In this section, the term “Board” means the National Park System Advisory Board established under subsection (b).

There is established a National Park System Advisory Board, whose purpose is to advise the Director on matters relating to the Service, the System, and programs administered by the Service. The Board shall advise the Director on matters submitted to the Board by the Director as well as any other issues identified by the Board.

Members of the Board shall be appointed on a staggered term basis by the Secretary for a term not to exceed 4 years and shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.

(1) Appointment and term of office.— Members of the Board shall be appointed on a staggered term basis by the Secretary for a term not to exceed 4 years and shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.

(2) Composition.— The Board shall be composed of no more than 12 persons, appointed from among citizens of the United States having a demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Service. Board members shall be selected to represent various geographic regions, including each of the administrative regions of the Service. At least 6 of the members shall have outstanding expertise in one or more of the following fields: history, archeology, anthropology, historical or landscape architecture, biology, ecology, geology, marine science, or social science. At least 4 of the members shall have outstanding expertise and prior experience in the management of national or State parks or protected areas, or natural or cultural resources management. The remaining members shall have outstanding expertise in one or more of the areas described above or in another professional or scientific discipline, such as financial management, recreation use management, land use planning, or business management, important to the mission of the Service. At least one individual shall be a locally elected official from an area adjacent to a park.

(3) First meeting.— The Board shall hold its 1st meeting no later than 60 days after the date on which all members of the Board who are to be appointed have been appointed.

(4) Vacancy.— Any vacancy in the Board shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

(5) Compensation.— All members of the Board shall be reimbursed for travel and per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses during the performance of duties of the Board while away from home or their regular place of business, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5. With the exception of travel and per diem, a member of the Board who otherwise is an officer or employee of the United States Government shall serve on the Board without additional compensation.

On request of the Director, the Board is authorized to—

(1) Adopt rules.— The Board may adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish its procedures and to govern the manner of its operations, organization, and personnel.

(2) Advice and recommendations.— The Board shall advise the Secretary on matters relating to the System, to other related areas, and to the administration of chapter 3201 of this title, including matters submitted to it for consideration by the Secretary, but it shall not be required to provide recommendations as to the suitability or desirability of surplus real and related personal property for use as a historic monument. The Board shall also provide recommendations on the designation of national historic landmarks and national natural landmarks. The Board is strongly encouraged to consult with the major scholarly and professional organizations in the appropriate disciplines in making the recommendations.

On request of the Director, the Board is authorized to—

(A) hold such hearings and sit and act at such times;

(B) take such testimony;

(C) have such printing and binding done;

(D) enter into such contracts and other arrangements;

(E) make such expenditures; and

(F) take such other actions

(4) Oaths or affirmations.— Any member of the Board may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the Board.

(5) Committees and subcommittees.— The Board may establish committees or subcommittees. The subcommittees or committees shall be chaired by a voting member of the Board.

(6) Use of mails.— The Board may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies in the United States.

The Secretary may hire 2 full-time staffers to meet the needs of the Board.

Service as a member of the Board shall not be deemed service or employment bringing the individual within the provisions of any Federal law relating to conflicts of interest or otherwise imposing restrictions, requirements, or penalties relating to the employment of individuals, the performance of services, or the payment or receipt of compensation in connection with claims, proceedings, or matters involving the United States. Service as a member or an employee of the Board shall not be deemed service in an appointive or elective position in the Federal Government for purposes of section 8344 of title 5 or comparable provisions of Federal law.

The Board may secure directly from any office, department, agency, establishment, or instrumentality of the Federal Government such information as the Board may require for the purpose of this section, and each office, department, agency, establishment, or instrumentality shall furnish, to the extent permitted by law, the information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Board, on request made by a member of the Board.

(1) Information.— The Board may secure directly from any office, department, agency, establishment, or instrumentality of the Federal Government such information as the Board may require for the purpose of this section, and each office, department, agency, establishment, or instrumentality shall furnish, to the extent permitted by law, the information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Board, on request made by a member of the Board.

(2) Facilities and services.— On request of the Board, the head of any Federal department, agency, or instrumentality may make any of the facilities and services of the department, agency, or instrumentality available to the Board, on a nonreimbursable basis, to assist the Board in carrying out its duties under this section.

The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), with the exception of section 14(b), applies to the Board.

The Board continues to exist until January 1, 2010.

(Pub. L. 113–287, § 3, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3155.)