The next step will be public hearings on April 25 and 26 in New York to be held by the Senate's five-person independent commission.

Because of partisan wrangling in the Senate, the five-person commission has one vacancy.

A five-person commission from Moscow would make the decision.

At least two other members of the five-person commission are also known to be critical of the old rules.

But the length of any ban depends on the five-person commission.

"That would have come up in discussion," said a member of the five-person commission in the period.

President Bush is expected shortly to announce the appointment of two new members to the five-person commission.

This fall, Arizona voters will elect two commissioners to the five-person commission.

The five-person commission is about to undergo a complete makeover, leaving only one of its current members in place after Mr. Hundt is replaced.

But it is unclear which issues will be most significant as various members of the five-person commission have different concerns, the official said.