SUBCHAPTER III—PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

§6631. Establishment of Committee

The President shall establish within the Executive Office of the President a President's Committee on Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee").

(Pub. L. 94–282, title III, §301, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 468.)

Executive Documents

Abolition of President's Committee on Science and Technology; Transfer of Functions

The President's Committee on Science and Technology, established pursuant to this subchapter, was abolished and its functions transferred to the President, by Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1977, §5A, 42 F.R. 56101, 91 Stat. 1634, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, effective Feb. 26, 1978, as provided by section 1(b) of Ex. Ord. No. 12039, Feb. 24, 1978, 43 F.R. 8095, set out under section 6601 of this title.

§6632. Membership of Committee

(a) Composition; appointment

The Committee shall consist of—

(1) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy established under subchapter II of this chapter; and

(2) not less than eight nor more than fourteen other members appointed by the President not more than sixty days after the Director has assumed office (as provided in section 6612 of this title).

(b) Qualifications

Members of the Committee appointed by the President pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of this section shall—

(1) be qualified and distinguished in one or more of the following areas: science, engineering, technology, information dissemination, education, management, labor, or public affairs;

(2) be capable of critically assessing the policies, priorities, programs, and activities of the Nation, with respect to the findings, policies, and purposes set forth in subchapter I; and

(3) shall collectively constitute a balanced composition with respect to (A) fields of science and engineering, (B) academic, industrial, and government experience, and (C) business, labor, consumer, and public interest points of view.

(c) Chairman; Vice Chairman

The President shall appoint one member of the Committee to serve as Chairman and another member to serve as Vice Chairman for such periods as the President may determine.

(d) Compensation

Each member of the Committee who is not an officer of the Federal Government shall, while serving on business of the Committee, be entitled to receive compensation at a rate not to exceed the daily rate prescribed for GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, including traveltime, and while so serving away from his home or regular place of business he may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as the expenses authorized by section 5703(b) ¹ of title 5 for persons in Government service employed intermittently.

(Pub. L. 94–282, title III, §302, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 468.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 5703 of title 5, referred to in subsec. (d), was amended generally by Pub. L. 94–22, §4, May 19, 1975, 89 Stat. 95, and, as so amended, does not contain a subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates

References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101–509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.

Executive Documents

Abolition of President's Committee on Science and Technology; Transfer of Functions

See note set out under section 6631 of this title.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§6633. Federal science, engineering, and technology survey; reports

(a) The Committee shall survey, examine, and analyze the overall context of the Federal science, engineering, and technology effort including missions, goals, personnel, funding, organization, facilities, and activities in general, taking adequate account of the interests of individuals and groups that may be affected by Federal scientific, engineering, and technical programs, including, as appropriate, consultation with such individuals and groups. In carrying out its functions under this section, the Committee shall, among other things, consider needs for—

(1) organizational reform, including institutional realinement designed to place Federal agencies whose missions are primarily or solely devoted to scientific and technological research and development, and those agencies primarily or solely concerned with fuels, energy, and materials, within a single cabinet-level department;

(2) improvements in existing systems for handling scientific and technical information on a Government-wide basis, including consideration of the appropriate role to be played by the private sector in the dissemination of such information;

(3) improved technology assessment in the executive branch of the Federal Government;

(4) improved methods for effecting technology innovation, transfer, and use;

(5) stimulating more effective Federal-State and Federal-industry liaison and cooperation in science and technology, including the formation of Federal-State mechanisms for the mutual pursuit of this goal;

(6) reduction and simplification of Federal regulations and administrative practices and procedures which may have the effect of retarding technological innovation or opportunities for its utilization;

(7) a broader base for support of basic research;

(8) ways of strengthening the Nation's academic institutions' capabilities for research and education in science and technology;

(9) ways and means of effectively integrating scientific and technological factors into our national and international policies;

(10) technology designed to meet community and individual needs;

(11) maintenance of adequate scientific and technological manpower with regard to both quality and quantity;

(12) improved systems for planning and analysis of the Federal science and technology programs; and

(13) long-range study, analysis, and planning in regard to the application of science and technology to major national problems or concerns.

(b)(1) Within twelve months from the time the Committee is activated in accordance with section 6632(a) of this title, the Committee shall issue an interim report of its activities and operations to date. Not more than twenty-four months from the time the Committee is activated, the Committee shall submit a final report of its activities, findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including such supporting data and material as may be necessary, to the President.

(2) The President, within sixty days of receipt thereof, shall transmit each such report to each House of Congress together with such comments, observations, and recommendations thereon as he deems appropriate.

(Pub. L. 94–282, title III, §303, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 469.)

Executive Documents

Abolition of President's Committee on Science and Technology; Transfer of Functions

See note set out under section 6631 of this title.

§6634. Continuation of Committee

(a) Ninety days after submission of the final report prepared under section 6633 of this title, the Committee shall cease to exist, unless the President, before the expiration of the ninety-day period, makes a determination that it is advantageous for the Committee to continue in being.

(b) If the President determines that it is advantageous for the Committee to continue in being, (1) the Committee shall exercise such functions as are prescribed by the President; and (2) the members of the Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the President.

(Pub. L. 94–282, title III, §304, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 470.)

Executive Documents

Abolition of President's Committee on Science and Technology; Transfer of Functions

See note set out under section 6631 of this title.

§6635. Staff and consultant support

(a) In the performance of its functions under sections 6633 and 6634 of this title, the Committee is authorized—

(1) to select, appoint, employ, and fix the compensation of such specialists and other experts as may be necessary for the carrying out of its duties and functions, and to select, appoint, and employ, subject to the civil service laws, such other officers and employees as may be necessary for carrying out its duties and functions; and

(2) to provide for participation of such civilian and military personnel as may be detailed to the Committee pursuant to subsection (b) of this section for carrying out the functions of the Committee.

(b) Upon request of the Committee, the head of any Federal department, agency, or instrumentality is authorized (1) to furnish to the Committee such information as may be necessary for carrying out its functions and as may be available to or procurable by such department, agency, or instrumentality, and (2) to detail to temporary duty with the Committee on a reimbursable basis such personnel within his administrative jurisdiction as it may need or believe to be useful for carrying out its functions. Each such detail shall be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee status, to civilian employees so detailed, and without loss of status, rank, office, or grade, or of any emolument, perquisite, right, privilege, or benefit incident thereto to military personnel so detailed. Each such detail shall be made pursuant to an agreement between the Chairman and the head of the relevant department, agency, or instrumentality, and shall be in accordance with the provisions of subchapter III of chapter 33, title 5.

(Pub. L. 94–282, title III, §305, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 470.)

Executive Documents

Abolition of President's Committee on Science and Technology; Transfer of Functions

See note set out under section 6631 of this title.