33 U.S.C. § 892c : US Code - Section 892C: Hydrographic Services Review Panel

Search 33 U.S.C. § 892c : US Code - Section 892C: Hydrographic Services Review Panel

(a) Establishment
No later than 1 year after December 19, 2002, the Secretary shall
establish the Hydrographic Services Review Panel.
(b) Duties
(1) In general
The panel shall advise the Administrator on matters related to
the responsibilities and authorities set forth in section 892a of
this title and such other appropriate matters as the
Administrator refers to the panel for review and advice.
(2) Administrative resources
The Administrator shall make available to the panel such
information, personnel, and administrative services and
assistance as it may reasonably require to carry out its duties.
(c) Membership
(1) In general
(A) The panel shall consist of 15 voting members who shall be
appointed by the Administrator. The Director of the Joint
Hydrographic Institute and no more than 2 employees of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration appointed by the
Administrator shall serve as nonvoting members of the panel. The
voting members of the panel shall be individuals who, by reason
of knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified
in one or more of the disciplines and fields relating to
hydrographic surveying, tide, current geodetic and geospatial
measurement, marine transportation, port administration, vessel
pilotage, and coastal and fishery management.
(B) An individual may not be appointed as a voting member of
the panel if the individual is a full-time officer or employee of
the United States.
(C) Any voting member of the panel who is an applicant for, or
beneficiary (as determined by the Secretary) of, any assistance
under this subchapter shall disclose to the panel that
relationship, and may not vote on any matter pertaining to that
assistance.
(2) Terms
(A) The term of office of a voting member of the panel shall be
4 years, except that of the original appointees, five shall be
appointed for a term of 2 years, five shall be appointed for a
term of 3 years, and five shall be appointed for a term of 4
years, as specified by the Administrator at the time of
appointment.
(B) Any individual appointed to a partial or full term may be
reappointed for one additional full term. A voting member may
serve after the date of the expiration of the term of office for
which appointed until his or her successor has taken office.
(3) Nominations
At least once each year, the Secretary shall publish a notice
in the Federal Register soliciting nominations for membership on
the panel.
(4) Chairman and Vice Chairman
(A) The panel shall select one voting member to serve as the
Chairman and another voting member to serve as the Vice Chairman.
(B) The Vice Chairman shall act as Chairman in the absence or
incapacity of the Chairman.
(d) Compensation
Voting members of the panel shall -
(1) receive compensation at a rate established by the
Secretary, not to exceed the maximum daily rate payable under
section 5376 of title 5 when actually engaged in the performance
of duties for such panel; and
(2) be reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses incurred
in the performance of such duties.
(e) Meetings
The panel shall meet on a biannual basis and, at any other time,
at the call of the Chairman or upon the request of a majority of
the voting members or of the Secretary.
(f) Powers
The panel may exercise such powers as are reasonably necessary in
order to carry out its duties under subsection (b) of this section.