NATIONAL COMMISSION TO ENSURE CONSUMER INFORMATION AND CHOICE IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.

SEC. 228. NATIONAL COMMISSION TO ENSURE CONSUMER INFORMATION AND CHOICE IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY. (a) Establishment.—There is established a commission to be known as the “National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry” (in this section referred to as the “Commission”). (b) Duties.— (1) Study.—The Commission shall undertake a study of— (A) whether the financial condition of travel agents is declining and, if so, the effect that this will have on consumers; and (B) whether there are impediments to information regarding the services and products offered by the airline industry and, if so, the effects of those impediments on travel agents, Internet-based distributors, and consumers. (2) Small travel agents.—In conducting the study, the Commission shall pay special attention to the condition of travel agencies with $1,000,000 or less in annual revenues. (c) Recommendations.—Based on the results of the study under subsection (b), the Commission shall make such recommendations as it considers necessary to improve the condition of travel agents, especially travel agents described in subsection (b)(2), and to improve consumer access to travel information. (d) Membership.— (1) Appointment.—The Commission shall be composed of nine members as follows: (A) Three members appointed by the Secretary. (B) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (C) One member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (D) Two members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate. (E) One member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. (2) Qualifications.—Of the members appointed by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(A)— (A) one member shall be a representative of the travel agent industry; (B) one member shall be a representative of the airline industry; and (C) one member shall be an individual who is not a representative of either of the industries referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B). (3) Terms.—Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (4) Vacancies.—A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. 114 STAT. 106 (5) Travel expenses.—Members shall serve without pay but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. (6) Chairperson.—The member appointed by the Secretary of Transportation under paragraph (2)(C) shall serve as the Chairperson of the Commission (referred to in this section as the “Chairperson”). (e) Commission Panels.—The Chairperson shall establish such panels consisting of members of the Commission as the Chairperson determines appropriate to carry out the functions of the Commission. (f) Staff.—The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of such personnel as it considers appropriate. (g) Staff of Federal Agencies.—Upon request of the Commission, the head of any department or agency of the United States may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this section. (h) Other Staff and Support.—Upon the request of the Commission, or a panel of the Commission, the Secretary of Transportation shall provide the Commission or panel with professional and administrative staff and other support, on a reimbursable basis, to assist the Commission or panel in carrying out its responsibilities. (i) Obtaining Official Data.—The Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information (other than information required by any statute of the United States to be kept confidential by such department or agency) necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties under this section. Upon request of the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish such nonconfidential information to the Commission. (j) Report.—Not later than 6 months after the date on which initial appointments of members to the Commission are completed, the Commission shall transmit to the President and Congress a report on the activities of the Commission, including recommendations made by the Commission under subsection (c). (k) Termination.—The Commission shall terminate on the 30th day following the date of transmittal of the report under subsection (j). (l) Applicability of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission.