Pub. L. 83-768, tit. I, sec. 101

Sec. 101. (a) The United States Tariff Commission shall proceed promptly to make a complete study of all provisions of the customs laws of the United States under which imported articles may be classified for tariff purposes, including the dutiable and free lists and related special provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended and as modified, the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to the duties designated as import taxes, as amended and as modified, and other laws. The Commission shall compile a revision and consolidation of such provisions of the customs laws which, in the judgment of the Commission, will accomplish to the extent practicable the following purposes: (1) Establish schedules of tariff classifications which will be logical in arrangement and terminology and adapted to the changes which have occurred since 1930 in the character and importance of articles produced in and imported into the United States and in the markets in which they are sold. (2) Eliminate anomalies and illogical results in the classification of articles. (3) Simplify the determination and application of tariff classifications. (b) The Commission shall seek to accomplish the purposes of subsection (a) without suggesting changes in any rate or rates of duty on individual products, whether those rates are applied by statute or by Presidential proclamation. Where, however, in the judgment of the Commission, the purposes of subsection (a) cannot be accomplished without such changes, the Commission shall specify each incidental change in rates which in its judgment would accomplish such purposes, and shall accompany it with a summary of all the data on which such suggested change was based, together with a statement of the probable effect of such suggested change on any industry in the United States. Before suggesting any changes in rates of duty, the Commission shall give public notice of its intention to do so and shall afford reasonable opportunity for parties interested to be present, to produce evidence, and to be heard at public hearings with respect to the probable effect of such suggested changes on any industry in the United States. (c) Not later than two years after the enactment of this Act the Commission shall transmit copies of the schedules and accompanying data and statements to the President and to the chairmen of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate. (d) On or before March 15, 1955, the Commission shall report to the President and to the chairmen of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate (1) the progress that has been made in carrying out the provisions of this section, (2) the significant complexities of tariff classification that have been developed as existing in the present law, and (3) suggestions as to standards and methods which might be 68 Stat. 1137adopted for a simplification of existing tariff schedules without significant changes in tariff levels. (e) The Commission may invoke all the power’s granted to it under part II, title III, of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and is authorized to make reasonable rules and regulations, for the purpose of carrying out its functions under this title. (f) The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services in accordance with section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C., sec. 55a), but at rates not to exceed $75 per diem for individuals. The Commission may reimburse employees, experts, and consultants for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their official duties, and make reasonable advances to such persons for such purposes. Service by a person pursuant to the first sentence of this subsection shall not be considered as service or employment bringing such person within the provisions of section 281, 283, 284, or 1914 of title 18 of the United States Code, or section 512 of the Mutual Security Act of 1954, or section 190 of the Revised Statutes (5 U. S. C., sec. 99). (g) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be required to enable the United States Tariff Commission to carry out the functions assigned to it by this section.