Sec. 594. Commission on Service to the Nation
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/bill/113/hr/1960/eh/section-594·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
There is established a commission to be known as the Commission on Service to the Nation . The Commission shall carry out a study of the following: The effect of warfare, focusing on recent wars and conflicts, on members of the Armed Forces, the families of members, and the communities of members. The outgoing experience and transition between military and civilian life. The gaps between the military and those Americans who do not participate directly in the military community.
In carrying out the study under paragraph (1), the Commission shall— hear testimony from all aspects of military and civilian life, including public, private, individual and institutional stakeholders, with personal testimony, expert testimony, academic testimony, as well as testimony from association and community leaders, and other testimony as appropriate; hear and accept testimony in an open and public manner, accepting testimony in a wide variety of ways for each hearing, including submissions made through a public internet website, and testimony heard remotely if appropriate; retain the records of all hearings and artifacts of testimony for the purposes of historical documentation and research; assess the social, mental, and physical effects of war on active members of the Armed Forces, the families of members, and the communities of members and the preparation they receive for transitioning out of the military; and assess the existing academic and social science research and analysis on transition from active military to civilian life.
The Commission shall make recommendations, based on the analyses in subparagraphs
(A)through
(C)of paragraph (1), on how to better— support the transition to civilian life of a member of the Armed Forces; support the families and communities of the member; and better connect the military community and civilians. The Commission shall maintain an Internet website available to the public to— share the schedule of the Commission; notify the public of events; accept feedback; and post records of events and other information to inform the public in a manner consistent with the mission of the Commission. The Commission shall be composed of 15 members appointed as follows: Four members appointed by Majority Leader of the Senate, in consultation with the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate. Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives. Two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, in consultation with the ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate. Two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Service of the House of Representatives. Three members appointed by the President. The members of the Commission shall be appointed from among persons who have knowledge and expertise in the following areas: The effects of war on members of the Armed Forces, their families, and society. The process of transitioning out of the Armed Forces. The resources available to members and their families as members transition out of the Armed Forces and into society. Personnel benefits, including healthcare and job training, available to members. Policy making and policy analysis. Not less than one member of the Commission appointed under each of subparagraphs
(A)through
(E)of paragraph
(1)shall have served in the Armed Forces. Members of the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. A vacancy in the membership of the Commission shall not affect the powers of the Commission, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. The President shall designate a member of the Commission to serve as chairman of the Commission. The members shall be appointed by not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. The Commission shall hold its initial meeting not later than 30 days after the date on which all members of the Commission have been appointed. After the initial meeting under paragraph (1), the Commission shall meet at the call of the chairman. Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings. The Commission shall act by resolution agreed to by a majority of the members of the Commission. The Commission may establish panels composed of less than the full membership of the Commission for the purpose of carrying out the Commission's duties. The actions of each such panel shall be subject to the review and control of the Commission. Any findings and determinations made by such a panel shall not be considered the findings and determinations of the Commission unless approved by the Commission. Each member of the Commission shall be paid at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the United States shall serve without pay in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees of the United States. The members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission. The Commission shall appoint and fix the rate of basic pay for an Executive Director in accordance with section 3161 of title 5, United States Code. The Executive Director, with the approval of the Commission, may appoint and fix the rate of basic pay for additional personnel as staff of the Commission in accordance with section 3161 of title 5, United States Code. Upon request of the chairman of the Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, any personnel of that department or agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties. For the purpose of carrying out this Act, the Commission (or on the authority of the Commission, any subcommittee or member) may hold such hearings and forums, and sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such oaths as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission shall hold not less than one hearing in each State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. The Commission, or designated staff member, may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the chairman of the Commission, the chairman of any subcommittee created by a majority of the Commission, or any member designated by a majority of the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission. The Secretary of Defense shall furnish the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, any administrative and support services requested by the Commission. The chairman of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title. The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Commission. Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, bequests, or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be available for disbursement upon order of the chairman, vice chairman, or designee. Not later than 90 days after the initial meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and release to the public, a report setting forth— a strategic plan for the work of the Commission; a discussion of the activities of the Commission; and any initial findings of the Commission. Not later than 18 months after the initial meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and release to the public, a final report. Such report shall include any recommendations developed under subsection (b)(3) that the Commission determines appropriate, including any recommended legislation, policies, regulations, directives, and practices. The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the final report is submitted under subsection (g)(2).