(a) The Virgin Islands Compensation Commission is established within the Division of Personnel for budgetary purposes only.
(b) The Commission is composed of nine members, none of whom is an official or employee of the Government of the Virgin Islands, or of any department, agency, or any autonomous or semi-autonomous instrumentality of the Government of the Virgin Islands with the exception of the University of the Virgin Islands. The Governor, the President of the Legislature and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall each appoint three members.
(c) Beginning January 15, 2017, and every four years thereafter, members appointed shall serve until the Commission has submitted its final report under section 543.
(d) No member of the Commission is eligible for appointment to public office so long as the member is a member of the Commission and for two years thereafter.
(e) The Governor shall call the first meeting of the Commission for the purpose of organization. At this meeting, the Commission shall select from its membership a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a secretary to serve for the duration of the term of the Commission.
(f) A majority of the Commission members constitutes a quorum to transact business. The affirmative vote of five members is required to approve the Commission’s recommendations on compensation.
(g) Any vacancy in the membership must be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(h) The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, but must be reimbursed for travel and subsistence expenses, but the expenses must be approved by the chairperson. The costs and expenses of the Commission must be paid from the funds appropriated by the Legislature.
(i) The Division of Personnel shall provide the Commission with such staff as is necessary to perform its functions and shall provide record-keeping facilities and other facilities as needed.