§473 Technology Assessment Board

Summary

Creates a 13-member board made up of six Senators, six House members, and the Director (the Director cannot vote). The six Senators are appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, three from the majority party and three from the minority party. The six House members are appointed by the Speaker, three from the majority party and three from the minority party. If a seat becomes vacant, the board can still act and the vacancy is filled the same way as the original appointment. At the start of each Congress the board picks a chair and a vice chair from its members. The chair and vice chair alternate between the Senate and the House each Congress. During even-numbered Congresses the House members on the board pick the chair; the vice chair comes from the other chamber. The board can meet at any time while Congress is in session, on break, or adjourned. With a majority vote it may call witnesses, require documents by subpoena, give oaths, take testimony, print materials, and make necessary spending and rules. The board cannot send out a recommendation unless a majority agrees. Subpoenas may be signed by the chair or a voting member the chair names, and may be served by people the chair or that member chooses. The chair or any voting member may give oaths to witnesses.