§1009 Advisory committee procedures

Summary

Advisory committee meetings must be open for anyone to attend. The committee must give timely notice in the Federal Register unless the President finds a national security reason not to. The Administrator must make rules so people learn about meetings and can attend, speak, or send written statements, subject to reasonable rules. Committee records and papers that were used or made for the committee must be available for public inspection and copying at one office location until the committee ends, subject to section 552. The committee must keep detailed minutes that list who was there, what was discussed, conclusions reached, and any reports, and the chair must certify the minutes. Portions of a meeting can be closed to the public under section 552b(c) if the President or the agency head gives written reasons; if some meetings are closed, the committee must issue at least one yearly report summarizing its activities consistent with section 552(b). A designated federal officer or employee must chair or attend each meeting, may adjourn meetings in the public interest, and meetings may only occur at that officer’s call or with that officer’s prior approval; non‑Presidential committees also need an approved agenda.