COMMISSION ON AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

SEC. 1674. COMMISSION ON AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES. (a) Definitions.— For purposes of this section: (1) Agricultural research facility.— The term “agricultural research facility” means a facility at which agricultural research is regularly carried out, or proposed to be carried out, and which is— (A) an existing Agricultural Research Service facility or a Forest Service facility; (B) an agricultural facility in the process of being planned or being constructed using Federal funding or a planned agricultural facility that will use Federal funding; or (C) any other facility under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture. (2) Study commission.— The term “Study Commission” means the Agriculture Research Facilities Planning and Closure Study Commission established under this section. (3) Secretary.— The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture. (b) Study Commission Established.— The Secretary shall establish an Agriculture Research Facilities Planning and Closure Study Commission to carry out the activities described in subsection (c). (c) General Duties.— The Study Commission shall— (1) review all currently operating and planned agricultural research facilities for research importance; (2) identify those agricultural research facilities that should be closed, realigned, consolidated, or modernized, in order to aid in carrying out the research agenda of the Secretary; (3) develop recommendations concerning agricultural research facilities; and 104 STAT. 3776 (4) evaluate the agricultural research facilities acquisition and modernization system utilized by the Department of Agriculture and recommend improvements in such system. (d) Elements of Study Commission.— (1) Membership.— The Study Commission shall be composed of 14 members to be appointed not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, of which— (A) two members shall be appointed by the Secretary from among private citizens or employees of the Executive Branch; (B) three members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; (C) three members shall be appointed by the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; (D) three members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and (E) three members shall be appointed by the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives. (2) Vacancies.— A vacancy occurring on the Study Commission shall be filled in the same manner as that in which the original appointment was made. (3) Compensation and expenses.— (A) Compensation.— Members of the Study Commission who are not regular full-time employees of the United States Government shall, while attending meetings and conferences of the Study Commission or otherwise engaged in the business of the Study Commission (including travel time), be entitled to receive compensation at a rate fixed by the Secretary, but not exceeding the rate specified at the time of such service under GS-18 of the General Schedules established under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code. (B) Expenses.— While away from their homes or regular places of business on the business of the Study Commission, members of such Commission may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as is authorized under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for persons employed intermittently by the Federal Government. (4) Chairperson.— The Secretary shall designate a member of the Study Commission to serve as the Chairperson. (5) Meetings.— The Study Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairperson, of a majority of the members of the Study Commission, or at the call of the Secretary. (6) Director and staff.— The Chairperson of the Study Commission may appoint a Director of such Commission, and may request the detailing of the staff of Federal agencies to such Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties. The Chairperson may employ experts and consultants. (e) General Powers.— The Study Commission shall have the power to meet and hold hearings, use the mails of the United States, and provide and acquire administrative support services. 104 STAT. 3777 (f) Report.— Not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Study Commission shall prepare and submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Agriculture and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Appropriations of the Senate, a report concerning the findings and recommendations developed under subsection (c). (g) Authorization of Appropriations.— There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.