45830 Federal Register / Vol. 52, No. 231 / Wednesday, December 2, 1987 / Rules and Regulations

18776

19328

101-6.1007 Agency procedures for establishing advisory committees.

(iii) A description of the agency's plan
to attain balanced membership. For
purposes of attaining balance, agencies
shall consider for membership
interested persons and groups with
professional or personal qualifications
or experience to contribute to the
functions and tasks to be performed.
This should be construed neither to limit
the participation, nor compel the
selection of any particular individual or
group to obtain divergent points of view
that are relevant to the business of the
advisory committee.

Federal Register / Vol. 52. No. 98 Tuesday, May 19. 1987 / Proposed Rules

-101-4.1037 Agency procedures for
establishing advisory committees.

(ii) A description of the agency's plan'
to attain balanced membership. For
purposes of obtaining balance, agencies
shall consider for membership
interested persons and groups with
professional or personal qualifications
or experience to contribute to the
functions and tasks to be performed.
This shall not be construed to limit the
participation of any individual where
such participation is necessary to obtain
divergent points of view that are

relevant to the business of the advisory
committee

Federal Register / Vol. 48, No. 83 / Thursday, April 28, 1883 / Rules and Regulations

$101-8.1007 How does an agency head
establish an advisory committee?

(iii) A description of the agency's plan
to attain balanced membership. For
purposes of obtaining balance, agencies
shall consider for membership a cross-
section of interested persons and groups
with demonstrated professional or
personal qualifications or experience to
contribute to the functions and tasks to
be performed. This shall not be
construed to limit the participation of
any individual where such participation
is necessary to obtain divergent points
of view that are relevant to the business
of the advisory committee. The letter
shall be accompanied by two copies of
the proposed charter.

The Department of Transportation has reviewed the
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Federal Advisory
Committee Management (52 F.R. 18774). I am pleased
that the General Services Administration has responded
to agency concerns by eliminating the provisions of
the Interim Rule which were controversial and difficult
to administer. I am confident that the final rule, as
proposed, will be a very workable regulation.

The Department has one recommended revision to
Subsection 101-6.1007 (b) (2) (iii). It is suggested
that the provision concerning divergent points of
view be revised as follows:

"...This shall be construed neither to limit
the participation nor compel the selection of
any individual in order to obtain divergent
points of view that are relevant to the
business of the advisory committee."

This change is recommended to diminish the threats of
lawsuits by special interest groups or individuals who
maintain they are required to be included in the
membership of an advisory committee solely by virtue
of their points of view.

We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the
NPRM.