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Federal Advisory Committee Transparency Act

USA117th CongressS-790| Senate 
| Updated: 3/17/2021
Rob Portman

Rob Portman

Republican Senator

Ohio

Cosponsors (1)
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Federal Advisory Committee Transparency Act This bill revises provisions regarding federal advisory committees, including to (1) require designation of committee members as special government employees or representatives, (2) apply the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) to subcommittees and subgroups, and (3) require publication of certain information about advisory committees. The bill requires appointments to advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or campaign activity, unless required by federal statute. Each agency, prior to appointing members to an advisory committee, must solicit nominations for potential committee members. The agency shall solicit nominations at least once every two years. The bill provides statutory authority for the designation of advisory committee members as special government employees (if they are appointed to exercise their individual best judgement) or representatives (if they are appointed to represent a nongovernment entity). Agencies may not designate committee members as representatives to avoid federal ethics rules. Each agency shall make available on its website specified information about each of the agency's advisory committees, including membership, meeting minutes, and notices of future meetings. The General Services Administration must also publish this information. The bill revises requirements for Advisory Committee Management Officers, including to require them to be senior officials with expertise in implementing FACA. The Government Accountability Office shall report on agency compliance with FACA.
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Timeline
Mar 17, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 17, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
May 13, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-1930
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  • March 17, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 17, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • May 13, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-1930
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 117-1930: Federal Advisory Committee Transparency Act
Advisory bodiesCongressional oversightGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsPolitical parties and affiliation

Federal Advisory Committee Transparency Act

USA117th CongressS-790| Senate 
| Updated: 3/17/2021
Federal Advisory Committee Transparency Act This bill revises provisions regarding federal advisory committees, including to (1) require designation of committee members as special government employees or representatives, (2) apply the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) to subcommittees and subgroups, and (3) require publication of certain information about advisory committees. The bill requires appointments to advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or campaign activity, unless required by federal statute. Each agency, prior to appointing members to an advisory committee, must solicit nominations for potential committee members. The agency shall solicit nominations at least once every two years. The bill provides statutory authority for the designation of advisory committee members as special government employees (if they are appointed to exercise their individual best judgement) or representatives (if they are appointed to represent a nongovernment entity). Agencies may not designate committee members as representatives to avoid federal ethics rules. Each agency shall make available on its website specified information about each of the agency's advisory committees, including membership, meeting minutes, and notices of future meetings. The General Services Administration must also publish this information. The bill revises requirements for Advisory Committee Management Officers, including to require them to be senior officials with expertise in implementing FACA. The Government Accountability Office shall report on agency compliance with FACA.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 17, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 17, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
May 13, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-1930
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  • March 17, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 17, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • May 13, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-1930
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Rob Portman

Rob Portman

Republican Senator

Ohio

Cosponsors (1)
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 117-1930: Federal Advisory Committee Transparency Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advisory bodiesCongressional oversightGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsPolitical parties and affiliation