accrue from their 
repeal. 
(b) REPORTS.—The Commission shall submit a comprehensive report , Report to Pre si-
of its activities and the results oi its studies to the President and to the 
Congress within one year after the date of enactment of this Act at 
which date the Commission shall cease to exist. The final report of the 
Commission shall contain such proposed legislative enactments as, 
in the judgment of the Commission, are necessary to carry out its 
recommendations. 
POWERS OF T H E COMMISSION 
SEC. 8. (a) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.—The Commission or, on the 
authorization of the Commission, any subcommittee or member thereof, 
may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, hold 
such hearings and sit and act at such times and places, administer 
such oaths, and require, by subpena or otherwise, the attendance and 
testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, 
corresj>ondence, memorandums, papers, and documents as the Com-
mission or such subcommittee or member may deem advisable. Sub-
penas may be issued under the signature of the Chairman of the 
Commission, of such subcommittee, or any duly designated member, 
and may be served by any person designated by such Chairman or 
member. The provisions of section 102 to 104, inclusive, of the Revised 
Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. sees. 192-194, inclusive), shall 
apply in the case of failure of any witness to compljy with a subpena 
or to testify when summoned under authority of this section. 
(b) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—^The Commission is authorized to 
secure directly from any executive department, bureau, agency, board, 
commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality infor-
mation, suggestions, estimates, and statistics for the purpose of this 
Act; and each such department, bureau, agency, board, commission, 
office, establishment, or instrumentality is authorized and directed to 
furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly 
to the Commission, upon request made by the Chairman or Vice 
Chairman. 
Approved October 3, 1966.