SEC. 5. STAFF OF COMMISSION; EXPERTS AND CONSULT-
ANTS. 
(a) STAFF.—The Commission may, without regard to 
section 5311(b) of title 5, United States Code, appoint and 
fix the compensation of such personnel as the Commission 
considers appropriate. 
(b) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE 
LAWS.—The staff of the Commission may be appointed 
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 chapter 53 of such title relating to classi-
fication and General Schedule pay rates, except that the 
compensation of any employee of the Commission may not 
exceed a rate equal to the annual rate of basic pay payable 
for GS–15 of the General Schedule under section 5332 
of title 5, United States Code. 
(c) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commission 
may procure temporary and intermittent services of ex-
perts and consultants under section 3109(b) of title 5, 
United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to 
exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate 
of basic pay under section 5332 of such title. 
SEC. 6. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.— 
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(1) APPOINTMENT.—The Commission shall be 
composed of nine members appointed, not later than 
90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, as 
follows: 
(A) Three members shall be appointed by 
the President. 
(B) Two members shall be appointed by 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
(C) One member shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the House of Representa-
tives. 
(D) Two members shall be appointed by 
the President pro tempore of the Senate. 
(E) One member shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the Senate. 
(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—All members of the 
Commission shall be persons who are especially 
qualified to serve on the Commission by virtue of 
their education, training, or experience, particularly 
in the fields of scientific research and commercializa-
tion. 
(b) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed for the 
life of the Commission. 
(c) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission shall 
not affect the powers of the Commission and shall be filled 
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in the same manner in which the original appointment was 
made. 
(d) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Commission 
shall be awarded compensation as follows: 
(1) RATES
OF
PAY.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (2), members shall each be paid at a rate 
equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of 
basic pay for grade GS–15 of the General Schedule 
for each day (including travel time) during which 
they are engaged in the actual performance of duties 
vested in the Commission. 
(2) PROHIBITION OF COMPENSATION OF FED-
ERAL
EMPLOYEES.—Members of the Commission 
who are full-time officers or employees of the United 
States or Members of Congress may not receive ad-
ditional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of 
their service on the Commission. 
(3) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—Each member shall 
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions 
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(e) QUORUM.—Four members of the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold 
hearings. 
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(f) CHAIR; VICE CHAIR.—The Commission shall elect 
a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. The 
term of office of the Chair and Vice Chair shall be for 
the life of the Commission. 
(g) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the President not later than 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act or not later than 30 
days after the date on which legislation is enacted making 
appropriations available to carry out this Act, whichever 
date is later. 
SEC. 7. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission 
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hear-
ings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and 
receive evidence relating to any matter under investigation 
by the Commission. The Commission may refer requests 
for testimony or evidence that are not fulfilled to the Com-
mittee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House 
of Representatives or the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. 
(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. 
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(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 Act. Upon request of the Chair or Vice Chair of 
the Commission, the head of that department or agency 
shall furnish that information to the Commission. 
(d) ADMINISTRATIVE
SUPPORT
SERVICES.—The 
Commission may enter into agreements with the Adminis-
trator of General Services for procurement of financial 
and administrative services necessary for the discharge of 
the duties of the Commission. Payment for such services 
shall be made by reimbursement from funds of the Com-
mission in such amounts as may be agreed upon by the 
Chair of the Commission and the Administrator. 
(e) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—To the extent or in the 
amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts, the 
Commission may contract with and compensate govern-
ment and private agencies or persons for supplies, serv-
ices, and property. 
SEC. 8. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate on the date that is 
90 days after the date on which the Commission submits 
the report required under section 4(b). 
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SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated $2,500,000 to 
carry out this Act. 
Æ 
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