The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, may designate from time to time Alternate United States Commissioners to the Commission. An Alternate United States Commissioner may exercise all designated powers and duties of a United States Commissioner in the absence of a duly designated Commissioner for whatever reason. The number of such Alternate United States Commissioners that may be designated for any such meeting shall be limited to the number of authorized United States Commissioners that will not be present.
The United States Section, in consultation with the Advisory Panel established in section 5004 of this title, shall identify and recommend to the Commission research needs and priorities for anadromous stocks and ecologically related species subject to the Convention, and oversee the United States research programs involving such fisheries, stocks, and species.
United States Commissioners and Alternate United States Commissioners shall receive no compensation for their services as Commissioners and Alternate Commissioners.
The Secretary may pay the necessary travel expenses of the United States Commissioners and Alternate United States Commissioners in carrying out the duties of the Commission in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations and sections 5701, 5702, 5704 through 5708, and 5731 of title 5.