§1862n–9 Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee

Summary

Create an Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee that the Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Department of Energy must set up and run together. The committee must review and give advice on how those agencies coordinate their astronomy and astrophysics programs and on how their activities match 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 NASA Administrator, 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 members had to be chosen within 3 months after December 19, 2002. Members pick a chair, serve without pay, but get travel costs and per diem under sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5. The committee must meet at least four times a year (in person or electronically). A majority of members is needed for a quorum. Section 1013 of title 5 does not apply to the committee. The committee must also coordinate with other federal advisory groups.