Bill to Improve Advisory Meetings Law Clears House Committee

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A bill to improve implementation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, introduced by Reps. William Lacey Clay, D-MO, and Henry Waxman, D-CA, cleared the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. HR 5687 would impose greater disclosure requirements on advisory committees; require that appointments to advisory committees be made without regard to political affiliation; and require agencies to obtain conflict of interest disclosures from committee appointees. Clay said the 1972 law “has not always been implemented to achieve balance, transparency, and independence.” There are currently more than 900 boards advising various federal agencies. (4/10/08)