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Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102

§4342 Establishment; Membership; Chairman; Appointments

Title 42 › CHAPTER 55 — NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY › SUBCHAPTER II — COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › § 4342

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

A Council on Environmental Quality is created inside the Executive Office of the President. It has three members. The President appoints them with the Senate’s approval, the President can remove them, and the President names one member to be Chairman. Each member must be very well qualified by training and experience to study and explain environmental trends and information; to review federal programs under the policy in subchapter I; to be aware of scientific, economic, social, aesthetic, and cultural needs; and to develop and recommend national policies to improve environmental quality.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §4342

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

There is created in the Executive Office of the President a Council on Environmental Quality (hereinafter referred to as the “Council”). The Council shall be composed of three members who shall be appointed by the President to serve at his pleasure, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The President shall designate one of the members of the Council to serve as Chairman. Each member shall be a person who, as a result of his training, experience, and attainments, is exceptionally well qualified to analyze and interpret environmental trends and information of all kinds; to appraise programs and activities of the Federal Government in the light of the policy set forth in subchapter I of this chapter; to be conscious of and responsive to the scientific, economic, social, esthetic, and cultural needs and interests of the Nation; and to formulate and recommend national policies to promote the improvement of the quality of the environment.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Council on Environmental Quality; Reduction of MembersProvisions stating that notwithstanding this section, the Council was to consist of one member, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, serving as chairman and exercising all powers, functions, and duties of the Council, were contained in the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006, Pub. L. 109–54, title III, Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 543, and were repeated in provisions of subsequent appropriations acts which are not set out in the Code. Similar provisions were also contained in the following prior appropriations acts: Pub. L. 108–447, div. I, title III, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3332. Pub. L. 108–199, div. G, title III, Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 408. Pub. L. 108–7, div. K, title III, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 514. Pub. L. 107–73, title III, Nov. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 686. Pub. L. 106–377, § 1(a)(1) [title III], Oct. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 1441, 1441A–45. Pub. L. 106–74, title III, Oct. 20, 1999, 113 Stat. 1084. Pub. L. 105–276, title III, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2500. Pub. L. 105–65, title III, Oct. 27, 1997, 111 Stat. 1375.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 4342

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102