CFR

12.11—Public notice.

(a) The Agency's determination procedure described by § 12.6 of this part for the creation of the advisory committee, and a description of the nature and purpose of the committee, should be published in the Federal Register at least 15 days prior to the filing of the committee's charter, unless the Secretariat, for good cause, authorizes a shorter period of time between publication of the notice and the filing of the charter.

(b) Except when the Administrator GSA determines contrarily for reasons of national security, timely notice of each advisory committee meeting, whether open or closed to the public, shall be published in the Federal Register at least 15 days before the meeting date. Such notice should state the name of the advisory committee, the time, place and purpose of the meeting, and should include, where appropriate, a summary of the meeting agenda. Notice ordinarily should state that the meeting is open to the public or explain why the meeting or any portion of the meeting is to be closed. Notices shorter than the time prescribed by this paragraph may be provided in emergency situations, and the reasons for such emergency exceptions should be made part of the meeting notice. Due to the emergency nature of FEMA's many programs, it is contemplated that advisory committees may have to be established or meetings called on fairly short notice; however, every effort should be made to comply with the notice requirement, except in cases where delay may result in harm to individuals or damage to property. A request for a determination that notice of a meeting should not be published for reasons of national security shall be submitted to the Administrator GSA with a statement of reasons supporting such request at least 30 days before the meeting is scheduled. Where, however, there is a significant likelihood of severe damage to property or injury to individuals, the notice period may be reduced as necessary to minimize such damage or injury.

(c) In addition to the notice required by paragraph (b) of this section, other forms of notice such as public releases and notices by mail should be used to inform the public of advisory committee meetings.

(d) The Committee Management Officer, in coordination with the Office of External Affairs, should, where practical, maintain lists of people and organizations interested in advisory committees and notify them of meetings by mail.

(e) Notice of the availability of the annual reports required by § 12.9(e) of this part will be published in the Federal Register no later than 60 days after their completion. Notice will include instructions which will allow the public access to the reports.

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