article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``National Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government Act of 2001''. SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT. There is established the National Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government (in this Act referred to as the ``Commission''). SEC. 3. DUTIES. (a) In General.--It shall be the duty of the Commission to-- (1) conduct a private sector survey on management and cost control in the Federal Government; (2) conduct in-depth reviews of the operations of the executive agencies; (3)(A) review existing reports from the Government Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the various Inspector General offices within executive agencies, reports and other existing governmental and nongovernmental recommendations for reducing waste, including recommendations from the President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control; and (B) based on the review under subparagraph (A), periodically submit reports to the President and Congress including-- (i) a list of such recommendations that the Commission determines are most significant; (ii) the estimated savings of the recommendations; and (iii) determinations of whether the recommendations can be implemented by Executive order or require legislative action; and (4) submit to the President and the Congress recommendations for improving the budget process and management and for reducing waste and costs in the Federal Government. (b) Particular Areas To Be Examined.--In fulfilling the duties described under subsection (a), the Commission shall identify and address-- (1) opportunities for increased efficiency and reduced costs in the Federal Government that can be realized by Executive action or legislation; (2) areas in the Federal Government where managerial accountability can be enhanced and administrative control can be improved; (3) specific Federal programs that have accomplished their objectives and should be terminated; (4) specific Federal program services that could be provided at a lower cost by the private sector; (5) specific reforms of the budget process that would yield savings, increase accountability and efficiency, and enhance public confidence in the budget process; and (6) specific areas in the Federal Government where further study can be justified by potential savings. SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP. (a) Number and Appointment.-- (1) Number.--The Commission shall be composed of 12 members who are not officers or employees of any government and who are especially qualified to serve on the Commission by virtue of their education, training, or experience. (2) Political party representation.--Not more than 6 members of the Commission shall be of the same political party. (3) Appointment.--The members of the Commission shall be appointed as follows: (A) 4 individuals shall be appointed by the President, not more than 2 of whom shall be from the same political party. (B) 3 individuals shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, not more than 2 of whom shall be from the same political party. (C) 1 individual shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (D) 3 individuals shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, not more than 2 of whom shall be from the same political party. (E) 1 individual shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. (b) Continuation of Membership.--If an individual is appointed to the Commission, and later becomes an officer or employee of a government, such individual may continue as a member of the Commission for not longer than the 30-day period beginning on the date such individual becomes such an officer or employee. (c) Appointment of Members.--Appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (d) Terms.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (e) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled within 30 days in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (f) Compensation.--Federal funds may not be used to pay any member of the Commission for services performed as a member. (g) Quorum.--Five members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings. (h) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall be elected by the members from among the members. (i) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at least once each month at the call of the Chairperson of the Commission. SEC. 5. STAFF AND SUPPORT SERVICES. (a) Director.--The Commission shall have a Director appointed by the Chairperson of the Commission and paid a rate determined by the Commission. (b) Staff.--With the approval of the Commission, the Director of the Commission may appoint personnel as the Director considers appropriate. SEC. 6. POWERS. (a) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. (b) Delegation of Authority.--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) Information.--The Commission may secure directly from any Federal agency information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the Federal agency shall furnish the information to the Commission. (d) Contract Authority.--The Commission may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for supplies or services without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5). SEC. 7. REPORTS. (a) Periodic Reports.--In accordance with section 3(a)(3), the Commission shall issue periodic reports to the President and the Congress. (b) Final Report.--Not later than the expiration of the 24-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress a final report setting forth the findings and conclusions of the Commission and specific recommendations for legislative and administrative actions that the Commission determines to be appropriate. SEC. 8. TERMINATION. The Commission shall terminate not later than the expiration of the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the Commission submits its final report under section 7(b). SEC. 9 FUNDING AND SUPPORT. The Commission shall be funded, staffed, and equipped by the private sector without cost to the Federal Government.
summary: National Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government Act of 2001 - Establishes the National Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government to: (1) conduct a private sector survey on management and cost control in Government; (2) conduct in-depth reviews of executive agency operations; (3) review existing General Accounting Office, Congressional Budget Office, and various Inspector General offices' reports and other existing governmental and nongovernmental recommendations for reducing waste, including recommendations from the President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control, and to periodically report to the President and Congress on such recommendations that are most significant, on the estimated savings from such recommendations, and on whether the recommendations can be implemented by executive order or require legislative action; and (4) submit to the President and Congress recommendations for improving the budget process and management and for reducing waste and costs.Requires the Commission to be funded, staffed, and equipped by the private sector without cost to the Government.