text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Benefits for Seniors Act of 
  2000''.
  
  SEC. 2. REPEAL OF 1993 INCREASE IN TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.
  
      (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 86(a) of the Internal 
  Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to social security and tier 1 railroad 
  retirement benefits) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
  sentence:
          ``This paragraph shall not apply to any taxable year beginning 
          after December 31, 2000.''
      (b) Conforming Amendments.--
              (1) Paragraph (3) of section 871(a) of such Code is amended 
          by striking ``85 percent'' in subparagraph (A) and inserting 
          ``50 percent''.
              (2)(A) Subparagraph (A) of section 121(e)(1) of the Social 
          Security Amendments of 1983 (Public Law 98-21) is amended--
                      (i) by striking ``(A) There'' and inserting 
                  ``There'';
                      (ii) by striking ``(i)'' immediately following 
                  ``amounts equivalent to''; and
                      (iii) by striking ``, less (ii)'' and all that 
                  follows and inserting a period.
              (B) Paragraph (1) of section 121(e) of such Act is amended 
          by striking subparagraph (B).
              (C) Paragraph (3) of section 121(e) of such Act is amended 
          by striking subparagraph (B) and by redesignating subparagraph 
          (C) as subparagraph (B).
              (D) Paragraph (2) of section 121(e) of such Act is amended 
          in the first sentence by striking ``paragraph (1)(A)'' and 
          inserting ``paragraph (1)''.
      (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
  apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.
  
  SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE ELDERLY BY 
                CONGRESSIONALLY APPOINTED REVIEW COMMITTEE.
  
      (a) Establishment of Consumer Price Index Review Committee.--
              (1) Establishment.--There is established a review committee 
          to be known as the Consumer Price Index Review Committee (in 
          this section referred to as the ``Committee'').
              (2) Membership.--The Committee shall be composed of 15 
          members jointly appointed by the leadership of the Senate and 
          the House of Representatives of whom--
                      (A) 11 shall be leading experts in the field of 
                  economics and, to the extent feasible, familiar with 
                  the issues related to the calculation of changes in the 
                  cost of living; and
                      (B) 4 shall be representatives of individuals who 
                  have attained age 65.
              (3) Terms and vacancies.--
                      (A) Terms.--A member of the Committee appointed 
                  under paragraph (2) shall be appointed for the duration 
                  of the Committee.
                      (B) Vacancies.--
                              (i) In general.--A vacancy on the Committee 
                          shall be filled in the same manner in which the 
                          original appointment was made and shall be 
                          subject to any conditions which applied with 
                          respect to the original appointment.
                              (ii) Filling unexpired term.--An individual 
                          chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for 
                          the duration of the Committee.
              (4) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
          on which all members of the Committee have been appointed, the 
          Committee shall hold its first meeting.
              (5) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Committee 
          shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may 
          hold hearings.
              (6) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--The Committee shall 
          select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the 
          members appointed under paragraph (2).
      (b) Duties.--
              (1) Study and development of implementation plan.--
                      (A) In general.--The Committee shall conduct a 
                  study--
                              (i) to improve the method for determining 
                          an index, to be known as the ``Consumer Price 
                          Index for the Elderly'';
                              (ii) to make recommendations addressing the 
                          limitations of the method for determining the 
                          Experimental Consumer Price Index for the 
                          Elderly calculated by the Bureau of Labor 
                          Statistics to ensure that the improved index 
                          accurately measures changes over time in 
                          expenditures for consumption that are typical 
                          for retirees in the United States who receive 
                          old-age and survivors insurance benefits under 
                          title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
                          401 et seq.); and
                              (iii) to develop an implementation plan.
                      (B) Study requirements.--The study described in 
                  subparagraph (A) shall include the following 
                  requirements:
                              (i) The Consumer Price Index for the 
                          Elderly shall be based on an accurate market 
                          basket of goods and services that reflect a 
                          representative collection of typical purchases 
                          by the total retiree population in the United 
  States who receive old-age and survivors insurance benefits under title 
  II of such Act.
                              (ii) The Consumer Expenditure Survey used 
                          by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate 
                          the Experimental Consumer Price Index for the 
                          Elderly shall be re-designed and expanded to 
                          collect expenditure patterns representative of 
                          such total retiree population.
                              (iii) The areas and outlets priced by the 
                          Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate the 
                          Experimental Consumer Price Index for the 
                          Elderly shall be modified to reflect a 
                          representation of the places of purchase for 
                          such total retiree population.
                              (iv) The categories of items to be priced 
                          shall be selected to represent such total 
                          retiree population.
                              (v) The prices collected shall adequately 
                          reflect the availability of discount prices for 
                          such total retiree population.
                              (vi) Any other limitations otherwise found 
                          to affect the accuracy of the Consumer Price 
                          Index for the Elderly shall be removed.
                      (C) Additional study.--The Committee shall also 
                  study the method for determining an accurate consumer 
                  price index for individuals who receive disability 
                  insurance benefits under title II of such Act.
              (2) Report.--
                      (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not 
                  later than 1 year after the initial meeting of the 
                  Committee under subsection (a)(4), the Committee shall 
                  submit a report to Congress on the study conducted in 
                  accordance with paragraph (1).
                      (B) Required approval.--The Committee shall not 
                  submit a report under subparagraph (A) unless the 
                  report has the approval of at least 9 members of the 
                  Committee.
      (c) Powers.--
              (1) Hearings.--The Committee may hold such hearings, sit 
          and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
          receive such evidence as the Committee considers advisable to 
          carry out the purposes of this section.
              (2) Information from federal agencies.--The Committee may 
          secure directly from any Federal department or agency such 
          information as the Committee considers necessary to carry out 
          this section, including the published and unpublished data and 
          analytical products of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Upon 
          request of the Chairperson of the Committee, the head of such 
          department or agency shall furnish such information to the 
          Committee in a timely manner.
              (3) Postal services.--The Committee may use the United 
          States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
          as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
              (4) Gifts.--The Committee may accept, use, and dispose of 
          gifts or donations of services or property.
      (d) Personnel Matters.--
              (1) Compensation of members.--Each member of the Committee 
          who is not otherwise an officer or employee of the Federal 
          Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily 
          equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level 
          III of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, 
          United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during 
          which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties 
          of the Committee. All members of the Committee who otherwise 
          are officers or employees of the United States shall serve 
          without compensation in addition to that received for their 
          services as officers or employees of the United States.
              (2) Travel expenses.--The members of the Committee shall be 
          allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
          subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
          under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
          Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business 
          in the performance of services for the Committee.
              (3) Staff.--
                      (A) In general.--The Chairperson of the Committee 
                  may, without regard to the civil service laws and 
  regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other 
  additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Committee to 
  perform its duties. The employment of an executive director shall be 
  subject to confirmation by the Committee.
                      (B) Compensation.--The Chairperson of the Committee 
                  may fix the compensation of the executive director and 
                  other personnel without regard to the provisions of 
                  chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, 
                  United States Code, relating to classification of 
                  positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that 
                  the rate of pay for the executive director and other 
                  personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level IV 
                  of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such 
                  title.
              (4) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal Government 
          employee may be detailed to the Committee without additional 
          reimbursement (other than the employee's regular compensation), 
          and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil 
          service status or privilege.
              (5) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
          The Chairperson of the Committee may procure temporary and 
          intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
          States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the 
          daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for 
          level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such 
          title.
      (e) Termination.--The Committee shall terminate 1 year after the 
  date of the initial meeting of the Committee under subsection (a)(4).
      (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated to the Committee such sums as are necessary to carry out 
  the purposes of this section.
  
  SEC. 4. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS PILOT PROGRAM TO TEST CONSUMER PRICE 
                INDEX FOR THE ELDERLY.
  
      (a) Pilot Program.--The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor 
  Statistics shall establish a pilot program to test the accuracy of an 
  operational index to be recommended by the Consumer Price Index Review 
  Committee under section 3 and to be known as the ``Consumer Price Index 
  for the Elderly'', which indicates changes over time in expenditures 
  for consumption which are typical for retirees in the United States who 
  receive old-age and survivors insurance benefits under title II of the 
  Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.).
      (b) Duration of Pilot Program.--The pilot program shall commence 
  with the first month that begins after the date of the submission of 
  the report under section 3(b)(2) and shall continue through December 
  2003.
  
  SEC. 5. INTERIM APPLICATION OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR ALL URBAN 
                CONSUMERS.
  
      For cost-of-living computation quarters (as defined in section 
  215(i)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(1)(B)) 
  occurring during the period that begins on January 1, 2001, and ends 
  with the implementation of the Official Consumer Price Index for the 
  Elderly under section 6(b), the Commissioner of Social Security, 
  notwithstanding section 215(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
  415(i)) and any regulations promulgated thereunder, shall use the 
  Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers to calculate cost-of-
  living adjustments for benefits described in section 6(b)(1).
  
  SEC. 6. APPLICATION OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE ELDERLY.
  
      (a) Implementation.--
              (1) Commissioner of bureau of labor statistics.--
                      (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not 
                  later than the fourth year that begins after the 
                  Consumer Price Index Review Committee submits the 
                  report required under section 3(b)(2), the Commissioner 
                  of the Bureau of Labor Statistics shall prepare and 
                  publish monthly the Official Consumer Price Index for 
                  the Elderly based on the implementation plan and 
                  recommendations included in that report.
                      (B) No implementation if congressional disapproval 
                  of committee report.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply 
                  if a joint resolution is enacted, in accordance with 
                  paragraph (2), disapproving the report submitted by the 
                  Consumer Price Index Review Committee before the end of 
                  the 90-day period that begins on the date on which the 
                  Review Committee submits the report.
                      (C) Exclusion of certain days.--For purposes of 
                  subparagraph (B) and paragraph (2), the days on which 
                  either House of Congress is not in session because of 
                  an adjournment of more than 3 days to a day certain 
                  shall be excluded from the computation of the period.
              (2) Congressional consideration.--
                      (A) Terms of the resolution.--For purposes of 
                  paragraph (1)(A), the term ``joint resolution'' means 
                  only a joint resolution that is introduced within the 
                  period described in that paragraph and--
                              (i) that does not have a preamble;
                              (ii) the matter after the resolving clause 
                          of which is as follows: ``That Congress 
                          disapproves the report of the Consumer Price 
                          Index Review Committee regarding the 
                          implementation of the Consumer Price Index for 
                          the Elderly submitted on ________.'', the blank 
                          space being filled in with the appropriate 
                          date; and
                              (iii) the title of which is as follows: 
                          ``Joint resolution disapproving the report of 
                          the Consumer Price Index Review Committee 
                          regarding the implementation of the Consumer 
                          Price Index for the Elderly.''.
                      (B) Referral.--A resolution described in 
                  subparagraph (A) that is introduced--
                              (i) in the House of Representatives, shall 
                          be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means; 
                          and
                              (ii) in the Senate, shall be referred to 
                          the Committee on Finance.
                      (C) Discharge.--If a committee to which a 
                  resolution described in subparagraph (A) is referred 
                  has not reported such resolution by the end of the 60-
                  day period beginning on the date on which the Consumer 
                  Price Index Review Committee submits the report 
                  required under section 3(b)(2), such committee shall 
                  be, at the end of such period, discharged from further 
                  consideration of such resolution, and such resolution 
                  shall be placed on the appropriate calendar of the 
                  House involved.
                      (D) Consideration.--On or after the third day after 
                  the date on which the committee to which a resolution 
                  described in subparagraph (A) has reported, or has been 
                  discharged from further consideration of such 
                  resolution, such resolution shall be considered in the 
                  same manner as a resolution is considered under 
                  subsections (d), (e), and (f) of section 2908 of the 
                  Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 
                  U.S.C. 2687 note).
      (b) Use of Index.--For cost-of-living computation quarters (as 
  defined in section 215(i)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
  415(i)(1)(B))) beginning on or after January 1 of the calendar year 
  that begins after the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
  first prepares and publishes the Official Consumer Price Index for the 
  Elderly in accordance with subsection (a)(1), the Commissioner of 
  Social Security shall--
              (1) cease using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban 
          Consumers to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for old-age 
          and survivors insurance benefits payable under title II of the 
          Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) to any retiree or 
          individual who has attained age 62; and
              (2) notwithstanding section 215(i) of the Social Security 
          Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)) and any regulations promulgated 
          thereunder, use the Official Consumer Price Index for the 
          Elderly to calculate such adjustments.
      (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated to the Bureau of Labor Statistics such sums as are 
  necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
target: Establishes the Consumer Price Index Review Committee to study and report to Congress on: (1) improved, more accurate methods for determining a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly to ensure that the improved index accurately measures changes in expenditures for consumption typical for retirees who receive Old-Age and Survivors Insurance benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as an index implementation plan; and (2) an accurate consumer price index for individuals who receive SSA title II disability insurance benefits. Authorizes appropriations.
  Directs the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics to establish a pilot program to test the accuracy of an operational Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, which indicates changes in such consumption expenditures.
  Provides for implementation of the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly. Authorizes appropriations.
feat_title: Fair Benefits for Seniors Act of 2000