49 U.S.C. § 32306 - Personnel

49 USC 32306 - Personnel

(a) General Authority.— 
In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary of Transportation may
(1) appoint and fix the pay of employees without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointment in the competitive service and chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5; and
(2) make contracts with persons for research and preparation of reports.
(b) Status of Advisory Committee Members.— 
A member of an advisory committee appointed under section 325 of this title to carry out this chapter is a special United States Government employee under chapter 11 of title 18.