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Title 51 — National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-73not60

§70705 Powers of Commission

Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle VII— Access to Space › Chapter 707— HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION COMMISSION › § 70705

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Commission, or a subcommittee or member acting with its approval, can hold hearings, take testimony under oath, and collect evidence. It can require witnesses and documents by subpoena or other means. The Commission may sign contracts to do its work when Congress provides money. It can request information, estimates, and statistics from federal departments and agencies if the Chair or a member chosen by a majority asks. Agencies must give information when the law allows, and Commission staff must handle it according to laws, rules, and presidential orders. The Administrator of General Services must provide paid administrative help. Other federal departments may also give support if allowed by law. The Administration Engineering and Safety Center must provide data and technical help when asked.

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §70705

National and Commercial Space Programs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)A Commission or, on the authority of the Commission, any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out this chapter—
(1)hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, administer such oaths; and
(2)require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents,
(b)A Commission may, to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter into contracts to enable the Commission to discharge its duties under this chapter.
(c)(1)A Commission may secure directly from any executive department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the Government, information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics for the purposes of this chapter. Each department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Commission, upon request made by the Chairman, the chairman of any subcommittee created by a majority of the Commission, or any member designated by a majority of the Commission.
(2)Information shall only be received, handled, stored, and disseminated by members of the Commission and its staff consistent with all applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive orders.
(d)(1)The Administrator of General Services shall provide to a Commission on a reimbursable basis administrative support and other services for the performance of the Commission’s tasks.
(2)In addition to the assistance prescribed in paragraph (1), departments and agencies of the United States may provide to the Commission such services, funds, facilities, staff, and other support services as they may determine advisable and as may be authorized by law.
(3)The Administration Engineering and Safety Center shall provide data and technical support as requested by the Commission.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 7070542 U.S.C. 16845.Pub. L. 109–155, title VIII, § 825, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2942.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 70705

Title 51 — National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60