A joint resolution to confer certain powers on the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate the Three Mile Island nuclear powerplant accident.
PL 96-12 (S.J.Res.80), enacted 05/23/1979

93 STAT. 26 
PUBLIC LAW 96-12—MAY 23, 1979 
Public Law 96-12 
96th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
May 23, 1979 
[S.J. Res. 80] 
Three Mile 
Island nuclear 
powerplant 
accident. 
Presidential 
Commission for 
investigation. 
42 u s e 5848 
note. 
Definitions. 
42 u s e 5848 
note. 
Subpena powers. 
42 u s e 5848 
note. 
Inspection. 
Contumacy 
provision. 
Serving of 
process and 
papers. 
To confer certain powers on the Presidential Commission appointed to 
investigate the Three Mile Island nuclear powerplant accident. 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That for purposes of this 
joint resolution— 
(1) The term "Commission" means the Commission appointed 
by the President pursuant to Executive Order Numbered 12130, 
dated April 11,1979. 
(2) The term "person" includes a department, agency, or other 
unit of the Federal Government or of a State or local govern-
ment. 
SEC. 2. (a) The Commission, or any member of the Commission 
when so authorized by the Commission, shall have power to issue 
subpenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and 
the production of any evidence from the Nuclear Regulatory Commis-
sion or any person that relates to any matter under investigation by 
the Commission. The Commission, or any member of the Commission 
or any agent or agency designated by the Commission for such 
purpose, may administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, 
and receive evidence. Such attendance of witnesses and the produc-
tion of such evidence may be required from any place within the 
United States at any designated place of hearing. 
(b) The Commission, or any member of the Commission when so 
authorized by the Commission, may issue an order for the inspection 
of the nuclear powerplant at Three Mile Island, or any portion 
thereof, by members of the Commission or any agent or agency 
designated by the Commission. 
(c) In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpena or inspection 
order issued to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or any person 
under subsection (a) or (b), any court of the United States within the 
jurisdiction of which the inquiry is carried on or within the jurisdic-
tion of which the person guilty of contumacy or refusal to obey is 
found or resides or transacts business, upon application by the 
Attorney General, shall have jurisdiction to issue to the Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission or such person an order requiring a witness 
to appear before the Commission, its members, agent, or agency, 
there to produce evidence if so ordered, or there to give testimony 
touching the matter under investigation or in question, or to permit 
inspection of the nuclear powerplant at Three Mile Island or a 
portion thereof; and any failure to obey such order of the court may 
be punished by the court as a contempt thereof. 
(d) Process and papers of the Commission, and its members, agent, 
or agency, may be served either in person or by registered or certified 
mail or by telegraph or by leaving a copy thereof at the residence or 
principal office or place of business of the person required to be 
served. The verified return by the individual so serving the same, 
setting forth the manner of such service, shall be proof of the same, 
and the return post office receipt or telegraph receipt therefor when 
registered or certified and mailed or telegraphed shall be proof of 
PUBLIC LAW 96-12—MAY 23, 1979 
93 STAT. 27 
service of the same. Witnesses summoned before the Commission, or 
its members, agent, or agency, shall be paid the same fees and 
mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States, 
and witnesses whose depositions are taken and the individuals taking 
the same shall severally be entitled to the same fees as are paid for 
like services in the courts of 
the United States. 
(e) No person shall be excused from attending and testifying or 
from producing books, records, correspondence, documents, or other 
evidence in obedience to a subpena or order on the ground that the 
testimony or evidence required of him may tend to incriminate him 
or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture. The Commission may, with 
the approval of the Attorney Greneral, issue an order requiring the 
person to give testimony or provide other information which he 
refuses to give or provide on the basis of his privilege against self-
incrimination in the same manner and subject to the same restric-
tions as a government agency may issue such an order pursuant to 
section 6004 of title 18, United States Code. 
(f) All process of any court to which application may be made under 
this joint resolution may be served in the judicial district wherein the 
perscHi required to be served resides or may be found. 
Approved May 23, 1979. 
Witnesses, fees 
and mileage, 
payment. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
May 17, considered and passed Senate. 
May 21, considered and passed House.