[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 228 (Friday, November 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74086-74087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30226]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Digital Economy Board of Advisors, Establishment and Call for 
Nominations

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of establishment and call for nominations to serve on 
the Digital Economy Board of Advisors.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information 
announces the establishment of the Digital Economy Board of Advisors on 
behalf of the Secretary of Commerce. The Board will advise and provide 
recommendations to the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary, on a 
broad range of issues concerning the digital economy and Internet 
policy. This Notice also requests nominations of individuals for 
membership on the Board.

DATES: Nominations should be submitted electronically using the online 
nomination form on or before December 23, 2015, at midnight Eastern 
Standard Time.

ADDRESSES: Applicants should submit nominations electronically, with 
the information specified below, using the online nomination form 
located at www.ntia.doc.gov/digital-economy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Evelyn Remaley, Designated Federal 
Officer (DFO), at (202) 482-3821 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 
as amended (5 U.S.C. App.) and the National Telecommunications & 
Information Administration's authorizing statute, 47 U.S.C. 904(b), the 
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information (Assistant 
Secretary) announces the establishment of the Digital Economy Board of 
Advisors (the Board) on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce. The Board 
is established under the direction of the Secretary and with the 
concurrence of the General Services Administration.

I. Background

    Economic prosperity is increasingly tied to the digital economy, 
which is a key driver of jobs, business creation, and innovation. 
Indeed, virtually every modern company relies on the Internet to grow 
and thrive. As a result, the Department of Commerce (Department) has 
made technology and Internet policy a top priority, investing resources 
to address the challenges and opportunities businesses face in a global 
economy.
    On November 9, 2015, the Secretary of Commerce unveiled the 
Department's new Digital Economy Agenda, which will help businesses and 
consumers realize the potential of the digital economy to advance 
growth and opportunity. The Agenda focuses on four key objectives: 
promoting a free and open Internet worldwide; promoting trust online; 
ensuring access for workers, families, and companies; and promoting 
innovation. To support the Agenda, the Secretary has directed the 
creation of a Digital Economy Board of Advisors to enable the 
Department to have a mechanism for receiving regular advice from 
leaders in industry, academia, and civil society. The Secretary 
determined that the establishment of the Board is necessary and serves 
the public interest.

II. Description of Duties

    The Board's primary duty will be to provide independent advice and 
recommendations to the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary, on a 
broad range of policy issues impacting the digital economy. The Board 
will serve as a centralized forum for gathering consensus input from a 
wide range of stakeholders and experts. The Board's mission is to 
provide advice in furtherance of increasing domestic prosperity, 
improving education, and facilitating participation in political and 
cultural life through the application and expansion of digital 
technologies.
    The Board's advice will focus on ensuring that the Internet 
continues to thrive as an engine of growth, innovation, and free 
expression. In carrying out its duties, the Board's activities may 
include, but are not limited to:
     Gathering information and providing an analysis of 
challenges related to the global free flow of information on the 
Internet, including policies that could restrict cross-border 
information flows;
     Providing advice on other policy matters that impact the 
digital economy, such as expanding broadband capacity, enhancing 
cybersecurity, protecting privacy, and examining the role of 
intermediaries;
     Promoting the development of new digital technologies, and
     Analyzing the impact of the Internet on job growth and the 
economy as a whole.
    The Department will use the advice provided by the Board to inform 
its decision-making process and advance Administration goals.

III. Board Structure and Composition

    The Board will be comprised of no fewer than five (5) and no more 
than 30 members, including the Chair(s). The Secretary will appoint 
members of the Board for two-year terms. Members will serve at the 
Secretary's pleasure and discretion and may be reappointed for 
additional terms. The Assistant Secretary, with input from the 
Secretary, will appoint one or more members to serve as Chair or Co-
Chairs. The Chair(s) will serve at the pleasure and discretion of the 
Assistant Secretary. The Board will meet approximately quarterly, or as 
determined by the DFO.
    The Board will consist of leaders in industry and civil society who 
are prominent experts in their fields and recognized for their 
professional achievements. The Secretary will appoint objective members 
and ensure balanced representation. Membership is voluntary and, thus, 
members will not receive compensation for their time or reimbursement 
for travel or per diem expenses.
    Members of the Board will be appointed as Special Government 
Employees (SGEs). See http://www.oge.gov/Topics/Selected-

[[Page 74087]]

Employee-Categories/Special-Government-Employees. As SGEs, members must 
comply with certain federal conflict of interest statutes and ethics 
regulations, including some financial disclosure requirements. To 
permit evaluation of possible sources of conflicts of interest, 
selected candidates will be asked to provide detailed information 
concerning financial interests, consultancies, research grants, and/or 
contracts that might be affected by recommendations of the Board.
    Appointments will be made without regard to political affiliation. 
Each nominee will need to certify that he or she is not currently a 
registered federal lobbyist pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). See Revised Guidance on 
Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, and 
Commissions, Office of Management and Budget, 79 FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 
2014). Each nominee will also be required to certify that he or she is 
not currently an agent of a foreign principal required to register 
pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended 
(codified at 22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.).
    If a term expires or a vacancy occurs during the life of the Board, 
the Assistant Secretary may recommend any of the following:
     Reappointment of an incumbent;
     Solicitation for new applications published in the Federal 
Register in accordance with regular procedures; or
     Selection of a replacement from a list of candidates whose 
applications were received within the previous year.

IV. Nominations

    Individuals may nominate themselves or other individuals. 
Professional associations and other organizations may nominate one or 
more qualified persons for membership on the Board. Nominations shall 
state that the nominee has been consulted and is willing to serve as a 
Special Government Employee. All nominations must provide the following 
information:
     A letter of nomination stating the full name, affiliation, 
and contact information for the nominee, the basis for the nomination, 
and the nominee's field(s) of expertise;
     a biographical sketch of the nominee and/or a copy of his 
or her curriculum vitae; and
     if applicable, the name, return address, email address, 
and daytime phone number at which the nominator can be contacted.
    Nominations should be submitted electronically using the online 
nomination form located at www.ntia.doc.gov/digital-economy.
    The Assistant Secretary will review the nominations and make 
recommendations to the Secretary for appointments. Among other factors, 
the Secretary and Assistant Secretary will consider nominees' 
experience and knowledge of digital economy issues in addition to:
     Educational background (e.g., advance degree in 
engineering, economics, law, business, or public policy);
     Professional experience and accomplishments (e.g., nature 
of work, job function, projects, or publications); and
     Current employment and membership in associations (e.g., 
technology developers, manufacturers, academia, civil society, service 
providers with customers in domestic and international markets).
    All appointments will be made without discrimination on the basis 
of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or cultural, 
religious, or socioeconomic status.

    Dated: November 23, 2015.
Lawrence E. Strickling,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
[FR Doc. 2015-30226 Filed 11-25-15; 8:45 am]
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