USC Chapter 74

in effect

15 U.S.C. § 4801 Findings and purpose

(a) FindingsThe Congress finds that—(1) efforts to reverse the decline of United States industry has been hindered by—(A) a serious erosion in the institutions and policies which foster United States competitiveness including a lack of high quality domestic and international economic and scientific data needed to—(i) reveal sectoral strengths and weaknesses; (ii) identify potential new markets and future technological and economic trends; and (iii) provide necessary information regarding the competitive strategies of foreign competitors; (B) the lack of a coherent and consistent government competitiveness policy, including policies with respect to—(i) international trade, finance, and investment, (ii) research, science, and technology, (iii) education, labor retraining, and adjustment, (iv) macroeconomic and budgetary issues, (v) antitrust and regulation, and (vi) government procurement; (2) the United States economy benefits when business, labor, government, academia, and public interest groups work together cooperatively; (3) the decline of United States economic competitiveness endangers the ability of the United States to maintain the defense industrial base which is necessary to the national security of the United States; (4) the world is moving rapidly toward the creation of an integrated and interdependent economy, a world economy in which the policies of one nation have a major impact on other nations; (5) integrated solutions to such issues as trade and investment research, science, and technology, education, and labor retraining and adjustments help the United States compete more effectively in the world economy; and (6) government, business, labor, academia, and public interest groups shall cooperate to develop and coordinate long-range strategies to help assure the international competitiveness of the United States economy. (b) PurposeIt is the purpose of this chapter—(1) to develop recommendations for long-range strategies for promoting the international competitiveness of the United States industries; and (2) to establish the Competitiveness Policy Council which shall—(A) analyze information regarding the competitiveness of United States industries and business and trade policy; (B) create an institutional forum where national leaders with experience and background in business, labor, government, academia, and public interest activities shall—(i) identify economic problems inhibiting the competitiveness of United States agriculture, business, and industry; (ii) develop long-term strategies to address such problem; and (C) make recommendations on issues crucial to the development of coordinated competitiveness strategies; (D) publish analysis in the form of periodic reports and recommendations concerning the United States business and trade policy.

15 U.S.C. § 4802 Council established

There is established the Competitiveness Policy Council (hereafter in this chapter referred to as the “Council”), an advisory committee under the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5.

15 U.S.C. § 4803 Duties of Council

The Council shall— (1) develop recommendations for national strategies and on specific policies intended to enhance the productivity and international competitiveness of United States industries; (2) provide comments, when appropriate, and through any existing comment procedure, on—(A) private sector requests for governmental assistance or relief, specifically as to whether the applicant is likely, by receiving the assistance or relief, to become internationally competitive; and (B) what actions should be taken by the applicant as a condition of such assistance or relief to ensure that the applicant is likely to become internationally competitive; (3) analyze information concerning current and future United States economic competitiveness useful to decision making in government and industry; (4) create a forum where national leaders with experience and background in business, labor, academia, public interest activities, and government shall identify and develop recommendations to address problems affecting the economic competitiveness of the United States; (5) evaluate Federal policies, regulations, and unclassified international agreement on trade, science, and technology to which the United States is a party with respect to the impact on United States competitiveness; (6) provide policy recommendations to the Congress, the President, and the Federal departments and agencies regarding specific issues concerning competitiveness strategies; (7) monitor the changing nature of research, science, and technology in the United States and the changing nature of the United States economy and its capacity—(A) to provide marketable, high quality goods and services in domestic and international markets; and (B) to respond to international competition; (8) identify—(A) Federal and private sector resources devoted to increased competitiveness; and (B) State and local government programs devised to enhance competitiveness, including joint ventures between universities and corporations; (9) establish, when appropriate, subcouncils of public and private leaders to develop recommendations on long-term strategies for sectors of the economy and for specific competitiveness issues; (10) review policy recommendations developed by the subcouncils and transmit such recommendations to the Federal agencies responsible for the implementation of such recommendations; (11) prepare, publish, and distribute reports containing the recommendations of the Council; and (12) publish their analysis and recommendations in the form of an annual report to the President and the Congress which also comments on the overall competitiveness of the American economy.

15 U.S.C. § 4804 Membership

(a) Composition and representation(1) The Council shall consist of 12 members, of whom—(A) four members shall be appointed by the President, of whom—(i) one shall be a national leader with experience and background in business; (ii) one shall be a national leader with experience and background in the labor community; (iii) one shall be a national leader who has been active in public interest activities; and (iv) one shall be a head of a Federal department or agency; (B) four members shall be appointed by the majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate, acting jointly, of whom—(i) one shall be a national leader with experience or background in business; (ii) one shall be a national leader with experience and background in the labor community; (iii) one shall be a national leader with experience and background in the academic community; and (iv) one shall be a representative of State or local government; and (C) four members shall be appointed by the Speaker, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, acting jointly, of whom—(i) one shall be a national leader with experience and background in business; (ii) one shall be a national leader with experience and background in the labor community; (iii) one shall be a national leader with experience and background in the academic community; and (iv) one shall be a representative of State or local government. (2) In addition to the head of a Federal department or agency appointed in accordance with subsection (a)(1)(A)(iv), other Federal officials may participate on an ex-officio basis as requested by the Council. (3) All members of the Council shall be individuals who have a broad understanding of the United States economy and the United States competitive position internationally. (4) Not more than 6 members of the Council shall be members of the same political party. (b) Initial appointmentsThe initial members of the Council shall be appointed within 30 days after August 20, 1990. (c) Vacancies(1) A vacancy on the Council shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. (2) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy on the Council occurring before the expiration of the term for which the predecessor of such member was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term. (3) A member of the Council may serve after the expiration of the term of such member until the successor of such member has taken office. (d) RemovalMembers of the Council may be removed only for malfeasance in office. (e) Conflict of interestA member of the Council shall not serve as an agent for a foreign principal or a lobbyist for a foreign entity (as the terms “lobbyist” and “foreign entity” are defined under section 1602 of title 2). (f) ExpensesEach member of the Council, while engaged in duties as a member of the Council, shall be paid actual travel expenses, and per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses when away from the usual place of residence of such member, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5. (g) Quorum(1) In generalSeven members of the Council constitute a quorum, except that a lesser number may hold hearings if such action is approved by a two-thirds vote of the entire Council. (2) Initial organizationThe Council shall not commence its duties until all the nongovernmental members have been appointed and have qualified. (h) ChairpersonThe Council shall elect, by a two-thirds vote of the entire Council, a chairperson from among the nongovernmental members. (i) MeetingsThe Council shall meet at the call of the chairperson or a majority of the members. (j) Policy actionsExcept as provided in subsection (g), no action establishing policy shall be taken by the Council unless approved by two-thirds of the entire membership of the Council. (k) Alternate members(1) Each member of the Council shall designate one alternate representative to attend any meeting that such member is unable to attend. (2) In the course of attending any such meeting, an alternate representative shall be considered a member of the Council for all purposes, except for voting.

15 U.S.C. § 4805 Executive Director and staff

(a) Executive Director(1) The principal administrative officer of the Council shall be an Executive Director, who shall be appointed by the Council and who shall be paid at a rate not to exceed GS–18 of the General Schedule. (2) The Executive Director shall serve on a full-time basis. (b) Staff(1) Within the limitations of appropriations to the Council, the Executive Director may appoint a staff for the Council in accordance with the Federal civil service and classification laws. (2) The staff of the Council shall be deemed to be special government employees as defined in section 202 of title 18 for purposes of title II of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 11 See References in Text note below. and sections 201, 202, 203, 205, 207, and 208 of title 18. (c) Experts and consultantsThe Council may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay for GS–16 of the General Schedule. (d) DetailsUpon request of the Council, the head of any other Federal agency is authorized to detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such agency to the Council to assist the Council in carrying out its duties under this chapter.

15 U.S.C. § 4806 Powers of Council

(a) HearingsThe Council may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the Council considers appropriate. The Council may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the Council. (b) Information(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Council may secure directly from any Federal agency information necessary to enable the Council to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Upon request of the chairman of the Council, the head of such agency shall promptly furnish such information to the Council. (B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to matters that are specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order. (2) In any case in which the Council receives any information from a Federal agency, the Council shall not disclose such information to the public unless such agency is authorized to disclose such information pursuant to Federal law. (c) Consultation with President and CongressNo later than 120 days after the initial members are appointed to the Council, the Council shall submit a report to the President, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, and the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and of the Senate, that proposes the type and scope of activities the Council shall undertake, including the extent to which the Council will coordinate activities with other advisory committees relating to trade and competitiveness in order to maximize the effectiveness of the Council. (d) GiftsThe Council may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property. (e) Use of mailsThe Council may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal agencies. (f) Administrative and support servicesThe Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Council, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative and support services as the Council may request. (g) Subcouncils(1) The Council may establish, for such period of time as the Council determines appropriate, subcouncils of public and private leaders to analyze specific competitive issues. (2) Any such subcouncil shall include representatives of business, labor, government, and other individuals or representatives of groups whose participation is considered by the Council to be important to developing a full understanding of the subject with which the subcouncil is concerned. (3) Any such subcouncil shall include a representative of the Federal Government. (4) Any such subcouncil shall assess the actual or potential competitiveness problems facing the industry or the specific policy issues with which the subcouncil is concerned and shall formulate specific recommendations for responses by business, government, and labor—(A) to encourage adjustment and modernization of the industry involved; (B) to monitor and facilitate industry responsiveness to opportunities identified under section 4807(b)(1)(B) of this title; (C) to encourage the ability of the industry involved to compete in markets identified under section 4807(b)(1)(C) of this title; or (D) to alleviate the problems in a specific policy area facing more than one industry. (5) Any discussion held by any subcouncil shall not be considered to violate any Federal or State antitrust law. (6) Any discussion held by any subcouncil shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5, except that a Federal representative shall attend all subcouncil meetings. (7) Any subcouncil shall terminate 30 days after making recommendations, unless the Council specifically requests that the subcouncil continue in operation. (h) Applicability of chapter 10 of title 5The provisions of subsections (e) and (f) of section 1009 of title 5 shall not apply to the Council.

15 U.S.C. § 4807 Annual report

(a) Submission of reportThe Council shall annually on March 1 submit to the President, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, and the appropriate Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report setting forth—(1) the goals to achieve a more competitive United States economy; (2) the policies needed to meet such goals; (3) a summary of existing policies of the Federal Government or State and local governments significantly affecting the competitiveness of the United States economy; and (4) a summary of significant economic and technological developments, in the United States and abroad, affecting the competitive position of United States industries. (b) Contents of reportThe report submitted under subsection (a) shall—(1) identify and describe actual or foreseeable developments, in the United States and abroad, which—(A) create a significant likelihood of a competitive challenge to, or of substantial dislocation in, an established United States industry; (B) present significant opportunities for United States industries to compete in new geographical markets or product markets, or to expand the position of such industries in established markets; or (C) create a significant risk that United States industries shall be unable to compete successfully in significant markets; (2) specify the industry sectors affected by the developments described in the report under paragraph (1); and (3) contain a statement of the findings and recommendations of the Council during the previous fiscal year, including any recommendations of the Council for (a) such legislative or administrative actions as the Council considers appropriate, and (b) including the elimination, consolidation, reorganization of government agencies especially such agencies that specifically deal with research, science, technology, and international trade. (c) Report by Congressional committeesThe Council shall consult with each committee to which a report is submitted under this section and after such consultation, each such committee shall submit to its respective House a report setting forth the views and recommendations of such committee with respect to the report of the Council.

15 U.S.C. § 4808 Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1991 and 1992 such sums as may be necessary not to exceed $5,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

15 U.S.C. § 4809 Definitions

For purposes of this chapter— (1) the term “Council” means the Competitiveness Policy Council established under section 4802 of this title; (2) the term “member” means a member of the Competitiveness Policy Council; (3) the term “United States” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and any other territory or possession of the United States; and (4) the term “agent of a foreign principal” is defined as such term is defined under subsection (d) of section 611 of title 22 subject to the provisions of section 613 of title 22.