113 STAT. 1880 PUBLIC LAW 106-170—DEC. 17, 1999 (iii) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office. A vacancy in the Panel shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (D) BASIC PAY.— Members shall each be paid at a rate, and in a manner, that is consistent with guidelines established under section 7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). (E) TRAVEL EXPENSES.— Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code. (F) QUORUM.—E ight members of the Panel shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings. (G) CHAIRPERSON.— The Chairperson of the Panel shall be designated by the President. The term of office of the Chairperson shall be 4 years. (H) MEETINGS. — The Panel shall meet at least quarterly and at other times at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its members. (4) DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF PANEL; EXPERTS AND CONSULT- ANTS.— (A) DIRECTOR.— The Panel shall have a Director who shall be appointed by the Chairperson, and paid at a rate, and in a manner, that is consistent with guidelines established under section 7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). (B) STAFF. —Subject to rules prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, the Director may appoint and fix the pay of additional personnel as the Director considers appropriate. (C) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—Subject to rules prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, the Director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. (D) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.— Upon request of the Panel, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the Panel to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act. (5) POWERS OF PANEL.— (A) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.— The Panel may, for the purpose of carrying out its duties under this subsection, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, and take such testimony and evidence as the Panel considers appropriate. (B) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any member or agent of the Panel may, if authorized by the Panel, take any action which the Panel is authorized to take by this section. (C) MAILS.—The Panel may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.
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