Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 115 Part 3.djvu/382

 115 STAT. 2456 PUBLIC LAW 107-135-JAN. 23, 2002 out the provisions of this subtitle, hold hearings and take testimony to the extent that the Commission or any member considers advisable. (b) INFORMATION.—The Commission may secure directly from any Federal department or agency information that the Commission considers necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this subtitle. 38 USC 7451 SEC. 145. PERSONNEL MATTERS. (a) PAY OF MEMBERS.— Members of the Commission shall serve without pay by reason of their work on the Commission. (b) TRAVEL EXPENSES. — The members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission. (c) STAFF. —(1) The Secretary may, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, appoint a staff director and such additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties. (2) The Secretary may fix the pay of the staff director and other personnel appointed under paragraph (1) without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay fixed under this paragraph for the staff director may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title and the rate of pay for other personnel may not exceed the maximum rate payable for grade GS-15 of the General Schedule. (d) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.— Upon request of the Secretary, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, any personnel of that department or agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties. 38 USC 7451 SEC. 146. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION. The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date of the submission of its report under section 143(a;. TITLE II—OTHER MATTERS SEC. 201. AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PRO- VIDE SERVICE DOGS FOR VETERANS WITH CERTAIN DISABILITIES. 38 USC 1714. (a) AUTHORITY.— Section 1714 is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking "seeing-eye or" the first place it appears; (B) by striking "who are entitled to disability compensation" and inserting "who are enrolled under section 1705 of this title"; (C) by striking ", and may pay" and all that follows through "such seeing-eye or guide dogs"; and (D) by striking "handicap" and inserting "disability"; and

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