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to the President recommendations and, as appropriate,
proposals for legislation, regarding—
(1) which (if any) Federal disability programs
should be eliminated or augmented;
(2) what new Federal disability programs (if
any) should be established;
(3) the suitability of the organization and loca-
tion of disability programs within the Federal Gov-
ernment;
(4) other actions the Federal Government
should take to prevent disabilities and disadvantages
associated with disabilities; and
(5) such other matters as the Commission con-
siders appropriate.
SEC. 4243. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be
composed of 15 members, of whom—
(A) five shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent, of whom not more than 3 shall be of the
same major political party;
(B) three shall be appointed by the Major-
ity Leader of the Senate;
(C) two shall be appointed by the Minority
Leader of the Senate;
855
(D) three shall be appointed by the Speak-
er of the House of Representatives; and
(E) two shall be appointed by the Minority
Leader of the House of Representatives.
(2) REPRESENTATION.—The Commission mem-
bers shall be chosen based on their education, train-
ing, or experience. In appointing individuals as
members of the Commission, the President and the
Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate and
the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives shall seek to ensure that the mem-
bership of the Commission reflects the general inter-
ests of the business and taxpaying community and
the diversity of individuals with disabilities in the
United States.
(b) COMPTROLLER
GENERAL.—The Comptroller
General of the United States shall advise the Commission
on the methodology and approach of the study of the Com-
mission.
(c) TERM OF APPOINTMENT.—The members shall
serve on the Commission for the life of the Commission.
(d) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall locate its
headquarters in the District of Columbia, and shall meet
at the call of the Chairperson, but not less than 4 times
each year during the life of the Commission.
856
(e) QUORUM.—Ten members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hear-
ings.
(f) CHAIRPERSON
AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—Not
later than 15 days after the members of the Commission
are appointed, such members shall designate a Chair-
person and Vice Chairperson from among the members of
the Commission.
(g) CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP.—If a member
of the Commission becomes an officer or employee of any
government after appointment to the Commission, the in-
dividual may continue as a member until a successor mem-
ber is appointed.
(h) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Commission shall
be filled in the manner in which the original appointment
was made not later than 30 days after the Commission
is given notice of the vacancy.
(i) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Commission
shall receive no additional pay, allowances, or benefits by
reason of their service on the Commission.
(j) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member of the Com-
mission shall receive travel expenses, including per diem
in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702
and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
857
SEC. 4244. STAFF AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
(a) DIRECTOR.—
(1) APPOINTMENT.—Upon consultation with
the members of the Commission, the Chairperson
shall appoint a Director of the Commission.
(2) COMPENSATION.—The Director shall be
paid the rate of basic pay for level V of the Execu-
tive Schedule.
(b) STAFF.—With the approval of the Commission,
the Director may appoint such personnel as the Director
considers appropriate.
(c) APPLICABILITY OF CIVIL SERVICE LAWS.—The
staff of the Commission shall be appointed without regard
to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing
appointments in the competitive service, and shall be paid
without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and sub-
chapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classi-
fication and General Schedule pay rates.
(d) EXPERTS
AND CONSULTANTS.—With the ap-
proval of the Commission, the Director may procure tem-
porary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of
title 5, United States Code.
(e) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon the re-
quest of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency
may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel
858
of such agency to the Commission to assist in carrying
out the duties of the Commission under this chapter.
(f) OTHER RESOURCES.—The Commission shall have
reasonable access to materials, resources, statistical data,
and other information from the Library of Congress and
agencies and elected representatives of the executive and
legislative branches of the Federal Government. The
Chairperson of the Commission shall make requests for
such access in writing when necessary.
(g) PHYSICAL FACILITIES.—The Administrator of
the General Services Administration shall locate suitable
office space for the operation of the Commission. The fa-
cilities shall serve as the headquarters of the Commission
and shall include all necessary equipment and incidentals
required for proper functioning of the Commission.
SEC. 4245. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may conduct pub-
lic hearings or forums at the discretion of the Commission,
at any time and place the Commission is able to secure
facilities and witnesses, for the purpose of carrying out
the duties of the Commission under this chapter.
(b) DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY.—Any member or
agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the Com-
mission, take any action the Commission is authorized to
take by this section.
859
(c) INFORMATION.—The Commission may secure di-
rectly from any Federal agency information necessary to
enable the Commission to carry out its duties under this
chapter. Upon request of the Chairperson or Vice Chair-
person of the Commission, the head of a Federal agency
shall furnish the information to the Commission to the ex-
tent permitted by law.
(d) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND DEVISES.—The Commis-
sion may accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or
devises of services or property, both real and personal, for
the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Com-
mission. Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and proceeds
from sales of other property received as gifts, bequests,
or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be
available for disbursement upon order of the Commission.
(e) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other Federal agencies.
SEC. 4246. REPORTS.
(a) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 1 year prior
to the date on which the Commission terminates pursuant
to section 4247, the Commission shall submit an interim
report to the President and to the Congress. The interim
report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings
and conclusions of the Commission, together with the