PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.By Senator Lieberman from Committee on Governmental Affairs filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 10/17/2002. Report No. 107-330.
Congressional Research Service
Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Oct 15, 2002
United States Consensus Council Act of 2002 - (Sec. 4) Establishes the United States Consensus Council as an independent nonprofit corporation under the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act.(Sec. 5) Authorizes the Council to: (1) develop and conduct processes to build consensus on national policy issues; (2) identify particular public policy issues as to which the Council's expertise would be useful in building a consensus; (3) develop and apply criteria for determining whether the Council will enter into a consensus-building process on a particular issue; and (4) coordinate with, make referrals to, and receive referrals from other U.S. consensus building instrumentalities, including the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Prohibits the Council from taking any action relating to a matter within the authority of the Institute or the Service without their consent.Allows the Council, for each consensus building process, to: (1) consider congressional interest, issue complexity, cost, ripeness, likelihood of participation by key stakeholders, and other relevant indices in determining whether to enter into a particular consensus process; (2) identify any appropriate facilitator and key stakeholders; (3) publish a common set of facts to inform and assist consensus-building processes; (4) establish ground rules related to confidentiality, representation of counsel, and ex parte communications; (5) work to promote consensus by methods of dispute resolution; (6) build agreements among stakeholders; (7) report the results of consensus-building efforts; and (8) provide issue training and technical assistance.Directs the Council to develop guidelines on its operating policies and duties, including for the establishment of advisory bodies.(Sec. 6) Vests the powers of the Council in a Board of Directors. Prohibits any Director from being a Federal officer or employee, including a Member of Congress.(Sec. 7) Provides for appointment by the Board of a President who shall be the chief executive officer of the Council and subject to the supervision of the Board.(Sec. 8) Directs the Council to monitor and evaluate programs to ensure compliance with this Act.Requires annual audits of the Council's accounts and an annual financial report to the President, Congress, and the General Accounting Office on the Council's activities, the audit report, and funds received.(Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations.
People & committees
Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND] · D–ND
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
By Senator Lieberman from Committee on Governmental Affairs filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 10/17/2002. Report No. 107-330.
By Senator Lieberman from Committee on Governmental Affairs filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 10/17/2002. Report No. 107-330.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 709.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11559-11561)
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11559)
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.1651 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.1651 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.1651 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.1651 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.