Government Transformation Act - Establishes the Commission on Government Transformation. Directs the Commission to: (1) review work done by governmental and non-governmental entities and conduct research on the organizational practices, operations, and reform efforts of federal agencies; (2) analyze organizational practices and management challenges of federal agencies; (3) assess federal programs for economy, efficiency, and effectiveness and identify best practices; (4) upon request, provide information on Commission activities to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), other federal agency heads, and the Office of Inspector General of each federal agency; and (5) serve as a repository for best practices for federal agencies. Requires the Commission to make interim and annual reports on its activities to the President and Congress and make such reports available to the public.
Provides for expedited congressional consideration of legislation to implement recommendations of the Commission.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2675 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2675
To establish the Commission on Government Transformation to make
recommendations to improve the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness,
of Federal programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 11, 2013
Mrs. Bustos (for herself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Duffy,
Mr. Coffman, Mr. Schrader, Mr. Matheson, Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Loebsack, Mr.
Maffei, Mr. Murphy of Florida, and Mr. Dent) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Commission on Government Transformation to make
recommendations to improve the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness,
of Federal programs, 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 ``Government Transformation Act''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a commission to be known as the ``Commission
on Government Transformation'' (in this Act referred to as the
``Commission'').
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall--
(1) review work done by governmental and nongovernmental
entities, and conduct original research, on the organizational
practices, operations, and reform efforts of Federal agencies;
(2) analyze organizational practices and management
challenges of Federal agencies and make recommendations as
described in subsection (b)(2);
(3) assess Federal programs for economy, efficiency, and
effectiveness, and identify best practices of Federal agencies;
(4) establish a process for prioritizing the activities
described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), including
establishing criteria and a schedule for carrying out the
activities;
(5) coordinate with appropriate Federal agencies and
provide opportunities for individuals to make recommendations
that support the work of the Commission;
(6) upon request, provide information on Commission
activities to the Government Accountability Office, the
Congressional Budget Office, the Office of Management and
Budget, other Federal agency heads, and the Office of the
Inspector General of each Federal agency; and
(7) serve as a repository for best practices to support
Federal agencies in efforts to improve effectiveness.
(b) Reports.--
(1) Interim activity reports.--The Commission shall submit
to the President and Congress interim activity reports that
describe the activities of the Commission not later than 6
months after the date on which all members of the Commission
have been appointed, and every 6 months thereafter, except that
an interim report is not required on the date on which an
annual report is submitted as described in paragraph (2).
(2) Annual reports.--Not later than 12 months after the
date on which all members of the Commission have been
appointed, and every 12 months thereafter, the Commission shall
submit a report to the President and Congress. The report shall
include--
(A) the findings and conclusions of the Commission;
(B) suggestions for implementing the best practices
of Federal agencies identified in subsection (a)(3) in
other Federal agencies;
(C) proposals for legislation, administrative
action, or executive action that include
recommendations for improvement or investment in
Federal programs, or elimination, reduction, or
consolidation of Federal programs; and
(D) justification for the recommendations described
in subparagraph (C).
(3) Reports on historical data.--Not later than 48 months
after the date on which all members of the Commission have been
appointed, and every 24 months thereafter, the Commission shall
submit a report to the President and Congress on historical
data and trends in the information studied by the Commission,
including any available evidence of cost savings.
(4) Reports made public.--Each report submitted under this
subsection shall be made available to the public not later than
90 days after the date on which the report is submitted.
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 7
members to be appointed as follows:
(1) The majority leader of the Senate shall appoint 1
member.
(2) The minority leader of the Senate shall appoint 1
member.
(3) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
appoint 1 member.
(4) The minority leader of the House of Representatives
shall appoint 1 member.
(5) The President shall appoint 3 members.
(b) Restriction on Government Employees.--No individual may serve
as a member of the Commission while employed as an officer or employee
of the Federal Government or any State or local government.
(c) Membership Criteria.--The members of the Commission shall
include individuals with recognition for their expertise in agencies,
efficiency, waste reduction, finance and economics, or actuarial
sciences, and who provide a mix of different professional backgrounds
and broad geographic representation.
(d) Political Affiliation.--Not more than 3 of the 7 members
appointed shall be registered as members of the same political party.
(e) Deadline To Appoint Members.--All members of the Commission
shall be appointed not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(f) Terms.--
(1) In general.--Each member shall be appointed for a term
of 3 years.
(2) Reappointment.--Each member may be reappointed for 1
additional term of 3 years.
(3) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled
in the manner in which the original appointment was made not
later than 90 days after the date on which the member leaves
the Commission.
(g) Co-Chairs.--
(1) Selection.--Of the members selected by the President
under subsection (a)(4), 2 members shall serve as Co-Chairs of
the Commission.
(2) Political affiliation of co-chairs.--The Co-Chairs of
the Commission shall not be from the same political party.
(h) Basic Pay.--
(1) Rates of pay of members.--Each member, other than the
Co-Chairs, shall be paid at a rate equal to the daily
equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay for level V of the
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States
Code.
(2) Rate of pay of co-chairs.--The Co-Chairs shall be paid
at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of
basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section
5315 of title 5, United States Code.
(i) Travel Expenses.--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.
(j) Quorum.--Four members of the Commission shall constitute a
quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.
(k) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the Co-
Chairs or a majority of its members. Members may attend meetings via
teleconference.
SEC. 5. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Executive Director and Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Co-Chairs, in consultation with the
President and Congress, shall appoint and terminate an
Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be paid at a
rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic
pay for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of
title 5, United States Code.
(2) Staff.--The Executive Director, with the approval of a
majority of the members of the Commission, may appoint, set the
pay of, and terminate additional personnel.
(b) Application of Certain Civil Service Laws.--The Executive
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.
(c) Conflicts of Interest.--A member or employee of the Commission
shall not have a conflict of interest that is relevant to any activity
of the Commission.
(d) Experts and Consultants.--With the consensus of the Co-Chairs,
the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at a rate to be
determined by the Co-Chairs.
(e) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request of the Co-Chairs, 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. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
(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) 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.--The Commission may secure directly
from any department or agency information necessary to enable it to
carry out this section. Upon request of the Co-Chairs, the head of that
department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission
on an agreed upon schedule.
(d) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal
agencies.
SEC. 7. EXPEDITED CONGRESSIONAL CONSIDERATION OF COMMISSION BILL.
(a) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
(1) Commission bill.--The term ``Commission bill'' means a
bill--
(A) the substance of which implements a
recommendation of the Commission submitted under
section 3(b)(2)(C); and
(B) introduced by request on the date that is 90
days after the annual report of the Commission is
submitted to Congress under section 3(b)(2), or if
either House is not in session on such date, on the
first day thereafter on which that House is in session.
(2) Calendar day.--The term ``calendar day'' means a
calendar day other than one on which either House is not in
session because of an adjournment of more than 3 days to a date
certain.
(b) Referral.--A Commission bill described in subsection (a)(1)
that is introduced in the House of Representatives shall be referred to
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives. A Commission bill that is introduced in the Senate
shall be referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
(c) Discharge.--If the committee to which a Commission bill
described in subsection (a)(1) is referred has not reported the
Commission bill by the end of the 20-day period beginning on the date
on which the report is introduced under subsection (a)(1)(B), such
committee shall be, at the end of such period, discharged from further
consideration of such bill, and such bill shall be placed on the
appropriate calendar of the House involved.
(d) Expedited Consideration.--
(1) Consideration.--On or after the third day after the
date on which the committee to which a Commission bill
described in subsection (a)(1) is referred has reported, or has
been discharged (under subsection (c)) from further
consideration of, it is in order (even though a previous motion
to the same effect has been disagreed to) for any Member of the
respective House to move to proceed to the consideration of the
bill. A Member may make the motion only on the day after the
calendar day on which the Member announces to the House
concerned the Member's intention to make the motion, except
that, in the case of the House of Representatives, the motion
may be made without such prior announcement if the motion is
made by direction of the committee to which the bill was
referred. The motion is highly privileged in the House of
Representatives and is privileged in the Senate and is not
debatable. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a
motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the
consideration of other business. A motion to reconsider the
vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not
be in order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the
bill is agreed to, the respective House shall immediately
proceed to consideration of the bill without intervening
motion, order, or other business, and the bill shall remain the
unfinished business of the respective House until disposed of.
(2) Debate.--Debate on the bill, and on all debatable
motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited
to not more than 2 hours, which shall be divided equally
between those favoring and those opposing the bill. An
amendment to the bill is not in order. A motion further to
limit debate is in order and not debatable. A motion to
postpone, a motion to proceed to the consideration of other
business, or a motion to recommit the bill is not in order. A
motion to reconsider the vote by which the bill is agreed to or
disagreed to is not in order.
(3) Vote on final passage.--Immediately following the
conclusion of the debate on the bill and a single quorum call
at the conclusion of the debate, if requested in accordance
with the rules of the appropriate House, the vote on final
passage of the bill shall occur.
(4) Appeals.--Appeals from the decisions of the Chair
relating to the application of the rules of the Senate or the
House of Representatives, as the case may be, to the procedure
relating to the bill shall be decided without debate.
(e) Consideration by Other House.--
(1) Before passage.--If, before the passage by one House of
a Commission bill of that House described in subsection (a)(1),
that House receives from the other House a Commission bill,
then the following procedures shall apply--
(A) the Commission bill of the other House shall
not be referred to a committee and may not be
considered in the House receiving it except in the case
of vote on final passage as provided in subparagraph
(B); and
(B) with respect to a Commission bill of the House
receiving the bill, the procedure in that House shall
be the same as if no bill had been received from the
other House, but the vote on final passage shall be on
the bill of the other House.
(2) After passage.--Upon disposition of a Commission bill
received from the other House, it shall no longer be in order
to consider the bill that originated in the receiving House.
(f) Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives.--This section
is enacted by Congress--
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate
and House of Representatives, respectively, and is deemed to be
a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable
only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House
in the case of a Commission bill described in subsection
(a)(1), and it supersedes other rules only to the extent that
it is inconsistent with such rules; and
(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of
either House to change the rules of procedure of that House at
any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the
case of any other rule of that House.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' has the
meaning given the term ``Executive agency'' in section 105 of
title 5, United States Code.
(2) Federal program.--The term ``Federal program'' means
any function or activity of a Federal agency.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Commission for fiscal
years 2014 through 2019 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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