CFR

12.6—Establishment of advisory committees.

(a) No advisory committee shall be established under this part unless such establishment is:

(1) Specifically authorized by statute or the President of the United States; or

(2) Determined as a matter of formal record by the Administrator after consultation with the Secretariat, with timely notice published in the Federal Register as a matter of the public interest, in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the agency by law.

(b) The determination required by paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall:

(1) Contain a clearly defined purpose for the advisory committee;

(2) Require the membership of the advisory committee to be fairly balanced in terms of the points of view represented in the functions performed by the advisory committee;

(3) Contain appropriate provisions to assure that the advice and recommendations of the advisory committee will not be inappropriately influenced by the appointing authority or by any special interest, but will instead be the result of the advisory committee's independent judgment;

(4) Contain provisions dealing with the date for submission of reports (if any), the duration of the advisory committee, and the publication of reports and other materials, to the extent that the agency determines the provisions of § 12.16 of this part to be inadequate; and

(5) Contain provisions which will assure that the advisory committee will have adequate staff (either supplied by the Agency or employed by it), will be provided adequate quarters, and will have funds available to meet its other necessary expenses.

(c) Consultation with the Secretariat may be in the form of a letter from the Agency describing the nature and purpose of the proposed advisory committee, including an explanation of why the functions of the proposed committee could not be performed by FEMA or by an existing committee. The letter should describe the Agency's plan to attain balanced membership on the proposed committee, as prescribed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. If the Secretariat is satisfied that the establishment of the advisory committee will be in accord with the Act, the Agency shall certify in writing that creation of the advisory committee is in the public interest.

(d) Unless otherwise specifically provided by statute or Presidential directive, advisory committees shall be utilized solely for advisory functions.

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