text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Commission on Probabilistic Methods 
  Act''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      The Congress finds that--
              (1) probabilistic methods have wide applicability in 
          improving process efficiency and eliminating overdesign in 
          government programs and purchases;
              (2) the integration of probabilistic methods into business 
          practices has contributed significantly to the success of 
          industry quality programs and has saved billions of dollars for 
          companies;
              (3) Federal use of probabilistic methods is less advanced 
          than it is in industry;
              (4) probabilistic methods hold out the promise of better 
          understanding of safety and environmental risks, and if 
          properly applied can lead to more business-friendly 
          regulations;
              (5) if made an integral part of federally funded design 
          efforts, probabilistic methods could lead to a better 
          understanding of the specifications a product must meet and 
          reduce overdesign and associated costs; and
              (6) appropriate use of probabilistic methods within the 
          programs of the Department of Transportation could lead through 
          quantification of uncertainties to more reliable, less costly 
          components of our transportation system, including roads, 
          bridges, and automotive, aerospace, and mass transit systems, 
          and could also benefit the programs of other Federal agencies 
          such as the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, 
          and the National Institutes of Health.
  
  SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
  
      The Administrator of the Research and Special Programs 
  Administration of the Department of Transportation (in this Act 
  referred to as the ``Administrator'') shall establish a commission to 
  be known as the ``Commission on Probabilistic Methods'' (in this Act 
  referred to as the ``Commission'').
  
  SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
  
      The Commission shall--
              (1) identify where and how probabilistic methods can help 
          the Department of Transportation;
              (2) assess the extent to which probabilistic methods can 
          help the Department of Transportation maximize return on 
          investment and increase public safety;
              (3) evaluate the state of probabilistic methods technology;
              (4) identify the probabilistic techniques that are ready 
          for practical use and recommend guidelines that can help a user 
          decide what technique to use;
              (5) establish models for quantifying uncertainties in major 
          Department of Transportation programs that affect cost, 
          operation, and performance;
              (6) identify key technology areas that must be further 
          developed;
              (7) recommend guidelines for implementation of 
          probabilistic technology;
              (8) recommend how to set reliability levels that can ensure 
          public safety and be achievable by industry;
              (9) recommend probabilistic-based guidelines for safety 
          tests;
              (10) recommend guidelines for creating required database;
              (11) determine appropriate means of expediting technology 
          transfer and ensuring that the principles of probabilistic 
          methods are used appropriately in decisions involving funds 
          under the control of the Department of Transportation;
              (12) identify legal and cultural barriers to the effective 
          use of probabilistic methods at the Department of 
          Transportation;
              (13) make recommendations for the use of probabilistic 
          methods in Department of Transportation programs;
              (14) make recommendations for institutionalizing 
          probabilistic methods values at the Department of 
          Transportation after the termination of the Commission; and
              (15) recommend pilot projects for evaluation of 
          probabilistic methods technology.
  
  SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
  
      (a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 19 
  members as follows:
              (1) A chairperson, who shall be a representative of an 
          engineering society with experience in probabilistic methods, 
          such as the Society of Automotive Engineers.
              (2) Four members from the higher education community.
              (3) Four members from various levels of government.
              (4) Four members from industry.
              (5) One member representing labor.
              (6) One member representing the environmental community.
              (7) One member representing the public interest.
              (8) A representative of the Department of Defense, 
          appointed by the Secretary of Defense.
              (9) A representative of the Department of Commerce, 
          appointed by the Secretary of Commerce.
              (10) A representative of the National Institutes of Health, 
          appointed by the Director of the National Institutes of Health.
  The members described in paragraphs (1) through (7) shall be appointed 
  by the Administrator.
      (b) Terms.--
              (1) In general.--Each member shall be appointed for the 
          life of the Commission.
              (2) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled 
          in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
      (c) Basic Pay.--Members shall serve without pay.
      (d) Travel Expenses.--Each member shall receive travel expenses, 
  including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 
  5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
      (e) Quorum.--10 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum 
  but a lesser number may hold hearings.
      (f) Initial Meeting.--The initial meeting of the Commission shall 
  occur within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
      (g) Agenda.--Within 6 months after its initial meeting under 
  subsection (f), the Commission shall transmit to the Administrator a 
  written agenda for its activities.
  
  SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.
  
      (a) In General.--The Department of Transportation shall provide the 
  Commission with such administrative support as it shall require to 
  carry out its duties.
      (b) Experts and Consultants.--The Commission may procure temporary 
  and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
  States Code.
      (c) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly 
  from any department or agency of the United States information 
  necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the 
  Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that department or agency 
  shall furnish that information to the Commission.
      (d) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the 
  same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and 
  agencies of the United States.
  
  SEC. 7. REPORTS.
  
      (a) Interim Report.--The Commission shall transmit to the 
  Administrator an interim report not later than 2 years after its 
  initial meeting under section 5(f).
      (b) Final Report.--The Commission shall transmit a final report to 
  the Administrator not later than 36 months after its initial meeting 
  under section 5(f). The final report shall contain a detailed statement 
  of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Commission.
  
  SEC. 8. TERMINATION.
  
      The Commission shall terminate 10 days after submitting its final 
  report pursuant to section 7(b). Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the Federal 
  Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.; relating to the termination of 
  advisory committees) shall not apply to the Commission.
  
  SEC. 9. BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE.
  
      Any spending authority (as defined in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of 
  section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 
  651(c)(2)(A) and (C))) authorized by this Act shall be effective only 
  to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation 
  Acts.
target: Commission on Probabilistic Methods Act - Directs the Administrator of the Research and Special Programs Administration of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish the Commission on Probabilistic Methods.  Requires the Commission to identify and assess the extent to which the use of probabilistic methods (techniques used to help reduce costs) can help DOT in administering its transportation programs.
feat_title: Commission on Probabilistic Methods Act