§278 Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology

Summary

Creates a Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology inside the Institute. The Committee must have at least 9 members, and most must come from U.S. industry. The Director picks the members and may include any final members of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Visiting Committee who want to serve. The Committee must review and give advice on the Institute’s policy, organization, budget, and programs under the national policies set by the President and Congress. Members must be well-known in fields like business, research, product development, engineering, labor, education, consulting, environment, or international relations. They are chosen for their records of distinguished service, cannot be federal employees, and should represent a cross-section of traditional and new U.S. industries. Members (except the originals) serve 3-year terms; someone filling a vacancy serves the rest of that term. No one may serve more than two full terms in a row without waiting one year. The original members are divided into three groups of three with 1-, 2-, and 3-year terms. The Committee must meet at least twice a year when the Chair calls a meeting or when one-third of members ask in writing. A quorum is a majority of members who do not have a conflict of interest. Members should get at least 15 days’ notice when possible. The Committee can have an executive committee, other subcommittees, and may hire up to four professional staff (plus clerical help) with the Director’s appointment after consulting the Chair; those professionals can be paid up to the GS‑18 rate. The Committee must send an annual report to the Secretary for Congress no later than 30 days after the President’s budget goes to Congress, focusing on policy issues and research areas important to U.S. industry, and may send other reports as needed.