[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 246 (Friday, December 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76321-76322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24400]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Renewal of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC)

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of committee renewal.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announces 
that the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) was renewed on 
November 28, 2005. The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security 
has determined that renewal of the ASAC is necessary and in the public 
interest in connection with the performance of duties of TSA. This 
determination follows consultation with the Committee Management 
Secretariat, General Services Administration (GSA), who is responsible 
for monitoring and reporting executive branch compliance with the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Corrao, Designated Federal 
Official, Aviation Security Advisory Committee, Transportation Security 
Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220; 
telephone (571) 227-2980, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Federal Advisory Committee Act

    In 1972, the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92-463, 
5 U.S.C., App) was enacted by Congress. FACA is the legal foundation 
defining how Federal advisory committees operate. The law has special 
emphasis on open meetings, chartering, public involvement, and 
reporting. Its purpose was to ensure that advice rendered to the 
executive branch by the various advisory committees, task forces, 
boards, and commissions formed over the years by Congress and the 
president, be both objective and accessible to the public. The Act not 
only formalized a process for establishing, operating, overseeing, and 
terminating these advisory bodies, but also created the Committee 
Management Secretariat, an organization whose task it is to monitor and 
report executive branch compliance with the Act. 5 U.S.C. App. 1, 
section 2(a).
    When initially enacted, FACA assigned to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) responsibility for Government oversight of advisory 
committees. In 1977, Executive Order 12024 transferred the advisory 
committee functions, as well as the statutorily mandated Committee 
Management Secretariat, from OMB to the General Services Administration 
(GSA). As part of its responsibility under FACA, GSA issues government-
wide guidelines and regulations for Federal Advisory Committee 
Management. GSA's implementation regulations on FACA management may be 
found in 41 CFR part 102-3.

The Aviation Security Advisory Committee

    TSA's Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) is a 
``discretionary'' advisory committee. A discretionary advisory 
committee is one that is established under the authority of an agency 
head or authorized by statute. An advisory committee referenced in 
general (non-specific) authorizing language or Congressional committee 
report language is discretionary, and its establishment or termination 
is within the legal discretion of an agency head. Normally, a 
discretionary advisory committee's charter is terminated upon the 
expiration of a period not to exceed two years, unless renewed.
    ASAC is a standing committee composed of Federal and private sector 
organizations that was chartered in 1989 by the Federal Aviation 
Administration in the wake of the crash of Pan American World Airways 
Flight 103 in 1988 over Lockerbie, Scotland. ASAC's purpose was to 
``develop * * * recommendations for the improvement of methods, 
equipment, and procedures to improve civil aviation security.''
    On November 19, 2001, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act 
(ATSA) was signed into law, which among other things established the 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and transferred to it the 
responsibility for civil aviation security. Accordingly, sponsorship of 
ASAC was also transferred to TSA. Since taking on management of ASAC in 
August 2002, TSA has taken steps to focus the committee's efforts in 
directions that are relevant and useful to TSA's post-September 11 
mission.
    In 2003, TSA revised the ASAC charter, organizing ASAC's membership 
to better assure fair balance in terms of the points of view of those 
represented and the functions performed by the committee. The charter 
also standardizes membership renewal dates for public representatives, 
and continues to encourage participation by other interested government 
agencies.

[[Page 76322]]

The Aviation Security Advisory Committee Renewal

    The renewal and use of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee are 
determined to be in the public interest in connection with the 
performance of duties imposed on TSA by law as follows:
    Name of Committee: Aviation Security Advisory Committee.
    Purpose and Objective: The Aviation Security Advisory Committee 
(ASAC) will examine areas of civil aviation security, as tasked by TSA, 
with the aim of developing recommendations for the improvement of civil 
aviation security methods, equipment, and procedures. ASAC 
recommendations are forwarded to the TSA Administrator for 
consideration in future rulemaking actions and security program 
amendments.
    Balanced Membership Plans: ASAC is composed of the following 
organizations representing key constituencies affected by aviation 
security requirements:
     Victims of Terrorist Acts Against Aviation
     Law Enforcement and Security Experts
     Government Agencies
     Aviation Consumer Advocates
     Airport Tenants and General Aviation
     Airport Operators
     Airline Management
     Airline Labor
     Aircraft Manufacturers
     Air Cargo Representatives
    Each private sector organization shall be appointed to membership 
in one, and no more than one, of the foregoing constituent categories. 
Apart from Federal Government, there shall be a maximum of three member 
organizations per membership category.
    Duration: The committee's charter is effective November 28, 2005, 
upon filing, and expires November 28, 2007.
    Responsible TSA Officials: Joseph Corrao, Designated Federal 
Official (DFO), Aviation Security Advisory Committee, Transportation 
Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-
4220; telephone (571) 227-2980, e-mail [email protected].

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on December 19, 2005.
Mike Restovich,
Assistant Administrator, Transportation Sector Network Management.
[FR Doc. 05-24400 Filed 12-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P