(a) In addition to the Advisory Committee, a Board of Visitors to the Academy is established to visit the Academy annually and to make recommendations on the operation of the Academy.

(b) The Board shall be composed of—

(1) two Senators designated by the Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;

(2) three Members of the House of Representatives designated by the Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;

(3) one Senator designated by the President of the Senate;

(4) two Members of the House of Representatives designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(5) the Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, as ex officio Members.

(c) When a Member is unable to attend the annual meeting another Member may be designated as provided under subsection (b).

(d) When an ex officio Member is unable to attend the annual meeting that Member may designate another Member.

(e) Members of the Board shall be designated in the First Session and serve for the duration of the Congress.

(f) The Board shall visit the Academy annually on the date chosen by the Secretary. Each Member of the Board shall be reimbursed, to the extent permitted by law, by the Coast Guard for actual expenses incurred while engaged in duties as a Member of the Board.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 510; Pub. L. 101–595, title III, §304, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2984; Pub. L. 107–295, title IV, §408(a)(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2117.)

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §15h (Apr. 16, 1937, ch. 107, §7, 50 Stat. 67; July 15, 1939, ch. 288, 53 Stat. 1044).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

**2002**—Subsec. (b)(2), (5). Pub. L. 107–295 substituted “Transportation and Infrastructure” for “Merchant Marine and Fisheries”.

**1990**—Pub. L. 101–595 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows:

“(a) In addition to the Advisory Committee, there shall be appointed in January of each year a Board of Visitors to the Academy, consisting of two Senators and three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the chairmen of the committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, having cognizance of legislation pertaining to the Academy, the chairmen of said committees being ex officio members of the Board, and of one Senator and two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. Whenever a member or an ex officio member is unable to attend the annual meeting as provided in this section another member may be appointed in his stead in the manner as herein provided but without restriction as to month of appointment.

“(b) Such Board shall visit the Academy annually on a date to be fixed by the Secretary. Each member of the Board shall be reimbursed from Coast Guard appropriations under Government travel regulations for the actual expense incurred by him while engaged in duties as a member of such Board, or such actual expenses as permitted under such regulations shall be defrayed by the Coast Guard.”