[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10596-10598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04062]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Request for Comments From the Public and Nominations for the 
Public Interest Trade Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Request for comments from the public on the creation of the 
Public Interest Trade Advisory Committee and request for nominees to 
that Committee.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative 
(``USTR'') is, pursuant to Section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
U.S.C. 2155(c)(1)) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App. 1), establishing the Public Interest Trade Advisory Committee 
(``the Committee'') to provide policy advice on issues involving trade 
and from the perspective of those concerned with public interest 
issues. USTR seeks comments on the Committee's objectives and the scope 
of its activities. USTR is also seeking nominations for membership on 
the Committee.

DATES: Written comments are due by COB on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. 
Nominations for membership will be accepted at any time, however, in 
order to be considered for the initial populating of the committee, 
nominations should be made by March 25, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted electronically via the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov, Docket number USTR-2014-0005. 
For alternatives to online submission please contact Tiffany Enoch, at 
(202) 395-6120.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding this request for 
comments should be directed to Tiffany Enoch, Deputy Assistant U.S. 
Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public 
Engagement at (202) 395-6120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2155), 
directs the President to obtain information and advice from 
representative elements of the private sector and the non-Federal 
government sector regarding U.S. trade policy and trade negotiation 
objectives. Among other mechanisms, Section 135(c)(1) of the Trade Act 
of 1974 provides that:

    (1) The President may establish individual general policy 
advisory committees for industry, labor, agriculture, services, 
investment, defense, and other interests, as appropriate, to provide 
general policy advice on matters referred to in subsection (a) of 
this section.

    The President has delegated authority to the USTR to appoint policy 
advisory committees (``Tier 2'').
    Section 135(c)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 calls for each general 
policy advisory committee ``insofar as is practicable,'' ``[to] be 
representative of all industry, labor, agricultural, service, 
investment, defense, and other interests . . . including small business 
interests.''
    Section 135(f) of the Trade Act of 1974 provides, in relevant part 
that, ``the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act apply . . 
. (2) to all . . . advisory committees which may be established under 
subsection (c) of this section.'' The Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(FACA) (5 U.S.C. 1-14) requires that legislation establishing or 
authorizing the establishment of an advisory committee ``require the 
membership of the advisory committee to be fairly balanced in terms of 
the points of view represented and the functions to be performed by the 
advisory committee'' (5 U.S.C. 5).
    With the creation of the Public Interest Trade Advisory Committee, 
a new forum for discussions on public interest aspects of trade issues 
will be available. The objectives and scope of activities of the Public 
Interest Trade Advisory Committee include, but are not limited to:
    (1) Providing the U.S. Trade Representative with policy advice on 
issues including but not limited to, public health, international 
development, and consumer protection.
    (2) Providing the President, the USTR, and Congress with reports on 
trade agreements, following their conclusions, which include an 
advisory opinion on whether and to what extent the agreement promotes 
the interests of the United States.

Request for Comments

    USTR solicits comments on the objectives and scope of activities 
for the Public Interest Advisory Committee, including comments on: the 
appropriate scope of viewpoints to be represented in such a committee 
to ensure the committee is fairly balanced; how included viewpoints 
would improve the quality of information and advice provided to USTR; 
how included viewpoints would add value and contribute to the 
Committee's mission to provide general trade policy advice; any 
additional objectives or activities; modifications to aforementioned 
objectives, activities or viewpoints; and any other pertinent insights.

[[Page 10597]]

Requirements for Submission

    Written comments must be received by COB on Tuesday, March 25, 
2014. In order to ensure the most timely and expeditious receipt and 
consideration of comments, USTR has arranged to accept on-line 
submissions via www.regulations.gov. To submit comments via 
www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR-2014-0005 on the home 
page and click ``go''. The site will provide a search-results page 
listing all documents associated with this docket. Find a reference to 
this notice and click on the link entitled ``Comment Now!'' (For 
further information on using the http://www.regulations.gov/ Web site, 
please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on 
``How to Use This Site'' on the left side of the home page.)
    The www.regulations.gov Web site provides the option of making 
submissions by filling in a ``Type Comments'' field, or by attaching 
using the ``Upload File'' field. USTR prefers submissions to be 
provided in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is 
sufficient to type ``See attached'' in the ``Type Comments'' field.
    We strongly urge submitters to avail themselves of the electronic 
filing, if at all possible. If an on-line submission is impossible, 
alternative arrangements must be made with Ms. Enoch, at (202) 395-
6120.

Request for Nominations

    USTR is also soliciting nominations for membership on the Public 
Interest Trade Advisory Committee (PITAC). In order to be appointed to 
the PITAC, the following eligibility requirements must be met:
    1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen;
    2. The applicant must not be a full-time employee of a U.S. 
governmental entity;
    3. The applicant must not be a federally-registered lobbyist;
    4. The applicant must not be registered with the Department of 
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act;
    5. The applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a security 
clearance; and
    6. The applicant must represent a U.S. organization that represents 
whose members (or funders) have a demonstrated interest in 
international trade.
    For eligibility purposes, a ``U.S. organization'' is an 
organization, including trade association, labor union and 
organization, and nongovernmental organization (NGO), established under 
the laws of the United States, that is controlled by U.S. citizens, by 
another U.S. organization (or organizations), or by a U.S. entity (or 
entities), as determined based on its board of directors (or comparable 
governing body), membership, and funding sources, as applicable. To 
qualify as a U.S. organization, more than 50 percent of the board of 
directors (or comparable governing body) and more than 50 percent of 
the membership of the organization to be represented must be U.S. 
citizens, U.S. organizations, or U.S. entities. Additionally, at least 
50 percent of the organization's annual revenue must be attributable to 
nongovernmental U.S. sources.
    In order to be considered for PITAC membership, a nominee should 
submit:
    (1) Name, title, affiliation, and relevant contact information of 
the individual requesting consideration;
    (2) A sponsor letter on the entity's or organization's letterhead 
containing a brief description of why the applicant should be 
considered for membership;
    (3) The applicant's personal resume demonstrating knowledge of 
international trade issues;
    (4) An affirmative statement that the applicant and the 
organization he or she represents meet all eligibility requirements;
    (5) An affirmative statement that the applicant is not a federally 
registered lobbyist, and that the applicant understands that if 
appointed, the applicant will not be allowed to continue to serve as a 
PITAC member if the applicant becomes a federally registered lobbyist; 
and
    (6) Information regarding the sponsoring entity, including the 
control of the entity or organization to be represented and the 
organization's demonstrated interest in international trade. As noted, 
members of the committee are appointed to represent the views of their 
sponsoring entities. As such, committee members will generally serve as 
representatives of those organizations and not as Special Government 
Employees.
    USTR will consider applicants for membership on the PITAC that meet 
the eligibility criteria based on the following criteria: ability to 
represent the sponsoring U.S. entity's or U.S. organization's interests 
on trade matters; ability to carry out the objectives of the PITAC and 
ensuring that the PITAC is balanced in terms of points of view, 
demographics, geography, and entity or organization size.
    Submit applications to Tiffany Enoch, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade 
Representative for Intergovernmental and Affairs and Public Engagement. 
Send applications to: [email protected]. If you have any question 
please contact Ms. Enoch at (202)395-6120.

Public Comment: Requirements for Submissions

    Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning the issues raised in this notice. Persons may submit public 
comments electronically to www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-
2014-0005. If you are unable to provide submissions by 
www.regulations.gov, please contact Cece Jones-Davis to arrange for an 
alternative method of transmission.
    To submit comments via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number 
USTR-2014-0005 on the home page and click ``search''. The site will 
provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with 
this docket. Find a reference to this notice by selecting ``Notice'' 
under ``Document Type'' on the left side of the search-results page, 
and click on the link entitled ``Comment Now!'' (For further 
information on using the www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult 
the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on ``How to Use This 
Site'' on the left side of the home page.)
    The www.regulations.gov Web site allows users to provide comments 
by filling in a ``Type Comments'' field, or by attaching a document 
using an ``Upload File'' field. It is expected that most comments will 
be provided in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is 
sufficient to type ``See attached'' in the ``Type Comments'' field.
    A person requesting that information contained in a comment that 
he/she submitted be treated as confidential business information, must 
certify that such information is business confidential and would not 
customarily be released to the public by the submitter. Confidential 
business information must be clearly designated as such and the 
submission must be marked ``BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL'' at the top and 
bottom of the cover page and each succeeding page. Any comment 
containing business confidential information must be submitted by fax 
to Cece Jones-Davis at (202) 395-3692. A non-confidential summary of 
the confidential information must be submitted to www.regulations.gov. 
The non-confidential summary will be placed in the docket and will be 
open to public inspection.


[[Page 10598]]


    Dated: February 19, 2014.
Jewel James,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, Intergovernmental Affairs and 
Public Engagement.
[FR Doc. 2014-04062 Filed 2-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-F4-P