S.Amdt. 3174

SA 3174. Ms. SNOWE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to
amendment SA 2786 proposed by Mr. Reid (for himself, Mr. Baucus, Mr.
Dodd, and Mr. Harkin) to the bill H.R. 3590, to amend the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the
case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal
employees, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the
table; as follows:

At after title IX, insert the following:

TITLE X--HEALTH CARE REFORM OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

SEC. 10001. HEALTH CARE REFORM OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

(a) Establishment.--There is established a committee to be
known as the Health Care Reform Oversight Committee (referred
to in this section as the ``Committee''), for the purpose of
maintaining close oversight of the implementation of the
requirements of this Act (including the amendments made by
this Act), including with regard to the affordability
criteria set forth in this Act, the impact of this Act on
small businesses, and pricing trends resulting from
implementation of this Act.
(b) Membership.--The Committee shall be composed of 12
members, selected by the President pro tempore of the Senate
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in
consultation with the majority and minority leaders of the
Senate and of the House of Representatives, from among
members of the public experienced in health care
administration, tax policy, small business, actuarial
science, health insurance plan design or sales, or a
profession that would lend credibility to the work of the
Committee. Not more than 3 members of the Committee may be
Federal employees.
(c) Chairperson.--The Committee shall select a Chairperson
from among its members.
(d) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet at the call of the
chairperson, or as voted by 7 members, as is necessary to
maintain close oversight of the implementation of the
requirements of this Act (including the amendments made by
this Act), to address specific problems raised by such
implementation, or to address constituent concerns.
(e) Quorum.--A quorum shall consist of a total of 7 members
of the Committee, except that a total of 5 members shall be
present to conduct hearings, unless such requirement that 5
members be present to conduct hearings is waived by a
majority of the Committee.
(f) Duties of the Committee.--The Committee shall provide
close oversight of all aspects of the requirements of this
Act, including the amendments made by this Act.
(g) Powers of the Committee.--
(1) Hearings.--The Committee may, for the purpose of
carrying out this section--
(A) hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and
places, take such testimony, receive such evidence,
administer such oaths; and
(B) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and
testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books,
records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, documents, tapes,
and materials as the Committee considers advisable.
(2) Reports and recommendations.--The Committee may issues
reports and findings as it deems appropriate, including
offering suggestions for legislation to improve the
requirements and activities under this Act (including the
amendments made by this Act).
(3) Issuance and enforcement of subpoenas.--
(A) Issuance.--Subpoenas issued under paragraph (1) shall
bear the signature of the Chairperson of the Committee and
shall be served by any person or class of persons designated
by the Chairperson for that purpose.
(B) Enforcement.--In the case of contumacy or failure to
obey a subpoena issued under paragraph (1), the United States
district court for the judicial district in which the
subpoenaed person resides, is served, or may be found may
issue an order requiring such person to appear at any
designated place to testify or to produce documentary or
other evidence. Any failure to obey the order of the court
may be punished by the court as a contempt that court.
(4) Witness allowances and fees.--Section 1821 of title 28,
United States Code, shall apply to witnesses requested or
subpoenaed to appear at any hearing of the Committee. The per
diem and mileage allowances for witnesses shall be paid from
funds available to pay the expenses of the Committee.
(5) Information from federal agencies.--The Committee may
secure directly from any Federal department or agency such
information as the Committee considers necessary to carry out
this Act. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Committee,
or of another member of the Committee representing a majority
vote, the head of such department or agency shall furnish
such information to the Committee.
(6) Postal services.--The Committee may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions
as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
(7) Gifts.--The Committee may accept, use, and dispose of
gifts or donations of services or property.
(h) Compensation of Members.--
(1) In general.--Each member of the Committee who is not an
officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be
compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the
annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United
States Code, for each day (including travel time) during
which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties
of the Committee. All members of the Committee who are
officers or employees of the United States shall serve
without compensation in addition to that received for their
services as officers or employees of the United States.
(2) Travel expenses.--The members of the Committee shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States
Code, while away from their homes or regular places of
business in the performance of services for the Committee.
(i) Termination of the Committee.--The Committee shall
terminate 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out
this section.
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