Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 1.djvu/669

 '-"v-^rs--*-- PUBLIC LAW 105-199--JULY 16, 1998 112 STAT. 643 entities, what needs exist on the Federal, State, local, and tribal levels to prepare for and respond to drought emergencies; (2) review all existing Federal laws and programs relating to drought; (3) review State, local, and tribal laws and programs relating to drought that the Commission finds pertinent; (4) determine what differences exist between the needs of those affected by drought and the Federal laws and programs designed to mitigate the impacts of and respond to drought; (5) collaborate with the Western Drought Coordination Council and other appropriate entities in order to consider regional drought initiatives and the apphcation of such initiatives at the national level; (6) make recommendations on how Federal drought laws and programs can be better integrated with ongoing State, local, and tribal programs into a comprehensive national policy to mitigate the impacts of and respond to drought emergencies without diminishing the rights of States to control water through State law and considering the need for protection of the environment; (7) make recommendations on improving public awareness of the need for drought mitigation, and prevention; and response on developing a coordinated approach to drought mitigation, prevention, and response by governmental and nongovernmental entities, including academic, private, and nonprofit interests; and (8) include a recommendation on whether all Federal drought preparation and response programs should be consolidated under one existing Federal agency and, if so, identify such agency. (c) SUBMISSION OF REPORT. — (1) IN GENERAL. — No later than 18 months after the date Deadline, of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit a report to the President and Congress which shall contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions as it considers appropriate. (2) APPROVAL OF REPORT. — Before submission of the report, the contents of the report shall be approved by unanimous consent or majority vote. If the report is approved by majority vote, members voting not to approve the contents shall be given the opportunity to submit dissenting views with the report. SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. 42 USC 5121 (a) HEARINGS. — The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. (b) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES. —The Commission may secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Upon request of the chair of the Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.

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