(3) FACILITATION OF EXCHANGE OF INFORMA-
TION.—In carrying out the study under this sub-
section, the Commission shall, to the extent prac-
ticable, facilitate the exchange of information con-
cerning the issues that are the subject of the study
among—
(A) officials of the Federal Government
and the governments of States and political
subdivisions thereof; and
(B) educators from Federal, State, and
local institutions of higher education and sec-
ondary schools.
(d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—
(1) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold
such hearings, sit and act at such times and places,
take such testimony, and receive such evidence as
the Commission considers advisable to carry out the
purposes of this Act.
(2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—
The Commission may secure directly from any Fed-
eral department or agency such information as the
Commission considers necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act. Upon request of the Chair-
person of the Commission, the head of such depart-
ment or agency shall furnish such information to the
Commission.
(3) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may
use the United States mails in the same manner and
under the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the Federal Government.
(4) GIFTS.—The Commission may accept, use,
and dispose of gifts or donations of services or prop-
erty.
(e) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.—
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Except as
provided in paragraph (2), each member of the Com-
mission who is not an officer or employee of the
Federal Government shall serve without compensa-
tion. All members of the Commission who are offi-
cers or employees of the United States shall serve
without compensation in addition to that received for
their services as officers or employees of the United
States.
(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the
Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates author-
ized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while
away from their homes or regular places of business
in the performance of services for the Commission.
(3) STAFF.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the
Commission may, without regard to the civil
service laws and regulations, appoint and termi-
nate an executive director and such other addi-
tional personnel as may be necessary to enable
the Commission to perform its duties. The em-
ployment of an executive director shall be sub-
ject to confirmation by the Commission.
(B) COMPENSATION.—The Chairperson of
the Commission may fix the compensation of
the executive director and other personnel with-
out regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and
subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United
States Code, relating to classification of posi-
tions and General Schedule pay rates, except
that the rate of pay for the executive director
and other personnel may not exceed the rate
payable for level V of the Executive Schedule
under section 5316 of such title.
(4) DETAIL
OF
GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYEES.—
Any Federal Government employee may be detailed
to the Commission without reimbursement, and such
detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil
service status or privilege.
(5) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTER-
MITTENT SERVICES.—The Chairperson of the Com-
mission may procure temporary and intermittent
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
States Code, at rates for individuals which do not
exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of
basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive
Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(f) TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.—The Commis-
sion shall terminate on the date that is 90 days after the
date on which the Commission submits its report under
this subsection.
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be
appropriated $750,000 for fiscal year 2000 to the
Commission to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Any sums appropriated
under the authorization contained in this section
shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation,
until expended.
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