Establishment of Task Force

(a) Establishment There is established a bipartisan task force to be known as the Task Force on the Impact of the Affordable Housing Crisis. (b) Membership (1) Composition The Task Force shall be composed of 18 members, of whom— (A) 1 member shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall serve as co-chair of the Task Force; (B) 1 member shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, who shall serve as co-chair of the Task Force; (C) 4 members shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate; (D) 4 members shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; (E) 4 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and (F) 4 members shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. (2) Criteria Each member of the Task Force shall be an academic researcher, an expert in a field or policy area related to the purpose of the Task Force, or an individual who has experience with government programs related to the purpose of the Task Force. (3) Additional staff The co-chairs of the Task Force may appoint and fix the pay of additional staff to the Task Force. (4) Detailees Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Task Force without reimbursement from the Task Force, and the detailee shall retain the rights, status, and privileges of his or her regular employment without interruption. (5) Compensation of members Members of the Task Force may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Task Force. (c) Timing of Appointments Appointments to the Task Force shall be made not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (d) Period of appointment; vacancies (1) In general A member of the Task Force shall be appointed for the life of the Task Force. (2) Vacancies Any vacancy in the Task Force— (A) shall not affect the powers of the Task Force; and (B) shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (e) Initial meeting The Task Force shall meet not later than 30 days after the date on which a majority of the members of the Task Force have been appointed. (f) Meetings (1) In general The Task Force shall meet at the call of the co-chairs of the Task Force. (2) Quorum A majority of the members of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.