Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Review Board personnel

(a) Executive Director (1) In general Not later than 45 days after the initial meeting of the Review Board, the Review Board shall appoint an individual to the position of Executive Director. (2) Qualifications The individual appointed as Executive Director— (A) shall be a citizen of the United States of integrity and impartiality; (B) shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation; and (C) shall not have any conflict of interest with the mission of the Review Board. (3) Consultation with the Office of Government Ethics In their consideration of the person to be appointed to the position of Executive Director, the Review Board shall consult with the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to— (A) determine criteria for possible conflicts of interest of the Executive Director, consistent with ethics laws, statutes, and regulations for executive branch employees; and (B) ensure that no individual selected for such position of Executive Director possesses a conflict of interest as so determined. (4) Security clearance (A) In general The individual appointed as Executive Director shall have the security clearance necessary to carry out the duties of the position at the time of appointment. (B) Expedited provision The appropriate departments, agencies, and elements of the executive branch of the Federal Government shall cooperate to ensure that an application by an individual nominated to be Executive Director, seeking security clearances necessary to carry out the duties of the Executive Director, is expeditiously reviewed and granted or denied. (5) Duties The Executive Director shall— (A) serve as principal liaison to Government offices; (B) be responsible for the administration and coordination of the review of records by the Review Board; (C) be responsible for the administration of all official activities conducted by the Review Board; and (D) not have the authority to decide or determine whether any record should be disclosed to the public or postponed for disclosure. (6) Removal The Executive Director may be removed by a majority vote of the Review Board. (b) Staff (1) In general The Review Board may, in accordance with the civil service laws, but without regard to civil service law and regulation for competitive service as defined in subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, appoint and terminate additional employees as are necessary to enable the Review Board and the Executive Director to perform their duties under this Act. (2) Treatment as employees of executive branch The Executive Director and other employees of the Review Board shall be treated as employees of the executive branch. (3) Qualifications An individual appointed to a position as an employee of the Review Board— (A) shall be a citizen of the United States of integrity and impartiality; and (B) shall not have had any previous involvement with any official investigation or inquiry relating to the loss, fate, or status of missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel. (4) Consultation with the Office of Government Ethics In their consideration of persons to be appointed as staff of the Review Board, the Review Board shall consult with the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to— (A) determine criteria for possible conflicts of interest of staff of the Review Board, consistent with ethics laws, statutes, and regulations for executive branch employees; and (B) ensure that no individual selected for such position of staff of the Review Board possesses a conflict of interest as so determined. (5) Security clearance (A) In general An individual appointed as an employee of the Review Board shall have the security clearance necessary to carry out the duties of the position at the time of appointment. (B) Expedited provision The appropriate departments, agencies, and elements of the executive branch of the Federal Government shall cooperate to ensure that an application by an individual who is a candidate for a position with the Review Board, seeking security clearances necessary to carry out the duties of the position, is expeditiously reviewed and granted or denied. (c) Compensation The Review Board shall fix the compensation of the Executive Director and other employees of the Review Board described in subsection (b) without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the Executive Director and other employees may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. (d) Advisory committees (1) In general The Review Board may create 1 or more advisory committees to assist in fulfilling the responsibilities of the Review Board under this Act. (2) Applicability of FACA Any advisory committee created by the Review Board shall be subject to chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code.