---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 1962b–1"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "1962b–1"
heading: "Membership of commissions; appointment of chairman"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/1962b-1"
units:
  - "Chapter 19B — Water Resources Planning"
  - "Subchapter II — River Basin Commissions"
---

# §1962b–1. Membership of commissions; appointment of chairman


Each river basin commission shall be composed of members appointed as follows:

- (a) A chairman appointed by the President who shall also serve as chairman and coordinating officer of the Federal members of the commission and who shall represent the Federal Government in Federal-[State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) relations on the commission and who shall not, during the period of his service on the commission, hold any other position as an officer or employee of the United States, except as a retired officer or retired civilian employee of the Federal Government;
- (b) One member from each Federal department or independent [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) determined by the President to have a substantial interest in the work to be undertaken by the commission, such member to be appointed by the head of such department or independent [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and to serve as the representative of such department or independent [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1);
- (c) One member from each [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) which lies wholly or partially within the area, river basin, or group of river basins for which the commission is established, and the appointment of each such member shall be made in accordance with the laws of the [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) which he represents. In the absence of governing provisions of [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) law, such [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) members shall be appointed and serve at the pleasure of the Governor;
- (d) One member appointed by any interstate agency created by an interstate [compact](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=4) to which the consent of Congress has been given, and whose jurisdiction extends to the waters of the area, river basin, or group of river basins for which the river basin commission is created;
- (e) When deemed appropriate by the President, one member, who shall be appointed by the President, from the United States section of any international commission created by a treaty to which the consent of the Senate has been given, and whose jurisdiction extends to the waters of the area, river basin, or group of river basins for which the river basin commission is established.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–80, title II, § 202, July 22, 1965, 79 Stat. 247.)