§ 568. Services, facilities, and payment of committee member expenses
(a)
Services of Conveners and Facilitators.—
(1)
In general.—
An agency may employ or enter into contracts for the services of an individual or organization to serve as a convener or facilitator for a negotiated rulemaking committee under this subchapter, or may use the services of a Government employee to act as a convener or a facilitator for such a committee.
(b)
Services and Facilities of Other Entities.—
For purposes of this subchapter, an agency may use the services and facilities of other Federal agencies and public and private agencies and instrumentalities with the consent of such agencies and instrumentalities, and with or without reimbursement to such agencies and instrumentalities, and may accept voluntary and uncompensated services without regard to the provisions of section
1342 of title
31. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service may provide services and facilities, with or without reimbursement, to assist agencies under this subchapter, including furnishing conveners, facilitators, and training in negotiated rulemaking.
(c)
Expenses of Committee Members.—
Members of a negotiated rulemaking committee shall be responsible for their own expenses of participation in such committee, except that an agency may, in accordance with section 7(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, pay for a member’s reasonable travel and per diem expenses, expenses to obtain technical assistance, and a reasonable rate of compensation, if—
(d)
Status of Member as Federal Employee.—
A member’s receipt of funds under this section or section
569 shall not conclusively determine for purposes of sections
202 through
209 of title
18 whether that member is an employee of the United States Government.