110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1819
To establish the Congressional Commission on Civic Service to study
methods of improving and promoting volunteerism and national service, and
for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 29, 2007
Mr. MCDERMOTT (for himself, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. FARR, Mr. WALSH of New York,
Mr. KENNEDY, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
A BILL
To establish the Congressional Commission on Civic Service to study
methods of improving and promoting volunteerism and national service, 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 `Congressional Commission on Civic Service
Act'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The social fabric of the United States is stronger if individuals
in the United States are committed to protecting and serving our Nation
by utilizing national service and volunteerism to overcome our civic challenges.
(2) A more engaged civic society will strengthen the Nation by bringing
together people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to work on solutions
to some of our Nation's major challenges.
(3) Despite declines in civic health in the past 30 years, national service
and volunteerism among the Nation's youth are increasing, and existing
national service and volunteer programs greatly enhance opportunities
for youth to engage in civic activity.
(4) In addition to the benefits received by nonprofit organizations and
society as a whole, volunteering and national service provide a variety
of personal benefits and satisfaction and can lead to new paths of civic
engagement, responsibility, and upward mobility.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established in the legislative branch a commission to be known
as the `Congressional Commission on Civic Service' (in this Act referred
to as the `Commission').
SEC. 4. DUTIES.
(a) General Purpose- The purpose of the Commission is to gather and analyze
information in order to make recommendations to Congress to--
(1) improve the ability of individuals in the United States to serve others
and, by doing so, to enhance our Nation and the global community;
(2) train leaders in public service organizations to better utilize individuals
committed to national service and volunteerism as they manage human and
fiscal resources;
(3) identify and offer solutions to the barriers that make it difficult
for some individuals in the United States to volunteer or perform national
service; and
(4) build on the foundation of service and volunteer opportunities that
are currently available.
(b) Specific Topics- In carrying out its general purpose under subsection
(a), the Commission shall address and analyze the following specific topics:
(1) The level of understanding about the current Federal, State, and local
volunteer programs and opportunities for service among individuals in
the United States.
(2) The issues that deter volunteerism and national service, particularly
among young people, and how the identified issues can be overcome.
(3) Whether there is an appropriate role for Federal, State, and local
governments in overcoming the issues that deter volunteerism and national
service and, if appropriate, how to expand the relationships and partnerships
between different levels of government in promoting volunteerism and national
service.
(4) Whether existing databases are effective in matching community needs
to would-be volunteers and service providers.
(5) The effect on the Nation, on those who serve, and on the families
of those who serve, if all individuals in the United States were expected
to perform national service or were required to perform a certain amount
of national service.
(6) Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement
for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement
could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric
of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people
from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
(7) The need for a public service academy, a 4-year institution that offers
a federally funded undergraduate education with a focus on training future
public sector leaders.
(8) The means to develop awareness of national service and volunteer opportunities
at a young age by creating, expanding, and promoting service options for
primary and secondary school students and by raising awareness of existing
incentives.
(9) The effectiveness of establishing a training program on college campuses
to recruit and educate college students for national service.
(10) The effect on United States diplomacy and foreign policy interests
of expanding service opportunities abroad, such as the Peace Corps, and
the degree of need and capacity abroad for an expansion.
(11) The constraints that service providers, nonprofit organizations,
and State and local agencies face in utilizing federally funded volunteer
programs, and how these constraints can be overcome.
(12) Whether current Federal volunteer programs are suited to address
the special skills and needs of senior volunteers, and if not, how these
programs can be improved such that the Federal government can effectively
promote service among the `baby boomer' generation.
(1) PUBLIC HEARINGS- The Commission shall conduct public hearings in various
locations around the United States.
(2) REGULAR AND FREQUENT CONSULTATION- The Commission shall regularly
and frequently consult with an advisory panel of members of Congress appointed
for such purpose by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
majority leader of the Senate.
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Number and Appointment-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Commission shall be composed of 8 members appointed
as follows:
(A) 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(B) 2 members appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
(C) 2 members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate.
(D) 2 members appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.
(2) QUALIFICATIONS- The members of the Commission shall consist of individuals
who are of recognized standing and distinction in the areas of international
public service, national public service, service-learning, local service,
business, or academia.
(3) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT- The members of the Commission shall be appointed
not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(4) CHAIRPERSON- The Chairperson of the Commission shall be designated
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the time of the appointment.
(1) IN GENERAL- The members of the Commission shall serve for the life
of the Commission.
(2) VACANCIES- A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect the power
of the remaining members to execute the duties of the Commission but any
such vacancy shall be filled in the same manner in which the original
appointment was made.
(1) RATES OF PAY; TRAVEL EXPENSES- Each member shall serve without pay,
except that each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem
in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under
subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) PROHIBITION OF COMPENSATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES- Notwithstanding
paragraph (1), any member of the Commission who is a full-time officer
or employee of the United States may not receive additional pay, allowances,
or benefits because of service on the Commission.
(d) Meeting Requirements-
(A) QUARTERLY MEETINGS- The Commission shall meet at least quarterly.
(B) ADDITIONAL MEETINGS- In addition to quarterly meetings, the Commission
shall meet at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its members.
(2) QUORUM- 5 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum but
a lesser number may hold hearings.
(3) MEETING BY TELEPHONE OR OTHER APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY- Members of the
Commission are permitted to meet using telephones or other suitable telecommunications
technologies provided that all members of the Commission can fully communicate
with all other members simultaneously.
SEC. 6. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.
(1) APPOINTMENT- The Commission shall have a Director who shall be appointed
by the Chairperson with the approval of the Commission.
(2) CREDENTIALS- The Director shall have credentials related to international
public service, national public service, service-learning, or local service.
(3) SALARY- The Director shall be paid at a rate determined by the Chairperson
with the approval of the Commission, except that the rate may not exceed
the rate of basic pay for GS-15 of the General Schedule.
(b) Staff- With the approval of the Chairperson, the Director may appoint
and fix the pay of additional qualified personnel as the Director considers
appropriate.
(c) Experts and Consultants- With the approval of the Commission, the Director
may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of
title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed
the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay for GS-15 of
the General Schedule.
(d) Staff of Federal Agencies- Upon request of the Commission, Chairperson,
or Director, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on
a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency
to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act.
SEC. 7. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
(a) Hearings and Sessions- The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying
out this Act, hold public hearings, sit and act at times and places, take
testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.
(b) Powers of Members and Agents- Any member or agent of the Commission
may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which the Commission
is authorized to take by this section.
(c) Obtaining Official Data- Upon request of the Chairperson, the head of
any department or agency shall furnish information to the Commission that
the Commission deems necessary to enable it to carry out this Act.
(d) Physical Facilities and Equipment- The Architect of the Capitol, in
consultation with the appropriate entities in the legislative branch, shall
locate and provide suitable facilities and equipment for the operation of
the Commission on a nonreimbursable basis.
(e) Administrative Support Services- Upon the request of the Commission,
the Architect of the Capitol and the Administrator of General Services shall
provide to the Commission on a nonreimbursable basis such administrative
support services as the Commission may request in order for the Commission
to carry out its responsibilities under this Act.
SEC. 8. REPORTS.
(a) Interim Report- The Commission shall submit an interim report on its
activities to Congress not later than 20 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(1) DEADLINE- The Commission shall submit a final report on its activities
to Congress not later than 120 days after the submission of the interim
report under subsection (a).
(2) CONTENTS- The final report shall contain a detailed statement of the
findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations
for proposed legislation.
SEC. 9. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate not later than 30 days after submitting its
final report under section 8(b)(1).
END
