[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 35 (Thursday, February 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 11438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03494]


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BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION


Establishment of Academic Research Council

AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (``Bureau''), after 
consultation with the Committee Management Secretariat of the General 
Services Administration, will establish the Academic Research Council 
(``the Council'') no less than 15 days from the effective date of this 
notice. The Advisory Council was established to provide the Bureau's 
Office of Research advice and feedback on research methodologies, 
framing research questions, data collection, and analytic strategies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Delicia Hand, Staff Director, Advisory 
Board and Councils Office, External Affairs, Consumer Financial 
Protection Bureau, 1275 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20002; 
Telephone: (202) 435-9348; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (``FACA'') (5 U.S.C. App.), the Consumer 
Financial Protection Bureau (``Bureau'') hereby gives notice of re-
establishment of the Academic Research Council. In December of 2015, 
language included in the 2016 Omnibus spending bill amended the 
Consumer Financial Protection Act to clarify the applicability of the 
FACA to the Bureau. The Advisory Council is a continuing committee 
being re-established for the purposes of compliance with FACA and 
applicable statutes as it now applies to the Bureau.
    This committee is being established no less than 15 days after the 
publication of this notice by filing a charter with the Director of the 
Bureau and with the Committee Management Secretariat of the General 
Services Administration, and furnishing the charter to the Library of 
Congress and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of 
the United States Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the 
United States House of Representatives. The charter will also be posted 
on the Bureau's Web site at www.consumerfinance.gov. This charter will 
expire two years after the filing date unless renewed by appropriate 
action.
    The Council will provide the Bureau's Office of Research advice and 
feedback on research methodologies, framing research questions, data 
collection, and analytic strategies. Additionally, the Council will 
provide both backward- and forward-looking feedback on the Office of 
Research's research work and will offer input into its research 
strategic planning process and research agenda.
    The duties of the Council are solely advisory and shall extend only 
to the submission of advice and recommendations to the Bureau. No 
determination of fact or policy will be made by the Council, and the 
Council will have no formal decision-making role.
    In appointing members to the Council, the Director shall seek to 
assemble academic experts in fields such as economics, statistics, 
psychology or behavioral science. In particular, academics with strong 
methodological and technical expertise in structural or reduced form 
econometrics, modeling of consumer decision-making, behavioral 
economics, experimental economics, program evaluation, psychology, or 
financial choice will be considered. The Council will be composed of 
approximately nine members. Council members will be designated as 
Special Government Employees (SGEs) and will serve four-year terms. 
Equal opportunity practices in accordance with the Consumer Financial 
Protection Bureau (CFPB) policies shall be followed in all appointments 
to the Council.

    Dated: January 20, 2017.
Leandra English,
Chief of Staff, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2017-03494 Filed 2-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P