POWERS OF COMMISSION.

SEC. 2104. 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 request from the head of any Federal agency or instrumentality such information as the Commission may require for the purpose of this subtitle. Each such agency or instrumentality shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the exceptions set forth in section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), furnish such information to the Commission, upon request made by the Chairperson of the Commission. (2) Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency or instrumentality shall, to the extent possible and subject to the discretion of such head— (A) make any of the facilities and services of such agency or instrumentality available to the Commission; and (B) detail any of the personnel of such agency or instrumentality to the Commission, on a non-reimburseable basis, to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under this subtitle, except that any expenses of the Commission incurred under this subparagraph shall be subject to the limitation on total expenses set forth in section 2105(b). (c) Mails— The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions sis other Federal agencies. (d) Contracting.— The Commission may, to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter into101 STAT. 1330–36 contracts with State agencies, 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, subject to the limitation on total expenses set forth in section 2105(b). (e) Staff.— Subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Commission, the Chairperson of the Commission (subject to the limitation on total expenses set forth in section 2105(b)) shall have the power to appoint, terminate, and fix the compensation (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, or of any other provision, or of any other provision of law, relating to the number, classification, and General Schedule rates) of an Executive Director, and of such additional staff as the Chairperson deems advisable to assist the Commission, at rates not to exceed a rate equal to the maximum rate for GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of such title. (f) Advisory Committee.— The Commission shall be considered an advisory committee within the meaning of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).