Pub. L. 92-39, tit. I, sec. 103

Sec. 103. (a) There is hereby established a Micronesian Claims Commission, hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”, such Commission to be under the control and direction of the Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. The Commission shall be composed of five members, who shall be appointed, in consultation with the Secretary, by the Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, one of whom he shall designate as Chairman. Two members shall be selected from a list of Micronesian citizens nominated by the congress of Micronesia. Any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as in the case of the original appointment. The members of the Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. No Commissioner shall hold other public office or engage in any other employment during the period of his service on the Commission, except as an employee of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. (b) The members of the Commission shall receive compensation and allowances as determined by the Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission by application of the rules and regulations which apply to officers and employees of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but in no event shall traveling and other expenses incurred in connection with their duties as members, or a per diem allowance in lieu thereof, exceed that prescribed in accordance with the provisions of subchapter 1 of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. The term of office of the members of the Commission shall expire at the time fixed in subsection (e) of this section for winding up the affairs of the Commission. (c) The Commission may, subject to the approval of the Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, appoint and fix the compensation and allowances of such officers, attorneys, and employees of the Commission as may be reasonably necessary for its proper functioning, which employees shall be in addition to those who may be assigned by the Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions. The 85 Stat. 94compensation and allowances of employees appointed pursuant to this section shall be within the rules and regulations which apply to officers and employees of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but in no event to exceed the amount of allowances prescribed in subchapter 1 of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. In addition, the Commission, with the approval of the Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, may make such expenditures as may be reasonably necessary to carry out its proper functioning. Officers and employees of any other department or agency of the Government of the United States or the government or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands may, with the consent of the head of such department or agency, with or without reimbursement, be assigned to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions. The Commission may, with the consent of the head of any other department or agency of the Government of the United States or the government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, utilize, with or without reimbursement, the facilities and services of such department or agency in carrying out the functions of the Commission. (d) The Commission shall, subject to the approval of the Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary for carrying out its functions. As expeditiously as possible and, in any event, within three months of its appointment, the Commission shall give public notice in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands of the time when, and the limit of time within which, claims may be filed, which notice shall be given in such manner as the Commission shall prescribe: Provided, That the final date for the filing of claims shall not be more than one year after the appointment of the full membership of the Commission. The Commission shall give extensive publicity in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to the provisions of this Act and shall make every effort to advise promptly all persons who may be entitled to file claims under the provisions of this Act administered by the Commission of their rights under such provisions, and to assist them in the preparation and filing of their claims. A majority of the membership of the Commission shall be necessary to transact business: Provided, however, That an affirmative vote of at least three members shall be required for the promulgation of rules and regulations, and for the final ad judication of any claim. (e) The Commission shall wind up its affairs as expeditiously as possible and in any event not later than three years after the expiration of the time for filing claims under this Act.