§31101 Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel

Summary

Creates an Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel of up to 9 members, picked by the Administrator for 6-year terms, with no more than 4 members from agency staff. The Panel picks one of its members to be chair. The Panel reviews safety studies and plans, including checking whether the agency followed the Columbia Accident Investigation Board’s return-to-flight and continue-to-fly recommendations, and reports on them. It advises the Administrator and Congress about hazards, safety standards, and safety management and culture, and does other tasks the Administrator asks. Federal members get no pay. Outside members may be paid a per-day rate up to the maximum allowed under section 5376 of title 5. Members may also get needed travel costs (or mileage and a per diem not to exceed the rates in sections 5702 and 5704 of title 5) and other necessary expenses, without regard to subchapter I of chapter 57, the Standardized Government Travel Regulations, or section 5731 of title 5. The Panel must send an annual report to the Administrator and to Congress. The first annual report after December 30, 2005 must include an evaluation of the agency’s safety management and culture. Each annual report must evaluate the agency’s compliance with the Columbia Accident Investigation Board recommendations through retirement of the space shuttle.