PUBLIC LAW 96-296—JULY 1, 1980 Transportation, the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Justice. (6) In carrying out its duties, the Study Commission shall seek the advice of various groups interested in motor carrier collective ratemaking including, but not limited to, State and local governments and public and private organizations working in the field of transportation. (7)(A) The Study Commission or, on authorization of the Study Commission, any committee of two or more members may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subsection, hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places as the Study Commission or such authorized committee may deem advisable. (B) The Study Commission is authorized to secure from any department, agency, or instrumentality of the executive branch of the Government any information it deems necessary to carry out its functions under this subsection and each department, agency, and instrumentality is authorized and directed to furnish such information to the Study Commission upon request made by the Chairman. (8)(A) Members of Congress who are members of the Study Commission shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as Members of Congress; but they shall be reimbursed for travel, per diem in accordance with the Rules of the House of Representatives or subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of the duties vested in the Study Commission. (B) Members of the Study Commission, except Members of Congress, shall each receive compensation at a rate not in excess of the maximum rate of pay for GS-18, as provided in the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, and shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses, per diem in accordance with the Rules of the House of Representatives or subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in performance of duties while serving as a Study Commission member. (9)(A) The Study Commission is authorized to appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director and such additional personnel as may be necessary to enable it to carry out its functions. The Director and personnel may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, covering appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. Any Federal employees subject to the civil service laws and regulations who may be employed by the Study Commission shall retain civil service status without interruption or loss of status or privilege. In no event shall an employee other than the staff director receive as compensation an amount in excess of the maximum rate for GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code. In addition, the Commission is authorized to obtain the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at rates not to exceed the maximum rate of pay for grade GS-18, as provided in the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code. (B) The staff director shall be compensated at the rate of pay for a position at Level 2 of the Executive Schedule in subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code. (10) The Study Commission is authorized to enter into contracts or agreements for studies and surveys with public and private organiza-
94 STAT. 807
Hearings.
Information from Federal agencies.
Members of Congress, travel expenses.
Compensation and expenses. 44 FR 58671.
Staff director and personnel, compensation.
5 USC 5101 et seq., 5331.
44 FR 58671.
5 USC 5313. Functions.
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