Parole Commission Phaseout Act of 1996
PL 104-232 (S.1507), enacted 10/02/1996

PUBLIC LAW 104-232—OCT. 2, 1996 
110 STAT. 3055 
Public Law 104-232 
104th Congress 
An Act 
To provide for the extension of the Parole Commission to oversee cases of prisoners 
sentenced under prior law, to reduce the size of the Parole Commission, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the "Parole Commission Phaseout 
Act of 1996". 
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF PAROLE COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of section 235(b) of the Sentenc-
ing Reform Act of 1984 (98 Stat. 2032) as it related to chapter 
311 of title 18, United States Code, and the Parole Commission, 
each reference in such section to "ten years" or "ten-year period" 
shall be deemed to be a reference to "fifteen years" or "fifteen-
year period", respectively. 
(b) POWERS AND DUTIES OF PAROLE COMMISSION.—Notwith-
stsmding section 4203 of title 18, United States Code, the United 
States Parole Commission may perform its functions with any 
quorum of Commissioners, or Commissioner, as the Commission 
may prescribe by regulation. 
(c) REDUCTION IN SIZE.— 
(1) Effective December 31, 1999, the total number of 
Commissioners of the United States Parole Commission shall 
not be greater than 2. To the extent necessary to achieve 
this reduction, the Commissioner or Commissioners least senior 
in service shall cease to hold office. 
(2) Effective December 31, 2001, the United States Parole 
Commission shall consist only of that Commissioner who is 
the Chairman of the Commission. 
(3) Effective when the Commission consists of only one 
Commissioner— 
(A) that Commissioner (or in the Commissioner's 
absence, the Attorney General) may delegate to one or 
more hearing examiners the powers set forth in paragraphs 
(1) through (4) of section 4203(b) of title 18, United States 
Code; and 
(B) decisions made pursu£int to such delegation shall 
take effect when made, but shall be subject to review 
and modification by the Commissioner. 
Oct. 2, 1996 
[S. 1507] 
Parole 
Commission 
Phaseout Act of 
1996. 
18 u s e 4201 
note. 
18 u s e 4201 
note. 
Effective dates. 
110 STAT. 3056 
PUBLIC LAW 104-232—OCT. 2, 1996 
18 u s e 4201 
SEC. 3. REPORTS BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning in the year 1998, the Attorney 
General shall report to the Congress not later than May 1 of 
each year through the year 2002 on the status of the United 
States Parole Commission. Unless the Attorney General, in such 
report, certifies that the continuation of the Commission is the 
most effective and cost-efficient manner for canying out the 
Commission's fiinctions, the Attorney General shall include in such 
report an alternative plan for a transfer of the Commission's func-
tions to another entity. 
Effective dates. 
(b) TRANSFER WiTHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.— 
(1) EFFECT OF PLAN.—If the Attorney General includes 
such a plan in the report, and that plan provides for the 
transfer of the Commission's functions and powers to another 
entity within the Department of Justice, such plan shall take 
effect according to its terms on November 1 of that year in 
which the report is made, unless Congress by law provides 
otherwise. In the event such plan takes effect, all laws pertain-
ing to the authority and jurisdiction of the Commission with 
respect to individual offenders shall remain in effect notwith-
standing the expiration of the period specified in section 2 
of this Act. 
18 use 3551 
(2) CONDITIONAL REPEAL.—Effective on the date such plan 
"lote. 
takes effect, paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 235(b) of the 
Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (98 Stat. 2032) are repealed. 
18 u s e 3551 
SEC. 4. REPEAL. 
''°*®" 
Section 235(b)(2) of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (98 
Stat. 2032) is repealed. 
Approved October 2, 1996. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1507: 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 104-789 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 141 (1995): Dec. 22, considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 142 (1996): Sept. 17, considered and passed House, amended. 
Sept. 20, Senate concurred in House amendment.