Critical Trends Assessment Act

Critical Trends Assessment Act - Establishes the Office of Critical Trends Analysis (the Office) within the Executive Office of the President. Requires the Director and Deputy Director of the Office to be appointed by the President, subject to Senate confirmation. Declares that the Office shall be responsible for: (1) the preparation of the Executive Branch Report on Critical Trends and Alternative Futures; (2) the review and analysis of Government policies; and (3) the organization and utilization of the Advisory Commission on Critical Trends Analysis. Directs the President to authorize the Office to utilize executive department and agency personnel, property, and information to the extent necessary. Authorizes the Director to appoint and fix the compensation of employees of the Office. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the Office to periodically prepare for publication an Executive Branch Report on Critical Trends and Alternative Futures which shall contain: (1) an identification and analysis of critical trends and alternative futures for the ensuing 20-year period; (2) a description of the relationship of such trends and alternative futures to certain causes and consequences; (3) an analysis of such trends and alternative futures with respect to present and future problem areas and potential future opportunities; (4) an evaluation of the effects of existing and alternative Government policies on such trends; and (5) an identification of the information and a discussion of the analysis upon which conclusions in the report are based. Requires such reports to be based upon information obtained from sources both inside and outside the Federal Government. Requires the director of the Office to make a draft copy of such report available to interested persons for purposes of review and comment prior to publication. Requires any significant comments received from such interested persons or a summary thereof to be included as an appendix to the published report. Directs the President to submit the report, together with his comments or recommendations, to the Congress. Requires such report to be made available within the Government and to the public as a public document. Requires the Office to publish interim reports as it considers necessary and appropriate.

Declares that the Office shall be responsible for advising the President of the potential effects of Government policies on critical trends and alternative futures. Requires the Office to: (1) analyze available information to identify present policies and policy options for the United States in relation to critical trends and alternative futures; (2) review Federal laws and programs to determine their long-term effects; (3) prepare reports for the President as necessary and appropriate; (4) insure that the Federal establishments with responsibilities in policy areas under consideration are provided an opportunity to comment on the potential effects of Government policies on critical trends and alternative futures; and (5) consider the comments of such Federal establishments in any reports provided to the President by the Office under the authority of this Act.

Requires the Office to be responsible for the establishment of the Advisory Commission on Critical Trends Analysis to: (1) provide advice to the Office with respect to its operations; and (2) promote the public discussion and public awareness of critical trends and the use of analyses of such trends to create alternative futures.

Directs the Joint Economic Committee to prepare periodically for publication a Legislative Branch Report on Critical Trends and Alternative Futures to examine the information and methods of analysis used in preparation of the executive branch report and based upon information obtained from sources both inside and outside the Federal Government. Requires the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress and other specified legislative branch agencies to make available such information as may be required for carrying out this Act. Requires such report to be submitted to the Congress and made available as a public document.