---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 U.S.C. § 9704"
title: "20"
title_heading: "Education"
number: "9704"
heading: "Powers of the Commission"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/9704"
units:
  - "Chapter 77 — Financial Literacy and Education Improvement"
---

# §9704. Powers of the Commission

- (a) **Hearings—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Commission](/usc/20/9701.md?p=2) shall hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the [Commission](/usc/20/9701.md?p=2) deems appropriate to carry out this chapter.
  - (2) **Participation—** In hearings held under this subsection, the [Commission](/usc/20/9701.md?p=2) shall consider inviting witnesses from, among other groups—
    - (A) other Federal Government officials;
    - (B) State and local government officials;
    - (C) consumer and community groups;
    - (D) nonprofit financial literacy and education groups (such as those involved in personal finance and economic education); and
    - (E) the financial services industry.
- (b) **Information from Federal agencies—** The [Commission](/usc/20/9701.md?p=2) may secure directly from any Federal [department](/usc/20/1221.md?p=c-3) or agency such information as the [Commission](/usc/20/9701.md?p=2) considers necessary to carry out this chapter. Upon request of the [Chairperson](/usc/20/9701.md?p=1), the head of such [department](/usc/20/1221.md?p=c-3) or agency shall furnish such information to the [Commission](/usc/20/9701.md?p=2).
- (c) **Periodic studies—** The [Commission](/usc/20/9701.md?p=2) may conduct periodic studies regarding the state of financial literacy and education in the United States, as the [Commission](/usc/20/9701.md?p=2) determines appropriate.
- (d) **Multilingual—** The [Commission](/usc/20/9701.md?p=2) may take any action to develop and promote financial literacy and education materials in languages other than English, as the [Commission](/usc/20/9701.md?p=2) deems appropriate, including for the website established under [section 9703(b) of this title](/usc/20/9703.md?p=b), at the toll-free number established under [section 9703(c) of this title](/usc/20/9703.md?p=c), and in the materials developed and disseminated under [section 9703(d) of this title](/usc/20/9703.md?p=d).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 108–159, title V, § 515, Dec. 4, 2003, 117 Stat. 2007.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section subject to joint regulations establishing effective dates as prescribed by Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission, except as otherwise provided, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–159, set out as an Effective Date of 2003 Amendment note under section 1681 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

### Definitions

For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 2 of Pub. L. 108–159, set out as a note under section 1681 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.