U.S. Code > Title 46 Shipping > Subtitle V—Merchant Marine (§§ 50101—58109) > Part B—Merchant Marine Service (§§ 51101—52101) > CHAPTER 513—UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY (§§ 51301—51317) > § 51312. Board of Visitors

§ 51312. Board of Visitors

(a) In General.— A Board of Visitors to the United States Merchant Marine Academy shall be established, for a term of 2 years commencing at the beginning of each Congress, to visit the Academy annually on a date determined by the Secretary of Transportation and to make recommendations on the operation of the Academy.
(b) Appointment.—
(1) In general.— The Board shall be composed of—
(A) 2 Senators appointed by the chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
(B) 3 Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives;
(C) 1 Senator appointed by the Vice President;
(D) 2 Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
(E) the chairmen of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, as ex officio members.
(2) Substitute appointment.— If an appointed member of the Board is unable to visit the Academy as provided in subsection (a), another individual may be appointed as a substitute in the manner provided in paragraph (1).
(c) Staff.— The chairmen of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives may designate staff members of their committees to serve without reimbursement as staff for the Board.
(d) Travel Expenses.— When serving away from home or regular place of business, a member of the Board or a staff member designated under subsection (c) shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5.