S.Res. 82 — An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

This section authorizes the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, in accordance with its jurisdiction under Senate rules, to (1) make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate, (2) employ personnel, and (3) use on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis the services of personnel from government departments or agencies (with prior consent), from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027.

This section establishes expense limits for the committee under this resolution as follows: (1) $6,259,693 for the period March 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025; (2) $10,730,903 for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026); and (3) $4,471,210 for the period October 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027. For each period, not more than $100,000 may be expended for consultants (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946) and not more than $100,000 for professional staff training (under section 202(j) of that Act).

This section directs that expenses of the committee be paid from the Senate contingent fund upon vouchers approved by the chairman (except for specified disbursements such as salaries of employees paid at an annual rate, telecommunications services, stationery supplies, postal services, metered copying charges, recording and photographic services, and franked mail costs) and authorizes agency contributions (i.e., employer payments for employee retirement, health, and other benefits) related to committee employee compensation from the Senate Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations account for three periods: (1) March 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025; (2) October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026; and (3) October 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027.