EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF.

SEC. 246. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF. (a) Executive Director.— (1) Appointment.—The Commission shall have an Executive Director who shall be appointed by the Chairman, with the approval of the Commission, not later than 30 days after the Chairman is selected. (2) Compensation.—The Executive Director shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate of basic pay payable under GS-18 of the General Schedule as contained in title 5, United States Code. (b) Staff.—With the approval of the Commission, the Executive Director may appoint and fix the compensation of such additional personnel as the Executive Director considers necessary to carry out the duties of the Commission. (c) Applicability or Civil Service Laws.—The Executive Director and the additional personnel of the Commission appointed under subsection (b) may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. (d) Consultants.—Subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the Commission, the Executive Director may procure temporary or intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals not to exceed $200 per day. (e) Detailed Personnel and Support Services.—Upon the re-quest of the Commission for the detail of personnel, or for administrative and support services, to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs, either jointly or separately, may on a reimbursable basis (1) detail to the Commission personnel of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Veterans’ Administration, respectively, or (2) provide to the Commission administrative and support services. The Secretary and the Administrator shall consult for the purpose of determining and implementing an appropriate method for jointly or separately detailing such personnel and providing such services.