§1862n–9 Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee

Summary

Requires the Foundation, NASA, and the Department of Energy to set up an Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee. The committee must review how those three agencies coordinate their astronomy and astrophysics programs and how their work matches the National Research Council’s 2001 report "Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium" and similar later reports. By March 15 each year the committee must send a report with its findings and recommendations to the Director, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Secretary of Energy, the House Committee on Science, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The committee has 13 members who cannot be federal employees: 4 chosen by the Director, 4 by the NASA Administrator, 3 by the Secretary of Energy, and 2 by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Initial choices had to be made within 3 months after December 19, 2002; vacancies are filled the same way. Members pick a chair, serve without pay, and get travel expenses. The committee must meet at least 4 times a year, work with other federal advisory groups, use a majority for a quorum, and is not subject to section 1013 of title 5.