http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills info@washingtonwatch.com http://www.pjdoland.com/chai/?v=0.1 http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5687.html?rev=29504 <p>H.R. 5687 would amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees.</p> <h2 id="toc0"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to require appointments to advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or activity, unless otherwise required by federal statute. Directs each agency head to: (1) ensure that no individual who has a conflict of interest is appointed unless the need for the individual's services outweighs the potential impacts of the conflict; (2) require that each individual to be appointed inform the agency of any actual or potential conflict that exists before the appointment or that arises while the individual is serving; and (3) ensure that advisory committee reports are the result of the committee's judgment, independent from the agency.</p> <p>Declares that: (1) this Act is not intended to preclude agency heads from requiring the recusal of individuals with conflicts from particular aspects of the committee's work; and (2) an individual representative's association with the entity whose views are being represented shall not itself be considered to be a conflict of interest.</p> <p>Requires: (1) the public disclosure of any conflict of interest; (2) the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to promulgate regulations defining &amp;quot;conflict of interest&amp;quot; and identifying the method for disclosure and the period back in time an interest is considered a conflict; and (3) the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations to implement the Federal Advisory Committee Act.</p> <p>(Sec. 3) Regards an individual who is not a full-time or permanent part-time officer or employee of the federal government as a member of a committee if the individual regularly attends and participates in committee meetings as if the individual were a member, even if the individual does not have the right to vote or veto the committee's advice or recommendations.</p> <p>(Sec. 4) Requires public disclosure of: (1) any communication between an interagency advisory committee established by the President or the Vice President and a person who is not a federal officer or employee; (2) charters of advisory committees; (3) the process used to establish and appoint committee members; (4) specified information about current members; (5) each committee's decision-making process; (6) transcripts or recordings of committee meetings; (7) determinations to close meetings; and (8) notices of future committee meetings. Requires agency heads to make such information available electronically 15 days before each meeting (or 30 days after for meeting transcripts or recordings). Authorizes an agency to withhold from disclosure any information that would be exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Requires the Administrator of General Services to provide electronic access to such information on the General Services Administration's (GSA's) Internet site.</p> <p>Requires committee charters to include: (1) the authority under which the committee is established; (2) the estimated number of members and a description of the expertise needed to carry out the committee's objectives; (3) a description of whether the committee will be composed of special government employees, representatives, or members from both categories; and (4) whether the committee has the authority to create subcommittees and, if so, the agency official authorized to exercise such authority.</p> <p>(Sec. 5) Requires the Comptroller General to review and report on agency compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, including whether agencies are appropriately appointing advisory committee members as either special government employees or representatives.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc1"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 6/25/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc2"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc3"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 29504@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:35:29 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5687.html?rev=26491 <p>H.R. 5687 would amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees.</p> <h2 id="toc4"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to require appointments to advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or activity, unless required by federal statute. Requires each agency head to ensure that: (1) no individual who has a relevant conflict of interest is appointed to an advisory committee that reports to the agency, unless the conflict is unavoidable and the need for the individual's service outweighs the potential impacts of the conflict; and (2) advisory committee reports are the result of the committee's judgment, independent from the agency. Requires: (1) the public disclosure of any such conflict of interest; (2) the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to promulgate regulations defining &amp;quot;conflict of interest&amp;quot;; and (3) the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations necessary to implement the Federal Advisory Committee Act.</p> <p>(Sec. 3) Regards an individual who is not a full-time or permanent part-time officer or employee of the federal government as a member of a committee if the individual regularly attends and participates in committee meetings as if the individual were a member, even if the individual does not have the right to vote or veto the committee's advice or recommendations.</p> <p>(Sec. 4) Requires public disclosure of: (1) any communication between an interagency advisory committee established by the President or the Vice President and a person who is not a federal officer or employee; (2) charters of advisory committees; (3) the process used to establish and appoint committee members; (4) specified information about current members; (5) each committee's decision-making process; (6) transcripts or recordings of committee meetings; (7) determinations to close meetings; and (8) notices of future committee meetings. Requires agency heads to make such information available electronically 15 days before each meeting (or 7 days after for meeting transcripts or recordings). Requires the Administrator of General Services to provide electronic access to such information on the General Services Administration's (GSA) official public Internet site.</p> <p>Requires committee charters to include: (1) the authority under which the committee is established; (2) the estimated number of members and a description of the expertise needed to carry out the committee's objectives; (3) a description of whether the committee will be composed of special government employees, representatives, or members from both categories; and (4) whether the committee has the authority to create subcommittees and, if so, the individual authorized to exercise such authority.</p> <p>(Sec. 5) Requires the Comptroller General to review and report on the compliance by agencies with such Act, including whether agencies are appropriately appointing advisory committee members as either special government employees or representatives.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc5"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 6/25/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc6"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc7"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 26491@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:32:42 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5687.html?rev=26389 <p>H.R. 5687 would amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees.</p> <h2 id="toc8"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to require appointments to advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or activity, unless required by federal statute. Requires each agency head to ensure that: (1) no individual who has a relevant conflict of interest is appointed to an advisory committee that reports to the agency, unless the conflict is unavoidable and the need for the individual's service outweighs the potential impacts of the conflict; and (2) advisory committee reports are the result of the committee's judgment, independent from the agency. Requires: (1) the public disclosure of any such conflict of interest; (2) the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to promulgate regulations defining &amp;quot;conflict of interest&amp;quot;; and (3) the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations necessary to implement the Federal Advisory Committee Act.</p> <p>(Sec. 3) Regards an individual who is not a full-time or permanent part-time officer or employee of the federal government as a member of a committee if the individual regularly attends and participates in committee meetings as if the individual were a member, even if the individual does not have the right to vote or veto the committee's advice or recommendations.</p> <p>(Sec. 4) Requires public disclosure of: (1) any communication between an interagency advisory committee established by the President or the Vice President and a person who is not a federal officer or employee; (2) charters of advisory committees; (3) the process used to establish and appoint committee members; (4) specified information about current members; (5) each committee's decision-making process; (6) transcripts or recordings of committee meetings; (7) determinations to close meetings; and (8) notices of future committee meetings. Requires agency heads to make such information available electronically 15 days before each meeting (or 7 days after for meeting transcripts or recordings). Requires the Administrator of General Services to provide electronic access to such information on the General Services Administration's (GSA) official public Internet site.</p> <p>Requires committee charters to include: (1) the authority under which the committee is established; (2) the estimated number of members and a description of the expertise needed to carry out the committee's objectives; (3) a description of whether the committee will be composed of special government employees, representatives, or members from both categories; and (4) whether the committee has the authority to create subcommittees and, if so, the individual authorized to exercise such authority.</p> <p>(Sec. 5) Requires the Comptroller General to review and report on the compliance by agencies with such Act, including whether agencies are appropriately appointing advisory committee members as either special government employees or representatives.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc9"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 6/24/2008: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc10"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc11"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 26389@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:33:13 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5687.html?rev=26033 <p>H.R. 5687 would amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees.</p> <h2 id="toc12"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to require appointments to advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or activity, unless required by federal statute. Requires each agency head to ensure that: (1) no individual who has a relevant conflict of interest is appointed to an advisory committee that reports to the agency, unless the conflict is unavoidable and the need for the individual's service outweighs the potential impacts of the conflict; and (2) advisory committee reports are the result of the committee's judgment, independent from the agency. Requires: (1) the public disclosure of any such conflict of interest; (2) the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to promulgate regulations defining &amp;quot;conflict of interest&amp;quot;; and (3) the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations necessary to implement the Federal Advisory Committee Act.</p> <p>(Sec. 3) Regards an individual who is not a full-time or permanent part-time officer or employee of the federal government as a member of a committee if the individual regularly attends and participates in committee meetings as if the individual were a member, even if the individual does not have the right to vote or veto the committee's advice or recommendations.</p> <p>(Sec. 4) Requires public disclosure of: (1) any communication between an interagency advisory committee established by the President or the Vice President and a person who is not a federal officer or employee; (2) charters of advisory committees; (3) the process used to establish and appoint committee members; (4) specified information about current members; (5) each committee's decision-making process; (6) transcripts or recordings of committee meetings; (7) determinations to close meetings; and (8) notices of future committee meetings. Requires agency heads to make such information available electronically 15 days before each meeting (or 7 days after for meeting transcripts or recordings). Requires the Administrator of General Services to provide electronic access to such information on the General Services Administration's (GSA) official public Internet site.</p> <p>Requires committee charters to include: (1) the authority under which the committee is established; (2) the estimated number of members and a description of the expertise needed to carry out the committee's objectives; (3) a description of whether the committee will be composed of special government employees, representatives, or members from both categories; and (4) whether the committee has the authority to create subcommittees and, if so, the individual authorized to exercise such authority.</p> <p>(Sec. 5) Requires the Comptroller General to review and report on the compliance by agencies with such Act, including whether agencies are appropriately appointing advisory committee members as either special government employees or representatives.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc13"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/15/2008: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 411.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc14"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc15"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 26033@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:32:52 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5687.html?rev=24127 <p>H.R. 5687 would amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees.</p> <h2 id="toc16"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2008 - Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to require appointments to advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or activity, unless required by federal statute. Requires each agency head to ensure that: (1) no individual is appointed who has a relevant conflict of interest, unless the conflict is unavoidable and the need for the individual's service outweighs the potential impacts of the conflict; and (2) committee reports are the result of independent judgment.</p> <p>Requires public disclosure of: (1) any such conflict of interest; (2) any communication between an interagency committee or task force established by the President or the Vice President and a person who is not a federal officer or employee; (3) charters of advisory committees; (4) the process used to establish and appoint committee members; (5) specified information about current members; (6) each committee's decision-making process; (7) transcripts or recordings of committee meetings; and (8) determinations to close meetings. Requires agency heads to make such information available electronically 15 days before each meeting (or 7 days after for meeting transcripts or recordings).</p> <p>Requires the Administrator of General Services to: (1) provide electronic access to such information; (2) promulgate regulations defining &amp;quot;conflict of interest&amp;quot;; and (3) issue guidance for agencies and advisory committees on procedures and best practices for ensuring the advisory committees provide independent advice and expertise.</p> <p>Requires an individual who is not a full-time or permanent part-time federal officer or employee to be regarded as a committee member if the individual regularly attends and participates in committee meetings, even if the individual does not have the right to vote on or veto committee advice or recommendations.</p> <p>Requires the Comptroller General to review compliance by agencies with such Act.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc17"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/15/2008: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 411.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc18"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc19"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 24127@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 16 May 2008 18:31:26 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5687.html?rev=22840 <p>H.R. 5687 would amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees.</p> <h2 id="toc20"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2008 - Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to require appointments to advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or activity, unless required by federal statute. Requires each agency head to ensure that: (1) no individual is appointed who has a relevant conflict of interest, unless the conflict is unavoidable and the need for the individual's service outweighs the potential impacts of the conflict; and (2) committee reports are the result of independent judgment.</p> <p>Requires public disclosure of: (1) any such conflict of interest; (2) any communication between an interagency committee or task force established by the President or the Vice President and a person who is not a federal officer or employee; (3) charters of advisory committees; (4) the process used to establish and appoint committee members; (5) specified information about current members; (6) each committee's decision-making process; (7) transcripts or recordings of committee meetings; and (8) determinations to close meetings. Requires agency heads to make such information available electronically 15 days before each meeting (or 7 days after for meeting transcripts or recordings).</p> <p>Requires the Administrator of General Services to: (1) provide electronic access to such information; (2) promulgate regulations defining &amp;quot;conflict of interest&amp;quot;; and (3) issue guidance for agencies and advisory committees on procedures and best practices for ensuring the advisory committees provide independent advice and expertise.</p> <p>Requires an individual who is not a full-time or permanent part-time federal officer or employee to be regarded as a committee member if the individual regularly attends and participates in committee meetings, even if the individual does not have the right to vote on or veto committee advice or recommendations.</p> <p>Requires the Comptroller General to review compliance by agencies with such Act.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc21"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 4/9/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc22"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc23"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 22840@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:30:50 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5687.html?rev=21693 <p>H.R. 5687 would amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees.</p> <h2 id="toc24"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc25"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 4/9/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc26"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc27"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 21693@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:30:29 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5687.html?rev=21371 <p>H.R. 5687 would amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees.</p> <h2 id="toc28"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc29"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to update the status of the bill!)</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc30"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc31"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 21371@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:30:20 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_5687.html?rev=21372 <p>H.R. 5687 would amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees.</p> <h2 id="toc32"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc33"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 4/3/2008: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc34"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc35"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 21372@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:30:20 EDT