USC Subchapter VII

in effect

7 U.S.C. § 7311 Establishment

There is established a commission to be known as the “Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture” (in this subchapter referred to as the “Commission”).

(a) Membership and appointmentThe Commission shall be composed of 11 members, appointed as follows:(1) Three members shall be appointed by the President. (2) Four members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives in consultation with the ranking minority member of the Committee. (3) Four members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate in consultation with the ranking minority member of the Committee. (b) QualificationsAt least 1 of the members appointed under each of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) shall be an individual who is primarily involved in production agriculture. All other members of the Commission shall be appointed from among individuals having knowledge and experience in agricultural production, marketing, finance, or trade. (c) Term of members; vacanciesA member of the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. A vacancy on the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made. (d) Time for appointment; first meetingThe members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than October 1, 1997. The Commission shall convene its first meeting to carry out its duties under this subchapter 30 days after 6 members of the Commission have been appointed. (e) ChairpersonThe chairperson of the Commission shall be designated jointly by the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate from among the members of the Commission.

7 U.S.C. § 7313 Comprehensive review of past and future of production agriculture

(a) Initial reviewThe Commission shall conduct a comprehensive review of changes in the condition of production agriculture in the United States since April 4, 1996, and the extent to which the changes are the result of this chapter and the amendments made by this chapter. The review shall include the following:(1) An assessment of the initial success of production flexibility contracts in supporting the economic viability of farming in the United States. (2) An assessment of economic risks to farms delineated by size of farm operation (such as small, medium, or large farms) and region of production. (3) An assessment of the food security situation in the United States in the areas of trade, consumer prices, international competitiveness of United States production agriculture, food supplies, and humanitarian relief. (4) An assessment of the changes in farmland values and agricultural producer incomes since April 4, 1996. (5) An assessment of the extent to which regulatory relief for agricultural producers has been enacted and implemented, including the application of cost/benefit principles in the issuance of agricultural regulations. (6) An assessment of the extent to which tax relief for agricultural producers has been enacted in the form of capital gains tax reductions, estate tax exemptions, and mechanisms to average tax loads over high- and low-income years. (7) An assessment of the effect of any Federal Government interference in agricultural export markets, such as the imposition of trade embargoes, and the degree of implementation and success of international trade agreements and United States export programs. (8) An assessment of the likely effect of the sale, lease, or transfer of farm poundage quota for peanuts across State lines. (b) Subsequent reviewThe Commission shall conduct a comprehensive review of the future of production agriculture in the United States and the appropriate role of the Federal Government in support of production agriculture. The review shall include the following:(1) An assessment of changes in the condition of production agriculture in the United States since the initial review conducted under subsection (a). (2) Identification of the appropriate future relationship of the Federal Government with production agriculture after 2002. (3) An assessment of the personnel and infrastructure requirements of the Department of Agriculture necessary to support the future relationship of the Federal Government with production agriculture. (4) An assessment of economic risks to farms delineated by size of farm operation (such as small, medium, or large farms) and region of production. (c) RecommendationsIn carrying out the subsequent review under subsection (b), the Commission shall develop specific recommendations for legislation to achieve the appropriate future relationship of the Federal Government with production agriculture identified under subsection (a)(2).

7 U.S.C. § 7314 Reports

(a) Report on initial reviewNot later than June 1, 1998, the Commission shall submit to the President, the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report containing the results of the initial review conducted under section 7313(a) of this title. (b) Report on subsequent reviewNot later than January 1, 2001, the Commission shall submit to the President and the congressional committees specified in subsection (a) a report containing the results of the subsequent review conducted under section 7313(b) of this title.

7 U.S.C. § 7315 Powers

(a) HearingsThe Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this subchapter, conduct such hearings, sit and act at such times, take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the Commission considers appropriate. (b) Assistance from other agenciesThe Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the Federal Government such information as may be necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties under this subchapter. On the request of the chairperson of the Commission, the head of the department or agency shall, to the extent permitted by law, furnish such information to the Commission. (c) MailThe Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. (d) Assistance from SecretaryThe Secretary shall provide to the Commission appropriate office space and such reasonable administrative and support services as the Commission may request.

7 U.S.C. § 7316 Commission procedures

(a) MeetingsThe Commission shall meet on a regular basis (as determined by the chairperson) and at the call of the chairperson or a majority of its members. (b) QuorumA majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

7 U.S.C. § 7317 Personnel matters

(a) CompensationEach member of the Commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be allowed travel expenses including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, when engaged in the performance of Commission duties. (b) Staff(1) AppointmentThe Commission shall appoint a staff director, who shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate of basic pay under section 5376 of title 5, and such professional and clerical personnel as may be reasonable and necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its duties under this subchapter without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, or any other provision of law, relating to the number, classification, and General Schedule rates. (2) Limitation on compensationNo employee appointed under this subsection (other than the staff director) may be compensated at a rate to exceed the maximum rate applicable to level GS–15 of the General Schedule. (c) Detailed personnelOn the request of the chairperson of the Commission, the head of any department or agency of the Federal Government is authorized to detail, without reimbursement, any personnel of the department or agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under this section. The detail of any individual may not result in the interruption or loss of civil service status or other privilege of the individual.

7 U.S.C. § 7318 Termination of Commission

The Commission shall terminate on submission of the final report required by section 7314 of this title.