SEC. 305. (a) COMMISSION ON STRUCTURAL ALTERNATIVES FOR THE FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEALS.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNCTIONS OF COMMISSION.—

(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a Commis-sion on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’).
(B) FUNCTIONS.—The functions of the Commission shall be to—

(i) study the present division of the United States into the several judicial circuits;
(ii) study the structure and alignment of the Federal Court of Appeals system, with particular ref-erence to the Ninth Circuit; and
(iii) report to the President and the Congress its recommendations for such changes in circuit bound-aries or structure as may be appropriate for the expedi-tious and effective disposition of the caseload of the Federal Courts of Appeals, consistent with fundamen-tal concepts of fairness and due process.

(2) MEMBERSHIP.—

(A) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be composed of five members who shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.
(B) APPOINTMENT.—The members of the Commission shall be appointed within 30 days after the date of enact-ment of this Act.
(C) VACANCY.—Any vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(D) CHAIR.—The Commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from among its members.
(E) QUORUM.—Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but two may conduct hearings.

(3) COMPENSATION.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Members of the Commission who are officers, or full-time employees, of the United States shall receive no additional compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of duties vested in the Commission, but not in excess of the maxi-mum amounts authorized under section 456 of title 28, United States Code.
(B) PRIVATE MEMBERS.—Members of the Commission from private life shall receive $200 for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the actual performance of duties, but not in excess of the maxi-mum amounts authorized under section 456 of title 28, United States Code.

(4) PERSONNEL.—

(A) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The Commission may appoint an Executive Director who shall receive compensa-tion at a rate not exceeding the rate prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
(B) STAFF.—The Executive Director, with the approval of the Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation of such additional personnel as the Executive Director determines necessary, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service or the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. Com-pensation under this paragraph shall not exceed the annual maximum rate of basic pay for a position above GS–15 of the General Schedule under section 5108 of title 5, United States Code.
(C) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Executive Director may procure personal services of experts and consultants as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at rates not to exceed the highest level payable under the General Schedule pay rates under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.
(D) SERVICES.—The Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall provide administrative services, includ-ing financial and budgeting services, to the Commission on a reimbursable basis. The Federal Judicial Center shall provide necessary research services to the Commission on a reimbursable basis.

(5) INFORMATION.—The Commission is authorized to request from any department, agency, or independent instrumentality of the Government any information and assist-ance the Commission determines necessary to carry out its functions under this section. Each such department, agency, and independent instrumentality is authorized to provide such information and assistance to the extent permitted by law when requested by the chair of the Commission.
(6) REPORT.—The Commission shall conduct the studies required in this section during the 10-month period beginning on the date on which a quorum of the Commission has been appointed. Not later than 2 months following the completion of such 10-month period, the Commission shall submit its report to the President and the Congress. The Commission shall termi-nate 90 days after the date of the submission of its report.