POWERS OF COMMISSION.

SEC 505. POWERS OF COMMISSION. (a) Hearings.—The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this subtitle, hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places as the Commission may find advisable. (b) Rules and Regulations.—The Commission may adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary to establish its procedures and to govern the manner of its operations, organization and personnel. (c) Assistance From Federal Agencies.— (1) The Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States such data and information as the Commission may require for the purpose of this subtitle, including but not limited to comprehensive plans submitted by public housing authorities in accordance with section 14 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, and applications submitted by public housing authorities requesting funds for the major reconstruction of public housing projects in accordance with section 5 of such Act. Upon request of the Commission, any such department or agency shall furnish such data or information. The Commission may acquire data or information directly from public housing authorities to the same extent the Secretary could acquire such data or information. (2) The General Services Administration shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative support services as the Commission may request. (3) Upon the request of the chairperson of the Commission, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, to the extent possible and subject to the discretion of the Secretary, detail any of the personnel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, on a nonreimbursable basis, to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under this subtitle. (d) Mails.—The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal agencies. (e) Contracting.—The Commission may, to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts, enter into 103 STAT. 2052contracts with private firms, institutions, and individuals for the purpose of conducting research or surveys necessary to enable the Commission to discharge its duties under this subtitle. (f) Staff.— (1) The Commission shall appoint an executive director of the Commission who shall be compensated at a rate fixed by the Commission, but which shall not exceed the rate established for level V of the Executive Schedule under title 5, United States Code. (2) In addition to the executive director, the Commission may appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as it deems advisable, in accordance with the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments to the competitive service, and the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. (g) Advisory Committee.—The Commission shall be considered an advisory committee within the meaning of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).