a manner consistent with the protection of informa-
tion provided to or developed for or by the Commis-
sion as required by any applicable statute, regula-
tion, or Executive order including subsection 
(i)(2)(B). 
‘‘(n) STAFF OF COMMISSION.— 
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION.—The 
Chair of the Commission, in consultation with the 
Vice Chair and in accordance with rules adopted by 
the Commission, may appoint and fix the compensa-
tion of a staff director and such other personnel as 
may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry 
out its functions, without regard to the provisions of 
title 5, United States Code, governing appointments 
in the competitive service, and without regard to the 
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chap-
ter 53 of such title relating to classification and 
General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of 
pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the max-
imum rate of pay for GS–15 under the General 
Schedule. 
‘‘(2) STAFF EXPERTISE.—Individuals shall be 
selected for appointment as staff of the Commission 
on the basis of their expertise in one or more of the 
fields referred to in subsection (e).
‘‘(3) PERSONNEL AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The executive director 
and any employees of the Commission shall be 
employees under section 2105 of title 5, United 
States Code, for purposes of chapters 63, 81, 
83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of that title. 
‘‘(B) MEMBERS
OF
COMMISSION.—Sub-
paragraph (A) shall not be construed to apply 
to members of the Commission. 
‘‘(4) DETAILEES.—Any Federal Government 
employee may be detailed to the Commission without 
reimbursement from the Commission, and during 
such detail shall retain the rights, status, and privi-
leges of his or her regular employment without inter-
ruption. 
‘‘(5) CONSULTANT
SERVICES.—The Commis-
sion may procure the services of experts and consult-
ants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, 
United States Code, but at rates not to exceed the 
daily rate paid a person occupying a position at level 
IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(6) EMPHASIS ON SECURITY CLEARANCES.— 
The Commission shall make it a priority to hire as 
employees and retain as contractors and detailees in-
dividuals otherwise authorized by this section who 
have active security clearances. 
‘‘(o) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
‘‘(1) 
COMPENSATION
OF
MEMBERS.—Each 
member of the Commission who is not an employee 
of the government shall be compensated at a rate 
not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate 
of basic pay in effect for a position at level IV of 
the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 
5, United States Code, for each day during which 
that member is engaged in the actual performance 
of the duties of the Commission. 
‘‘(2) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—While away from 
their homes or regular places of business in the per-
formance of services for the Commission, members 
of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, 
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates 
authorized for employees of agencies under sub-
chapter 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) TRAVEL
ON
ARMED
FORCES
CONVEY-
ANCES.—Members and personnel of the Commission 
may travel on aircraft, vehicles, or other conveyances