[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 193 (Friday, October 4, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53217-53218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21669]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


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

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 two-year charter term and accepting applications 
from qualified individuals interested in serving as a member of the 
Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC). The TEPAC is a 
trade advisory committee that provides general policy advice to the 
U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy matters that have a 
significant impact on the environment.

DATES: USTR will accept nominations on a rolling basis for membership 
on the TEPAC for the two-year charter term beginning on September 30, 
2019, and expiring on September 29, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Molly Foley, Director for 
Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, 
[email protected], or (202) 395-2870, or Amanda Mayhew, 
[email protected], Office for Environment and Natural 
Resources, or (202) 395-9629.

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 U.S. Trade Representative in Executive Order 
11846, section 4(d), issued on March 27, 1975. Pursuant to this 
authority, the U.S. Trade Representative established a new two-year 
charter term for the TEPAC, which began on September 30, 2019, and ends 
on September 29, 2021.
    The TEPAC is a trade advisory committee established to provide 
general policy advice to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy 
matters that have a significant impact on the environment. More 
specifically, the TEPAC provides general policy advice with respect to 
the effect on the environment of implementation of trade agreements; 
negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before entering into 
trade agreements; the operation of any trade agreement once entered 
into, and other matters arising in connection with the development, 
implementation, and administration of the trade policy of the United 
States.
    The TEPAC meets as needed, at the call either of the U.S. Trade 
Representative or his/her designee, or two-thirds of the TEPAC members, 
depending on various factors such as the level of activity of trade 
negotiations and the needs of the U.S. Trade Representative.

II. Membership

    The TEPAC is composed of not more than 35 members, including, but 
not limited to, representatives from environmental interest groups, 
industry (including the environmental technology and environmental 
services industries), agriculture, academia, consumer groups, services, 
non-governmental organizations, and others with expertise in trade and 
environment matters. The U.S. Trade Representative appoints all TEPAC 
members for a term of two-years or until the TEPAC charter expires, and 
they serve at his/her discretion. Individuals can be reappointed for 
any number of terms. The U.S. Trade Representative makes appointments 
without regard to political affiliation and with an interest in 
ensuring balance in terms of sectors, demographics, and other factors 
relevant to USTR's needs. USTR intends for the TEPAC to be broadly 
representative of key sectors and groups of the economy with an 
interest in trade and environmental policy issues.
    TEPAC members serve without either compensation or reimbursement of 
expenses. Members are responsible for all expenses they incur to attend 
meetings or otherwise participate in TEPAC activities.
    The U.S. Trade Representative appoints TEPAC members to represent 
their sponsoring U.S. entity's interests on trade and the environment, 
and thus USTR's foremost consideration for applicants is their ability 
to carry out the goals of section 135(c) of the Trade Act of 1974, as 
amended. Other criteria

[[Page 53218]]

include the applicant's knowledge of and expertise in international 
trade issues as relevant to the work of the TEPAC and USTR. USTR 
anticipates that almost all TEPAC members will serve in a 
representative capacity with a limited number serving in an individual 
capacity as subject matter experts. These members, known as special 
government employees, 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 TEPAC. 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. If serving in an individual capacity, the applicant cannot be a 
federally registered lobbyist.
    4. The applicant cannot be registered with the U.S. Department of 
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
    5. The applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a security 
clearance.
    6. For representative members, who will comprise the overwhelming 
majority of the TEPAC, the applicant must represent a U.S. organization 
whose members (or funders) have a demonstrated interest in issues 
relevant to trade and the environment or have personal experience or 
expertise in trade and the environment.
    7. For eligibility purposes, a ``U.S. organization'' is an 
organization 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), 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.
    8. For members who will serve in an individual capacity, the 
applicant must possess subject matter expertise regarding international 
trade and environmental issues.
    In order to be considered for TEPAC membership, interested persons 
should submit the following to Molly Foley, [email protected]:
     Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the 
individual requesting consideration.
     If applicable, a sponsor letter on the organization's 
letterhead containing a brief description of the manner in which 
international trade affects the organization and why USTR should 
consider the applicant for membership.
     The applicant's personal resume.
     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 
U.S. entity's or U.S. organization's and its subsector's interests on 
trade and environmental matters; knowledge of and experience in trade 
and environmental matters relevant to the work of the TEPAC and USTR; 
and ensuring that the TEPAC is balanced in terms of points of view, 
demographics, geography, and entity or organization size.

Sam Scales,
Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental 
Affairs and Public Engagement, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative.
[FR Doc. 2019-21669 Filed 10-3-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3290-F0-P