US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

31 U.S.C. § 752

Chairman and General Counsel

(a)
1
1 See Change of Name note below.
The General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board  shall select one of its members as Chairman. The Chairman is the chief executive and administrative officer of the Board.
(b)
(1)
The Comptroller General shall appoint as General Counsel of the Board an individual the Chairman selects. The General Counsel serves at the pleasure of the Chairman.
(2)
The Chairman shall fix the pay of the General Counsel. The rate of basic pay of the General Counsel may be not more than the maximum rate of basic pay payable for grade GS–16 of the General Schedule.
(3)
The General Counsel shall—
(A)
section 732(b)(2) of this title investigate an allegation about a prohibited personnel practice under to decide if there are reasonable grounds to believe the practice has occurred, exists, or will be taken by an officer or an employee of the Government Accountability Office;
(B)
section 732(b)(3) of this title investigate an allegation about a prohibited political activity under ;
(C)
investigate a matter under the jurisdiction of the Board if the Board or a member of the Board requests; and
(D)
help the Board carry out its duties and powers.

Pub. L. 97–25896 Stat. 901Pub. L. 100–426, title I, § 102(a)102 Stat. 1599Pub. L. 108–271, § 8(b)118 Stat. 814(, , ; , , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

752(a)

31:52–3(e).

Feb. 15, 1980, Pub. L. 96–191, § 4(e)–(g), 94 Stat. 30.

752(b)

31:52–3(f), (g).

In subsection (a), the words “members of the” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(1), the words “(hereinafter referred to as the ‘General Counsel’)” are omitted because of the restatement. The words “shall be eligible for reappointment and” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(2), the word “annual” is added for clarity. The word “basic” is added for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words “payable . . . of the General Schedule” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(3)(A), the words “to the extent necessary” are omitted as surplus. The words “officer or” are added for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.

In subsection (b)(3)(D), the word “otherwise” is omitted as surplus. The words “duties and powers” are substituted for “functions” for consistency.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 108–2712004—Subsec. (b)(3)(A). substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office”.

Pub. L. 100–4261988—Subsec. (b)(2). substituted “The rate of basic pay of the General Counsel may be not more than the maximum rate of basic pay payable for grade GS–16 of the General Schedule” for “The annual rate of basic pay of the General Counsel may be not more than the maximum rate for GS–15”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

section 8 of Pub. L. 108–271section 702 of this titleGeneral Accounting Office redesignated Government Accountability Office. See , set out as a note under .

References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates

Pub. L. 101–509section 5376 of Title 5References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, § 101(c)(1)] of , set out in a note under .