---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7312"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "7312"
heading: "Composition"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7312"
units:
  - "Chapter 100 — Agricultural Market Transition"
  - "Subchapter VII — Commission on 21"
---

# §7312. Composition

- (a) **Membership and appointment—** The [Commission](/usc/7/1a.md?p=8) shall be composed of 11 members, appointed as follows:
  - (1) Three members shall be appointed by the President.
  - (2) Four members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the [Committee](/usc/7/2132.md?p=n) on Agriculture of the House of Representatives in consultation with the ranking minority member of the [Committee](/usc/7/2132.md?p=n).
  - (3) Four members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the [Committee](/usc/7/2132.md?p=n) on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate in consultation with the ranking minority member of the [Committee](/usc/7/2132.md?p=n).
- (b) **Qualifications—** At least 1 of the members appointed under each of paragraphs [(1)](#a-1), [(2)](#a-2), and [(3)](#a-3) of subsection (a) shall be an individual who is primarily involved in production agriculture. All other members of the [Commission](/usc/7/1a.md?p=8) shall be appointed from among individuals having knowledge and experience in agricultural production, marketing, finance, or trade.
- (c) **Term of members; vacancies—** A member of the [Commission](/usc/7/1a.md?p=8) shall be appointed for the life of the [Commission](/usc/7/1a.md?p=8). A vacancy on the [Commission](/usc/7/1a.md?p=8) shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
- (d) **Time for appointment; first meeting—** The members of the [Commission](/usc/7/1a.md?p=8) shall be appointed not later than October 1, 1997. The [Commission](/usc/7/1a.md?p=8) shall convene its first meeting to carry out its duties under this subchapter 30 days after 6 members of the [Commission](/usc/7/1a.md?p=8) have been appointed.
- (e) **Chairperson—** The chairperson of the [Commission](/usc/7/1a.md?p=8) shall be designated jointly by the Chairman of the [Committee](/usc/7/2132.md?p=n) on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the [Committee](/usc/7/2132.md?p=n) on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate from among the members of the [Commission](/usc/7/1a.md?p=8).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–127, title I, § 182, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 938.)