ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.

SEC. 609. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.(a) Employment Status.—Individuals appointed under section 603, 604, 605, or 606 of this title who are serving as such Commissioners, other than officers or employees of the United States Government, shall be considered to be Federal employees while performing such service, only for purposes of—(1) injury compensation under chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code;120 STAT. 3648(2) requirements concerning ethics, conflicts of interest, and corruption as provided under title 18, United States Code; and(3) any other criminal or civil statute or regulation governing the conduct of Federal employees.(b) Compensation.—(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), an individual appointed under this title shall receive no compensation for the individual’s service as a representative, alternate representative, scientific expert, or advisory panel member under this title.(2) Scientific review group.—Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may employ and fix the compensation of an individual appointed under section 604(a) to serve as a scientific expert on the scientific review group who is not employed by the United States Government, a State government, or an Indian tribal government in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code.(c) Travel Expenses.—Except as provided in subsection (d), the Secretary shall pay the necessary travel expenses of individuals appointed under this title in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations and sections 5701, 5702, 5704 through 5708, and 5731 of title 5, United States Code.(d) Joint Appointees.—With respect to the 2 independent members of the scientific review group and the 2 public advisors to the scientific review group jointly appointed under section 604(c), and the 1 independent member to the joint technical committee jointly appointed under section 605(b), the Secretary may pay up to 50 percent of—(1) any compensation paid to such individuals; and(2) the necessary travel expenses of such individuals.