; (2) developing a research agenda to determine the causes and consequences of evictions; and (3) illuminating policies or practices that reduce the number of evictions or mitigate the consequences of evictions. (b) Membership (1) In general The Committee shall be composed of 14 members who shall be appointed by the Secretary, in consultation with the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives, of whom— (A) 2 members shall be employees of the Department with expertise in housing data and an interest in issues relating to evictions and housing instability; (B) 2 members shall be representatives of landlords; (C) 5 members shall be from the academic or research community; (D) 3 members shall be from civil society, of whom not less than 2 shall be from entities that advocate for civil rights related to housing or eviction; and (E) 2 members shall be from private industry, civil society, or the academic community with backgrounds in data science and privacy. (2) Chair The Secretary shall appoint a chair of the Committee from among the members of the Committee. (3) Period of appointment; vacancies (A) In general A member of the Committee shall be appointed for a period of 2 years. (B) Vacancies A vacancy in the Committee— (i) shall not affect the powers of the Committee; and (ii) shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (c) Meetings The Committee shall meet— (1) in person not less frequently than twice each year; and (2) via teleconference not less frequently than once every 2 months. (d) Powers In carrying out the duties of the Committee, the Committee may— (1) hold such hearings, sit, and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Committee determines to be appropriate; (2) issue reports, guidelines, and memoranda; (3) hold or host conferences and symposia