[Query Concerning Compensation Rate]

GAO rendered a decision in response to a query from the Office of Personnel Management concerning the rate of compensation which may be paid to the Director of the Institute of Museum Services. Although the Museum Services Act provides that the director will be compensated at the Executive Level V position rate, subsequent appropriations acts have prohibited the use of these funds to compensate Executive V positions. GAO noted that, as a rule, statutes in conflict should be harmonized whenever possible. Since the position of director was neither identified as an Executive V position nor included in any official lists of such positions, GAO concluded that the appropriations restriction was not applicable to the director's position and that the two statutes could be considered harmonious. Accordingly, the Director of the Institute of Museum Services is entitled to be paid compensation at the Executive V rate.