Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 1983

Summary

Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to declare that advisory committees should: (1) be established only when the information sought by the committee is not otherwise available through another Federal source; (2) be terminated when the work of the committee becomes obsolete or too expensive; (3) be composed so that the committees are balanced in their membership in terms of points of view represented and functions to be performed; and (4) hold open meetings except where closed meetings are consistent with such Act. Prohibits agencies from compensating advisory committee members unless specifically required by law. Authorizes the head of an agency to hire a consultant as a committee member if the agency is otherwise unable to meet the need for technical expertise or the requirement for balanced membership. Authorizes the agency head to compensate committee staff members. Limits the amount of such compensation. Requires the rate of compensation to be reviewed annually. Lists additional duties of agency heads, including the duty to file a charter of an advisory committee and to designate a Committee Management Officer for the agency. Sets forth procedures that must be followed in establishing an advisory committee. Requires the agency head or chairperson of an independent Presidential advisory committee to ensure that: (1) each meeting is held at a reasonable time in a reasonably accessible place; (2) the size of the meeting room is sufficient; (3) any member of the public is permitted to file a written statement with the advisory committee; and (4) any member of the public may speak at a meeting if the agency's regulations so permit. Sets forth the procedure that must be followed to close an advisory committee meeting to the public. Requires the agency head or Administrator of an independent Presidential advisory committee to designate a full time Federal employee to be the designated Federal official for the advisory committee who: (1) must attend the meetings; (2) shall adjourn the meetings when it is in the public interest; and (3) shall, for agency-established advisory committees, approve or call the meetings, approve the agenda, and, if appointed by the agency head, chair the meeting. Prohibits an advisory committee from conducting a meeting in the absence of the designated Federal official. Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration or a designee to issue instructions periodically to agencies regarding reporting requirements and procedures. Requires advisory committees to terminate after two years unless the President or agency head terminates it before that time. Authorizes the President to renew advisory committees established by the President. Authorizes agency heads to renew an advisory committee specifically directed by law. Requires an advisory committee whose duration extends beyond two years to file a new charter every two years.

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Timeline

1. 17 November 1983

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 17 November 1983

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 21 June 1984

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Information Management. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 98-1037.

   Source: Committee

4. 26 June 1984

   Committee

   Committee on Governmental Affairs received executive comment from NASA, State Department.

   Source: Committee

5. 29 June 1984

   Committee

   Committee on Governmental Affairs received executive comment from Treasury Department.

   Source: Committee

6. 13 July 1984

   Committee

   Committee on Governmental Affairs received executive comment from Defense Department.

   Source: Committee

7. 24 July 1984

   Committee

   Committee on Governmental Affairs received executive comment from Education Department.

   Source: Committee

Votes

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Versions

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Documents

1 official file

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 17 November 1983

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Nickles, Don [R-OK] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Abdnor, James [R-SD] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Burdick, Quentin N. [D-ND] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Dole, Robert J. [R-KS] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Humphrey, Gordon J. [R-NH] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Melcher, John [D-MT] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Armstrong, William L. [R-CO] · R · Cosponsor
• · ssga00 · Standing

Related records

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