Section 15109 · Administration

(A) meet in-person, not less frequently than twice each year, at the call of the Secretary of a majority of the members of the committee;

(B) hold additional meetings as necessary;

(C) post the minutes of each meeting of the committee on a publicly available website not later than 2 weeks after the date on which a meeting concludes; and

(D) provide reasonable public notice of any meeting of the committee, and publish such notice in the Federal Register and on a publicly available website.

(A) be reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of such duties; or

(B) be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5.

(A) the member is authorized to represent the interests of the applicable entity or group; and

(B) requirements under Federal law that would interfere with such representation and that apply to a special Government employee (as defined in section 202(a) of title 18), including requirements relating to employee conduct, political activities, ethics, conflicts of interest, and corruption, do not apply to the member.

(A) the Secretary appointed the member to represent the general public; or

(B) the member, without regard to service on the committee, is a special Government employee.

(A) In general.—After considering nominations received pursuant to a notice published under paragraph (1), the Secretary may, as necessary, appoint a member to the applicable committee established under this chapter or to which this chapter applies.

(B) Prohibition.—The Secretary shall not seek, consider, or otherwise use information concerning the political affiliation of a nominee in making an appointment to any committee established under this chapter or to which this chapter applies.

(A) In general.—Each member of a committee established under this chapter or to which this chapter applies shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.

(B) Exception.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a member of the committee established under section 15102 may only be removed prior to the end of the term of that member for just cause.

(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a Federal employee may not be appointed as a member of a committee established under this chapter or to which this chapter applies.

(B) Special rule for national merchant marine personnel advisory committee.—The Secretary may appoint a Federal employee to serve as a member of the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee to represent the interests of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and, notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), may do so without soliciting, receiving, or considering nominations for such appointment.

(A) In general.—The term of each member of a committee established under this chapter or to which this chapter applies shall expire on December 31 of the third full year after the effective date of the appointment.

(B) Continued service after term.—When the term of a member of a committee established under this chapter or to which this chapter applies ends, the member, for a period not to exceed 1 year, may continue to serve as a member until a successor is appointed.

(A) Reappointment.—Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary may reappoint a member of a committee established under this chapter or to which this chapter applies for any term, other than the first term of the member, without soliciting, receiving, or considering nominations for such appointment.

(B) Limitation.—With respect to the committee established under section 15102, members may serve not more than 3 terms.

(A) In general.—Before taking any significant action, the Secretary shall consult with, and consider the information, advice, and recommendations of, a committee established under this chapter or to which this chapter applies if the function of the committee is to advise the Secretary on matters related to the significant action.

(B) Inclusion.—For purposes of this paragraph, regulations proposed under chapter 45 of this title are significant actions.

(A) publish the recommendations on a website accessible at no charge to the public;

(B) if the recommendations are from the committee established under section 15102, establish a mechanism for the submission of public comments on the recommendations;

(C) respond, in writing, to the committee regarding the recommendations, including by providing an explanation of actions taken regarding the recommendations; and

(D) make all responses required by subparagraph (C) which are related to recommendations made by the committee established under section 15102 available to the public not later than 30 days after the date of response.

(A) In general.—The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the advice, reports, and recommendations received from committees under paragraph (2).

(B) Additional submission.—With respect to a committee established under section 70112 and to which this section applies, the Secretary shall submit the advice, reports, and recommendations received from the committee under paragraph (2) to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives in addition to the committees specified in subparagraph (A).

(A) attend any meeting of such committee; and

(B) participate as an observer at meetings of such committee that relate to such a matter.