The Independent Commission on the State of the Department of Defense for the 21st Century and Beyond Act

The Independent Commission on the State of the Department of Defense for the 21st Century and Beyond Act, also known as S. 1524 (is), is a bill in the U.S. Congress.

Introduced: February 16, 2021

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Independent Commission on the State of the Department of Defense for the 21st Century and Beyond Act”.

SEC. 2. Establishment of the Independent Commission

(a) Establishment.—There is established an independent commission to be known as the Independent Commission on the State of the Department of Defense for the 21st Century and Beyond.

(b) Membership.—The commission shall consist of not more than nine members, appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

SEC. 3. Terms

(a) Initial term dates—

• The terms of all members shall begin on such date as the President designates but not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. Officers and staff

(a) Office of management and administration.—The head of the Office of Management and Budget shall be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the commission, including—

• The provision of necessary personnel and resources.

SEC. 5. Authority to gather information

(a) Gathering information.—The commission may gather information from any source it deems appropriate, including—

• A public hearing.
• The solicitation of written statements and reports from members of the military services, the Department of Defense, and other persons or entities that have expertise in matters relating to the department's activities.

SEC. 6. Security clearances

(a) Expedited processing.—The Office of Senate Security and the Office of House Security shall ensure expedited processing of appropriate security clearances for personnel appointed to the commission, in accordance with processes developed for the clearance of legislative branch employees.

SEC. 7. Final report

(a) Deadline for final report.—The commission may submit its final report not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 8. Termination

(a) Termination.—The term of office of all members shall end on such date as the President designates but not later than 90 days after the commission submits its final report, and all authority vested in the commission shall cease at that time.

SEC. 9. Definitions

(a) Definitions.—For the purposes of this Act:

• The term “Commission” means the Independent Commission on the State of the Department of Defense for the 21st Century and Beyond.

SEC. 10. Authorization of appropriations

(a) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated, out of the military personnel accounts of the Department of Defense, $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

SEC. 11. Effective date

(a) Effective date.—This Act shall take effect on the day after the date of enactment.

This is a public law, enacted by the United States Congress and signed into law by the President.