§154 National Labor Relations Board; eligibility for reappointment; officers and employees; payment of expenses

Summary

The Board members and the Board’s General Counsel can be reappointed, and they must not hold any other job. The Board must hire an executive secretary and whatever attorneys, examiners, regional directors, and other staff it needs. The Board cannot hire lawyers just to read hearing transcripts or to draft opinions, except that a lawyer assigned as a legal assistant to a Board member may do those tasks for that member. Reports from administrative law judges may only be read by a Board member or that member’s legal assistant, and an administrative law judge may not advise the Board about objections to the judge’s own findings, rulings, or recommendations. The Board can set up or use regional or local offices and unpaid help, and its attorneys may represent the Board in court when the Board directs them. The Board may not hire people for conciliation, mediation, or economic analysis. All Board expenses, including travel and living costs outside the District of Columbia that members or employees incur under Board orders, must be paid when the person gives an itemized bill approved by the Board or a person the Board names.