Commission on valuation of government benefits

(a) Establishment There is established within the United States Census Bureau a commission, to be known as the Commission on Valuation of Federal Benefits (referred to in this section as the Commission). (b) Composition (1) In general The Commission shall be composed of 8 members, of whom— (A) 2 members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (B) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; (C) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and (D) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (2) Co-chairs Of the members of the Commission— (A) 1 co-chair shall be designated by the majority leader of the Senate; and (B) 1 co-chair shall be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (3) Qualifications Each member appointed to the Commission shall have experience in— (A) quantitative policy research; and (B) welfare or poverty studies. (c) Initial meeting Not later than 60 days after the date on which the last member is appointed under subsection (b), the Commission shall hold an initial meeting. (d) Quorum Six members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. (e) No proxy voting Proxy voting by members of the Commission shall be prohibited. (f) Staff The Director of the Census Bureau shall appoint an executive director of the Commission. (g) Travel expenses Members of the Commission shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel expenses in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code. (h) Duties of commission (1) Recommendations (A) In general The Commission shall produce recommendations for the valuation of Federal benefits listed under section 101(a)(1) for the purpose of United States Census Bureau estimates of the Federal Poverty Level, including non-cash benefits. (2) Report (A) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report of the recommendations required under paragraph (1), including a detailed statement of methodology and reasoning behind recommendations. (B) Public availability The report required by subparagraph (A) shall be made available on an internet website of the United States Government that is available to the public. (i) Powers of commission On request by the executive director of the Commission, the head of a Federal agency shall furnish information to the Commission. (j) Termination of commission The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the Commission submits the report under subsection (h)(2). (k) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out this section.