
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 22USC5841]

 
               TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE
 
  CHAPTER 67--FREEDOM FOR RUSSIA AND EMERGING EURASIAN DEMOCRACIES AND 
                          OPEN MARKETS SUPPORT
 
                   SUBCHAPTER III--THE DEMOCRACY CORPS
 
Sec. 5841. Authorization for establishment of Democracy Corps


(a) Establishment; purpose

    The President is authorized to provide for the establishment of the 
Democracy Corps as a private nonprofit organization, incorporated in the 
District of Columbia, whose purpose shall be to maintain a presence in 
the independent states of the former Soviet Union as described in 
subsection (c) of this section.

(b) Board of Directors

    The Board of Directors of the Democracy Corps shall have not more 
than 10 members, appointed by the President. Individuals appointed to 
the Board--
        (1) shall, individually or through the organizations they 
    represent, have experience and expertise appropriate to carrying out 
    the purpose of the Democracy Corps, including involvement either 
    with activities of the type described in subsection (d) of this 
    section or in the independent states;
        (2) shall be United States citizens; and
        (3) may not be officers or employees of the United States 
    Government or Members of Congress.

(c) Grants to Democracy Corps; purpose

    The Administrator is authorized to make an annual grant to the 
Democracy Corps with the funds made available pursuant to this section. 
The purpose of such grants shall be to enable the Democracy Corps to 
maintain a presence in independent states of the former Soviet Union 
that will assist at the local level in the development of--
        (1) institutions of democratic governance (including judicial, 
    electoral, legislative, and administrative processes), and
        (2) the nongovernmental organizations of a civil society 
    (including charitable, educational, trade union, business, 
    professional, voluntary, community, and other civic organizations),

by mobilizing the expertise of the American people to provide practical 
assistance through ``on the ground'' person-to-person advice, technical 
assistance, and small grants to indigenous individuals and indigenous 
entities, in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.

(d) Activities

    The Democracy Corps shall be required to carry out its purpose 
through the placement within the independent states of teams of United 
States citizens with appropriate expertise and knowledge. Under 
guidelines developed by the Board, these teams shall assist indigenous 
individuals and entities in the independent states that are involved in 
the development of the institutions and organizations referred to in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of this section by--
        (1) providing advice and technical assistance;
        (2) making small grants (which in most cases should not exceed 
    $5,000) to such individuals and entities to assist the development 
    of those institutions and organizations;
        (3) identifying other sources of assistance; and
        (4) operating local centers to serve as information, logistical, 
    and educational centers and otherwise encourage cooperation and 
    effectiveness by those involved in the development of democratic 
    institutions, a market-oriented economy, and a civil society in the 
    independent states.

These local centers may be designated as ``Democracy Houses'' or given 
another appropriate appellation.

(e) Grant agreement

    Grants under this section shall be made pursuant to a grant 
agreement requiring the Democracy Corps to comply with the requirements 
specified in this section and with such other terms and conditions as 
the Administrator may require, which shall include requirements 
regarding consultation with the coordinator designated pursuant to 
section 5812(a) of this title, conflicts of interest, and accountability 
for funds, including a requirement for annual independent audits.

(f) Coordination

    The Democracy Corps shall be required to--
        (1) coordinate its activities pursuant to this section with the 
    programs and activities of other entities operating in or providing 
    assistance to the independent states of the former Soviet Union in 
    support of the development of democratic institutions, a market-
    oriented economy, and a civil society; and
        (2) ensure that its activities pursuant to this section are 
    designed to avoid duplication with activities carried out under 
    other United States Government foreign assistance and international 
    information, educational, cultural, and exchange programs.

(g) Prohibition on campaign financing

    Funds made available to the Democracy Corps under this section may 
not be expended by the Democracy Corps, or any recipient of a grant from 
the Democracy Corps, to finance the campaigns of candidates for public 
office.

(h) Freedom of information

                           (1) In general

        Notwithstanding the fact that the Democracy Corps is not an 
    agency or establishment of the United States Government, the 
    Democracy Corps shall be required to comply fully with all of the 
    provisions of section 552 of title 5.

                 (2) Publication in Federal Register

        For purposes of complying pursuant to paragraph (1) with section 
    552(a)(1) of title 5, the Democracy Corps shall make available to 
    the Administrator such records and other information as the 
    Administrator determines may be necessary for such purposes. The 
    Administrator shall cause such records and other information to be 
    published in the Federal Register.

                           (3) AID review

        In the event that the Democracy Corps determines not to comply 
    with a request for records under section 552 of title 5, the 
    Democracy Corps shall submit a report to the Administrator 
    explaining the reasons for not complying with such request. If the 
    Administrator approves such determination, the Agency for 
    International Development shall assume full responsibility, 
    including financial responsibility, for defending the Democracy 
    Corps in any litigation relating to such request. If the 
    Administrator disapproves such determination, the Democracy Corps 
    shall be required to comply with such request.

(i) Annual reports

    The Board shall be required to submit to the Administrator and the 
Congress, not later than January 31 each year, a comprehensive report on 
the activities of the Democracy Corps. Each such report shall list each 
grant made by the Democracy Corps under subsection (d)(2) of this 
section during the preceding fiscal year, specifying the grantee and the 
amount of the grant.

(j) Authorization of appropriations

    Of the amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out chapter 11 
of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 [22 U.S.C. 2295 et 
seq.], up to $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1993 are authorized to be 
appropriated for grants to the Democracy Corps under this section, in 
addition to amounts otherwise available for such purpose.

(k) Sunset provision

    Grants may not be made to the Democracy Corps under this section 
after the end of fiscal year 1997.

(l) Definitions

    As used in this section--
        (1) the term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the 
    Agency for International Development; and
        (2) the term ``Board'' means the Board of Directors of the 
    Democracy Corps.

(Pub. L. 102-511, title IV, Sec. 401, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3335.)

                       References in Text

    The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, referred to in subsec. (j), is 
Pub. L. 87-195, Sept. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 424, as amended. Chapter 11 of 
part I of the Act is classified generally to part XI (Sec. 2295 et seq.) 
of subchapter I of chapter 32 of this title. For complete classification 
of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2151 
of this title and Tables.
