42 U.S.C. § 15115 — Authorization of appropriations

Page 8696 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 15115 § 15115. Authorization of appropriations (a) Scholarships There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 15113 of this title $800,000 for fiscal year 2001 and such sums as may be nec- essary for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2007. (b) Staff development curriculum There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 15114 of this title $800,000 for fiscal year 2001 and such sums as may be nec- essary for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003. (Pub. L. 106–402, title III, § 305, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1737.) CHAPTER 145—PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER MEDAL OF VALOR AND TRIBUTES Sec. 15201. Authorization of Medal. 15202. Medal of Valor Board. 15203. Board personnel matters. 15204. Definitions. 15205. Authorization of appropriations. 15206. National Medal of Valor Office. 15207. Consultation requirement. 15208. Law enforcement tribute acts. § 15201. Authorization of Medal After September 1, 2001, the President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a Medal of Valor of appropriate design, with rib- bons and appurtenances, to a public safety offi- cer who is cited by the Attorney General, upon the recommendation of the Medal of Valor Re- view Board, for extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty. The Public Safety Medal of Valor shall be the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer. (Pub. L. 107–12, § 2, May 30, 2001, 115 Stat. 20.) Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries SHORT TITLE Pub. L. 107–12, § 1, May 30, 2001, 115 Stat. 20, provided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting this chapter and amending section 2214 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade] may be cited as the ‘Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2001’.’’ § 15202. Medal of Valor Board (a) Establishment of Board There is established a Medal of Valor Review Board (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the ‘‘Board’’), which shall be composed of 11 members appointed in accordance with sub- section (b) and shall conduct its business in ac- cordance with this chapter. (b) Membership (1) Members The members of the Board shall be individ- uals with knowledge or expertise, whether by experience or training, in the field of public safety, of which— (A) two shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (B) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; (C) two shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (D) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; and (E) three shall be appointed by the Presi- dent, including one with experience in fire- fighting, one with experience in law enforce- ment, and one with experience in emergency services. (2) Term The term of a Board member shall be 4 years. (3) Vacancies Any vacancy in the membership of the Board shall not affect the powers of the Board and shall be filled in the same manner as the origi- nal appointment. (4) Operation of the Board (A) Chairman The Chairman of the Board shall be elect- ed by the members of the Board from among the members of the Board. (B) Meetings The Board shall conduct its first meeting not later than 90 days after the appointment of the last member appointed of the initial group of members appointed to the Board. Thereafter, the Board shall meet at the call of the Chairman of the Board. The Board shall meet not less often than twice each year. (C) Voting and rules A majority of the members shall con- stitute a quorum to conduct business, but the Board may establish a lesser quorum for conducting hearings scheduled by the Board. The Board may establish by majority vote any other rules for the conduct of the Board’s business, if such rules are not incon- sistent with this chapter or other applicable law. (c) Duties The Board shall select candidates as recipients of the Medal of Valor from among those applica- tions received by the National Medal of Valor Office. Not more often than once each year, the Board shall present to the Attorney General the name or names of those it recommends as Medal of Valor recipients. In a given year, the Board shall not be required to select any recipients but may not select more than 5 individuals, or groups of individuals, as recipients. The Attor- ney General may in extraordinary cases increase the number of recipients in a given year. The Board shall set an annual timetable for fulfilling its duties under this chapter. (d) Hearings (1) In general The Board may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, administer such oaths, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Board considers advisable to carry out its duties. (2) Witness expenses Witnesses requested to appear before the Board may be paid the same fees as are paid to witnesses under section 1821 of title 28. The per