Library / Laws / 113th / s / S. 1836 / Introduced in Senate
II
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1836
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 17, 2013Mr. Burr (for himself, Mr. Coats, and Mr. Inhofe) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
A BILL
To merge the Department of Labor, the Department of Commerce, and the Small Business Administration to establish a Department of Commerce and the Workforce, and for other purposes.
1.
Short
title; table of contents
(a)
Short
title
This Act may be cited
as the Department of Commerce and the
Workforce Consolidation Act.
(b)
Table of
contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.Sec. 2. Definitions.TITLE I—Establishment of DepartmentSec. 101. Establishment.Sec. 102. Office of the Secretary.Sec. 103. Office of the Workforce.Sec. 104. Patent and Trademark Office.Sec. 105. Small Business Administration.Sec. 106. Office of Economic Affairs and
Statistics.Sec. 107. National Institute of Standards and
Technology.Sec. 108. International Trade Administration.Sec. 109. Bureau of Industry and Security.Sec. 110. Other offices.Sec. 111. Inspector General.Sec. 112. Performance of specific functions.TITLE II—Transfer of functionsSec. 201. Transfer of functions to Department.Sec. 202. Transfer of functions to Department of the
Interior.Sec. 203. Transfer of functions to Bureau of International
Labor Affairs.TITLE III—Administrative provisionsSubtitle A—Personnel provisionsSec. 311. Officers and employees.Sec. 312. Experts and consultants.Sec. 313. Advisory committees.Subtitle B—General administrative provisionsSec. 321. General authority.Sec. 322. Delegation.Sec. 323. Reorganization.Sec. 324. Rules.Sec. 325. Subpoena.Sec. 326. Contracts.Sec. 327. Facilities construction.Sec. 328. Use of facilities.Sec. 329. Field offices.Sec. 330. Copyrights.Sec. 331. Capital fund.Sec. 332. Seal of Department.Sec. 333. Annual report.Sec. 334. Transfer of funds.TITLE IV—Transitional, savings, and conforming
provisionsSec. 401. Transfer and allocations of appropriations and
personnel.Sec. 402. Effect on personnel.Sec. 403. Agency terminations.Sec. 404. Incidental transfers.Sec. 405. Savings provisions.Sec. 406. Reference.Sec. 407. Presidential authority.Sec. 408. Transition.Sec. 409. Administrative amendments.Sec. 410. Director of Office of Personnel Management
report.Sec. 411. Investigations and reports on duplicative programs
and activities.TITLE V—Effective date and interim appointmentsSec. 501. Effective date.Sec. 502. Interim appointments.TITLE VI—Elimination and reduction of programsSec. 601. Elimination of programs.
2.
Definitions
In this Act:
(1)
Assets
The
term assets includes contracts, facilities, property, records,
unobligated or unexpended balances of appropriations, and other funds or
resources (other than personnel).
(2)
Department
The
term Department means the Department of Commerce and the
Workforce.
(3)
Function
The
term function includes any authority, power, right, privilege,
immunity, program, project, activity, duty, and responsibility.
(4)
Perform
The
term perform, with respect to a function, includes—
(A) the undertaking,
fulfillment, or execution of any duty or obligation; and
(B) the exercise of
any power, authority, right, or privilege.
(5)
Personnel
The
term personnel means officers and employees.
(6)
Secretary
The
term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce and the
Workforce.
I
Establishment of
Department
101.
Establishment
(a)
Establishment
There
is established an executive department to be known as the Department of
Commerce and the Workforce.
(b)
Mission
The
primary mission of the Department shall be to advance economic growth and jobs
and opportunities for the people of the United States by—
(1) driving United
States competitiveness in the global marketplace;
(2) ensuring a
competitive economic climate that is conducive to the development, growth, and
expansion of small businesses; and
(3) promoting and
developing the safety and welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and
retirees of the United States.
(c)
Secretary
The
head of the Department shall be the Secretary of Commerce and the Workforce,
who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate.
(d)
Administration
The
Department shall be administered, in accordance with this Act, under the
supervision and direction of the Secretary.
102.
Office of the
Secretary
(a)
Deputy
Secretary
(1)
Appointment
There
shall be in the Office of the Secretary a Deputy Secretary of Commerce and the
Workforce, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate.
(2)
Temporary
assumption of duties of Secretary
The Deputy Secretary shall
perform the duties of the Secretary—
(A) in case of the
death, resignation, or removal from office of the Secretary, until a successor
is appointed; and
(B) in case of the
absence or sickness of the Secretary, until the termination of such absence or
sickness.
(b)
Offices in the
Office of the Secretary
There
shall be in the Office of the Secretary—
(1) the Office of
Public Liaison and Special Assistance;
(2) the Office of
Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs;
(3) the Office of the Executive Secretariat;
and
(4) the Office of
Community and Public Affairs.
(c)
General
Counsel
(1)
Appointment
There
shall be in the Department a General Counsel, who shall be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2)
Solicitor
The
Secretary shall appoint, in the Office of the General Counsel, a Solicitor of
Commerce and the Workforce.
(d)
Assistant
Secretaries
The President shall appoint, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, in the Office of the Secretary—
(1) an Assistant
Secretary for Policy, who shall be the head of the Office of Policy; and
(2) an Assistant
Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, who shall be the head
of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.
(e)
Directors
The
Secretary shall appoint, in the Office of the Secretary—
(1) an Executive
Secretariat Director, who shall be the head of the Office of the Executive
Secretariat; and
(2) a Community and
Public Affairs Director, who shall be the head of the Office of Community and
Public Affairs.
(f)
Other
officers
To assist the Secretary in the performance of the
functions of the Department, the Secretary shall appoint, as officers of the
Department—
(1) a Chief of
Staff;
(2) a Chief Financial
Officer; and
(3) a Chief
Information Officer.
103.
Office of the
Workforce
(a)
Establishment
There
shall be in the Department an Office of the Workforce.
(b)
Under
Secretary
The head of the Office of the Workforce shall be the
Under Secretary of the Workforce, who shall be appointed by the President, by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(c)
Boards,
administrations, and offices
There shall be in the Office of the
Workforce—
(1) the
Administrative Review Board;
(2) the Benefits
Review Board;
(3) the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration;
(4) the Office of
Workers Compensation Programs;
(5) the Wage and Hour
Division;
(6) the Employee
Benefits and Security Administration;
(7) the Mine Safety
and Health Administration;
(8) the Office of
Labor-Management Standards;
(9) the Veterans's
Employment and Training Service; and
(10) the Office of
Disability Employment Policy.
104.
Patent and
Trademark Office
(a)
Establishment
There
shall be in the Department the Patent and Trademark Office.
(b)
Under
Secretary
The head of the Patent and Trademark Office shall be
the Under Secretary for Intellectual Property, who shall be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
105.
Small Business
Administration
(a)
Establishment
There shall be in the Department the Small
Business Administration.
(b)
Under
Secretary
The head of the
Small Business Administration shall be the Under Secretary of Small Business,
who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate.
(c)
Deputy Under
Secretary
There shall be in the Small Business Administration a
Deputy Under Secretary of Small Business, who shall be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(d)
Assistant
Secretaries
To assist the Under Secretary of Small Business in
the performance of the duties of the Small Business Administration, the Under
Secretary of Small Business shall appoint 4 Assistant Secretaries.
106.
Office of
Economic Affairs and Statistics
(a)
Establishment
There
shall be in the Department an Office of Economic Affairs and Statistics.
(b)
Under
Secretary
The head of the Office of Economic Affairs and
Statistics shall be the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs and Statistics,
who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate.
(c)
Bureaus
There
shall be in the Office of Economic Affairs and Statistics—
(1) the Bureau of the
Census; and
(2) the Bureau of
Economic Analysis.
(d)
Officers
The
Secretary, after consultation with the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs and
Statistics, shall appoint, in the Office of Economic Affairs and
Statistics—
(1) a Chief
Economist;
(2) a Director of the
Bureau of the Census, who shall be the head of the Bureau of the Census;
and
(3) a Director of the
Bureau of Economic Analysis, who shall be the head of the Bureau of Economic
Analysis.
107.
National
Institute of Standards and Technology
(a)
Establishment
There shall be in the Department the
National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(b)
Under
Secretary
The head of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology shall be the Under Secretary for
Standards and Technology, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate.
(c)
National
Technical Information Service
The National Technical Information Service
shall be a component of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology.
108.
International
Trade Administration
(a)
Establishment
There
shall be in the Department the International Trade Administration.
(b)
Under
Secretary
The head of the International Trade Administration
shall be the Under Secretary for International Trade, who shall be appointed by
the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(c)
Assistant
Secretaries
The President shall appoint, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, 4 Assistant Secretaries in the International Trade
Administration, including—
(1) an Assistant
Secretary for Market Access and Compliance;
(2) an Assistant
Secretary for Import Administration;
(3) an Assistant
Secretary for Trade Promotion; and
(4) an Assistant
Secretary for Manufacturing and Services.
(d)
Bureau of
International Labor Affairs
The Bureau of International Labor
Affairs shall be a component of the International Trade Administration.
109.
Bureau of
Industry and Security
(a)
Establishment
There
shall be in the Department a Bureau of Industry and Security.
(b)
Under
Secretary
The head of the Bureau of Industry and Security shall
be the Under Secretary for Industry and Security, who shall be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(c)
Assistant
Secretaries
There shall be in the Bureau of Industry and
Security, who shall each be appointed by the President, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate—
(1) an Assistant
Secretary for Export Administration; and
(2) an Assistant
Secretary for Manufacturing Services.
110.
Other
offices
(a)
Economic
Development and Training Administration
(1)
Establishment
There
shall be in the Department the Economic Development and Training
Administration.
(2)
Assistant
secretary
The head of the Economic Development and Training
Administration shall be the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development and
Training, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate.
(b)
Communications
and Information Administration
(1)
Establishment
There
shall be in the Department the Communications and Information
Administration.
(2)
Assistant
secretary
The head of the Communications and Information
Administration shall be the Assistant Secretary for Communications and
Information, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate.
111.
Inspector
General
There shall be an
Inspector General of the Department, who shall be appointed as provided in
section 3(a) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
112.
Performance of
specific functions
Subject to
this Act, each officer of the Department shall perform the functions specified
by law for the office of the official or prescribed by the Secretary.
II
Transfer of
functions
201.
Transfer of
functions to Department
(a)
In
general
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this
title—
(1) all functions of
the Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor are transferred to the
Department; and
(2) all functions of
the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Labor are transferred to the
Secretary.
(b)
Deputy
Secretary of Commerce and the Workforce
There are transferred to
the Deputy Secretary of Commerce and the Workforce all functions of the Deputy
Secretary of Commerce and the Deputy Secretary of Labor.
(c)
General
Counsel
There are transferred to the General Counsel of the
Department all the functions of the General Counsel of the Department of
Commerce, the Solicitor of Labor, and the General Counsel of the Small Business
Administration.
(d)
Office of
Policy
There are transferred to the Assistant Secretary for
Policy of the Department all functions of the Office of Policy and Strategic
Planning of the Department of Commerce and the Assistant Secretary for Policy
of the Department of Labor.
(e)
Office of
Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
There are transferred
to the Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs of the
Department all functions of the Assistant Secretary for Legislative and
Intergovernmental Affairs of the Department of Commerce, the Office of
Congressional and Inter-Governmental Affairs of the Department of Labor, and
the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs of the Small Business
Administration.
(f)
Executive
Secretariat
There are transferred to the Office of the Executive
Secretariat of the Department all functions of the Executive Secretariat of the
Department of Commerce, the Executive Secretariat of the Department of Labor,
and the Executive Secretariat of the Small Business Administration.
(g)
Office of
Public Liaison and Special Assistance
There are transferred to
the Office of Public Liaison and Special Assistance of the Department all
functions of the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of
Commerce and the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor.
(h)
Office of
Community and Public Affairs
There are transferred to the Office
of Community and Public Affairs of the Department all functions of—
(1) the Office of
Public Affairs of the Department of Commerce;
(2) the Office of
Public Affairs and the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships of
the Department of Labor; and
(3) the Office of
Communications and Public Liaison and the Office of Faith Based and
Neighborhood Partnerships of the Small Business Administration.
(i)
Chief of
Staff
There are transferred to the Chief of Staff of the
Department all functions of the Chief of Staff of the Department of Commerce,
the Chief of Staff of the Department of Labor, and the Chief of Staff of the
Small Business Administration.
(j)
Chief Financial
Officer
There are transferred to the Chief Financial Officer of
the Department all functions of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant
Secretary for Administration, the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of
Labor, and the Chief Financial Officer of the Small Business
Administration.
(k)
Chief
Information Officer
There are transferred to the Chief
Information Officer of the Department all functions of the Chief Information
Officer of the Department of Commerce and the Chief Information Officer of the
Small Business Administration.
(l)
Office of the
Workforce
There are transferred to the Office of the Workforce
all functions of the Department of Labor.
(m)
Patent and
Trademark Office
There are transferred to the Under Secretary for
Intellectual Property of the Department all functions of the United States
Patent and Trademark Office.
(n)
Small Business
Administration
There are transferred to the Under Secretary of
Small Business, the Deputy Under Secretary of Small Business, the Assistant
Secretaries of the Small Business Administration, and the Small Business
Administration of the Department all functions of the Administrator of Small
Business, the Deputy Administrator of Small Business, the Associate
Administrators of the Small Business Administration, and the Small Business
Administration, respectively.
(o)
National
Institute of Standards and Technology
There are transferred to
the Under Secretary for Standards and Technology of the Department all
functions of the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the
Department of Commerce.
(p)
Office of
Economic Affairs and Statistics
There are transferred to the
Under Secretary for Economic Affairs and Statistics all functions of the
Economics and Statistics Administration of the Department of Commerce and the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.
(q)
Chief
Economist
There are transferred to the Chief Economist of the
Department all functions of the Chief Economist of the Department of Commerce
and the Chief Economist of the Department of Labor.
(r)
Bureau of
Industry and Security
There are transferred to the Under
Secretary of Industry and Security of the Department all functions of the
Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce.
(s)
Economic
Development and Training Administration
There are transferred to
the Economic Development and Training Administration of the Department all
functions of the Economic Development Administration of the Department of
Commerce and the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of
Labor.
202.
Transfer of
functions to Department of the Interior
(a)
In
general
There are transferred
to the Secretary of the Interior all functions of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
(b)
National Marine
Fisheries Service
There are transferred to the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service all functions of the National Marine Fisheries Service of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
203.
Transfer of
functions to Bureau of International Labor Affairs
There
are transferred to the International Trade Administration all functions of the
Bureau of International Labor Affairs.
III
Administrative
provisions
A
Personnel
provisions
311.
Officers and
employees
The Secretary may
appoint and fix the compensation of such officers and employees, including
attorneys, as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the functions of
the Department in accordance with chapters 33 and 53 of title 5, United States
Code.
312.
Experts and
consultants
The Secretary may
obtain services authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at
rates not to exceed the daily rate prescribed for grade GS–15 of the General
Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, for persons
employed intermittently in Government service.
313.
Advisory
committees
(a)
In
general
The Secretary may establish in accordance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) such advisory committees as the
Secretary determines necessary to assist in the performance of the duties of
the Secretary.
(b)
Travel
expenses
Members of an advisory committee established under
subsection (a), other than full-time employees of the Federal Government, may
be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as
authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, while attending
meetings of the advisory committee or otherwise serving at the request of the
Secretary away from the homes or places of business of the members.
B
General administrative provisions
321.
General
authority
To the extent
appropriate to perform any function transferred by this Act, the Secretary or
any officer or employee of the Department may exercise, in carrying out the
function so transferred, any authority available by law (including
appropriations Acts) to the official or agency from which the function was
transferred.
322.
Delegation
Except as otherwise expressly prohibited by
law, and except as otherwise provided in this Act, the Secretary may, as the
Secretary determines to be appropriate—
(1) delegate any functions to officers or
employees of the Department; and
(2) authorize successive redelegations of
functions within the Department.
323.
Reorganization
(a)
In
general
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary may establish,
alter, consolidate, or discontinue such organizational units or components
within the Department as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(b)
Limitations
The
authority of the Secretary under subsection (a) shall not extend to—
(1) the abolition of
any organizational unit or component established by this Act; or
(2) the transfer of
any function vested by this Act in any organizational unit or component.
324.
Rules
The Secretary may promulgate such procedural
and administrative regulations as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to
administer and manage the functions of the Secretary under this Act.
325.
Subpoena
For the purpose of carrying out this Act,
the Secretary (or a designee) shall have the same powers and authorities as the
Federal Trade Commission under section 9 of the Federal Trade Commission Act
(15 U.S.C. 49) with respect to all functions vested in, or transferred or
delegated to, the Secretary by this Act.
326.
Contracts
(a)
In
general
The Secretary may enter into and perform such contracts,
leases, cooperative agreements, or other similar transactions with public
agencies, private organizations, and individuals, and make such payments (in
lump sum or installments, and by way of advance or reimbursement), as the
Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry out the functions under this
Act.
(b)
Limitation on
authority
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, no
authority to enter into contracts or to make payments under this title shall be
effective except to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance
in appropriations Acts.
(c)
Leasing of
excess Department property
The Secretary may lease, in accordance
with such terms and conditions the Secretary considers to be appropriate to
promote national security or the public interest, any acquired real property
and related personal property that—
(1) is located at a
facility of the Department to be closed or reconfigured;
(2) at the time the
lease is entered into, is not needed by the Department; and
(3) is under the
control of the Department.
(d)
Terms of
lease
(1)
In
general
A lease entered into under subsection (c) shall be for a
term of not more than 10 years, except that the Secretary may enter into a
lease that includes an option to renew for a term of more than 10 years if the
Secretary determines that entering into such a lease will promote the national
security or be in the public interest.
(2)
Consideration
(A)
In
general
A lease entered into under subsection (c) may provide for
the payment (in cash or in-kind) by the lessee of consideration in an amount
that is less than the fair market rental value of the leasehold
interest.
(B)
Services
Services
relating to the protection and maintenance of the leased property may
constitute all or part of the consideration under this paragraph.
(e)
Environmental
concerns
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraph (2), before entering into a lease
under subsection (c), the Secretary shall consult with, and obtain the
concurrence of, the appropriate State official (with respect to property
located on a site that is not listed on the National Priorities List) to
determine whether the environmental conditions of the property are such that
leasing the property, and the terms and conditions of the lease agreement, are
consistent with safety and the protection of public health and the
environment.
(2)
Failure to
obtain concurrence
The Secretary may enter into a lease under
subsection (c) without obtaining the concurrence of the appropriate State
official under paragraph (1) if, by the date that 60 days after the date on
which the Secretary requests the concurrence, the appropriate State official
fails to submit to the Secretary a notice of concurrence with, or rejection of,
the determination.
(f)
Rentals
(1)
Retention
(A)
In
general
To the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts,
the Secretary may retain and use money received by the Secretary directly from
a lease entered into under subsection (c) in any amount the Secretary considers
to be necessary to cover the administrative expenses of the lease, the
maintenance and repair of the leased property, or environmental restoration
activities at the facility at which the leased property is located.
(B)
Treatment
Amounts
retained under this subsection shall be retained in a separate account
established in the Treasury for that purpose.
(2)
Report
The
Secretary shall submit to Congress annual reports on the amounts retained and
used under this subsection.
327.
Facilities
construction
(a)
In
general
As necessary and when
not otherwise available, the Secretary may provide for, construct, or maintain
the following for employees and dependents stationed at remote
locations:
(1) Emergency medical
services and supplies.
(2) Food and other
subsistence supplies.
(3) Messing
facilities.
(4) Audiovisual
equipment, accessories, and supplies for recreation and training.
(5) Reimbursement for
food, clothing, medicine, and other supplies furnished by those employees in
emergencies for the temporary relief of distressed individuals.
(6) Living and
working quarters and facilities.
(7) Transportation of
school-aged dependents of employees to the nearest appropriate educational
facilities.
(b)
Pricing
The
furnishing of medical treatment under subsection (a)(1) and the furnishing of
services and supplies under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a) shall be
at prices reflecting reasonable value, as determined by the Secretary.
(c)
Treatment
(1)
In
general
Proceeds from reimbursements under this section—
(A) shall be
deposited in the Treasury; and
(B) may be withdrawn
by the Secretary—
(i) to pay directly
the cost of work or services;
(ii) to repay or make
advances to appropriations of funds that will initially bear all or a part of
that cost; or
(iii) to refund
excess sums when necessary.
(2)
Crediting to
funds
A payment by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(B) may be
credited to a working capital fund otherwise established by law, including the
fund established pursuant to section 331, and used under the law governing the
fund, if the fund is available for use by the Department for performing the
work or services for which payment is received.
328.
Use of
facilities
(a)
In
general
On the consent of the
Federal Government or the government of any foreign country, State, the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or
possession of the United States, with or without reimbursement, the Secretary
may use the research, equipment, and facilities of such a government (or
political subdivision) in carrying out the functions under this Act.
(b)
Use of
property
(1)
In
general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), in carrying out this
Act, the Secretary may permit the use by public and private individuals and
entities of any real property, facility, structure, or improvement under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary for purposes of the Department, under such terms
and at such rates as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, for a period
of not more than 5 years.
(2)
Reconditioning
and maintenance
The Secretary may require any individual or
entity to which a permit is provided under this subsection to recondition and
maintain, at the expense of the individual or entity, the real property,
facilities, structures, and improvements involved to a satisfactory
standard.
(3)
Exception
This
subsection shall not apply to excess property (as defined in section 102 of
title 40, United States Code).
(c)
Proceeds
(1)
In
general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the proceeds from
reimbursements under this section—
(A) shall be
deposited in the Treasury; and
(B) may be withdrawn
by the Secretary or the head of the another appropriate Federal department or
agency—
(i) to pay directly
the costs of the equipment and facilities provided;
(ii) to repay or make
advances to appropriations or funds that do or will initially bear all or a
part of those costs; or
(iii) to refund
excess sums as necessary.
(2)
Exception
The
proceeds described in paragraph (1) may be credited to a working capital fund
otherwise established by law (including the fund established pursuant to
section 331) and used in accordance the laws governing that fund, if the fund
is available for use for providing the equipment or facilities involved.
329.
Field
offices
The Secretary may
establish, alter, consolidate, or discontinue to maintain such State, regional,
district, local, or other field offices as the Secretary determines to be
necessary to carry out this Act.
330.
Copyrights
The Secretary may acquire any of the
following described rights if the property so acquired is for use by or for, or
useful to, the Department:
(1) Copyrights,
patents, and applications for patents, designs, processes, and manufacturing
data.
(2) Licenses under
copyrights, patents, and applications for patents.
(3) Releases, before
suit is brought, for past infringement of patents or copyrights.
331.
Capital
fund
(a)
Establishment
The Secretary may establish a working
capital fund, to be available without fiscal year limitation, for expenses
necessary for the maintenance and operation of such common administrative
services as the Secretary determines to be appropriate in the interests of
economy and efficiency, including services such as—
(1) a central supply service for stationery and
other supplies and equipment for which adequate stocks may be maintained to
meet in whole or in part the requirements of the Department;
(2) central messenger, mail, telephone, and
other communications services;
(3) office space and central services for
document reproduction, graphics, and visual aids; and
(4) a central library service.
(b)
Transfers
The capital of the fund shall consist
of—
(1) any appropriations made for the purpose of
providing capital; and
(2) the fair and reasonable value of such
stocks of supplies, equipment, and other assets and inventories on order as the
Secretary may transfer to the fund, less the related liabilities and unpaid
obligations.
(c)
Reimbursement
Amounts in the fund shall be reimbursed in
advance from available funds of agencies and offices in the Department, or from
other sources, for supplies and services at rates that approximate the expense
of operation, including the accrual of annual leave and the depreciation of
equipment.
(d)
Credits
The fund shall be credited with
receipts—
(1) from sale or exchange of property;
and
(2) in payment for loss or damage to property
owned by the fund.
(e)
Surplus
amounts
There shall be
covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts any surplus amounts in the
fund (all assets, liabilities, and prior losses considered), in excess of the
amounts transferred or appropriated to establish and maintain the fund.
332.
Seal of
Department
(a)
In
general
The Secretary shall
cause a seal of office to be made for the Department.
(b)
Judicial
notice
Judicial notice shall
be taken of the seal under this section.
333.
Annual
report
As soon as practicable
after the end of each fiscal year commencing with the first complete fiscal
year following the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
the President, for inclusion in a report to Congress, a report on the
activities of the Department during the preceding fiscal year.
334.
Transfer of
funds
(a)
In
general
Except as provided in
subsection (b), the Secretary, as authorized in an appropriations Act, may
transfer for any fiscal year funds from 1 appropriation to another within the
Department.
(b)
Exception
No appropriation shall be increased or
decreased pursuant to this section by more than 5 percent of the appropriation
for the applicable fiscal year.
IV
Transitional, savings, and conforming
provisions
401.
Transfer and
allocations of appropriations and personnel
(a)
In
general
Except as otherwise
provided in this Act, the personnel employed in connection with, and the
assets, liabilities, contracts, property, records, and unexpended balance of
appropriations authorizations, allocations, and other funds employed, held,
used, arising from, available to, or to be made available in connection with
the functions transferred by this Act, subject to section 1531 of title 31,
United States Code, are transferred to the Secretary for appropriate
allocation.
(b)
Use of
unexpended funds
Unexpended
funds transferred pursuant to subsection (a) shall only be used for the
purposes for which the funds were originally authorized and
appropriated.
(c)
Specific
positions
Positions expressly specified by statute or
reorganization plan to carry out functions transferred by this Act, personnel
occupying those positions on the effective date of this Act, and personnel
authorized to receive compensation in those positions at the rate prescribed
for offices and positions at level I, II, III, IV, or V of the Executive
Schedule under subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, on
the effective date of this Act, shall be subject to section 403.
402.
Effect on
personnel
(a)
In
general
Except as otherwise
provided in this Act or by the Secretary, the transfer pursuant to this title
of full-time personnel (except special Government employees) and part-time
personnel holding permanent positions pursuant to this title shall not cause
any such employee to be separated or reduced in grade or compensation for 1
year after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b)
Compensation
Any
person who, on the effective date of this Act, holds a position compensated in
accordance with the Executive Schedule prescribed in chapter 53 of title 5,
United States Code, and who, without a break in service, is appointed in the
Department to a position having duties comparable to the duties performed
immediately preceding the appointment shall continue to be compensated in the
new position at not less than the rate provided for the previous position, for
the duration of service in the new position.
(c)
Reemployment
rights
(1)
In
general
An employee transferred to the Department who holds
reemployment rights acquired under any provision of law or regulation may
exercise those rights only during the latter of—
(A) the 120-day
period beginning on the effective date of this Act; or
(B) the 2-year period
beginning on the date on which the employee acquired the reemployment
rights.
(2)
Requirement
Reemployment
rights may only be exercised at the request of the employee.
403.
Agency
terminations
(a)
In
general
Except as otherwise
provided in this Act, whenever all of the functions vested by law in any
agency, commission, or other body, or any component of an agency, commission,
or other body, have been terminated or transferred from that agency,
commission, or other body, or component by this Act, the agency, commission, or
other body, or component, shall terminate.
(b)
Termination of
positions and offices
If an
agency, commission, or other body, or any component of an agency, commission,
or other body, terminates pursuant to subsection (a), each position and office
within the agency, commission, or other body, or component, that was expressly
authorized by law, or the incumbent of which was authorized to receive
compensation at the rates prescribed for an office or position at level II,
III, IV, or V of the Executive Schedule under subchapter II of chapter 53 of
title 5, United States Code, shall terminate.
404.
Incidental
transfers
The Director of the
Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Secretary and the
Commission, shall make such determinations as may be necessary with regard to
the transfer of functions that relate to or are used by an agency, commission
or other body, or component of an agency, commission, or other body, affected
by this Act, to make such additional incidental dispositions of personnel,
assets, liabilities, contracts, property, records, and unexpended balances of
appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and other funds held, used,
arising from, available to, or to be made available in connection with the
functions transferred by this Act, as the Director considers necessary to
accomplish the purposes of this Act.
405.
Savings
provisions
(a)
Orders To
remain in effect
(1)
In
general
All orders,
determinations, rules, regulations, permits, contracts, certificates, licenses,
and privileges described in paragraph (2) shall continue in effect according to
their respective terms until modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or
revoked in accordance with law by the President, the Secretary, or other
authorized officials, a court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of
law.
(2)
Specification
Paragraph (1) applies to all orders,
determinations, rules, regulations, permits, contracts, certificates, licenses,
and privileges that—
(A) have been issued,
made, granted, or allowed to become effective by the President, any Federal
department or agency, official of a Federal department or agency, or by a court
of competent jurisdiction, in the performance of functions that are transferred
under this Act to the Department after the date of enactment of this Act;
and
(B) are in effect on
the date on which this Act takes effect.
(b)
Pending
proceedings
(1)
In
general
This Act shall not affect any proceedings or any
application for any license, permit, certificate, or financial assistance
pending before any department, agency, commission, or component of a
department, agency, or commission, functions of which are transferred by this
Act on the date on which this Act takes effect.
(2)
Continuation
(A)
In
general
To the extent that proceedings and applications described
in paragraph (1) relate to functions transferred by this Act—
(i) the
proceedings and applications shall be continued; and
(ii) orders shall be
issued, appeals shall be taken, and payments shall be made pursuant to the
orders, as if this Act had not been enacted.
(B)
Effect
Orders
issued in any proceeding continued under this paragraph shall continue in
effect until modified, terminated, superseded, or revoked by—
(i) a
duly authorized official;
(ii) a
court of competent jurisdiction; or
(iii) operation of
law.
(C)
Discontinuance
or modification
Nothing in this subsection prohibits the
discontinuance or modification of any proceeding described in paragraph (1)
under the same terms and conditions and to the same extent that the proceeding
could have been discontinued or modified if this Act had not been
enacted.
(3)
Rulemaking
The
Secretary may promulgate regulations providing for the orderly transfer of
proceedings described in paragraph (1) to the Department.
(c)
Pending
suits
(1)
In
general
Except as provided in paragraph (3)—
(A) this Act shall
not affect suits commenced prior to the effective date of this Act; and
(B) in all suits
described in subparagraph (A), proceedings shall be had, appeals taken, and
judgments rendered in the same manner and effect as if this Act had not been
enacted.
(2)
Suits by and
against officers in official capacity and departments and agencies
(A)
Offices
No
suit, action, or other proceeding commenced by or against any officer in the
official capacity of the officer as an officer of any department or agency,
functions of which are transferred by this Act, shall abate by reason of the
enactment of this Act.
(B)
Departments and
agencies
No cause of action by or against any department or
agency, functions of which are transferred by this Act, or by or against any
officer of a department or agency in the official capacity of the officer,
shall abate by reason of the enactment of this Act.
(3)
Transfer
If,
before the effective date of this Act, any department or agency, or officer of
a department or agency in the official capacity of the officer, is a party to a
suit, and under this Act any function of the department, agency, or officer is
transferred to the Secretary or any other official, then the suit shall be
continued with the Secretary or other official, as applicable,
substituted.
406.
Reference
With respect to any functions transferred by
this Act and exercised after the effective date of this Act, reference in any
other Federal law to any department, commission, or agency or any officer or
office the functions of which are so transferred shall be deemed to refer to
the Secretary or other official or component of the Department in which this
Act vests those functions.
407.
Presidential
authority
Except as provided
in title IV, nothing in this Act may be construed to limit, curtail, abolish,
or terminate—
(1) any function of, or authority available to,
the President that the President had immediately before the effective date of
this Act; or
(2) the authority of the President to delegate,
redelegate, or terminate any delegation of functions.
408.
Transition
With the consent of the appropriate
department or agency head concerned, the Secretary may use the services of the
officers, employees, and other personnel of the departments and agencies from
which functions have been transferred to the Secretary for such period of time
as may reasonably be needed to facilitate the orderly transfer of functions
under this Act.
409.
Administrative
amendments
(a)
Executive
departments
Section 101 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended—
(1) by striking
The Department of Commerce. and inserting The Department
of Commerce and the Workforce.; and
(2) by striking
The Department of Labor..
(b)
Level
I
Section 5312 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by striking
Secretary of Commerce. and inserting Secretary of
Commerce and the Workforce.; and
(2) by striking
Secretary of Labor. and inserting Undersecretary of
Labor, Department of Commerce and the Workforce..
(c)
Level
II
Section 5313 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
striking Deputy Secretary of Labor. and inserting Deputy
Secretary of Commerce and the Workforce..
(d)
Level
III
Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended—
(1) by striking
Under Secretary of Commerce, Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic
Affairs, Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, and Under
Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism. and inserting the
following:
Under
Secretary for International Trade, Department of Commerce and the
Workforce.Under
Secretary for Economic Affairs and Statistics, Department of Commerce and the
Workforce.Under
Secretary for Industry and Security, Department of Commerce and the
Workforce.
;
(2) by striking
Administrator of the Small Business Administration. and
inserting Under Secretary of Small Business, Department of Commerce and
the Workforce.;
(3) by striking
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, the incumbent of
which also serves as Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. and inserting Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of the Interior.;
and
(4) by striking
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of
the United States Patent and Trademark Office. and inserting
Under Secretary for Intellectual Property, Department of Commerce and
the Workforce..
(e)
Level
IV
Section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended—
(1) by striking
Assistant Secretaries of Commerce (11). and inserting
Assistant Secretaries of Commerce and the Workforce
(10).;
(2) by striking
Assistant Secretaries of Labor (10), one of whom shall be the Assistant
Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.;
(3) by striking
General Counsel of the Department of Commerce. and inserting
General Counsel, Department of Commerce and the
Workforce.;
(4) by striking
Solicitor of the Department of Labor. and inserting
Solicitor of Commerce and the Workforce, Department of Commerce and the
Workforce.;
(5) by striking
Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration. and
inserting Deputy Under Secretary of Small Business, Department of
Commerce and the Workforce.;
(6) by striking
Members, Occupational Safety and Health Review
Commission.;
(7) by striking
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health. and
inserting Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health, Department of
Commerce and the Workforce.;
(8) by striking
Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration. and
inserting Chief Counsel for Small Business Advocacy, Department of
Commerce and the Workforce.;
(9) by striking
Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United
States and Foreign Commercial Service.;
(10) by striking
Director, Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce. and
inserting Director of the Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce
and the Workforce.;
(11) by striking
Chief Financial Officer, Department of Commerce. and inserting
Chief Financial Officer, Department of Commerce and the
Workforce.;
(12) by striking
Chief Financial Officer, Department of Labor.;
(13) by striking
The Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Department of
Labor.;
(14) by striking
Chief Information Officer, Department of Commerce. and inserting
Chief Information Officer, Department of Commerce and the
Workforce.;
(15) by striking
Chief Information Officer, Department of Labor.;
(16) by striking
Chief Information Officer, Small Business Administration.;
and
(17) by striking
Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy
Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office..
(f)
Level
V
Section 5316 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by striking
Associate Administrators of the Small Business Administration
(4). and inserting Assistant Secretaries of Small Business,
Department of Commerce and the Workforce (4).;
(2) by striking
Manpower Administrator, Department of Labor. and inserting
Workforce Administrator, Department of Commerce and the
Workforce.;
(3) by striking
Director, United States Travel Service, Department of Commerce
and inserting Director of the United States Travel Service, Department
of Commerce and the Workforce.;
(4) by striking
Administrator, Wage and Hour and Public Contracts Division, Department
of Labor.; and
(5) by striking
National Export Expansion Coordinator, Department of
Commerce..
410.
Director of
Office of Personnel Management report
As soon as practicable but not later than 1
year after the effective date of this Act, the Director of Office of Personnel
Management shall prepare and submit to Congress a report on the effects on
employees of the reorganization under this Act, which shall include—
(1) an identification
of any position within the Department or elsewhere in the Executive branch that
the Director considers unnecessary due to consolidation of functions under this
Act;
(2) a statement of
the number of employees entitled to pay savings by reason of the reorganization
under this Act;
(3) a statement of
the number of employees who are voluntarily or involuntarily separated by
reason of the reorganization;
(4) an estimate of
the personnel costs associated with the reorganization;
(5) the effects of
the reorganization on labor management relations; and
(6) such legislative
and administrative recommendations for improvements in personnel management
within the Department as the Director considers necessary.
411.
Investigations
and reports on duplicative programs and activities
The
Secretary shall—
(1) conduct routine investigations to identify
programs, offices, and initiatives with duplicative goals and activities within
the Department; and
(2) report annually to Congress on the findings
from the investigations (including the cost of such duplication), including
recommendations for consolidation and elimination to reduce duplication and for
specific rescissions.
V
Effective date and interim
appointments
501.
Effective
date
(a)
In
general
Except as provided in
subsections (b), this Act, and the amendments made by this Act shall take
effect on the earlier of—
(1) 120 days after the Secretary first takes
office; or
(2) such date as the President may prescribe
and publish in the Federal Register.
(b)
Appointments
and regulations
At any time
after the date of enactment of this Act—
(1) any of the officers provided for in titles
I and II may be nominated and appointed, as provided in such titles; and
(2) the Secretary may promulgate regulations
pursuant to section 405.
(c)
Use of
funds
Funds available to any
department or agency (or any official or component of a department of agency)
functions of which are transferred to the Secretary by this Act, may with the
approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, be used to pay
the compensation and expenses of any officer appointed pursuant to subsection
(b) until such time as funds for that purpose are otherwise available.
502.
Interim
appointments
(a)
In
general
If 1 or more officers
required by this Act to be appointed by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate shall not have entered upon office on the effective date of this Act,
the President may designate any officer, whose appointment was required to be
made by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and who was such an
officer immediately prior to the effective date of the Act, to act in the
office until the office is filled as provided in this Act.
(b)
Compensation
Any person acting in an office in
accordance with subsection (a) shall receive compensation at the rates provided
by this Act for the respective office in which the person acts.
VI
Elimination and
reduction of programs
601.
Elimination of
programs
(a)
International
Labor Comparison Program
The International Labor Comparisons
program of the Bureau of Labor Statistics shall be terminated on the date of
enactment of this Act.
(b)
Career Pathways
Innovation Fund
The career pathways innovation fund established
under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–220) to develop and
implement career pathway programs in partnership with employers and other
relevant organizations in the community shall be terminated on the date of
enactment of this Act.
(c)
Transitional
Jobs Demonstration
The Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration
program carried out under section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
(29 U.S.C. 2916) shall be terminated on the date of enactment of this
Act.
(d)
Public
Telecommunications Facilities Grants
Part IV of title III of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 390 et seq.) is repealed.
(e)
Baldridge
Performance Excellence Program
(1)
In
general
The Baldrige Performance Excellence Program shall
terminated on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2)
Award
The
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) is
amended by striking section 17 (15 U.S.C. 3711a) (relating to the Malcolm
Baldridge National Quality Award).
(f)
Emergency Steel
Guaranteed Loan Program
Section 101 of Public Law 106–51 (15
U.S.C. 1841 note) is repealed.
(g)
Noncritical
functions of the Census Bureau
Beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Bureau of the Census shall discontinue—
(1) the Current
Industrial Reports function;
(2) the Federal
Financial Statistics Program;
(3) the Foreign
Research and Analysis Program's international focus; and
(4) the production of
the Statistical Abstract.