[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 41 (Thursday, March 1, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8918-8919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04169]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the 
Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is 
establishing a new four-year charter term and accepting applications 
from qualified individuals interested in serving as a member of the 
Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade (IGPAC). The IGPAC 
is a trade advisory committee that provides general policy advice and 
guidance to the United States Trade Representative on issues involving 
trade and development that have a significant relationship to the 
affairs of U.S. state and local governments.

DATES: USTR will accept nominations on a rolling basis for membership 
on the IGPAC for the four-year charter term beginning in April 2018. To 
ensure consideration before the new charter term, you should submit you 
application by March 28, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cameron Seward, Director for 
Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, 
[email protected] or 202-395-2210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 135(c)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 
2155(c)(1)), authorizes the President to establish individual general 
trade policy advisory committees for industry, labor, agriculture, 
services, investment, defense, small business, and other interests, as 
appropriate, to provide general policy advice. The President delegated 
that authority to the United States Trade Representative in Executive 
Order 11846, section 4(d), issued on March 27, 1975. Advisory 
committees established by the Trade Representative are subject to the 
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. See 19 U.S.C. 
2155(f); 5 U.S.C. App. II.
    Pursuant to these authorities, the United States Trade 
Representative intends to establish a new four-year charter term for 
the IGPAC, which will begin on April 4, 2018 and end on April 3, 2022.
    The IGPAC is a discretionary trade advisory committee established 
to provide general policy advice to the United States Trade 
Representative on issues involving trade and development that have a 
significant relationship to the affairs of U.S. state and local 
governments. More specifically, the IGPAC provides general policy 
advice on issues that may affect U.S. state and local governments 
including: (1) Negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before 
entering into trade agreements; (2) the impact of the implementation of 
trade agreements; (3) matters concerning the operation of any trade 
agreement once entered into; and (4) other matters arising in 
connection with the development, implementation, and administration of 
the trade policy of the United States.
    The IGPAC meets as needed, at the call of the United States Trade 
Representative or his/her designee, or two-thirds of the IGPAC members, 
depending on various factors such as the level of activity of trade 
negotiations and the needs of the United States Trade Representative.

II. Membership

    The IGPAC is composed of not more than 35 members who have 
expertise in general trade, investment and development issues and are 
appointed from U.S. states and localities, and other non-Federal 
governmental entities. Members represent the executive and legislative 
branches of state, county, and municipal governments and may hold 
elective or appointive office.
    The United States Trade Representative appoints all IGPAC members 
for a term of four-years or until the IGPAC charter expires, and they 
serve at his/her discretion. Individuals can be reappointed for any 
number of terms. The United States Trade Representative makes 
appointments without regard to political affiliation and with an 
interest in fostering geographical diversity.
    IGPAC members serve without either compensation or reimbursement of 
expenses. Members are responsible for all expenses they incur to attend 
meetings or otherwise participate in IGPAC activities.
    The United States Trade Representative appoints IGPAC members to 
represent the executive and legislative branches of state, county, and 
municipal governments. USTR anticipates that virtually all members will 
serve in a representative capacity

[[Page 8919]]

with a very limited number serving in an individual capacity as subject 
matter experts. These members, known as special government employees or 
SGEs, are subject to conflict of interest rules and will have to 
complete a financial disclosure report.

III. Request for Nominations

    USTR is soliciting nominations for membership on the IGPAC. To 
apply for membership, an applicant must meet the following eligibility 
criteria:
    1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
    2. The applicant cannot be a full-time employee of a U.S. 
governmental entity.
    3. The applicant cannot be registered with the U.S. Department of 
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
    4. The applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a security 
clearance.
    5. For representative members, who will comprise the overwhelming 
majority of the IGPAC, the applicant must represent the executive and 
legislative branches of state, county, and municipal governments.
    6. For members who will serve in an individual capacity, the 
applicant must possess subject matter expertise on issues involving 
trade and development that have a significant relationship to the 
affairs of U.S. state and local governments. If serving in an 
individual capacity, the applicant cannot be a federally registered 
lobbyist.
    In order to be considered for IGPAC membership, interested persons 
should submit the following to Cameron Seward at 
[email protected]:
     Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the 
individual requesting consideration.
     If applicable, a letter on the organization's letterhead 
from the sponsoring executive or legislative branch of a state, county, 
or municipal government, containing a brief description of the manner 
in which international trade affects the state, county, or municipality 
and why USTR should consider the applicant for membership.
     The applicant's personal resume or comprehensive 
biography.
     An affirmative statement that the applicant and the 
organization he or she represents meet all eligibility requirements.
    USTR will consider applicants who meet the eligibility criteria 
based on the following factors: Ability to represent the sponsoring 
executive or legislative branch of a state, county, or municipal 
government; knowledge of and experience in trade matters relevant to 
the work of the IGPAC and USTR; and fostering balanced in terms of 
points of view and geography.

Gregory Walters,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and 
Public Engagement, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2018-04169 Filed 2-28-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290-F8-P