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

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t16/s1423d"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "16 USC § 1423d - Commission appointments; compensation, travel expenses, and claims"
title_number: 16
title_name: "CONSERVATION"
section_number: "1423d"
section_name: "Commission appointments; compensation, travel expenses, and claims"
chapter_number: 31
chapter_name: "MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION"
subchapter_number: "VI"
subchapter_name: "POLAR BEARS"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 92–522, title V, § 505, as added Pub. L. 109–479, title IX, § 902(a), Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3663.)"
---


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

**(a)** **Appointment of United States commissioners**

**(1)** **Appointment** The United States commissioners on the Commission shall be appointed by the President, in accordance with paragraph 2 of article 8 of the Agreement, after taking into consideration the recommendations of—

**(A)** the Secretary;

**(B)** the Secretary of State; and

**(C)** the Alaska Nanuuq Commission.

**(2)** **Qualifications** With respect to the United States commissioners appointed under this subsection, in accordance with paragraph 2 of article 8 of the Agreement—

**(A)** 1 United States commissioner shall be an official of the Federal Government;

**(B)** 1 United States commissioner shall be a representative of the Native people of Alaska, and, in particular, the Native people for whom polar bears are an integral part of their culture; and

**(C)** both commissioners shall be knowledgeable of, or have expertise in, polar bears.

**(3)** **Service and term** Each United States commissioner shall serve—

**(A)** at the pleasure of the President; and

**(B)** for an initial 4-year term and such additional terms as the President shall determine.

**(4)** **Vacancies**

**(A)** **In general** Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of any term of office of a United States commissioner shall be appointed for the remainder of that term.

**(B)** **Manner** Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

**(b)** **Alternate commissioners**

**(1)** **In general** The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Alaska Nanuuq Commission, shall designate an alternate commissioner for each member of the United States section.

**(2)** **Duties** In the absence of a United States commissioner, an alternate commissioner may exercise all functions of the United States commissioner at any meetings of the Commission or of the United States section.

**(3)** **Reappointment** An alternate commissioner—

**(A)** shall be eligible for reappointment by the President; and

**(B)** may attend all meetings of the United States section.

**(c)** **Duties** The members of the United States section may carry out the functions and responsibilities described in article 8 of the Agreement in accordance with this subchapter and the Agreement.

**(d)** **Compensation and expenses**

**(1)** **Compensation** A member of the United States section shall serve without compensation.

**(2)** **Travel expenses** A member of the United States section shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5 while away from the home or regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the United States-Russia Polar Bear Commission.

**(e)** **Agency designation** The United States section shall, for the purpose of title 28 relating to claims against the United States and tort claims procedure, be considered to be a Federal agency.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 92–522, title V, § 505, as added Pub. L. 109–479, title IX, § 902(a), Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3663.)