Description:
H.R. 70 would amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which governs the operation of most federal advisory committees, to require agencies to disclose additional information about committee activities to the public. It also would expand the act to cover additional federal committees and would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit reports to the Congress concerning the appointment of advisory committee members. More than 1,000 advisory committees provide advice and guidance to federal agencies on many subjects ranging from organ donation to the operations of the Department of Homeland Security. Those committees, which may also be called commissions, councils, or task forces, have been created to collect a variety of viewpoints on specific policy issues. They can provide advice or make recommendations to federal agencies.
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 70 would cost $70 million over the 2018-2022 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts. Enacting the bill could affect direct spending by agencies not funded through annual appropriations; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. CBO estimates, however, that any net increase in spending by those agencies would be negligible. Enacting the bill would not affect revenues.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 70 would not significantly affect net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
H.R. 70 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
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