[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 84 (Thursday, April 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23944-23945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09180]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other 
Populations

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of renewal of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, 
Ethnic and Other Populations.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Department of Commerce renewed and filed 
the charter for the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and 
Other Populations (NAC). The purpose of the NAC is to provide advice to 
the Director of the Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) on the full 
range of economic, housing, demographic, socioeconomic, linguistic, 
technological, methodological, geographic, behaviorial and operational 
variables affecting the cost, accuracy and implementation of Census 
Bureau programs and surveys, including the decennial census. The 
Secretary has determined that the work of the NAC is in the public 
interest and relevant to the duties of the Census Bureau. Additional 
information concerning the NAC can be found by visiting the NAC's 
website at: https://www.census.gov/about/cac/nac.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly L. Leonard, External 
Stakeholder Program Manager, Office of Program, Performance and 
Stakeholder Integration (PPSI), Room 2K137, U.S. Census Bureau, 4600 
Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233, by telephone at 301-763-7281 or 
by email at [email protected]. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. 
and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the 
Secretary of the Department of Commerce renewed and filed the charter 
for the NAC. The NAC will operate under the provisions of FACA and will 
report to the Secretary of the Department of Commerce through the 
Director of the Census Bureau. The NAC will advise the Director of 
Census Bureau on the full range of Census Bureau programs and 
activities.

Objectives and Duties

    1. The NAC addresses economic, housing, demographic, socioeconomic, 
linguistic, technological, methodological, geographic, behavioral, and 
operational variables affecting the cost, accuracy, and implementation 
of Census Bureau programs and surveys, including the decennial census.
    2. The NAC will provide feedback on the identification of new 
strategies for improved census operations, and survey and data 
collection methods, including identifying cost efficient ways to 
increase response rates.
    3. The NAC provides guidance on census policies, research and 
methodology, tests, operations, communications/messaging, and other 
activities to ascertain needs and best practices to improve censuses, 
surveys, operations, and programs.
    4. The NAC reviews and provides formal recommendations and feedback 
on working papers, reports, and other documents related to the design 
and implementation of Census Bureau programs and surveys.
    5. In providing insight, perspectives, and expertise on the full 
spectrum of Census Bureau surveys and programs, the NAC examines such 
areas as hidden households, language barriers, students and youth, 
aging populations, American Indian and Alaska Native tribal 
considerations, new immigrant populations, populations affected by 
natural disasters, highly mobile and migrant populations, complex 
households, poverty, race/ethnic distribution, privacy and 
confidentiality, rural populations and businesses, individuals and 
households with limited access to information and communications 
technologies, the dynamic nature of new businesses, minority ownership 
of businesses, as well as other concerns impacting Census Bureau survey 
design and implementation.
    6. The NAC uses formal advisory committee meetings, webinars, web 
conferences, working groups, and other methods to accomplish its goals, 
consistent with the requirements of the FACA. The NAC will consult with 
regional office staff to help identify regional, local, tribal and 
grass roots issues, trends and perspectives related to Census Bureau 
surveys and programs.
    7. The NAC functions solely as an advisory body under the FACA.

Membership

    1. The NAC consists of up to 32 members who serve at the discretion 
of the Director. The Census Bureau is seeking eight qualified 
candidates to be considered for appointment.
    2. The NAC aims to have a balanced representation among its 
members, considering such factors as geography, age, sex, race, 
ethnicity, technical expertise, community involvement, and knowledge of 
census programs and/or activities.
    3. The NAC aims to include members from diverse backgrounds, 
including state, local and tribal governments; academia; research, 
national and community-based organizations; and, the private sector.
    4. Members will be selected from the public and private sectors. 
Members may serve as Special Government Employees (SGEs) or 
representatives who are selected to represent specific organizations.
    5. SGEs and representatives will be selected based on their 
expertise in or representation of specific areas to include: Diverse 
populations (including race and ethnic populations); national, state, 
local, and tribal interest organizations serving hard-to-count 
populations; researchers; community-based organizations; academia; 
business interests; marketing and media professionals; researchers; 
and,

[[Page 23945]]

members of professional associations. Members will be individually 
advised of the capacity in which they will serve through their 
appointment letters.
    6. Membership is open to persons who are not seated on other Census 
Bureau stakeholder entities (i.e., State Data Centers, Census 
Information Centers, Federal State Cooperative on Populations Estimates 
Program, other Census Advisory Committees, etc.). People who have 
already served one full-term on a Census Bureau Advisory Committee may 
not serve on any other Census Bureau Advisory Committee for three years 
from the termination of previous service. No employee of the federal 
government can serve as a member of the NAC.
    7. Members will serve for a three-year term. All members will be 
reevaluated at the conclusion of each term with the prospect of 
renewal, pending NAC needs. Active attendance and participation in 
meetings and activities (e.g., conference calls and assignments) will 
be factors considered when determining term renewal or membership 
continuance. Members may be appointed for a second three-year term at 
the discretion of the Director.
    8. Members will be selected on a standardized basis, in accordance 
with applicable Department of Commerce guidance.

Miscellaneous

    1. Members of the NAC serve without compensation, but receive 
reimbursement for NAC-related travel and lodging expenses.
    2. The NAC meets once or twice a year, budget permitting, but 
additional meetings may be held as deemed necessary by the Director or 
Designated Federal Officer. NAC meetings are open to the public in 
accordance with the FACA.
    3. Members must be able to actively participate in the tasks of the 
NAC, including, but not limited to, regular meeting attendance, NAC 
meeting discussant responsibilities, review of materials, as well as 
participation in conference calls, webinars, working groups, and/or 
special committee activities.
    4. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in 
the workplace and seeks diverse NAC membership.
    Steven D. Dillingham, Director, Bureau of the Census has approved 
the publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2020-09180 Filed 4-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P