[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 157 (Monday, August 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50393-50395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18715]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of 
Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions (COAC)

ACTION: Notice of committee renewal and request for applications for 
membership.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of 
the Treasury are providing this notice of the renewal of the charter 
for the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of 
Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions (COAC). This notice 
also requests qualified individuals interested in serving on this 
committee to apply for membership.

DATES: Applications for membership should reach the office on or before 
September 15, 2004. Applications should be submitted in sufficient time 
to be received by the close of business on the closing date.

ADDRESSES: You may request a copy of the COAC's charter or file an 
application for COAC membership by writing to Ms. Monica Frazier, 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Border and Transportation 
Security, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528 Attn: 
COAC 2004. Facsimile applications are acceptable, sent to 571-227-
1937--Attn: COAC 2004. Contact Ms. Frazier with any questions at 571-
227-3977.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Monica Frazier, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, Department 
of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528, telephone 571-227-3977; 
facsimile 571-227-1937.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of the Department of Homeland 
Security and the Secretary of the Treasury have determined that the 
renewal of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations 
of Customs and Border Protection and

[[Page 50394]]

Related Functions (COAC) is necessary and in the public interest in 
connection with the duties of the respective Departments. This 
determination follows consultation with the Committee Management 
Secretariat, General Services Administration.
    Name of Committee: Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial 
Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions 
(COAC).
    Purpose and Objective: The purpose of the Committee is to provide 
advice to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland 
Security on all matters involving the commercial operations of bureau 
of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and related functions within DHS 
or Treasury and to submit an annual report to Congress describing its 
operations and setting forth any recommendations. The Committee 
provides a critical and unique forum for distinguished representatives 
of diverse industry sectors to present their views and advice directly 
to senior Treasury, DHS, and customs officials. This is done on a 
regular basis in an open and candid atmosphere.
    Duration: Continuing.
    Balanced Membership Plans: The members will be selected by the 
Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security 
jointly from representatives of the trade and transportation community 
that do business with CBP, or others who are directly affected by 
customs commercial operations and related functions. In addition, 
members shall represent major regions of the country, and, by statute, 
not more than ten members may be affiliated with the same political 
party.

Background

    In the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (Pub. L. 100-203), 
Congress directed the Secretary of the Treasury to create an Advisory 
Committee on Commercial Operations of the Customs Service. The 
Committee is to consist of 20 members drawn from industry sectors 
affected by Customs commercial operations with balanced political party 
affiliations. The Committee's first two-year charter was filed on 
October 17, 1988, and the committee has been renewed seven times since 
then.
    With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the 
Secretary of the Treasury delegated a joint chair and Committee 
management role to the Secretary of Homeland Security (see 19 CFR Part 
0 Appx.). Under this delegation, and pursuant to sections 412(a)(1) and 
1512(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296), the 
Committee's name is being changed to the Departmental Advisory 
Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection.
    Due to the importance and usefulness of this Committee to both 
Departments, DHS and Treasury are revising the Committee's charter to 
provide the Committee discretion to advise not only on the commercial 
operations of CBP, but also on the related functions of DHS and 
Treasury.
    It is expected that, during its ninth two-year term, the Committee 
will consider issues relating to enhanced border and cargo supply chain 
security. COAC will continue to provide advice and report such matters 
as on customs modernization and automation, informed compliance and 
compliance assessment, account-based processing, commercial enforcement 
and uniformity, international efforts to harmonize customs practices 
and procedures, strategic planning, northern border and southern border 
issues, and relationships with foreign customs authorities.
    Both DHS and Treasury have functions related to CBP commercial 
operations, such as Coast Guard operations involving vessels in 
international commerce, the Transportation Security Administration's 
operations affecting international commerce and transportation 
security, and Treasury regulatory and policy functions related to the 
customs revenue functions. Accordingly, DHS and Treasury have 
determined to empower COAC to provide advice and report on not only CBP 
commercial operations as such, but also those other DHS or Treasury 
functions that are related to those operations to ensure both 
Departments and Congress have the perspective of the COAC on the range 
of critical issues relating to CBP's commercial operations functions.

Committee Membership

    Membership on the Committee is personal to the appointee and is 
concurrent with the two-year duration of the charter for the ninth 
term. Under the Charter, a member may not send an alternate to 
represent him or her at a Committee meeting. However, since Committee 
meetings are open to the public, another person from a member's 
organization may attend and observe the proceedings in a 
nonparticipating capacity. Regular attendance is essential; the Charter 
provides that a member who is absent for two consecutive meetings or 
two meetings in a calendar year shall be recommended for replacement on 
the Committee.
    No person who is required to register under the Foreign Agents 
Registration Act as an agent or representative of a foreign principal 
may serve on this advisory committee.
    Members who are currently serving on the Committee are eligible to 
reapply for membership provided that they are not in their second 
consecutive term and that they have met attendance requirements. A new 
application letter (see addresses) is required, but it can incorporate 
by reference materials previously filed (please attach courtesy 
copies).
    Members will not be paid compensation by the Federal Government for 
their services with respect to the COAC, nor shall they be considered 
Federal Government employees for any purpose. No per diem, 
transportation, or other expenses are reimbursed by the Federal 
Government for the expenses they incur in attending Committee meetings 
at any location.

Application for Advisory Committee Appointment

    There is no prescribed format for the application. Applicants may 
send a letter describing their interest and qualifications and enclose 
a resume.
    Any interested person wishing to serve on the (COAC) must provide 
the following:
     Statement of interest and reasons for application;
     Complete professional biography or resume;
     Political affiliation, in order to ensure balanced 
representation. (Mandatory. If no party registration or allegiance 
exists, indicate ``independent'' or ``unaffiliated'').
    DHS and Treasury are particularly interested in receiving 
applications from individuals with extensive experience in maritime 
cargo shipping. DHS and Treasury are also interesting in receiving 
applications from individuals with extensive small business or small 
business association experience in the commercial operations of customs 
and related functions.
    In addition, all applicants must state in their applications that 
they agree to submit to pre-appointment background and tax checks. 
(Mandatory). However, a national security clearance is not required for 
the position.


[[Page 50395]]


    Dated: August 11, 2004.
C. Stewart Verdery, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary (Border and Transportation Security Policy and 
Planning), Department of Homeland Security.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy), Department 
of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 04-18715 Filed 8-11-04; 4:19 pm]
BILLING CODE 4810-25-P