FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL EXCERPTS FROM FIRE RESEARCH AND SAFETY ACT OF 1968 [Public Law 90–259, 82 Stat. 34; 15 U.S.C. 278f] AN ACT To amend the Organic Act of the National Bureau of Standards to authorize a fire research and safety program, and for other purposes Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Fire Research and Safety Act of 1968". TITLE I—FIRE RESEARCH AND SAFETY PROGRAM DECLARATION OF POLICY SEC. 101. The Congress finds that a comprehensive fire research and safety program is needed in this country to provide more effective measures of protection against the hazards of death, injury, and damage to property. The Congress finds that it is desirable and necessary for the Federal Government, in carrying out the provisions of this title, to cooperate with and assist public and private agencies. The Congress declares that the purpose of this title is to amend the Act of March 3, 1901, as amended, to provide a national fire research and safety program including the gathering of comprehensive fire data; a comprehensive fire research program; fire safety education and training programs; and demonstrations of new approaches and improvements in fire prevention and control, and reduction of death, personal injury, and property damage. Additionally, it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should establish a fire research and safety center for administering this title and carrying out its purposes, including appropriate fire safety liaison and coordination. * 1 TITLE II-NATIONAL COMMISSION ON FIRE FINDINGS AND PURPOSE SEC. 201. The Congress finds and declares that the growing problem of the loss of life and property from fire is a matter of grave national concern; that this problem is particularly acute in the Nation's urban and suburban areas where an increasing proportion of the population resides but it is also of national concern in smaller communities and rural areas; that as population concentrates, the means for controlling and preventing destructive fires has become progressively more com 1 Secretary of Commerce. plex and frequently beyond purely local capabilities; and that there is a clear and present need to explore and develop more effective fire control and fire prevention measures throughout the country in the light of existing and foreseeable conditions. It is the purpose of this title to establish a commission to undertake a thorough study and investigation of this problem with a view to the formulation of recommendations whereby the Nation can reduce the destruction of life and property caused by fire in its cities, suburbs, communities, and elsewhere. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION SEC. 202. (a) There is hereby established the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission") which shall be composed of twenty members as follows: the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and eighteen members appointed by the President. The individuals so appointed as members (1) shall be eminently well qualified by training or experience to carry out the functions of the Commission, and (2) shall be selected so as to provide representation of the views of individuals and organizations of all areas of the United States concerned with fire research, safety, control, or prevention, including representatives drawn from Federal, State, and local governments, industry, labor, universities, laboratories, trade associations, and other interested institutions or organizations. Not more than six members of the Commission shall be appointed from the Federal Government. The President shall designate the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Commission. (b) The Commission shall have four advisory members composed of (1) two Members of the House of Representatives who shall not be members of the same political party and who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and (2) two Members of the Senate who shall not be members of the same political party and who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate. The advisory members of the Commission shall not participate, except in an advisory capacity, in the formulation of the findings and recommendations of the Commission. (c) Any vacancy in the Commission or in its advisory membership shall not affect the powers of the Commission, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION SEC. 203. (a) The Commission shall undertake a comprehensive study and investigation to determine practicable and effective measures for reducing the destructive effects of fire throughout the country in addition to the steps taken under sections 16 and 17 of the Act of March 3, 1901 (as added by title I of this Act). Such study and investigation shall include, without being limited to (1) a consideration of ways in which fires can be more effectively prevented through technological advances, construction techniques, and improved inspection procedures; (2) an analysis of existing programs administered or supported by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government and of ways in which such programs could be strengthened so as to lessen the danger of destructive fires in Government-assisted housing and in the redevelopment of the Nation's cities and communities; (3) an evaluation of existing fire suppression methods and of ways for improving the same, including procedures for recruiting and soliciting the necessary personnel; (4) an evaluation of present and future needs (including longterm needs) of training and education for fire-service personnel; (5) a consideration of the adequacy of current fire communication techniques and suggestions for the standardization and improvement of the apparatus and equipment used in controlling fires; (6) an analysis of the administrative problems affecting the efficiency or capabilities of local fire departments or organizations; and (7) an assessment of local, State, and Federal responsibilities in the development of practicable and effective solutions for reducing fire losses. (b) In carrying out its duties under this section the Commission shall consider the results of the functions carried out by the Secretary of Commerce under sections 16 and 17 of the Act of March 3, 1901 (as added by title I of this Act), and consult regularly with the Secretary in order to coordinate the work of the Commission and the functions carried out under such sections 16 and 17. (c) The Commission shall submit to the President and to the Congress a report with respect to its findings and recommendations not later than two years after the Commission has been duly organized. POWERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS SEC. 204. (a) The Commission or, on the authorization of the Commission, any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title, hold hearings, take testimony, and administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the Commission or any subcommittee or member thereof. (b) Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the executive branch of the Government, including an independent agency, is authorized to furnish to the Commission, upon request made by the Chairman or Vice Chairman, such information as the Commission deems necessary to carry out its functions under this title. (c) Subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Commission, the Chairman, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, shall have the power (1) to appoint and fix the compensation of such staff personnel as he deems necessary, and (2) to procure temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code. COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS SEC. 205. (a) Any member of the Commission, including a member appointed under section 202(b), who is a Member of Congress or in the executive branch of the Government shall serve without compensation in addition to that received in his regular employment, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of duties vested in the Commission. (b) Members of the Commission, other than those referred to in subsection (a), shall receive compensation at the rate of $100 per day for each day they are engaged in the performance of their duties as members of the Commission and shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as members of the Commission. EXPENSES OF THE COMMISSION SEC. 206. There are authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title. EXPIRATION OF THE COMMISSION SEC. 207. The Commission shall cease to exist thirty days after the submission of its report under section 203 (c). Approved March 1, 1968. MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT COMPENSATION SYSTEM [Public Law 90-313, 82 Stat. 126; 49 U.S.C. 1653 note] JOINT RESOLUTION To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of the existing compensation system for motor vehicle accident losses, and for other purposes. Whereas Congress finds that suffering and loss of life resulting from motor vehicle accidents and the consequent social and economic dislocations are critical national problems; and Whereas there is growing evidence that the existing system of compensation for such loss and suffering is inequitable, inadequate, and insufficient and is unresponsive to existing social, economic, and technological conditions; and Whereas there is needed a fundamental reevaluation of such system, including a review of the role and effectiveness of insurance and the existing law governing liability; and Whereas meaningful analysis requires the collection and evaluation of data not presently available such as the actual economic impact of motor vehicle injuries, the relief available both from public and private sources, and the role and effectiveness of rehabilitation: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) the Secretary of Transportation (hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary"), in cooperation with those other Federal agencies which possess relevant competencies, as provided in section 4, is authorized and directed to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of all relevant aspects of the existing motor vehicle accident compensation system. Such study and investigation shall include consideration of the following (1) the inadequacies of such existing compensation system in theory and practice; (2) the public policy objectives to be realized by such a system, including an analysis of the costs and benefits, both monetary and otherwise; (3) the most effective means for realizing such objectives; (4) the oftentimes arbitrary and capricious cancellation or refusal to renew automobile insurance policies or the refusal to issue such policies without stated cause; (5) the constant and costly increases in premiums for automobile insurance; (6) the disparity between the amounts paid as premiums and the amounts paid out for claims; (7) the frequent insolvencies of companies engaged in providing automobile insurance; (8) long delays in processing and paying claims arising out of motor vehicle accidents; and (9) the efficiency and adequacy of present State insurance regulatory institutions. (b) The Secretary shall submit to the President and to the Congress interim reports from time to time and a final report not later than |