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subsection (a) at such times as the Secretary
may require; and
(B) submit to the Secretary and Congress
recommendations for regulatory and legislative
proposals to reduce the burden of government
regulations and paperwork requirements on
small rural hospitals.
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than January 1,
1999, the Commission shall submit a final report to
the Secretary and Congress on its activities under
this title, and shall include in the report its final rec-
ommendations for proposals described in paragraph
(1)(B).
SEC. 403. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be
composed of 8 members appointed by the Secretary
from individuals who possess extensive leadership ex-
perience in and knowledge of State and local govern-
ment, intergovernmental relations, and the adminis-
tration and operation of small rural hospitals.
(2) LIMITATION.—An individual who is a Mem-
ber or employee of the Congress may not be ap-
pointed or serve as a member of the Commission.
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(b) WAIVER OF LIMITATION ON EXECUTIVE SCHED-
ULE POSITIONS.—Appointments may be made under this
section without regard to section 5311(b) of title 5, United
States Code.
(c) POLITICAL AFFILIATION.—Not more than 4
members of the Commission may be of the same political
party.
(d) TERMS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each member of the Com-
mission shall be appointed for the life of the Com-
mission.
(2) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission
shall be filled in the manner in which the original
appointment was made.
(e) BASIC PAY.—
(1) RATES OF PAY.—Members of the Commis-
sion shall serve without pay.
(2) PROHIBITION OF COMPENSATION OF FED-
ERAL
EMPLOYEES.—Members of the Commission
who are full-time officers or employees of the United
States may not receive additional pay, allowances, or
benefits by reason of their service on the Commis-
sion.
(f) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member of the Com-
mission shall receive travel expenses, including per diem
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in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702
and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(g) CHAIRPERSON.—The President shall designate a
member of the Commission as Chairperson at the time of
the appointment of that member.
(h) MEETINGS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2),
the Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair-
person or a majority of its members.
(2) FIRST
MEETING.—The Commission shall
convene its first meeting by not later than 45 days
after the date of the completion of appointment of
the member of the Commission.
(3) QUORUM.—A majority of members of the
Commission shall constitute a quorum but a lesser
number may hold hearings.
SEC. 404. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION; EXPERTS
AND CONSULTANTS.
(a) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall, without re-
gard to section 5311(b) of title 5, United States Code,
have a Director who shall be appointed by the Commis-
sion. The Director shall be paid at the rate of basic pay
payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule.
(b) STAFF.—With the approval of the Commission,
and without regard to section 5311(b) of title 5, United
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States Code, the Director may appoint and fix the pay
of such staff as is sufficient to enable the Commission to
carry out its duties.
(c) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE
LAWS.—The Director and staff of the Commission may
be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5,
United States Code, governing appointments in the com-
petitive service, and may be paid without regard to the
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53
of that title relating to classification and General Schedule
pay rates, except that an individual so appointed may not
receive pay in excess of the annual rate of basic pay pay-
able for GS–18 of the General Schedule.
(d) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commission
may procure temporary and intermittent services of ex-
perts or consultants under section 3109(b) of title 5,
United States Code.
(e) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon request
of the Director, the head of any Federal department or
agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the
personnel of that department or agency to the Commission
to assist it in carrying out its duties under this title.
SEC. 405. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission
may, for the purpose of carrying out this title, hold hear-
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ings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and
receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.
(b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any mem-
ber or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the
Commission, take any action which the Commission is au-
thorized to take by this section.
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission
may secure directly from any department or agency of the
United States information necessary to enable it to carry
out this title. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Com-
mission, the head of that department or agency shall fur-
nish that information to the Commission.
(d) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United
States.
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
essary for the Commission to carry out its duties under
this title.
(f) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Commission may,
subject to appropriations, contract with and compensate
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government and private agencies or persons for property
and services used to carry out its duties under this title.
SEC. 406. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate 90 days after sub-
mitting its final report pursuant to section 402(b)(2).
SEC. 407. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Com-
mission such sums as may be necessary for the Commis-
sion to carry out its duties under this title.
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