42 U.S.C. § 1975a : US Code - Section 1975A: Duties of Commission

Search 42 U.S.C. § 1975a : US Code - Section 1975A: Duties of Commission

(a) Generally
The Commission -
(1) shall investigate allegations in writing under oath or
affirmation relating to deprivations -
(A) because of color, race, religion, sex, age, disability,
or national origin; or
(B) as a result of any pattern or practice of fraud;
of the right of citizens of the United States to vote and have
votes counted; and
(2) shall -
(A) study and collect information relating to;
(B) make appraisals of the laws and policies of the Federal
Government with respect to;
(C) serve as a national clearinghouse for information
relating to; and
(D) prepare public service announcements and advertising
campaigns to discourage;
discrimination or denials of equal protection of the laws under
the Constitution of the United States because of color, race,
religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, or in the
administration of justice.
(b) Limitations on investigatory duties
Nothing in this chapter or any other Act shall be construed as
authorizing the Commission, its advisory committees, or any person
under its supervision or control, to inquire into or investigate
any membership practices or internal operations of any fraternal
organization, any college or university fraternity or sorority, any
private club, or any religious organization.
(c) Reports
(1) Annual report
The Commission shall submit to the President and Congress at
least one report annually that monitors Federal civil rights
enforcement efforts in the United States.
(2) Other reports generally
The Commission shall submit such other reports to the President
and the Congress as the Commission, the Congress, or the
President shall deem appropriate.
(d) Advisory committees
The Commission may constitute such advisory committees as it
deems advisable. The Commission shall establish at least one such
committee in each State and the District of Columbia composed of
citizens of that State or District.
(e) Hearings and ancillary matters
(1) Power to hold hearings
The Commission, or on the authorization of the Commission, any
subcommittee of two or more members of the Commission, at least
one of whom shall be of each major political party, may, for the
purpose of carrying out this chapter, hold such hearings and act
at such times and places as the Commission or such authorized
subcommittee deems advisable. Each member of the Commission shall
have the power to administer oaths and affirmations in connection
with the proceedings of the Commission. The holding of a hearing
by the Commission or the appointment of a subcommittee to hold a
hearing pursuant to this paragraph must be approved by a majority
of the Commission, or by a majority of the members present at a
meeting when a quorum is present.
(2) Power to issue subpoenas
The Commission may issue subpoenas for the attendance of
witnesses and the production of written or other matter. Such a
subpoena may not require the presence of a witness more than 100
miles outside the place wherein the witness is found or resides
or is domiciled or transacts business, or has appointed an agent
for receipt of service of process. In case of contumacy or
refusal to obey a subpoena, the Attorney General may in a Federal
court of appropriate jurisdiction obtain an appropriate order to
enforce the subpoena.
(3) Witness fees
A witness attending any proceeding of the Commission shall be
paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the
courts of the United States.
(4) Depositions and interrogatories
The Commission may use depositions and written interrogatories
to obtain information and testimony about matters that are the
subject of a Commission hearing or report.
(f) Limitation relating to abortion
Nothing in this chapter or any other Act shall be construed as
authorizing the Commission, its advisory committees, or any other
person under its supervision or control to study and collect, make
appraisals of, or serve as a clearinghouse for any information
about laws and policies of the Federal Government or any other
governmental authority in the United States, with respect to
abortion.