Overview
Title
To amend title 5, United States Code, to address the responsibilities of the Administrator of General Services with respect to Federal advisory committees, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to make sure everyone knows what groups of experts working with the government are doing, like who's in the group and what they suggest. This means the government will share more information about these groups online, but they have to do it using the same money they already have.
Summary AI
The bill S. 5302, referred to as the "Federal Advisory Committee Database Act," seeks to amend title 5 of the United States Code. It outlines the responsibilities of the Administrator of General Services regarding Federal advisory committees. The bill mandates the collection and publication of detailed information about these committees, such as their membership, recommendations, costs, and compliance with existing regulations. Additionally, it requires agencies to establish standardized guidelines and performance measures for their advisory committees, ensuring transparency and accountability. No additional funding is authorized for implementing this Act.
Published
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AnalysisAI
The legislation titled the "Federal Advisory Committee Database Act" seeks to amend Chapter 10 of Title 5 of the United States Code to improve the management and transparency of federal advisory committees. This act aims to ensure more rigorous oversight by collecting detailed information about these committees and making this information publicly accessible online.
General Summary of the Bill
The bill proposes amendments to improve how federal advisory committees are managed and monitored. It requires agencies to gather extensive details about each advisory committee, including their membership, operations, and costs. The aim is to standardize and make this information publicly available to increase transparency. The act does not allow for additional funds to be allocated for these tasks.
Significant Issues
One of the most significant concerns is the potential administrative burden the bill might place on agencies. The requirement to collect and maintain detailed information could result in increased operational costs and complexity, especially for smaller agencies with limited resources. Another issue is the mandate for this data to be published in a machine-readable format, which could present technical challenges and additional costs. Furthermore, the bill explicitly states that no additional funds are authorized, raising concerns about whether agencies will have the necessary resources to implement these changes effectively.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the act could enhance transparency and accountability regarding federal advisory committees, potentially leading to increased trust in how these committees operate and how decisions are made. By making detailed information publicly accessible, citizens may gain a better understanding of the role and influence of these committees in government.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Government Agencies: Agencies may face increased administrative obligations as they work to comply with the new requirements. The lack of additional funds means that agencies must manage these responsibilities within existing budgets, possibly diverting resources from other critical areas.
Committee Members: Members of advisory committees may experience greater scrutiny due to the detailed data collection and publication requirements. This could improve accountability but might also lead to privacy concerns, especially if sensitive information about committee members is inadvertently exposed.
Technology and Data Management Firms: There's potential for a positive impact on businesses specializing in technology and data management as agencies may seek external expertise to meet the new technical demands of publishing information in machine-readable formats.
Overall, while the act aims to enhance transparency and accountability, the practical implementation presents several challenges, particularly regarding resource allocation and potential administrative burdens on federal agencies. The balance between enhanced oversight and feasible execution will be critical to the act's success.
Issues
The requirement for collecting extensive information on advisory committees in Section 2, particularly under section 1006(a)(2)(A), might lead to significant administrative burdens and increased operational costs for agencies due to the detailed nature of information required without clear evidence of its necessity.
The mandate for the publication of information in a machine-readable format under Section 2, specifically in 1006(a)(2)(B)(i), could impose additional costs or technical challenges for some agencies, potentially impacting their resource allocation.
There is a concern that the systematic information maintenance and timely reporting required in Section 2, under 1007(a)(2) and (3), could lead to inefficiencies if not managed properly, affecting the overall effectiveness and efficiency of advisory committees.
The stipulation in Section 3 that no additional funds are authorized might lead to underfunding issues, preventing proper implementation and enforcement of the Act if current funding proves insufficient.
The complexity and detail in the language of Section 2, particularly in sections 1006(a)(2) and (b), could cause confusion or misinterpretation during implementation, increasing the risk of non-compliance or inconsistent application across different agencies.
The potential for privacy concerns arises in Section 2 since the collection of extensive data by the Committee Management Secretariat involves detailed information about committee members and operations that could include sensitive personal data.
The requirement in Section 2, section 1006(b)(3), to submit biennial reports might result in delays in addressing issues that arise during reviews, potentially impacting the responsiveness and adaptability of advisory committees to new challenges.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill states that the official title of this legislation is the “Federal Advisory Committee Database Act”.
2. Federal advisory committees Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Chapter 10 of title 5 of the United States Code is updated to enhance the management of federal advisory committees. This includes requiring detailed information collection about each advisory committee, such as their memberships and costs, and mandates that this information be published annually online for transparency. Additionally, agencies must establish consistent guidelines for these committees and report their activities accurately to ensure they comply with new standardization and performance measures.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the Act specifies that it may be referred to as the “Federal Advisory Committee Database Act.”
2. Federal advisory committees Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendments to Chapter 10 of Title 5 of the U.S. Code focus on enhancing the management and transparency of federal advisory committees. It requires the Administrator and agencies to keep detailed and standardized records on each committee's operations, members, and costs, and to publish this information publicly while ensuring compliance with set guidelines and measures.
3. No additional funds Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In this section, it states that no extra money is allowed to be allocated for implementing the Act or its changes.