Model Policy

{Title, Enacting Clause, etc.}

Section 1. This Act may be cited as the Federal Funds Commission Act.

Section 2. {Definitions.}

(A) “Commission” means the {insert state} Federal Funds Commission.

Section 3. {Commission Creation and Members.}

(A) There is created an advisory commission known as the Federal Funds Commission.

(B) The commission consists of 13 members as follows:

1. three members of the Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate, no more than two of whom may be from the same political party;
2. three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, no more than two of whom may be from the same political party;
3. three individuals appointed by the governor, no more than two of whom may be from the same political party; and
4. four individuals selected by commission members appointed under the previous sections, these members will be selected for the commission by first being nominated then seconded and approved by a majority vote of the original 9 members of the commission;
5. The commission shall select a chair and a vice chair from among its members.

(C) Terms of Commission Members, Vacancies, Salaries, and Expenses

1. The term of commission members is two years
2. A commission member may be reappointed to a successive term
3. Beginning {insert appropriate date}, the term of commission members shall be staggered so that the term of approximately half of the members expires every year.
4. A commission member may be removed from the commission by the person or persons who appointed the member.
5. Subject to Subsection (7), a commission member appointed under Subsections 1 or 2 who leaves office as a legislator may not continue to serve as a commission member.
6. A vacancy in the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the appointment of the member whose departure from the commission creates the vacancy.
7. A commission member shall serve until a successor is duly appointed and qualified.
8. Salaries and expenses of commission members who are legislators shall be paid in accordance with {insert appropriate legal section} and Mileage Reimbursement for Authorized Legislative Meetings, Special Sessions, and Veto Override Sessions.
9. A commission member who is not a legislator may not receive compensation or benefits for the member’s service on the commission, but may receive per diem and reimbursement for travel expenses incurred as a commission member at the rates established by {insert appropriate legal section}

Section 4. {General Powers and Duties of the Commission.}

(A)  Until {insert appropriate date} the commission shall study and assess the following:

1. the financial stability of the federal government;
2. the level of dependency that the state and local governments have on the receipt of federal funds;
3. the risk that the state and local governments in the state will experience a reduction in the amount or value of federal funds they receive, in both the near and distant future;
4. the likely and potential impact on the state and its citizens from a reduction in the amount or value of federal funds received by the state and by local governments in the state, in both the near and distant future; and
5. the likely and potential national impact from a reduction in the amount or value offederal funds paid to the states, in both the near and distant future; and

(B) Until {insert same date} The commission will make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on methods to accomplish the following:

1. avoid or minimize the risk of a reduction in the amount or value of federal funds by the state and by local governments in the state;
2. reduce the dependency of the state and of local governments in the state on federal funds; and
3. prepare for and respond to a reduction in the amount or value of federal funds by the state and by local governments in the state.

(C) On or before {insert appropriate date}, the commission shall report to the Government Operations Interim Committee of the Legislature on the commission’s findings and recommendations.

(D) After {insert appropriate date}, the commission shall study, assess, and provide recommendations on any federal issue that the governor, the Legislature through a joint resolution of the Legislature, or the Legislative Management Committee directs the commission to study, assess, and make recommendations on.

Section 5. {Commission Meetings, Quorum, Bylaws, and Support Staff.}

(A) Until {insert appropriate date}, the commission shall meet at least quarterly but no more frequently than once a month.

(B) After {insert appropriate date}, the commission shall meet as directed by the governor, the Legislature, or the Legislative Management Committee

(C) A majority of the commission members constitutes a quorum, and the action of a
majority of a quorum constitutes action of the commission.

(D) The commission may adopt bylaws to govern its operations and proceedings.

The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel {or comparable office} shall provide staff support to the commission.
Section 6. {Expiration.} This Act expires and the Commission is abolished {insert appropriate date five years after enactment}.

Section 7. {Severability clause.}

Section 8. {Repealer clause.}

Section 9. {Effective date.}