Haley Stevens: “Section 6005 of the conference agreement on H.R. 1469 contains a substitute for the original Senate prohibition on the…”

“Section 6005 of the conference agreement on H.R. 1469 contains a substitute for the original Senate prohibition on the expenditure of funds to advocate certain policies with respect to the recognition, validity, or management of rights of way established pursuant to section 2477 of the Revised Statutes (43 U.S.C. 932), more commonly referred to as R.S. 2477. Section 6005 establishes a commission to recommend a long-term solution to the administration and Congress. The commission is bipartisan--6 Republicans and 6 Democrats--plus a retired Federal judge selected by the other 12 to chair the commission. The commission has representatives from the administration, Congress, and the States. The commission is cost effective--the only new cost is the salary of the retired judge. All other members are Federal, State, or congressional employees who would serve on the commission within the scope of their existing duties. The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for payment of the chairman's salary and expenses, and for providing, and paying for any necessary staff, office space, and expenses out of existing funds provided for the Department of the Interior. Based on concerns raised by the administration, the provision waives the Federal Advisory Committee Act to avoid lengthy procedural delays. However the commission's hearings are open to the public, and a public record is required to be kept of those hearings.”