(1) a consideration of ways in which fires can be more effectively prevented through technological advances, construction techniques, and improved inspection procedures;

(2) an analysis of existing programs administered or supported by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government and of ways in which such programs could be strengthened so as to lessen the danger of destructive fires in Government-assisted housing and in the redevelopment of the Nation's cities and communities;

(3) an evaluation of existing fire suppression methods and of ways for improving the same, including procedures for recruiting and soliciting the necessary personnel;

(4) an evaluation of present and future needs (including longterm needs) of training and education for fire-service personnel; (5) a consideration of the adequacy of current fire communication techniques and suggestions for the standardization and improvement of the apparatus and equipment used in controlling fires;

(6) an analysis of the administrative problems affecting the efficiency or capabilities of local fire departments or organizations; and

(7) an assessment of local, State, and Federal responsibilities in the development of practicable and effective solutions for reducing fire losses.

(b) In carrying out its duties under this section the Commission shall consider the results of the functions carried out by the Secretary of Commerce under sections 16 and 17 of the Act of March 3, 1901 (as added by title I of this Act), and consult regularly with the Secretary in order to coordinate the work of the Commission and the functions carried out under such sections 16 and 17.

(c) The Commission shall submit to the President and to the Congress a report with respect to its findings and recommendations not later than two years after the Commission has been duly organized.

POWERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

SEC. 204. (a) The Commission or, on the authorization of the Commission, any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title, hold hearings, take testimony, and administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the Commission or any subcommittee or member thereof.

(b) Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the executive branch of the Government, including an independent agency, is authorized to furnish to the Commission, upon request made by the Chairman or Vice Chairman, such information as the Commission deems necessary to carry out its functions under this title.

(c) Subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Commission, the Chairman, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, shall have the power

(1) to appoint and fix the compensation of such staff personnel as he deems necessary, and

(2) to procure temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code.

COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS

SEC. 205. (a) Any member of the Commission, including a member appointed under section 202(b), who is a Member of Congress or in the executive branch of the Government shall serve without compensation in addition to that received in his regular employment, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of duties vested in the Commission.

(b) Members of the Commission, other than those referred to in subsection (a), shall receive compensation at the rate of $100 per day for each day they are engaged in the performance of their duties as members of the Commission and shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as members of the Commission.

EXPENSES OF THE COMMISSION

SEC. 206. There are authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title.

EXPIRATION OF THE COMMISSION

SEC. 207. The Commission shall cease to exist thirty days after the submission of its report under section 203 (c). Approved March 1, 1968.

44-023 0-70-40

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT COMPENSATION SYSTEM

[Public Law 90-313, 82 Stat. 126; 49 U.S.C. 1653 note]

JOINT RESOLUTION To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of the existing compensation system for motor vehicle accident losses, and for other purposes.

Whereas Congress finds that suffering and loss of life resulting from motor vehicle accidents and the consequent social and economic dislocations are critical national problems; and

Whereas there is growing evidence that the existing system of compensation for such loss and suffering is inequitable, inadequate, and insufficient and is unresponsive to existing social, economic, and technological conditions; and

Whereas there is needed a fundamental reevaluation of such system, including a review of the role and effectiveness of insurance and the existing law governing liability; and

Whereas meaningful analysis requires the collection and evaluation of data not presently available such as the actual economic impact of motor vehicle injuries, the relief available both from public and private sources, and the role and effectiveness of rehabilitation: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) the Secretary of Transportation (hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary"), in cooperation with those other Federal agencies which possess relevant competencies, as provided in section 4, is authorized and directed to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of all relevant aspects of the existing motor vehicle accident compensation system. Such study and investigation shall include consideration of the following

(1) the inadequacies of such existing compensation system in theory and practice;

(2) the public policy objectives to be realized by such a system, including an analysis of the costs and benefits, both monetary and otherwise;

(3) the most effective means for realizing such objectives;

(4) the oftentimes arbitrary and capricious cancellation or refusal to renew automobile insurance policies or the refusal to issue such policies without stated cause;

(5) the constant and costly increases in premiums for automobile insurance;

(6) the disparity between the amounts paid as premiums and the amounts paid out for claims;

(7) the frequent insolvencies of companies engaged in providing automobile insurance;

(8) long delays in processing and paying claims arising out of motor vehicle accidents; and

(9) the efficiency and adequacy of present State insurance regulatory institutions.

(b) The Secretary shall submit to the President and to the Congress interim reports from time to time and a final report not later than

twenty-four months after the date of enactment of this joint resolution. Such final report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Secretary, and may propose such legislation or other action as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out his recommendations.

ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS

SEC. 2. In order to carry out his functions under this joint resolution, the Secretary is authorized to

(1) appoint and fix the compensation of such employees as he deems necessary without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointment in the competitive service and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates;

(2) obtain the services of experts and consultants in accordance with the provisions of section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed $100 per diem;

(3) enter into contracts with corporations, business firms, institutions, and individuals for the conduct of research and surveys and the preparation of reports; and

(4) appoint, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive services, such advisory committees, representative of the divergent interests involved, as he deems appropriate for the purpose of consultation with and advice to the Secretary.

Members of advisory committees appointed under paragraph (4) of this section, other than those regularly employed by the Federal Government, while attending meetings of such committees or otherwise serving at the request of the Secretary, may be compensated at rates to be fixed by the Secretary but not exceeding $100 per day, and while away from home or regular place of business they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for persons in the Government service employed intermittently. Members of such advisory committees shall, for the purposes of chapter 11, title 18, United States Code, be deemed to be special Government employees.

COOPERATION OF FEDERAL AGENCIES

SEC. 3. (a) The Secretary is authorized to request from any department, agency, or independent instrumentality of the Government any information he deems necessary to carry out his functions under this joint resolution; and each such department, agency, or independent instrumentality is authorized and directed to cooperate with the Secretary and to furnish such information to the Department of Transportation upon request made by the Secretary.

(b) The head of any Federal department, agency, or independent instrumentality is authorized to detail, on a reimbursable basis, any personnel of such department, agency, or independent instrumentality to assist in carrying out the duties of the Secretary under this joint resolution.

INTERAGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

SEC. 4. The President shall appoint an Interagency Advisory Committee on Compensation for Motor Vehicle Accident Losses consisting of the Secretary who shall be Chairman and one representative each of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Labor, Health, Education, and Welfare, and Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Trade Commission, the Interstate Commerce Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, and such other Federal agencies as are designated by the President. Such members shall, to the extent possible, be persons knowledgeable in the field of compensation for motor vehicle accident losses. The Advisory Committee shall advise the Secretary on the preparation for and the conduct of the study authorized by this joint resolution.

HEARINGS AND PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

SEC. 5. (a) For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this joint resolution the Secretary, or on the authorization of the Secretary any officer or employee of the Department of Transportation, may hold such hearings, take such testimony, sit and act at such times and places, administer such oaths, and require, by subpena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, correspondence, memorandums, contracts, agreements, or other records as the Secretary, or such officer or employee, deems advisable.

(b) In order to carry out the provisions of this joint resolution, the Secretary or his duly authorized agent shall at all reasonable times have access to, and for the purposes of examination the right to copy, any documentary evidence of any corporation, business firm, institution, or individual having materials or information relevant to the study authorized by this joint resolution.

(c) The Secretary is authorized to require, by general or special orders, any corporation, business firm, or individual or any class of such corporation, firms, or individuals to file, in such form as the Secretary may prescribe, reports or answers in writing to specific questions relating to the study authorized by this joint resolution. Such reports and answers shall be made under oath or otherwise, and shall be filed with the Secretary within such reasonable period as the Secretary may prescribe.

(d) Any of the district courts of the United States within the jurisdiction of which an inquiry is carried on may, in case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpena or order of the Secretary or such officer or employee issued under subsection (a) or subsection (c) of this section, issue an order requiring compliance therewith; and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof.

(e) Witnesses summoned pursuant to this section shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States.

(f) Any information which is reported to or otherwise obtained by the Secretary or such officer or employee under this section and which contains or relates to a trade secret or other matter referred to in section 1905 of title 18 of the United States Code, shall not be disclosed