16 U.S.C. § 1423d — Commission appointments; compensation, travel expenses, and claims

(a) Appointment of United States commissioners (1) Appointment The United States commissioners on the Commission must be appointed by the President, under paragraph 2 of article 8 of the Agreement, after taking into consideration the recommendations of— (A) the Secretary; (B) the Secretary of State; and (C) the Alaska Nanuuq Commission. (2) Qualifications With respect to the United States commissioners appointed under this subsection, under paragraph 2 of article 8 of the Agreement— (A) 1 United States commissioner must be an official of the Federal Government; (B) 1 United States commissioner must be a representative of the Native people of Alaska, and, in particular, the Native people for whom polar bears are an integral part of their culture; and (C) both commissioners must be knowledgeable of, or have expertise in, polar bears. (3) Service and term Each United States commissioner must serve— (A) at the pleasure of the President; and (B) for an initial 4-year term and such additional terms as the President must determine. (4) Vacancies (A) In general Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of any term of office of a United States commissioner must be appointed for the remainder of that term. (B) Manner Any vacancy on the Commission must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (b) Alternate commissioners (1) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Alaska Nanuuq Commission, must designate an alternate commissioner for each member of the United States section. (2) Duties In the absence of a United States commissioner, an alternate commissioner may exercise all functions of the United States commissioner at any meetings of the Commission or of the United States section. (3) Reappointment An alternate commissioner— (A) must be eligible for reappointment by the President; and (B) may attend all meetings of the United States section. (c) Duties The members of the United States section may carry out the functions and responsibilities described in article 8 of the Agreement under this subchapter and the Agreement. (d) Compensation and expenses (1) Compensation A member of the United States section must serve without compensation. (2) Travel expenses A member of the United States section must be allowed travel expenses, including a daily allowance instead of meal and living costs, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5 while away from the home or regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the United States-Russia Polar Bear Commission. (e) Agency designation The United States section must, for the purpose of title 28 relating to claims against the United States and tort claims procedure, be considered to be a Federal agency.