§5003 United States Commissioners

Summary

The United States is represented by up to three Commissioners chosen by the President. Each Commissioner serves at the President’s pleasure for up to 4 years and can be reappointed. One must be a U.S. Government official, one must live in Alaska, and one must live in Washington. While serving, Commissioners are not federal employees except for injury compensation and tort liability under chapter 81 of title 5 and chapter 171 of title 28. The Secretary, after consulting the Secretary of Commerce, may name Alternate Commissioners who can act with full authority when regular Commissioners are absent, limited to the number missing. The U.S. Section, with its Advisory Panel (see section 5004), will set and recommend research priorities for anadromous stocks and related species under the Convention and oversee related U.S. research. Commissioners and Alternates get no pay. The Secretary may pay necessary travel costs under the Federal Travel Regulations and sections 5701, 5702, 5704–5708, and 5731 of title 5, and the Secretary of Commerce may reimburse the Secretary for those expenses.