Joint resolution to establish a National Commission on Product Safety
PL 90-146 (S.J.Res.33), enacted 11/20/1967

466 
PUBLIC LAW 90-144-NOV. 17, 1967 
[81 STAT. 
November 17, 1967 
[H. R. 11627] 
Public Law 90-144 
AN ACT 
To amend the Act of June 16, 1948, to authorize the State of Maryland, by and 
through its State roads commission or the successors of said conunission. to 
construct, maintain, and operate certain additional bridges and tunnels in the 
State of Maryland. 
Maryland. 
Additiorjal 
bridges and tun-
nels, authoriza-
tion. 
Be it encwted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the first section 
of the Act of June 16, 1948 (62 Stat. 463, Public Law 654, Eightietli 
Congress) is amended by striking out "and (2)" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "(2)" and by striking out the period at the end thereof and 
inserting m lieu thereof a comma and the following: "(3) a bridge 
parallel to the existing Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the State of Mary-
land from a point in Anne Arundel County at or near Sandy Point to 
a point in Queen Annes County at or near Kent Island, and approaches, 
including connecting highways, thereto, (4) a bridge across or a tunnel 
under the Chesapeake Bay in the State of Maryland from a point in 
Baltimore County at or near Millers Island to a point in Kent County, 
or a combined bridge and tunnel at such location, and approaches, 
including connecting highways, thereto, (5) a bridge across or a tunnel 
under the Chesapeake Baj^ in the State of Maryland from a point in 
Calvert County to a point in Dorchester County, or a combined bridge 
and tunnel at such location, and approaches, including connecting 
highways, thereto, and (6) an additional tunnel under or a bridge 
across the Patapsco River from a point at or near Hawkins Point in 
the city of Baltimore to a point at or near Sparrows Point in Baltimore 
County, and approaches, including connecting highways, thereto."' 
SEC. 2. The first sentence of section 3 of such Act of June 16,1948, 
is amended by striking out "either or both" at eiich of the two places 
where it appears and inserting in lieu thereof at each such place "any 
one or more 
Approved November 17, 1967. 
November 17, 1967 
[H. R. 13165] 
Public Law 90-145 
AN ACT 
To extend the period during which Secret Service protection may be furnished 
to a widow and minor children of a former President. 
Former Presi-
dential family. 
Protection. 
65 Stat. 122; 
79 Stat. 791. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of AiJierica in Congress assembled, That the authority 
vested in the United States Secret Service by section 3056 of title 18 
of the United States Code to protect the person of a widow and minor 
children of a former President is extended until March 1, 1969, with 
respect to persons receiving such protection on the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
Approved November 17, 1967. 
November 20, 1967 
[S.J. Res. 33] 
Public Law 90-146 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
To establish a National Commission on Product Safety. 
Whereas the American consumer has a right to be protected against 
unreasonable risk of bodily harm from products purchased on the 
open market for the use of himself and his family; 
81 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 9 0 - 1 4 6 - N O V . 20, 1967 
467 
Whereas manufacturers whose products are marketed substantially 
in interstate commerce are entitled to a reasonable degree of uni-
formity in the application of safety regulations to such products; 
Whereas it is desirable to establish a commission to review the scope, 
adequacy, and uniformity of existing voluntary self-regulation and 
Federal, State, and local law relating to consumer protection 
against such hazardous products; and 
Whereas it is desirable for such commission to make recommendations 
as it deems appropriate for remedial action by the President, the 
Congress, the States, and private industry: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled^ That (a) there is hereby 
National com-
established a National Commission on Product Safety (hereinafter ucfs'^f^ty? *°^' 
referred to as the "Commission"). 
Establishment. 
(b) The Commission shall be composed of seven members appointed 
Membership. 
by the President from among persons who are specially qualified to 
serve on such Commission by virtue of their education^ training, or ex-
perience. Not more than four members of the Commission may be mem-
bers of the same political party. 
(c) Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers. 
(d) The President shall designate one of the members to serve as 
Chairman and one to serve as Vice Chairman of the Commission. 
(e) Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. 
DUTIES OF T H E COMMISSION 
SEC. 2. (a) The Commission shall conduct a comprehensive study 
and investigation of the scope and adequacy of measures now em-
ployed to protect consumers against unreasonable risk of injuries 
which may be caused by hazardous household products. Such study 
and investigation shall include consideration of the following: 
• ; 
(1) the identity of categories of household products, except 
such products excluded in section 6, which may present an 
unreasonable hazard to the health and safety of the consuming 
public; 
(2) the extent to which self-regulation by industry affords 
such protection; 
(3) the protection against such hazardous products afforded at 
common law in the States, including the relationship of product 
warranty to such protection; and 
(4) a review of Federal, State, and local laws relating to the 
protection of consumers against categories of such hazardous 
products, including the scope of coverage, the effectiveness of 
sanctions, the adequacy of investigatory powers, the uniformity of 
application, and the quality of enforcement. 
(b) As soon as practicable, the Commission shall publish in the 
Publication in 
Federal Eegister a list of the categories of household products which ^ ^
"
^
^ Register. 
it proposes to study and investigate. The Commission shall afford an 
opportunity for any interested person to submit his views concerning 
any category of household product on the published list. 
(c) The Commission may transmit to the President and to the jent'Ln'd c'cr'-*^*^^ 
Congress such interim reports as it deems advisable and shall trans- gress. 
mit its final report to the President and to the Congress not later 
than two years from the date of approval of this joint resolution. Such 
final report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings and 
conclusions of the Commission together with its recommendations 
for such legislation as it deems appropriate. 
468 
PUBLIC LAW 90-146-NOV. 20, 1967 
[81 STAT. 
Hearings. 
Publication in 
Federal Register. 
Compliance 
orders. 
Cooperation 
with Federal 
agencies. 
Contract author-
ity. 
Publication of 
information. 
POWERS OF THE COMMISSION 
SEC. 3. (a) The Commission, or any two members thereof as author-
ized by the Commission, may conduct hearings anywhere in the United 
States or otherwise secure data and expressions of opinions pertinent 
to the study. The Commission shall publish notice of any proposed 
hearing in the Federal Kegister and shall afford a reasonable oppor-
tunity for interested persons to present relevant testimony and data. 
In connection therewith the Commission is authorized by majority 
vote— 
(1) to require, by special or general orders, corporations, busi-
ness firms, and individuals to submit in writing such reports and 
answers to questions as the Commission may prescribe; such sub-
mission shall be made within such reasonable period and under 
oath or otherwise as the Commission may determine; 
(2) to administer oaths; 
(3) to require by subpena the attendance and testimony of wit-
nesses and the production of all documentary evidence relating 
to the execution of its duties; 
(4) in the case of disobedience to a subpena or order issued 
under this subsection, to invoke the aid of any district court of the 
United States in requiring compliance with such subpena or order; 
(5) in any proceeding or investigation to order testimony to 
be taken by deposition before any person who is designated by 
the Commission and has the power to administer oaths, and in 
such instances to compel testimony and the production of evidence 
in the same manner as authorized under paragraphs (3) and (4) 
of this subsection; and 
(6) to pay witnesses the same fees and mileage as are paid in 
like circumstances in the courts of the United States. 
(b) Any district court of the United States within the jurisdiction 
of which an inquiry is carried on may, in case of refusal to obey a sub-
pena or order of the Commission issued under subsection (a) of this 
section, issue an order requiring'compliance therewith; and any fail-
ure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a 
contempt thereof. 
(c) The Commission is authorized to request from any department, 
agency, or independent instrumentality of the Government any 
information it deems necessary to carry out its functions under this 
joint resolution; and each such department, agency, or independent 
instrumentality is authorized to cooperate with the Commission and, 
to the extent permitted by law, to furnish such information to the 
Commission upon request made by the Chairman or the Vice Chair-
man when acting as Chairman. 
(d) The Commission is authorized to enter into contracts with 
Federal or State agencies, private firms, institutions, and individuals 
for the conduct of research or surveys, the preparation of reports, 
and other activities necessary to the discharge of its duties. 
(e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), when the Commis-
sion finds that publication of any information obtained by it is in the 
public interest and would not give an unfair competitive advantage 
to any person, it is authorized to publish such information in the form 
and manner deemed best adapted for public use, except that data and 
information which would separately disclose the business transac-
'••m 
81 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 9 0 - 1 4 6 - N O V . 20, 1967 
469 
tions of any person, trade secrets, or names of customers shall be held 
confidential and shall not be disclosed by the Commission or its staff: 
Provided^ however^ That the Commission shall permit business firms 
or individuals reasonable access to documents furnished by them for 
the purpose of obtaining or copying such documents as need may 
arise. 
(2) Prior to a finding by the Commission that the publication of 
any information with respect to any category of household product, 
" ' iolibow 
is in the public interest and would not give an unfair competitive 
advantage to any person, the Commission shall (i) notify to the extent 
practicable all known manufacturers of any such products of such 
contemplated finding together with a synopsis of the information 
being considered for publication, and (ii) afford an opportunity not 
longer than thirty days for any such manufacturer to submit views 
* " - "' 
with respect to the contemplated publication. 
(f) The Commission is authorized to delegate any of its functions 
' -
to individual members of the Commission or to designate individuals 
on its staff and to make such rules and regulations as are necessary 
^ 
for the conduct of its business, except as herein otherwise provided. 
COMPENSATION" OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION 
' 
'^ ' *
* 
•litBJiqv 
SEC. 4. Each member of the Commission may receive compensation 
at the rate of $100 for each day such member is engaged upon work 
of the Commission, and shall be reimbursed for travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence as authorized by law (5 IJ.S.C. 
5703) for persons in the Government service employed intermittently, 
so stat. 499. 
ADMINISTRATION 
SEC. 5. (a) The Commission is authorized, without regard to the 
Executive oirec-
provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in °Appointment. 
the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chap-
ter 51 and subchapter I I I of chapter 53 of such title relating to clas- ^ *° ^'^*- '^'^^' 
sification and General Schedule pay rates, to appoint and fix the 
5 use 5101 ef 
compensation of an Executive Director and the Executive Director, ^eq, 5331 ei seq. 
with the approval of the Commission, may employ and fix the com-
pensation of such additional personnel as may be necessary to carry 
out the functions of the Commission, but no individual so appointed 
shall receive compensation in excess of the rate authorized for GS-18 
by section 5332 of such title. 
^ost. p. 625. 
(b) The Executive Director, with the approval of the Commission, 
Experts and 
is authorized to obtain services in accordance with the provisions of 
section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individ- 
so stat. 416. 
uals not to exceed $100 per diem. 
(c) The head of any Federal agency is authorized to detail, on a 
reimbursable basis, any of its personnel to assist in carrying out the 
duties of the Commission under this joint resolution. 
(d) Financial and administrative services (including those related JJ;?^':'-^}. ^""^ 
to budgeting and accounting, financial reporting, personnel, and pro-
curement) shall be provided the Commission by the General Services 
Administration, for which payment shall be made in advance, or by 
reimbursement, from funds of the Commission in such amounts as 
may be agreed upon, by the Chairman of the Commission and the 
Administrator of General Services. Regulations of the General Serv-
ices Administration for the collection of indebtedness of personnel 
resulting from erroneous payments shall apply to the collection of 
erroneous payments made to or on behalf of a (Commission employee, 
and regulations of said Administrator for the administrative control 
administrative 
services. 
470 
PUBLIC LAW 90-146-NOV. 20, 1967 
[81 STAT. 
Termination of 
Commission. 
of funds shall apply to appropriations of the Commission, but the 
Commission shall not be required to prescribe such regulations. 
(e) Ninety days after submission of its final report, as provided in 
section 2 (c), the Commission shall cease to exist. 
"Household 
products." 
80 Stat. 718. 
67 Stat. 111. 
52 Stat. 1040. 
74 Stat. 372. 
79 Stat. 28 2. 
52 Stat. 1250. 
68A Stat. 721. 
61 Stat. 163. 
Appropriation. 
DEFINITION 
SEC. 6. As used in this joint resolution, the term "household 
products" means products customarily produced or distributed for 
sale through retail sales agencies or instrumeutalities for use by a 
consumer or any member of his family in or around the household. 
Such term does not include products which are subject to regulations 
prescribed under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act 
of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.), the Flammable Fabrics Act (15 
U.S.C. 1191 et seq.), the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 
U.S.C. 301 et seq.), the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act 
(15 U.S.C 1261 et seq.), the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Adver-
tising Act (15 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.), the Federal Firearms Act (15 
U.S.C. 901 et seq.), the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.), 
and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 
U.S.C. 135 et seq.). 
,.>,:.,,..,.> 
AUTHORIZATION 
SEC. 7. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums, not to 
exceed $2,000,000, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this joint resolution. 
Approved November 20, 1967.