The United States Commission on Civil Rights (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission") is a bipartisan agency of the executive branch of the Government. The predecessor agency to the present Commission was established by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, 71 Stat. 634. This Act was amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1960, 74 Stat. 86; the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 241; by 81 Stat. 582 (1967); by 84 Stat. 1356 (1970); by 86 Stat. 813 (1972); and by the Civil Rights Act of 1978, 92 Stat. 1067. The present Commission was established by the United States Commission on Civil Rights Act of 1983, 97 Stat. 1301. The statutes are codified in 42 U.S.C. 1975 through 1975f. (Hereinafter, the 1983 Act will be referred to as "the Act.")

§ 701.2 Responsibilities.

(a) The Commission's authority under section 5 of the Act may be summarized as follows:

(1) To investigate allegations in writing under oath or affirmation that certain citizens of the United States are being deprived of their right to vote and have that vote counted by reason of color, race, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin;

(2) To study and collect information concerning legal developments constituting discrimination or a denial of

equal protection of the laws under the Constitution because of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap or national origin or in the administration of justice;

(3) To appraise the laws and policies of the Federal Government with respect to discrimination or denials of equal protection of the laws under the Constitution because of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin or in the administration of justice;

(4) To serve as a national clearinghouse for information in respect to discrimination or denials of equal protection of the laws because of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin;

(5) To investigate sworn allegations that citizens are being accorded or denied the right to vote in Federal elections as a result of patterns or practices of fraud or discrimination;

(6) To appraise the laws and policies of the Federal Government with respect to denials of equal protection of the laws under the Constitution involving Americans who are of eastern and southern European ethnic groups and report its findings to the Congress.

(b) Under section 5(c) of the Act, the Commission is required to submit reports to the President and to the Congress at such times as the Commission, the Congress or the President shall deem desirable.

(c) In fulfilling these responsibilities the Commission is authorized by the Act to hold hearings and to issue subpenas for the production of documents and the attendance of witnesses; to consult with governors, attorneys general, other representatives of State and local governments, and private organizations; and is required to establish an advisory committee in each State. The Act also provides that all Federal agencies shall cooperate fully with the Commission so that it may effectively carry out its functions and duties.

Subpart B-Organization Statement

§ 701.10 Membership of the Commission.

(a) The Commission is composed of eight members, not more than four of