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

This Act may be cited as the ''Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of
2011''.

SEC. 2. CERTAIN DISEASES PRESUMED TO BE WORK-RELATED CAUSE OF
DISABILITY OR DEATH FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES IN FIRE
PROTECTION ACTIVITIES.

(a) Definition.--Section 8101 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by striking ''and'' at the end of paragraph (19), by striking
the period at the end of paragraph (20) and inserting ''; and'', and by
adding at the end the following:
''(21) 'employee in fire protection activities' means a
firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, rescue
worker, ambulance personnel, or hazardous material worker,
who--
''(A) is trained in fire suppression;
''(B) has the legal authority and responsibility to
engage in fire suppression;
''(C) is engaged in the prevention, control, and
extinguishment of fires or response to emergency
situations where life, property, or the environment is
at risk; and
''(D) performs such activities as a primary
responsibility of his or her job.''.
(b) Presumption Relating to Employees in Fire Protection
Activities.--Section 8102 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
''(c)(1) With regard to an employee in fire protection activities,
a disease specified in paragraph (3) shall be presumed to be
proximately caused by the employment of such employee, subject to the
length of service requirements specified. The disability or death of an
employee in fire protection activities due to such a disease shall be
presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the
performance of such employee's duty. Such presumptions may be rebutted
by a preponderance of the evidence.
''(2) Such presumptions apply only if the employee in fire
protection activities is diagnosed with the disease for which
presumption is sought within 10 years of the last active date of
employment as an employee in fire protection activities.
''(3) The following diseases shall be presumed to be proximately
caused by the employment of the employee in fire protection activities:
''(A) If the employee has been employed for a minimum of 5
years in aggregate as an employee in fire protection
activities:
''(i) Heart disease.
''(ii) Lung disease.
''(iii) The following cancers:
''(I) Brain cancer.
''(II) Cancer of the blood or lymphatic
systems.
''(III) Leukemia.
''(IV) Lymphoma (except Hodgkin's disease).
''(V) Multiple myeloma.
''(VI) Bladder cancer.
''(VII) Kidney cancer.
''(VIII) Testicular cancer.
''(IX) Cancer of the digestive system.
''(X) Colon cancer.
''(XI) Liver cancer.
''(XII) Skin cancer.
''(XIII) Lung cancer.
''(iv) Any other cancer the contraction of which
the Secretary of Labor through regulations determines
to be related to the hazards to which an employee in
fire protection activities may be subject.
''(B) Regardless of the length of time an employee in fire
protection activities has been employed, any uncommon
infectious disease, including but not limited to tuberculosis,
hepatitis A, B, or C, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
and any other uncommon infectious disease the contraction of
which the Secretary of Labor through regulations determines to
be related to the hazards to which an employee in fire
protection activities may be subject.''.
(c) Report.--Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall examine the
implementation of this Act and appropriate scientific and medical data
related to the health risks associated with firefighting and submit to
Congress a report which shall include--
(1) an analysis of the injury claims made under this Act;
(2) an analysis of the available research related to the
health risks associated with firefighting; and
(3) recommendations for any administrative or legislative
actions necessary to ensure that those diseases most associated
with firefighting are included in the presumption created by
this Act.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section applies to
an injury that is first diagnosed or a death that occurs, on or after
the date of enactment of this Act.

SOLUTION: Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2011- Provides that: (1) specified diseases, including heart disease, lung disease, tuberculosis, hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus, and specified cancers, of federal employees in fire protection activities shall be presumed to be proximately caused by such employment if the employee is diagnosed with the disease within 10 years of the last active date of employment in fire protection activities; (2) the disability or death of such an employee due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence.

Defines an "employee in fire protection activities" as a firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, rescue worker, ambulance personnel, or hazardous material worker, who: (1) is trained in fire suppression; (2) has the legal authority and responsibility to engage in fire suppression; (3) is engaged in the prevention, control, and extinguishment of fires or response to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk; and (4) performs such activities as a primary responsibility of his or her job.

Directs the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to examine the implementation of this Act and appropriate scientific and medical data related to the health risks associated with firefighting and to report to Congress on: (1) an analysis of the injury claims made under this Act; (2) an analysis of the available research related to the health risks associated with firefighting; and (3) recommendations for any administrative or legislative actions necessary to ensure that those diseases most associated with firefighting are included in the presumption created by this Act.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Fairness for Homeowners Act of
2007''.

SEC. 2. ORIGINATIONS OF CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTIONS SECURED BY THE
CONSUMER'S PRINCIPAL DWELLING.

(a) In General.--The Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)
is amended by inserting after section 129 the following new section:
''Sec. 129A. Originations of consumer credit transactions secured by
the consumer's principal dwelling
''(a) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the following
definitions shall apply:
''(1) Fully indexed rate.--The term 'fully indexed rate'
equals the index rate prevailing at the time a consumer credit
transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling is
originated, plus the margin that will apply after the
expiration of an introductory interest rate.
''(2) Mortgage broker.--The term 'mortgage broker' means
any person who is defined as a mortgage broker under applicable
State law.
''(b) Requirements for Originators.--
''(1) Ability to pay.--
''(A) In general.--No creditor or mortgage broker
may make, provide, or arrange for any consumer credit
transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling
without verifying the consumer's reasonable ability to
pay the scheduled payments of the following, as
applicable: principal; interest; real estate taxes;
homeowner's insurance, assessments, and mortgage
insurance premiums.
''(B) Variable interest rate.--In the case of any
consumer credit transaction secured by a consumer's
principal dwelling for which the applicable annual
percentage rate may vary over the life of the credit,
the reasonable ability to pay shall be determined, for
purposes of this paragraph, on the basis of a fully
indexed rate plus 200 basis points and a repayment
schedule which achieves full amortization over the life
of the extension of credit.
''(C) Verification of consumer income and financial
resources.--In the case of any consumer credit
transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling,
the income and financial resources of the consumer
shall be verified for purposes of this paragraph by tax
returns, payroll receipts, bank records, or other
similarly reliable documents.
''(D) Other criteria.--No provision of this
paragraph shall be construed as prohibiting reliance on
criteria other than a consumer's income and financial
resources to establish the reasonable ability of the
consumer to repay any consumer credit transaction
secured by the consumer's principal dwelling, to the
extent such other criteria are also verified through
reasonably reliable methods and documentation.
''(E) Consumer statement is insufficient proof.--A
statement by a consumer of the consumer's income or
financial resources shall not be sufficient to
establish the existence of any income or financial
resources when verifying the reasonable ability of the
consumer to repay any consumer credit transaction
secured by the consumer's principal dwelling, for
purposes of this paragraph.
''(2) Prohibition on steering.--No creditor or mortgage
broker may make, provide, or arrange for any consumer credit
transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling that is
of a lower investment grade if--
''(A) the consumer's credit score; or
''(B) comparable underwriting data, in any case in
which the creditor or mortgage broker does not utilize
credit scoring or a credit score for the consumer is
unavailable,
indicates that the borrower may qualify for a consumer credit
transaction, available from or through the creditor or mortgage
broker, that is of a higher investment grade.
''(3) Prohibition on prepayment penalties for arms.--
''(A) In general.--In the case of any consumer
credit transaction secured by a consumer's principal
dwelling that provides for variable rates of interest
on the credit extended under the transaction, the
transaction may not contain terms under which a
consumer must pay a prepayment penalty for paying all
or part of the principal before the date on which the
principal is due.
''(B) Exclusion for jumbo mortgages.--Subparagraph
(A) shall not apply to any consumer credit transaction
secured by a consumer's principal dwelling the
principal amount (as defined in subsection (c)(2)) of
which exceeds the maximum dollar amount limitation (for
a residence of the applicable size) on the amount of
the principal obligation of a mortgage for a 1- to 4-
family residence that may be purchased by the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as then in effect
pursuant to section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation Act.
''(c) Limitation on Financed Points, Charges, and Fees.--
''(1) In general.--No creditor or mortgage broker may, in
connection with any consumer credit transaction secured by the
consumer's principal dwelling, include in the principal amount
of such transaction any portion of any qualified finance charge
in excess of the amount which is equal to 5 percent of the
principal amount of the transaction.
''(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the
following definitions shall apply:
''(A) Qualified finance charge.--The term
'qualified finance charge' means the sum of--
''(i) the finance charge as determined
under section 106, minus any interest and time
price differential; and
''(ii) all compensation paid to a mortgage
broker from any source in connection with this
transaction.
''(B) Principal amount.--The term 'principal
amount' means--
''(i) in the case of any consumer credit
transaction under an open end credit plan
secured by the consumer's principal dwelling,
the maximum amount of credit that may be
extended under the terms of such plan as
determined without taking into account any
amount included in determining the finance
charge under section 106; and
''(ii) in the case of any other consumer
credit transaction secured by a consumer's
principal dwelling, the amount financed (as
defined in section 138(a)(2)).
''(3) Prohibition on excessive finance charges.--No
creditor or mortgage broker may, in connection with any
consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal
dwelling, impose or receive any amount included in determining
the qualified finance charge for such transaction that exceeds
the amount which is equal to 5 percent of the principal amount
of the transaction.
''(4) Exception.--This subsection shall not apply to any
consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal
dwelling that is ensured or guaranteed by the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, or the Farmers Home Administration.
''(d) Mortgage Broker Duties of Agency.--
''(1) In general.--Any mortgage broker acting to obtain or
arrange for any consumer credit transaction secured by the
consumer's principal dwelling shall be considered to have an
agency relationship with the consumer in all cases by operation
of law and shall comply with the following duties:
''(A) Mortgage brokers shall act in the consumer's
best interest and in the utmost good faith toward each
consumer and shall not compromise a consumer's right or
interest in favor of another's right or interest,
including a right or interest of the mortgage broker.
''(B) A mortgage broker shall not accept, give, or
charge any undisclosed compensation or realize any
undisclosed remuneration, either through direct or
indirect means, that inures to the benefit of the
mortgage broker on an expenditure made for the
consumer.
''(C) Mortgage brokers shall carry out all lawful
instructions given by the consumer.
''(D) Mortgage brokers shall disclose to consumers
all material facts of which the mortgage broker has
knowledge which might reasonably affect the consumer's
rights, interests, or ability to receive the consumer's
intended benefit from the consumer credit transaction,
but not facts which are reasonably susceptible to the
knowledge of the consumer.
''(E) Mortgage brokers shall use reasonable care in
performing duties.
''(F) Mortgage brokers shall account to a consumer
for all the consumer's money and property received as
agent.
''(2) Scope.--The duty of agency between mortgage broker
and consumer applies when the mortgage broker is acting in the
capacity of mortgage broker providing mortgage brokerage
services with respect to any consumer credit transaction
secured by the consumer's principal dwelling for which the
broker is not the creditor.
''(3) Rules of construction.--
''(A) Fees for services rendered.--No provision of
this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting a
mortgage broker from contracting for or collecting a
fee for services rendered which had been disclosed to
the consumer in advance of the provision of such
services.
''(B) Duty of broker.--No provision of this
subsection shall be construed as requiring a mortgage
broker--
''(i) to obtain or arrange for any consumer
credit transaction secured by the consumer's
principal dwelling on behalf of a consumer that
contains terms or conditions not available to
the mortgage broker in the mortgage broker's
usual course of business; or
''(ii) to obtain or arrange for any
consumer credit transaction secured by the
consumer's principal dwelling from a creditor
with whom the mortgage broker does not have a
business relationship.
''(e) Independent Verification of Consumer Counseling Before
Refinancing Special Mortgages.--
''(1) In general.--No creditor or mortgage broker may make,
provide, or arrange for any consumer credit transaction secured
by the consumer's principal dwelling all or a portion of the
proceeds of which are used to fully or partially pay off a
special mortgage unless the borrower has obtained a written
certification from an authorized independent loan counselor
that the borrower has received counseling on the advisability
of the transaction.
''(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the
following definitions shall apply:
''(A) Special mortgage.--The term 'special
mortgage' means any consumer credit transaction secured
by the consumer's principal dwelling that was
originated, subsidized, funded, or guaranteed by or
through a State, tribal, or local government, or
nonprofit organization, that bears 1 or more of the
following nonstandard payment terms which substantially
benefit the consumer:
''(i) Payments vary with income.
''(ii) Payments of principal or interest
are not required or can be deferred under
specified conditions.
''(iii) Principal or interest is forgivable
under specified conditions.
''(iv) Either no interest or an annual
interest rate of 2 percent or less is charged
in connection with the loan.
''(B) Authorized loan counselor.--The term
'authorized independent loan counselor' means any
nonprofit, third-party individual or organization
providing homebuyer education programs, foreclosure
prevention services, mortgage loan counseling, or
credit counseling that is certified by the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development, or certified by any
State housing agency or nonprofit organization
designated by such Secretary, for such purposes.
''(f) Minimum Financial Requirements for Mortgage Brokers.--No
mortgage broker may obtain or arrange for any consumer credit
transaction secured by the consumer's principal dwelling unless at all
times the mortgage broker--
''(1) maintains a minimum net worth, net of intangibles, of
at least $500,000, as determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles; or
''(2) maintains a surety bond or irrevocable letter of
credit in the amount of $50,000.
''(g) Enforcement.--For purposes of providing a cause of action for
any failure by a mortgage broker to comply with any requirement imposed
under this section, section 130(a) shall be applied with respect to any
such failure--
''(1) by substituting 'mortgage broker' for 'creditor' each
place such term appears in such section; and
''(2) by treating all qualified finance charges (as defined
in subsection (c)(2)(A)) incurred in the origination of any
consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal
dwelling as actual damages sustained by the consumer as a
result of the failure.
''(h) Exclusion of Reverse Mortgages.--This section shall not apply
with respect to any consumer mortgage transaction that constitutes a
reverse mortgage.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Truth in Lending Act
is amended--
(1) in section 103 (u) (15 U.S.C. 1602(u)), by striking
''and the disclosures required by section 129(a)'' and
inserting ''and the provisions of section 129 and 129A''; and
(2) in section 130 (15 U.S.C. 1640), by inserting ''or
129A'' after section 129 each place such term appears.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 2 of the
Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 129 the following new item:

''129A. Originations of consumer credit transactions secured by the
consumer's principal dwelling.''.

SOLUTION: Fairness for Homeowners Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit any creditor or mortgage broker from making, providing, or arranging for any consumer credit transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling without verifying the consumer's reasonable ability to make the scheduled payments of principal, interest (including variable interest), real estate taxes, homeowner's insurance, assessments, and mortgage insurance premiums.

Prescribes criteria for determining the reasonable ability to make such payments.

Prohibits steering (arranging for a lower investment grade credit transaction if the consumer qualifies for a higher investment grade transaction) and prepayment penalties for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) that are not jumbo mortgages.

Limits financed points, finance charges, and fees to 5% of a transaction's principal, unless the transaction is ensured or guaranteed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or the Farmers Home Administration.

Specifies duties of agency for mortgage brokers acting to obtain or arrange for any consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal dwelling.

Requires creditors and mortgage brokers to obtain independent verification that a borrower seeking to refinance a special mortgage has received counseling on the transaction's advisability. Defines "special mortgage" as one that: (1) was originated, subsidized, funded, or guaranteed by or through a state, tribal, or local government, or nonprofit organization; and (2) bears one or more specified nonstandard payment terms which substantially benefit the consumer.

Prescribes minimum financial requirements for mortgage brokers.

Excludes reverse mortgages from coverage by this Act.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

There is established the National Independent Inquiry Commission on
Disaster Preparedness and Response (in this Act referred to as the
''Commission'').

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

The purposes of the Commission are to--
(1) examine, evaluate, and report on--
(A) the readiness and preparedness of Federal
Government, State, and local governments and agencies
to--
(i) respond to the dramatic effects of
Hurricane Katrina, including a full and
complete account of all Federal activities
before and immediately after Hurricane Katrina
made landfall;
(ii) meet power and utility infrastructure
and telecommunications needs immediately
following Hurricane Katrina making landfall and
all future disasters; and
(iii) prepare for and respond to disasters
of all kinds, sizes, and scopes, including
natural or man-made;
(B) the availability of adequate resources to meet
the needs of displaced individuals and families,
including temporary housing, medical services and
facilities, transportation, and food and water
supplies; and
(C) the effectiveness of rescue and other life-
saving techniques and operations and coordination
between the Armed Forces and Federal, State, and local
governments;
(2) determine if the Federal response to Hurricane Katrina
was and remains coordinated, adequate, and appropriate in size
and scope; and
(3) investigate and report to the President and Congress on
the Federal Government's failure to prepare adequately for and
respond to Hurricane Katrina.

SEC. 3. COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION.

(a) Members.--Subject to the requirements of subsection (b), the
Commission shall be composed of 10 members, of whom--
(1) 1 member shall be appointed by the President, who shall
serve as chairman of the Commission;
(2) 1 member shall be appointed by the leader of the House
of Representatives (majority or minority leader, as the case
may be) of the Democratic Party, in consultation with the
leader of the Senate (majority or minority leader, as the case
may be) of the Democratic Party, who shall serve as vice
chairman of the Commission;
(3) 2 members shall be appointed by the senior member of
the Senate leadership of the Republican Party;
(4) 2 members shall be appointed by the senior member of
the leadership of the House of Representatives of the
Republican Party;
(5) 2 members shall be appointed by the senior member of
the Senate leadership of the Democratic Party; and
(6) 2 members shall be appointed by the senior member of
the leadership of the House of Representatives of the
Democratic Party.
(b) Qualifications.--
(1) Political party affiliation.--Not more than 5 members
of the Commission shall be from the same political party.
(2) Nongovernmental appointees.--No member of the
Commission shall be an officer or employee of the Federal
Government or any State or local government.
(c) Deadline for Appointment.--All members of the Commission shall
be appointed on or before December 15, 2005.
(d) Initial Meeting.--The Commission shall meet and begin the
operations of the Commission as soon as practicable.
(e) Quorum; Vacancies.--After its initial meeting, the Commission
shall meet upon the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its
members. Eight members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. 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.

SEC. 4. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION. .

(a) In General.--The functions of the Commission are to--
(1) investigate the effectiveness and efficiency relating
to the Federal preparation for and response to Hurricane
Katrina, including any legislation, executive order,
regulation, plan, policy, practice, or procedure relating to
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland
Security, and all relevant disaster preparedness and response-
related Federal programs administered by any Federal department
or agency;
(2) identify, review, and evaluate the lessons learned from
the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina regarding the structure,
coordination, management policies, and procedures of the
Federal Government, and, if appropriate, State and local
governments and nongovernmental entities, relative to preparing
for and responding to natural disasters; and
(3) submit to the President and Congress such reports as
are required by this Act containing such findings, conclusions,
and recommendations as the Commission shall determine,
including proposing organization, coordination, planning,
management arrangements, procedures, and regulations.
(b) Scope of Investigation.--For purposes of subsection (a)(1), the
term ''effectiveness and efficiency'' includes facts, plans, policies,
and circumstances relating to--
(1) mitigation;
(2) flood protection;
(3) early warning systems;
(4) evacuation procedures;
(5) life-saving techniques;
(6) law enforcement;
(7) public health;
(8) power and utility infrastructure;
(9) commerce, including commercial aviation and maritime;
(10) telecommunications;
(11) environmental protection; and
(12) other areas of the public and private sectors
determined relevant by the Commission for its inquiry.

SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

(a) Hearings and Evidence.--The Commission may, for purposes of
carrying out this Act--
(1) hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take
testimony, receive evidence, and administer oaths; and
(2) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and
testimony of witnesses and the production of books, records,
correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents.
(b) Subpoenas.--
(1) Service.--Subpoenas issued under subsection (a)(2) may
be served by any person designated by the Commission.
(2) Enforcement.--
(A) In general.--In the case of contumacy or
failure to obey a subpoena issued under subsection
(a)(2), the United States district court for the
judicial district in which the subpoenaed person
resides, is served, or may be found, or where the
subpoena is returnable, may issue an order requiring
such person to appear at any designated place to
testify or to produce documentary or other evidence.
Any failure to obey the order of the court may be
punished by the court as a contempt of that court.
(B) Additional enforcement.--Sections 102 through
104 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (2
U.S.C. 192 through 194) shall apply in the case of any
failure of any witness to comply with any subpoena or
to testify when summoned under authority of this
section.
(c) Closed Meetings.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law
which would require meetings of the Commission to be open to the
public, any portion of a meeting of the Commission may be closed to the
public if the President determines that such portion is likely to
disclose matters that could endanger national security.
(d) Contracting.--The Commission may enter, to such extent and in
such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, into contracts to
enable the Commission to discharge its duties under this Act.
(e) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure
directly from any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United
States any information related to any inquiry of the Commission
conducted under this Act. Each such department, agency, or
instrumentality shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such
information directly to the Commission upon request.
(f) Assistance From Federal Agencies.--
(1) General services administration.--The Administrator of
General Services shall provide to the Commission on a
reimbursable basis administrative support and other services
for the performance of the Commission's functions.
(2) Other departments and agencies.--In addition to the
assistance prescribed in paragraph (1), departments and
agencies of the United States are authorized to provide to the
Commission such services, funds, facilities, staff, and other
support services as they may determine advisable and as may be
authorized by law.
(g) Gifts.--The Commission, to such extent and in such amounts as
are provided in appropriation Acts, may accept, use, and dispose of
gifts or donations of services or property.
(h) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as departments
and agencies of the United States.
(i) Powers of Subcommittees, Members, and Agents.--Any
subcommittee, member, or agent of the Commission may take, if
authorized by the Commission, any action which the Commission is
authorized to take by this section.

SEC. 6. STAFF OF THE COMMISSION.

(a) Director.--The Commission shall have a Director who shall be
appointed by the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson, acting jointly.
(b) Staff.--The Chairperson, in consultation with the Vice
Chairperson, may appoint additional personnel as may be necessary to
enable the Commission to carry out its functions.
(c) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--The Director and
staff of the Commission may be appointed without regard to the
provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in
the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title
relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates; except that
no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of
that payable for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. Any individual appointed
under subsection (a) or (b) shall be treated as an employee for
purposes of chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of such title.
(d) Detailees.--Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to
the Commission without reimbursement from the Commission, and such
detailee shall retain the rights, status, and privileges of his or her
regular employment without interruption.
(e) Consultant Services.--The Commission is authorized to procure
the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109
of title 5, United States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily
rate paid a person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 7. COMPENSATION AND TRAVEL EXPENSES.

(a) Compensation.--Each member of the Commission may be compensated
at not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay
in effect for a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day during which
that member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the
Commission.
(b) Travel Expenses.--While away from their homes or regular places
of business in the performance of services for the Commission, members
of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem
in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed
intermittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under
section 5703(b) of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 8. SECURITY CLEARANCES FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF.

The appropriate executive departments and agencies shall cooperate
with the Commission in expeditiously providing to the Commission
members and staff appropriate security clearances in a manner
consistent with existing procedures and requirements, except that no
person shall be provided with access to classified information under
this section who would not otherwise qualify for such security
clearance.

SEC. 9. REPORTS OF THE COMMISSION; TERMINATION.

(a) Initial Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the
President and Congress an initial report containing such findings,
conclusions, and recommendations for corrective measures as have been
agreed to by a majority of Commission members.
(b) Final Report.--Not later than 6 months after the submission of
the initial report of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to
the President and Congress a final report containing such findings,
conclusions, and recommendations for corrective measures as have been
agreed to by a majority of Commission members.
(c) Termination.--
(1) In general.--The Commission, and all the authorities of
this Act, shall terminate 60 days after the date on which the
final report is submitted under subsection (b).
(2) Administrative activities before termination.--The
Commission may use the 60-day period referred to in paragraph
(1) for the purpose of concluding its activities, including
providing testimony to committees of Congress concerning its
reports and disseminating the final report.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission to carry
out this Act $3,000,000. Such funds shall remain available until
expended.

SOLUTION:
Establishes the bipartisan National Independent Inquiry Commission on Disaster Preparedness and Response to examine and report on the readiness of federal, state, and local governments and agencies to respond to the dramatic effects of Hurricane Katrina, meet power and utility infrastructure and telecommunications needs immediately following Katrina's landfall and all future disasters, and prepare for, and respond to disasters of all kinds, sizes, and scopes, including natural or man-made.

Requires the Commission also to: (1) report on the availability of adequate resources to meet the needs of displaced individuals and families, and the effectiveness of rescue and other life-saving techniques and operations and coordination between the Armed Forces and federal, state, and local governments; (2) determine if the federal response to Hurricane Katrina was and remains coordinated, adequate, and appropriate in size and scope; and (3) investigate and report to the President and Congress on the Federal Government's failure to prepare adequately for and respond to Hurricane Katrina.