USC Chapter 55a

in effect

7 U.S.C. § 2281 Congressional declaration of purpose

The purposes of this chapter are to— (1) require strict financial and program accounting by advisory committees of the Department of Agriculture; (2) assure balance and objectivity in the membership of such advisory committees; and (3) prevent the formation or continuation of unnecessary advisory committees by the Department of Agriculture.

7 U.S.C. § 2282 Definitions

When used in this chapter— (1) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States; (2) the term “Department of Agriculture” means the United States Department of Agriculture; and (3) the term “advisory committee” means any committee, board, commission, council, conference, panel, task force, or other similar group, or any subcommittee or other subgroup thereof that is established or utilized by the Department of Agriculture in the interest of obtaining advice or recommendations for the President or the Department of Agriculture, except that such term excludes any committee which (A) is composed wholly of full-time officers or employees of the Federal Government, (B) is established by statute or reorganization plan, or (C) is established by the President.

7 U.S.C. § 2283 Membership on advisory committees

(a) Simultaneous serviceNo person other than an officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture may serve simultaneously on more than one advisory committee, unless authorized by the Secretary. (b) Service by more than one officer or employee of corporation or non-Federal entityNot more than one officer or employee of any corporation or other non-Federal entity, including all subsidiaries and affiliates thereof, may serve on the same advisory committee at any one time, unless authorized by the Secretary. (c) Maximum lengthNo person other than an officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture may serve for more than six consecutive years on an advisory committee, unless authorized by the Secretary.

7 U.S.C. § 2285 Budget prohibitions

No advisory committee may expend funds in excess of its estimated annual operating costs by more than 10 per centum or $500, whichever is greater, until it provides the Secretary with an explanation of the need for the additional expenditure and the Secretary approves such additional expenditure.

7 U.S.C. § 2286 Termination of committees

The Secretary shall terminate any advisory committee upon a finding that any such advisory committee— (1) has expended funds in excess of its estimated annual operating costs by more than 10 per centum or $500, whichever is greater, without the prior approval of the Secretary pursuant to the provisions of section 2285 of this title; (2) has failed to file all reports required under the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5 or this chapter; (3) has failed to meet for two consecutive years; (4) is responsible for functions that otherwise would be or should be performed by Federal employees; or (5) does not serve or has ceased to serve an essential public function.