PUBLIC LAW 105-33—AUG. 5, 1997 111 STAT. 353 shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. "(4) COMPENSATION.—While serving on the business of the Commission (including traveltime), a member of the Commission shall be entitled to compensation at the per diem equivalent of the rate provided for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code; and while so serving away from home and the member's regular place of business, a member may be allowed travel expenses, as authorized by the Chairman of the Commission. Physicians serving as personnel of the Commission may be provided a physician comparability allowance by the Commission in the same manner as Government physicians may be provided such an allowance by an agency under section 5948 of title 5, United States Code, and for such purpose subsection (i) of such section shall apply to the Commission in the same manner as it applies to the Tennessee Valley Authority. For purposes of pay (other than pay of members of the Commission) and employment benefits, rights, and privileges, all personnel of the Commission shall be treated as if they were employees of the United States Senate. "(5) CHAIRMAN; VICE CHAIRMAN. —The Comptroller General shall designate a member of the Commission, at the time of appointment of the member as Chairman and a member as Vice Chairman for that term of appointment, except that in the case of vacancy of the Chairmanship or Vice Chairmanship, the Comptroller General may designate another member for the remainder of that member's term. "(6) MEETINGS.— The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman. " (d) DIRECTOR AND STAFF; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—Subject to such review as the Comptroller General deems necessary to assure the efficient administration of the Commission, the Commission may— "(1) employ and fix the compensation of an Executive Director (subject to the approval of the Comptroller General) and such other personnel as may be necessary to carry out its duties (without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service); "(2) seek such assistance and support as may be required in the performance of its duties from appropriate Federal departments and agencies; "(3) enter into contracts or make other arrangements, as may be necessary for the conduct of the work of the Commission (without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5)); "(4) make advance, progress, and other payments which relate to the work of the Commission; "(5) provide transportation and subsistence for persons serving without compensation; and "(6) prescribe such rules and regulations as it deems necessary with respect to the internal organization and operation of the Commission. "(e) POWERS. — "(1) 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
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