15 U.S.C. § 205d — United States Metric Board

(a) Establishment This section creates an independent government body called the United States Metric Board. (b) Membership; Chairman; appointment of members; term of office; vacancies The Board has 17 members total. The President appoints a Chairman, with the Senate's advice and consent. The President also appoints 16 other members, with Senate approval, chosen from specific groups: one recommended by engineers and engineering organizations; one recommended by scientists and the scientific/technical community; one recommended by the National Association of Manufacturers; one recommended by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, retailers, and other commercial groups; two recommended by the AFL-CIO and other labor organizations, representing workers affected by metric conversion; one recommended by the National Governors Conference, state legislatures, and state/local government groups; two recommended by small-business organizations; one representing the construction industry; one recommended by the National Conference on Weights and Measures and standards organizations; one recommended by educators and educational groups; and four at-large members, chosen by the President to represent consumers and other interests. Each recommending group must submit a list of at least three qualified candidates for every open seat. The first Board members' terms were set by the President at appointment: five members serving 2 years, five serving 4 years, and six serving 6 years. The Chairman serves a 6-year term. Members and the Chairman can be reappointed for one additional 6-year term, the same way as their original appointment. After the first group, all replacement members serve full 6-year terms, counted from when their predecessor's term was supposed to end. If someone is appointed to fill a vacancy that opens up before a term ends, they only serve out the rest of that term. Starting 45 days after the Board is created, six members are enough to form a quorum to do business. (c) Compulsory powers Unless Congress passes a law giving it more power, the Board has no power to force anyone to do anything. (d) Termination The Board stops existing once Congress passes a law declaring that its mission is complete.