BUDGET REQUEST

We have next the Law Revision Commission, and Mr. Stephen Danzansky, the Chairman, and Ms. Sylvia Edwards, Senior Attor

ney understand that you are requesting $414,900 and three posi

tions for fiscal year 1981, a net decrease of $4,200 below fiscal year 1980 and, I guess, this is a Commission set up to codify statutes. Your policy statement says the Commission was established to "bring the law relating to the District of Columbia into harmony with modern conditions." I don't know exactly what that means.

FUNCTIONS OF COMMISSION

Mr. DANZANSKY. The Law Revision Commission was established in 1974. It was patterned after the New York Law Revision Commission which has been in existence since 1934. The purpose of the New York Commission was to correct defects in the law. It was suggested that such a commission be implemented by the State of New York to act as a buffer between the legislature and the courts in correcting defects and in looking at uniform laws. The purpose of the D.C. Law Revision Commission is to revise the criminal and civil laws of the District of Columbia which, since 1901, really have not been touched. Our first mission was to provide a new criminal code for the District which is presently before the District of Columbia Council and is the subject of hearings. These hearings will end in June.

NUMBER OF STAFF

Mr. DIXON. I am interested in your staffing at the present time. Can you tell me about it?

Mr. DANZANSKY. We presently have three authorized positions, that of the general counsel, that of the director, and that of an administrative officer. The balance of our personnel, a secretary, a word processing operator and three staff attorneys assist in the work of the Commission.

Mr. DIXON. The Commission is drafting model statutes?

Mr. DANZANSKY. Yes.

Mr. DIXON. That are recommended from the Commission to the City Council for adoption?

Mr. DANZANSKY. Exactly. The City Council and the Congress or whatever body is authorized to legislate for the District.

CITY COUNCIL POSITIONS FOR CRIMINAL CODE

Mr. Dixon. As I recall, the City Council was requesting some additional staff and some of the staff would go to the Committee on the Judiciary and that was three additional positions. I am wondering-and I know you cannot respond-why the City Council needs three additional people there when the Commission itself, which. from what you tell me, is actually doing the drafting. There may be some modification needed. Why the City Council needs more people to modify and digest than, in fact, the Commission that is basically doing the research and the work. It indicates here that they want