§31101 Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel

Summary

Creates an Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel of up to nine members. The Administrator picks the members for six-year terms. No more than four can be agency officers or employees. The Panel picks one member to be its chair. The Panel must review safety studies and operations plans sent to it, including checking the agency’s follow-up on the Columbia Accident Investigation Board’s return-to-flight and continue-to-fly recommendations. It must advise the Administrator and Congress about hazards from facilities or operations, the adequacy of safety rules, and safety-related management and culture. The Panel also does other tasks the Administrator asks. Federal employees on the Panel get no extra pay for serving. Outside members can be paid a per diem up to the maximum under 5 U.S.C. 5376 for each day they work. Members may be reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses, or get mileage and a per diem under 5 U.S.C. 5702 and 5704, without following some standard travel rules. The Panel must send an annual report to the Administrator and to Congress. The first report after December 30, 2005 must evaluate safety management and culture. Every annual report must include an evaluation of compliance with the Columbia Board’s recommendations through the space shuttle’s retirement.