NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDEPENDENT HIGHER EDUCATION.

SEC. 1424. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDEPENDENT HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) Establishment.— There is established as an independent agency in the executive branch a commission to be known as the National Commission on Independent Higher Education (hereafter in this part referred to as the “Commission”). (b) Membership.— (1) Composition.— The Commission shall be composed of 9 members, 3 of whom shall be appointed by the President, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 1 or whom shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate, and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate. (2) Expertise requirement.— The members of the Commission shall consist of individuals with expertise and experience in independent higher education, including expertise in national tax policy, individuals with expertise in State higher education finance, individuals with expertise in Federal financial aid programs, individuals with expertise in issues of student and faculty diversity, and individuals with expertise in graduate education and research. (3) Date.— The members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.— Members of the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. 106 STAT. 826 (d) Meetings.— The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman. (e) Quorum.— Six of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings. (f) Chairperson.— The Commission shall select a Chairperson from among its members.