United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session

[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 114-71
114th Congress

An Act


 
To reauthorize the United States Commission on International Religious
Freedom, and for other purposes. <>

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of the Congress that the United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom--
(1) was created by Congress to independently assess and to
accurately and unflinchingly describe threats to religious
freedom around the world; and
(2) in carrying out its prescribed duties, should use its
authorized powers to ensure that efforts by the United States to
advance religious freedom abroad are timely, appropriate to the
circumstances, prudent, and effective.
SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY.

Section 209 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22
U.S.C. 6436) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting
``September 30, 2019''.
SEC. 4. <>  STRATEGIC PLAN.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(C) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the United
States Commission on International Religious Freedom established
under section 201 of the International Religious Freedom Act of
1998 (22 U.S.C. 6431).
(3) Commissioner.--The term ``Commissioner'' means a member
of the Commission.
(4) Vice chair.--The term ``Vice Chair'' means the Vice
Chair of the Commission who was appointed to such position by an
elected official from the political party that is different

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from the political party of the elected official who appointed
the Chair of the Commission.

(b) Strategic Policy and Organizational Review Planning Process.--
Not later than <> 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than biennially
thereafter, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission, in coordination
with the Commissioners, the Ambassador-at-Large for International
Religious Freedom, Commission staff, and others jointly selected by the
Chair and Vice Chair, shall carry out a strategic policy and
organizational review planning process that includes--
(1) a review of the duties set forth in section 202 of the
International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6432) and
the powers set forth in section 203 of such Act (22 U.S.C.
6432a);
(2) the preparation of a written description of prioritized
actions that the Commission is required to complete to fulfill
the strategic plan required under subsection (d);
(3) a review of the scope, content, and timing of the
Commission's annual report and any required changes; and
(4) a review of the personnel policies set forth in section
204 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22
U.S.C. 6432b) and any required changes to such policies.

(c) Unanimous Agreement.--
(1) In general.--To the greatest extent possible, the Chair,
Vice Chair, and all of the Commissioners shall ensure that this
section is implemented in a manner that results in unanimous
agreement among the Commissioners with regard to--
(A) the strategic policy and organizational review
planning process required under subsection (b); and
(B) the strategic plan required under subsection
(d).
(2) Alternative approval process.--If unanimous agreement
under paragraph (1) is not possible, items for inclusion in the
strategic plan may, at the joint discretion of the Chair and
Vice Chair, be approved by an affirmative vote of--
(A) a majority of Commissioners appointed by an
elected official from the political party of the
President; and
(B) a majority of Commissioners appointed by an
elected official from the political party that is not
the party of the President.

(d) <>  Submission of Strategic Plan.--Not later
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Act, and not less
frequently than biennially thereafter, the Chair and Vice Chair of the
Commission shall jointly submit, to the appropriate congressional
committees, a written strategic plan that includes--
(1) a description of prioritized actions for the Commission
for a period of time to be specified by the Commissioners;
(2) a description of any changes the Commission considers
necessary with regard to the scope, content, and timing of the
Commission's annual report;
(3) a description of any changes the Commission considers
necessary with regard to personnel matters; and
(4) the Commission's funding requirements for the period
covered by the strategic plan.

(e) Pending Issues.--The strategic plan required under subsection
(d) may identify any issues or proposals that have not yet been resolved
by the Commission.

[[Page 565]]

(f) Implementation of Personnel Provisions and Annual Report.--
Notwithstanding section 204(a) and 205(a) of the International Religious
Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6432b(a) and 6533(a)), the Commission is
authorized to implement provisions related to personnel and the
Commission's annual report that are included in the strategic plan
submitted pursuant to this section.
(g) Congressional Oversight.--Upon request, the Commission shall--
(1) make available for inspection any information and
documents requested by the appropriate congressional committees;
and
(2) respond to any requests to provide testimony before the
appropriate congressional committees.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 207 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22
U.S.C. 6435) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Commission $3,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 to 2019 to carry
out the provisions of this Act and section 4 of the United States
Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of
2015.
``(b) Availability of Funds.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated
under subsection (a) shall remain available until the earlier of--
``(1) the date on which they have been expended; or
``(2) the date on which the Commission is terminated under
section 209.

``(c) Limitation.--In each fiscal year, the Commission shall only be
authorized to expend amounts that have been appropriated pursuant to
subsection (a) if the Commission--
``(1) complies with the requirements set forth in section 4
of the United States Commission on International Religious
Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2015; and
``(2) submits the annual financial report required under
section 208(e) to the appropriate congressional committees.''.

Approved October 16, 2015.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 2078:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015):
Sept. 30, considered and passed Senate.
Oct. 6, considered and passed House.