16 U.S.C. § 544c — Columbia River Gorge Commission

(a) Establishment and membership. Congress consents to an Oregon-Washington agreement establishing the Columbia River Gorge Commission within one year after November 17, 1986. (1)(A) The States must create the Commission by interstate agreement and specifically incorporate sections 544 through 544p. It must follow that agreement and those sections and is not a United States agency or instrumentality. (B) The States must give the Commission, State agencies, and counties authority under State law to perform their assigned functions. (C) Subject to State law, the States appoint: (i) one resident from each of Hood River, Multnomah, and Wasco Counties, Oregon, and Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania Counties, Washington, appointed by each county's governing body, or by the State's Governor if the county does not appoint one; (ii) three Oregon residents, at least one from the scenic area, appointed by Oregon's Governor; (iii) three Washington residents, at least one from the scenic area, appointed by Washington's Governor; and (iv) one nonvoting ex officio Forest Service employee appointed by the Secretary. Either Governor may extend the appointment deadline by 90 days. (2) The agreement takes effect and the Commission may act when four initial members from each State have been appointed; that agreement date is the Commission's establishment date. (3) A State or county may fill an early vacancy of its appointee. Terms are four years, with the specified initial five- and six-year terms. Governors and county bodies may not appoint federal, State, or local elected or appointed officials. (4) A majority is a quorum. Members choose a chair by a majority vote of members appointed from each State. (5) Except for the ex officio member, Commission members, officers, and employees are not United States officers or employees. The Commission may appoint them, set compensation, and assign or delegate duties. State law sets member compensation; the States pay members, employees, and expenses. (b) Applicable law. To create a uniform legal system, the Commission must adopt rules on administrative procedure, contracts, conflicts of interest, financial disclosure, open meetings, advisory committees, and information disclosure consistent with the more restrictive State's laws. Financial-disclosure rules apply regardless of service length or compensation. Commission contracts and actions are not United States obligations or backed by United States credit. (c) Assistance. At the Commission's request, the Secretary and other federal agencies may provide information, personnel, property, and services on a reimbursed basis. The Secretary may provide technical help without reimbursement. (d) Advisory committees. The Commission must establish voluntary technical and citizen advisory committees.