POWERS OF COMMISSION.

SEC. 1444. POWERS OF COMMISSION. (a) Hearings.— The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this part, 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 the Commission’s procedures and to govern the manner of the Commission’s operations, organization, and personnel. (c) Assistance From Federal Agencies.— (1) Information.— 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 part. 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. 106 STAT. 830 (2) Facilities and services, personnel detail authorized.— 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-reimbursable basis, to assist the Commission in carrying out the Commission’s duties under this part, except that any expenses of the Commission incurred under this subparagraph shall be subject to the limitation on total expenses set forth in section 1445(b). (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, to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, may enter into contracts with State agencies, private firms, institutions, and individuals for the purpose of conducting research or surveys necessary to enable the Commission to discharge the Commission’s duties under this part, subject to the limitation on total expenses set forth in section 1445(b). (f) 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 1445(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 level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5332 of such title. (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.) and shall be independent from the Executive Branch.