SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the provisions of 14 U.S.C. 1903, the Board shall review and make recommendations on the operation of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. The Board is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 10), which set forth standards for the formation of the Board as federal advisory committee.

Membership and Designation

A. The membership of the Board shall consist of the following:

a. The chairperson of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, or a member of such Committee designated by such chairperson.

b. Two Senators appointed by the Vice President, each of whom shall be selected from among the members of the Committee on the Appropriations of the Senate.

c. Three Senators appointed by the Vice President.

d. The chairperson of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, or a member of such Committee designated by such chairperson.

e. Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall be elected from among the members of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

f. Four Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House Representatives.

g. Six individuals designated by the President. If not a Regular Government Employee, these six individuals will be appointed as Special Government Employees representing the general public unless designated by the President to provide the Board with points of views of the nongovernment entity or group of persons they are designated to represent. An individual designated to represent the viewpoints of a non-government entity or group would be appointed as a representative.

B. Timing of appointments of members:

a. Senators: If any member of the Board described above is not appointed by 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, then the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with jurisdiction over the authorization of Coast Guard appropriations shall be members of the Board until the second session of that Congress adjourns sine die.

b. Members of the House of Representatives: If any member of the Board described above is not appointed by 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, then the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over the authorization of Coast Guard appropriations shall be members of the Board until the second session of that Congress adjourns sine die.

c. Members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations: If any member of the Board described above is not appointed by 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, then the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate with jurisdiction over Coast Guard appropriations shall be members of the Board until the second session of that Congress adjourns sine die.

d. Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations: If any member of the Board described above is not appointed by 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, then the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over Coast Guard appropriations shall be members of the Board until the second session of that Congress adjourns sine die.

Duties

A. The Board shall review, with respect to the Academy: (1) the state of morale and discipline; (2) recruitment and retention; (3) the curriculum; (4) instruction; (5) physical equipment; (6) fiscal affairs; and (7) other matters relating to the Academy that the Board determines appropriate.

B. The Commandant of the Coast Guard (hereafter “Commandant”) shall invite each member of the Board and any staff designated to visit the Coast Guard Academy at least once annually to review the operation of the Academy. With the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (hereinafter “the Secretary”), the Board, or any members of the Board in connection with the duties of the Board, may make visits to the Academy in connection with the duties of the Board or consult with the Superintendent of the Academy or the faculty, staff, or cadets of the Academy.

C. Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Board conducts a meeting, the Commandant, in consultation with the Board, shall submit a report on the actions of the Board during the meeting and the recommendation of the Board pertaining to the Academy to the Secretary; the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives. The Board shall publish their reports on a publicly accessible Coast Guard website.

The duties of the Board are solely advisory in nature. ( printed page 54731)

Length of Service

A. A member of Congress designated as a member of the Board shall be designated as a member in the first session of the applicable Congress and shall serve for the duration of such Congress.

B. Each individual designated by the President shall serve as a member of the Board for three years, except that any such member whose term of office has expired shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed by the President.

C. If a member of the Board dies or resigns, a successor shall be designated for any unexpired portion of the term of the member by the official who designated the member.

Meetings

A. Meetings are held at the call of the Board's Designated Federal Officer (DFO), who will coordinate with members of the Board to the greatest extent practicable to determine the date and time of each meeting. The DFO will make arrangements for the meeting, including publishing a timely notice in the Federal Register .

B. The Board will meet at least once annually at the Academy or other suitable location chosen by the Commandant.

C. Each member of the Board shall be reimbursed, to the extent permitted by law, by the U.S. Coast Guard for actual expenses incurred while engaged in their duties as a Member of the Board.

D. A meeting will have a quorum when over 50% of the members are in attendance. Board meetings are open to the public unless a determination is made by the appropriate Department of Homeland Security official in accordance with Department of Homeland Security policy and directives that the meeting should be closed in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act (Sunshine Act), 5 U.S.C. 552b(c).

Duration: Pursuant to 14 U.S.C. 1903, the Board is constituted indefinitely.

91 FR 54730