Title 42The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§1962a–4 Administrative provisions

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 19B— - WATER RESOURCES PLANNING › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - WATER RESOURCES COUNCIL › § 1962a–4

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Lets the Council run hearings, take testimony, collect evidence, and publish reports. It can get and equip office space, use the mail like other federal agencies, hire staff under the civil service laws (chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5), hire experts or consultants under section 3109 of title 5 at pay not above the daily equivalent of the GS–18 rate in section 5332 of title 5, buy and operate passenger cars, and spend money and do other tasks needed to do its work. Any Council member may swear in witnesses if a majority agrees. Records can be open for public inspection during normal office hours where the law allows. Federal departments may provide information to the Council and may detail employees to work temporarily for the Council on a reimbursable basis without loss of seniority, pay, or other status. The Council is responsible for hiring and supervising staff, assigning duties, and managing its funds.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §1962a–4

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the Council may: (1) hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and print or otherwise reproduce and distribute so much of its proceedings and reports thereon as it may deem advisable; (2) acquire, furnish, and equip such office space as is necessary; (3) use the United States mails in the same manner and upon the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States; (4) employ and fix the compensation of such personnel as it deems advisable, in accordance with the civil service laws and chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5; (5) procure services as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, at rates not in excess of the daily equivalent of the rate prescribed for grade GS–18 under section 5332 of title 5 in the case of individual experts or consultants; (6) purchase, hire, operate, and maintain passenger motor vehicles; and (7) incur such necessary expenses and exercise such other powers as are consistent with and reasonably required to perform its functions under this chapter.
(b)Any member of the Council is authorized to administer oaths when it is determined by a majority of the Council that testimony shall be taken or evidence received under oath.
(c)To the extent permitted by law, all appropriate records and papers of the Council may be made available for public inspection during ordinary office hours.
(d)Upon request of the Council, the head of any Federal department or agency is authorized (1) to furnish to the Council such information as may be necessary for carrying out its functions and as may be available to or procurable by such department or agency, and (2) to detail to temporary duty with such Council on a reimbursable basis such personnel within his administrative jurisdiction as it may need or believe to be useful for carrying out its functions, each such detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee status.
(e)The Council shall be responsible for (1) the appointment and supervision of personnel, (2) the assignment of duties and responsibilities among such personnel, and (3) the use and expenditures of funds.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification In subsec. (a), “chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5” substituted for “Classification Act of 1949, as amended” and “section 3109 of title 5” substituted for “section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U.S.C. 55a)”, on authority of Pub. L. 89–554, § 7(b), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 631, the first section of which enacted Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Amendments

1975—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 94–112 substituted “not in excess of the daily equivalent of the rate prescribed for grade GS–18 under section 5332 of title 5 in the case of individual experts or consultants” for “not to exceed $100 per diem for individuals”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay RatesReferences in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, § 101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101–509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 1962a–4

Title 42The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73