Land Reparations Commission Act
Sponsored By: Representative Thanedar
Introduced
Summary
Commission on Land Reparations would study and propose land-based compensation for African American descendants of enslaved people and create a process to identify, notify, and compensate eligible individuals.
Show full summary
- Descendants and families: Would identify eligible descendants, notify people who may qualify, set an application and eligibility-assessment process, and recommend either a land subsidy or a one-time cash payment.
- Federal land and agencies: Would identify and procure suitable land from federal lands, repossessed properties, unowned land, and municipal land banks. The Commission could obtain information from federal agencies, hold hearings, issue subpoenas, accept donations, and use administrative support.
- Congress and governance: Would be a 15-member legislative-branch commission with political appointees and six experts chosen by the Chair. It would submit a written report to Congress within 18 months after the Commission's first full meeting.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Land reparations program for descendants
If enacted, the bill would create a Commission on Land Reparations to study land reparations for descendants of people who were held in slavery. Eligible descendants would be notified and could apply. The Commission would identify and procure suitable land or offer a land subsidy, or it could provide a one-time cash payment. The Commission must report to Congress within 18 months of its first full meeting and would end 90 days after sending that report.
Commission contracting and agency support
If enacted, the Commission would be allowed to enter contracts for research and services when Congress provides money. The Commission could obtain information from federal agencies, including confidential material, and must keep that information secure. The General Services Administration would provide administrative support on a reimbursable basis, and other agencies may provide support as authorized by law. The Commission could accept gifts and use the U.S. mail.
Commission membership and appointments
If enacted, the bill would set the Commission at 15 members, including a Chair. Nine political members must be appointed within 60 days of enactment. The Chair would be chosen from those nine and must call the first full meeting within 45 days after all members are appointed. The Chair would then appoint six subject-matter experts within 60 days, subject to approval by a majority of the political members. Members could not be Members of Congress or most government officers, with a narrow exception for full-time state college faculty.
Commission staffing and pay limits
If enacted, the Chair and staff could be hired without some normal federal hiring rules, but pay would be capped at the Executive Schedule level V equivalent. The Commission could hire experts and consultants at rates up to the daily rate equivalent to Executive Schedule level IV. Members could be paid per day at the level IV equivalent and receive travel expenses. The Federal Advisory Committee Act would not apply to the Commission.
Commission subpoena and enforcement powers
If enacted, the Commission would be able to subpoena people to testify and require production of documents. A subpoena could be issued by the Chair or by an affirmative vote of a majority when a majority is present. The Commission could ask a U.S. district court to enforce subpoenas and seek contempt for failures to obey. Subpoenas may be served by persons the Commission designates.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Thanedar
MI • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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