((a))

((1)) The Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives (hereinafter referred to as the “committee”) shall establish and maintain, and, from time to time, may revise, for positions to which this chapter applies (other than positions within the purview of subsection (b) of this section the compensation for which is fixed and adjusted from time to time in accordance with prevailing rates), a compensation schedule of per annum rates, which shall be known as the “House Employees Schedule” and for which the symbol shall be “HS”, subject to the following provisions:

((A)) Such schedule shall be composed of such number of compensation levels as the committee deems appropriate.

((B)) Each compensation level shall consist of twelve compensation steps.

((C)) The per annum rate of compensation for each compensation step of each compensation level shall be in such amount as the committee deems appropriate, except that the per annum rate of compensation for the maximum compensation step of the highest compensation level shall not exceed the maximum rate of compensation authorized by chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5.

((2)) The rates of compensation for such positions shall be in accordance with such schedule.

((b)) The committee shall establish and maintain, and, from time to time, may revise, for positions under the Clerk, the Sergeant at Arms, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Inspector General of the House of Representatives, the compensation for which, in the judgment of the committee, should be fixed and adjusted from time to time in accordance with prevailing rates, a compensation schedule providing for per annum or per hour rates, or both, established in accordance with prevailing rates and consisting of such number of compensation levels and steps as the committee deems appropriate, which shall be known as the “House Wage Schedule” and for which the symbol shall be “HWS”. The rates of compensation for such positions shall be in accordance with such schedule. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for purposes of applying the adjustment made by the committee under this subsection for 2002 and each succeeding year (other than any period during which a memorandum of understanding described in is in effect), positions under the Chief Administrative Officer shall include positions of the United States Capitol telephone exchange under the Chief Administrative Officer.