,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bifg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #c1 #bjai,mr4 ,alexander 7for himself and ,ms4 ,sinema7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,commission on ,intergovernmental ,relations of the ,united ,states to facilitate the fullest cooperation1 coordination1 and mutual accountability among all levels of government1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,restore the ,partnership ,act4 #b4 ,establishment ,there is established a permanent1 bipartisan commission to be known as the ,commission on ,intergovernmental ,relations of the ,united ,states 7in this ,act referred to as the ,commission74 #c4 ,declaration of purpose 7a7 ,in general ,in order to facilitate the fullest cooperation1 coordination1 and mutual accountability among all levels of government and thus better serve the people of the ,united ,states in an increasingly complex society1 it is essential that a commission be established to give continuing attention to federalism and intergovernmental issues4 7b7 ,activities ,it is intended that the ,commission1 in the performance of the duties of the ,commission1 will-- 7#a7 convene representatives of ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governments for the consideration of common problems2 7#b7 provide a forum for discussing ways to improve the administration and coordination of ,federal grant-in-aid1 regulatory1 tax1 and other programs requiring intergovernmental cooperation1 and to give ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governments more flexibility and discretion in implementing ,federal policies and programs2 7#c7 give critical attention to the conditions1 controls1 and oversight involved in the administration of such ,federal programs2 7#d7 share lessons and best practices with ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governments2 7#e7 encourage discussion and study during the early stages of emerging public challenges that are likely to require intergovernmental cooperation2 7#f7 advise the executive and legislative branches of the ,federal ,government on ways to improve the intergovernmental operations of the ,white ,house and ,federal agencies1 including their offices of intergovernmental affairs and use of administrative waivers2 7#g7 identify the intergovernmental impacts of rulings by the ,united ,states ,supreme ,court on ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governments2 and 7#h7 recommend1 within the framework of the ,united ,states ,constitution1 the appropriate allocation of governmental functions1 responsibilities1 revenues1 and expenditures among the levels of government4 #d4 ,membership 7a7 ,number and appointment ,the ,commission shall be composed of #ca members1 of whom-- 7#a7 #f members shall be appointed by the ,president1 of whom-- 7,a7 #c shall be officers of the executive branch of the ,federal ,government2 and 7,b7 #c shall be private citizens1 each of whom1 respectively1 shall have experience or familiarity with relations between the levels of government2 7#b7 #c members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the ,senate1 who shall be ,members of the ,senate2 7#c7 #c members shall be appointed by the ,speaker of the ,house of ,representatives1 who shall be ,members of the ,house of ,representatives2 7#d7 #d members shall be appointed by the ,president from a panel of not less than #h ,governors submitted by the ,national ,governors ,association2 7#e7 #d members shall be appointed by the ,president from a panel of not less than #h members of ,state legislative bodies submitted by the ,national ,conference of ,state ,legislatures2 7#f7 #d members shall be appointed by the ,president from a panel of not less than #h mayors submitted jointly by the ,national ,league of ,cities and the ,united ,states ,conference of ,mayors2 7#g7 #d members shall be appointed by the ,president from a panel of not less than #h elected county officers submitted by the ,national ,association of ,counties2 7#h7 #a member shall be appointed by the ,president from a panel of not less than #d town or township elected governing board members submitted by the ,national ,association of ,towns and ,townships2 and 7#i7 #b members shall be appointed by the ,president from a panel of not less than #d ,tribal officials submitted by the ,national ,congress of ,american ,indians4 7b7 ,political and geographical composition ,the political and geographic composition of the ,commission shall be as follows3 7#a7 ,the private citizen members under subsection 7a77#a7 shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation4 7#b7 ,two of the appointees under paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 of subsection 7a71 respectively1 shall be from the majority party of the applicable ,house of ,congress4 7#c7 ,not more than #b of the appointees under paragraphs 7#d71 7#e71 7#f71 and 7#g7 of subsection 7a71 respectively1 shall be from any #a political party4 7#d7 ,not more than #a of the appointees under paragraphs 7#e71 7#f71 7#g71 and 7#i7 of subsection 7a71 respectively1 shall be from any #a ,state4 7#e7 ,not less than #a of the appointees under subsection 7a77#f7 shall be from cities with a population of more than #ejj1jjj1 and not less than #a of the appointees under subsection 7a77#f7 shall be from cities with a population of less than #ej1jjj4 7#f7 ,not less than #a of the appointees under subsection 7a77#g7 shall be from counties with a population of more than #ejj1jjj1 and not less than #a of the appointees under subsection 7a77#g7 shall be from counties with a population of less than #ej1jjj4 7#g7 ,the appointee under subsection 7a77#h7 shall not be a member of the party of the ,president4 7#h7 ,one of the appointees under subsection 7a77#i7 shall be an official of an ,indian tribe engaged in class ,,ii gaming or class ,,iii gaming1 as such terms are defined in section #d of the ,indian ,gaming ,regulatory ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #bgjc71 respectively1 and the other appointee under subsection 7a77#i7 shall be an official of an ,indian tribe that is not engaged in such gaming4 7c7 ,initial appointments ,each initial appointment under subsection 7a7 shall be made not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7d7 ,terms 7#a7 ,in general ,each member of the ,commission shall-- 7,a7 serve a term of #b years2 7,b7 be eligible for reappointment2 and 7,c7 except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 continue to serve until a successor is appointed4 7#b7 ,termination of service in official position from which originally appointed ,if any member of the ,commission ceases to serve in the official position to which the member was appointed under subsection 7a71 the place of the member on the ,commission shall be deemed to be vacant4 7#c7 ,vacancies in membership 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 any vacancy in the membership of the ,commission shall be filled for the remainder of the vacant term in the same manner in which the original appointment was made4 7,b7 ,exception ,if the number of vacancies in the membership of the ,commission is fewer than the number of members specified in paragraphs 7#d71 7#e71 7#f71 7#g71 and 7#h7 of subsection 7a71 each panel of names submitted in accordance with the those paragraphs shall contain not less than #b names for each vacancy4 #e4 ,organization of commission 7a7 ,initial meeting ,the ,president shall convene the ,commission not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act at such time and place as the ,president may designate4 7b7 ,chair and vice chair 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall designate a ,chair and a ,vice ,chair of the ,commission from among the members of the ,commission4 7#b7 ,process for election ,after the ,president designates a ,chair and ,vice ,chair under paragraph 7#a71 the ,commission may subsequently establish a process for electing a ,chair and ,vice ,chair4 7c7 ,quorum ,seventeen members of the ,commission shall constitute a quorum1 but #b or more members1 representing more than #a of the class of members described in section #d7;a71 shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting hearings4 #f4 ,duties of commission 7a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 engage in such activities and make such studies1 investigations1 convenings1 and communications as are necessary or desirable in the accomplishment of the purposes set forth in section #c2 7#b7 consider1 on its own initiative1 mechanisms for fostering better relations and more productive partnerships between and among the levels of government2 7#c7 make available technical assistance to the executive and legislative branches of the ,federal ,government in the review of proposed legislation to determine the overall effect of the proposed legislation on all levels of government2 7#d7 recommend1 within the framework of the ,united ,states ,constitution1 the appropriate allocation of governmental functions1 responsibilities1 revenues1 and expenditures among the levels of government2 7#e7 recommend ways to improve the management1 performance1 and coordination of ,federal grant-in-aid and regulatory programs on ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governments1 including metrics to inform intergovernmental improvements2 and 7#f7 recommend methods of coordinating and simplifying tax laws and administrative policies and practices to achieve a more orderly and less competitive fiscal relationship between the levels of government and to reduce the burden of compliance for taxpayers4 7b7 ,reports 7#a7 ,annual report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and on or before ,january #ca of each year thereafter1 the ,commission shall submit to the ,president and ,congress a report that-- 7,a7 identifies trends in federalism1 emerging and persistent issues needing intergovernmental attention1 data needs1 and areas requiring intergovernmental cooperation and coordination for better outcomes2 7,b7 summarizes any actions taken in accordance with the recommendations of the ,commission contained in any prior report1 and the results thereof2 7,c7 contains the recommendations described in subsection 7a7 made in the year preceding the submission of the report2 7,d7 provide details on the activities1 administration1 expenditures1 and receipts of the ,commission2 and 7,e7 communicate any other matters as the ,commission may determine important4 7#b7 ,additional reports ,the ,commission may submit additional reports to the ,president1 to ,congress or any committee of ,congress1 and to any unit of government or organization as the ,commission may determine appropriate4 7c7 ,hearings ,not later than #ij days after the date on which ,congress receives a report described in subsection 7b77#a71 ,congress shall hold hearings on the recommendations of the ,commission4 #g4 ,powers and administrative provisions 7a7 ,hearings and ,sessions 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission or1 on the authorization of the ,commission1 any subcommittee or members thereof1 may1 for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this ,act1 hold such hearings1 take such testimony1 and sit and act at such times and places as the ,commission determines to be advisable4 7#b7 ,oaths and affirmations ,any member authorized by the ,commission may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the ,commission or any subcommittee or members thereof4 7b7 ,cooperation by ,executive agencies 7#a7 ,request for information ,each department1 agency1 and instrumentality of the executive branch of the ,federal ,government1 including each independent agency1 is authorized and directed1 consistent with law1 to furnish to the ,commission1 upon request made by the ,chair or ,vice ,chair1 such information as the ,commission determines to be necessary to carry out the functions of the ,commission under this ,act4 7#b7 ,recommendations ,the ,commission shall furnish to any department1 agency1 or instrumentality of the executive branch of the ,federal ,government1 including independent agencies1 any recommendations directed toward the department1 agency1 or instrumentality1 and the department1 agency1 or instrumentality shall furnish the ,commission within #ij days a written response that shall be included in any publication of the recommendations of the ,commission4 7c7 ,executive ,director ,the ,commission shall have power to appoint and remove an ,executive ,director-- 7#a7 who shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level ,,iii of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecad of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7#b7 the appointment of whom shall be made solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the position and without regard to political affiliation4 7d7 ,staff ,subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the ,commission1 the ,executive ,director shall have the power to-- 7#a7 appoint1 fix the compensation of1 and remove such other personnel as he or she determines to be necessary2 and 7#b7 procure temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized by section #caji of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7e7 ,applicability of other laws to employees ,except as otherwise provided in this ,act1 persons in the employ of the ,commission under subsections 7c7 and 7d77#a7 shall be considered ,federal employees for all purposes4 7f7 ,maximum ,compensation of employees ,any individual in the employ of the ,commission under subsection 7d77#a7 may not be paid at a rate of pay greater than the highest rate of basic pay provided under the ,general ,schedule under section #eccb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 #h4 ,application of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act ,section #c7b7 of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app7 is amended1 in the matter following subparagraph 7,c7-- 7#a7 by striking and before 7ii72 and 7#b7 by striking ,administration and inserting ,administration1 and 7iii7 the ,commission on ,intergovernmental ,relations of the ,united ,states4 #i4 ,reimbursement ,members of the ,commission shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel1 subsistence1 and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as members of the ,commission4 #aj4 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this ,act4 #aa4 ,receipt of other funds ,the ,commission is authorized to receive funds through grants1 contracts1 and contributions from governmental agencies1 foundations1 and nonprofit organizations4 ,such funds may be received and expended by the ,commission only for the purposes of carrying out this ,act4 #ab4 ,repeal of ,advisory ,commission on ,intergovernmental ,affairs ,an ,act to establish an ,advisory ,commission on ,intergovernmental ,affairs1 approved ,september #bd1 #aiei 7,public ,law #hf-chj2 #db ,u4,s4,c4 #dbga et seq471 is repealed4