(a)
Establishment
Not later than February 1, 1992, and every 4th year thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall establish an advisory council to be known as the Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation (referred to in this section as the “Council”).
(b)
Function
It shall be the function of each Council to evaluate the unemployment compensation program, including the purpose, goals, countercyclical effectiveness, coverage, benefit adequacy, trust fund solvency, funding of State administrative costs, administrative efficiency, and any other aspects of the program and to make recommendations for improvement.
(c)
Members
(1)
In general
Each Council shall consist of 11 members as follows:
(A)
5 members appointed by the President, to include representatives of business, labor, State government, and the public.
(B)
3 members appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, in consultation with the Chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
(C)
3 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.
(2)
Qualifications
In appointing members under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1), the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each appoint—
(A)
1 representative of the interests of business,
(B)
1 representative of the interests of labor, and
(C)
1 representative of the interests of State governments.
(3)
Vacancies
A vacancy in any Council shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(4)
Chairman
The President shall appoint the Chairman of the Council from among its members.
(d)
Staff and other assistance
(1)
In general
Each Council may engage any technical assistance (including actuarial services) required by the Council to carry out its functions under this section.
(2)
Assistance from Secretary of Labor
The Secretary of Labor shall provide each Council with any staff, office facilities, and other assistance, and any data prepared by the Department of Labor, required by the Council to carry out its functions under this section.
(f)
Report
(1)
In general
Not later than February 1 of the third year following the year in which any Council is required to be established under subsection (a) of this section, the Council shall submit to the President and the Congress a report setting forth the findings and recommendations of the Council as a result of its evaluation of the unemployment compensation program under this section.
(2)
Report of first Council
The Council shall include in its report required to be submitted by February 1, 1995, the Council’s findings and recommendations with respect to determining eligibility for extended unemployment benefits on the basis of unemployment statistics for regions, States, or subdivisions of States.