§1423d Commission appointments; compensation, travel expenses, and claims

Summary

The President must appoint the United States’ two commissioners to the Commission after considering recommendations from the Secretary, the Secretary of State, and the Alaska Nanuuq Commission. One commissioner must be a federal official and one must be a Native Alaskan who represents people for whom polar bears are part of their culture. Both must know about polar bears. Each commissioner serves an initial 4-year term and may stay longer if the President decides. If a vacancy happens, the replacement serves the rest of that term and is chosen the same way as the original appointment. The Secretary, after consulting the Secretary of State and the Alaska Nanuuq Commission, must name an alternate for each U.S. member. An alternate can act with full authority at meetings when the regular commissioner is absent, may attend meetings, and can be reappointed by the President. Members get no salary but are paid travel costs and per diem at the rates allowed for federal employees under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5. For claims under title 28, the U.S. section is treated as a federal agency.