Commission on American Civics Education Act of 2020
This bill establishes the Congressional Commission on Civics Education. The commission must (1) examine the existing civics education programs in each state; (2) solicit the views of educators, school administrators, and other state and local education officials; and (3) submit a report to Congress that includes recommendations for the Department of Education related to civics education.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8797 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8797
To establish a Congressional Commission on Civics Education, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 20, 2020
Mr. Cicilline (for himself, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Carson of
Indiana, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Wild, Ms. Meng, Mr. Suozzi, and Mr. Raskin)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a Congressional Commission on Civics Education, 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 ``Commission on American Civics
Education Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION ON CIVICS EDUCATION.
(a) In General.--There is established the Congressional Commission
on Civics Education (referred to in this Act as the ``Commission'').
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 10
members, of whom:
(A) Five shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House and the House Minority Leader, in consultation
with the Chair and Ranking Member of the House
Committee on Education and Labor.
(B) Five shall be appointed by the Senate Majority
Leader and Senate Minority Leader, in consultation with
the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
(2) Expertise of members.--Members appointed under
paragraph (1) shall represent entities or professions having to
do with civic knowledge and education, including--
(A) elementary and secondary schools;
(B) institutions of higher education;
(C) State educational agencies;
(D) local educational agencies;
(E) Federal, State, or local government;
(F) journalism; and
(G) nonprofit providers of civic education.
(3) Limitations.--Members appointed under paragraph (1) may
not be--
(A) at any time during such appointment, a Member
of Congress; or
(B) individuals who have made political
contributions of any amount to any appointing
Congressional officials at any time.
(4) Commission chairs.--From the members appointed under
paragraph (1), the Commission shall be co-chaired by--
(A) 1 member selected by the appointing
Congressional officials belonging to the majority
party; and
(B) 1 member selected by the appointing
Congressional officials belonging to the minority
party.
(5) 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.
(c) Staff of Commission.--
(1) Director.--The Commission shall have a Director who
shall be appointed by the co-chairs.
(2) Staff.--To the extent or in the amounts provided in
advance in appropriation Acts, the Director, in coordination
with the co-chairs, may appoint and fix the pay of additional
personnel as the Commission considers appropriate.
(3) Experts and consultants.--The Commission may procure
temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of
title 5, United States Code.
(d) Duties.--The Commission shall:
(1) Examine existing civics education programs in each
State.
(2) Solicit the views of educators, school administrators,
and other State and local education officials, including
through--
(A) direct contact and engagement;
(B) field hearings;
(C) roundtable discussions; and
(D) focus groups.
(3) Submit the report required under subsection (f).
(e) Powers.--
(1) Hearings.--The Commission may, for purposes of carrying
out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places,
take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission
considers appropriate.
(2) Obtaining official data.--The Commission may secure
directly from any department or agency of the Unites States
information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act.
(3) Gifts, bequests, and devises.--The Commission may
accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of
services or property, both real and personal, in a manner that
does not affect the findings of the Commission.
(4) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails
in the same manner and under the same conditions as other
departments and agencies of the United States.
(5) Administrative support services.--Upon the request of
the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall
provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the
administrative support services necessary for the Commission to
carry out the responsibilities of the Commission under this
Act.
(f) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall
submit a report to Congress that contains the following:
(A) A description of each State that exhibits--
(i) high levels of success in civic
education and civic learning;
(ii) moderate levels of success in civic
education and civic learning; and
(iii) low levels of success in civic
education and civic learning.
(B) A determination with respect to existing State
civic education programs that may be used as national
models in all States.
(C) Recommendations to the Secretary of Education
with respect to issuing guidance on civics education to
States.
(D) A recommendation as to how the Secretary should
dedicate Department funds and resources to promoting
civics education, including with respect to
establishing an office dedicated to civics education.
(2) Briefing.--Upon submission of the report described in
paragraph (1), the Commission shall brief, with respect to the
contents of such report, the following individuals:
(A) Appointing Congressional officials.
(B) Members of the House Committee on Education and
Labor.
(C) Members of the Senate Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
(D) The Secretary.
(3) Publication.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the briefing required under paragraph (2) occurs, the
Secretary shall make the report described in paragraph (1)
publicly available on the website of the Department of
Education.
(g) Monthly Expense Reports.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall submit to the Chief
Administrator of the House of Representatives a detailed
monthly expense report for each month in accordance with
paragraph (2).
(2) Timing.--With respect to a month, a report required
under paragraph (1) shall be submitted during the period
beginning on the first day of such month and ending on the day
that is 15 days after the last day of such month.
(h) Effective Date.--This Act shall take effect on the date that is
60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated
such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
(2) Additional uses.--In addition to carrying out the
activities described in this section, the Commission may use
the funds appropriated under paragraph (1) for--
(A) office supplies;
(B) necessary electronic equipment, including--
(i) computers;
(ii) printers; and
(iii) telecommunications equipment; and
(C) maintenance costs, including--
(i) technical support; and
(ii) equipment repair.
(j) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Appointing congressional official.--The term
``appointing Congressional official'' means--
(A) the Speaker of the House;
(B) the House Minority Leader;
(C) the Senate Majority Leader; and
(D) the Senate Minority Leader.
(2) ESEA terms.--The terms ``Department'', ``elementary
school'', ``local educational agency'', ``secondary school'',
``Secretary'', ``State'', and ``State educational agency'' have
the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(3) Nonprofit provider of civic education.--The term
``nonprofit provider of civic education'' means an organization
that focuses on supporting and strengthening civics education
programs.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
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