[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21869-21870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07820]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other 
Populations; Charter Renewal

AGENCY: Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Renewal of the Census Bureau National Advisory Committee 
charter.

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SUMMARY: The Census Bureau is publishing this notice to announce the 
renewal of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other 
Populations (Committee or NAC). The purpose of the Committee is to 
provide advice to the Director of the Census Bureau on the full range 
of Census Bureau programs and activities, including the decennial 
census, demographic and economic statistical programs, field 
operations, and information technology. Additional information 
concerning the Committee can be found by visiting the Committee's 
website at: http://www.census.gov/cac.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shana J. Banks, Advisory Committee 
Branch Chief, Office of Program, Performance and Stakeholder 
Integration (PPSI), [email protected], Department of Commerce, 
Census Bureau, telephone 301-763-3815. For TTY callers, please use the 
Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In accordance to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the 
Secretary of the Department of Commerce (Secretary) intends to renew 
the NAC. The Secretary has determined that the work of the Committee is 
in the public interest and relevant to the duties of the Census Bureau. 
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 Census Bureau's NAC will advise the Director of the 
Census Bureau on the full range of Census Bureau programs and 
activities.

Objectives and Duties

    1. The Committee advises the Director of the Census Bureau (the 
Director) on the full range of 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 Committee advises the Census Bureau 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 Committee 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 Committee 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 Committee 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 Committee 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 Committee 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 Committee will function solely as an advisory body and shall 
fully comply with the provisions of FACA.

Membership

    1. The Committee consists of up to 32 members who serve at the 
discretion of the Director.
    2. The Committee 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 Committee aims to include members from diverse backgrounds, 
including state, local and tribal governments; academia; research, 
national and community-based organizations; and labor unions and the 
private sector.
    4. Members will serve as Special Government Employees (SGEs). SGEs 
will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to SGEs. Members will be 
individually advised of the capacity in which they will serve through 
their appointment letters.
    5. SGEs will be selected from academia, public and private 
enterprise, and nonprofit organizations, which are further diversified 
by business type or industry, geography, and other factors.
    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 Committee.
    7. Members will serve for a three-year term. All members will be 
reevaluated at the conclusion of their initial term term with the 
prospect of renewal, pending Committee 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 Committee serve without compensation, but receive 
reimbursement for Committee-related travel and lodging expenses.

[[Page 21870]]

    2. The Census Bureau will convene two NAC meetings per year, budget 
and environmental conditions permitting, but additional meetings may be 
held as deemed necessary by the Census Bureau Director or Designated 
Federal Officer. Committee meetings are open to the public in 
accordance with FACA.
    3. Members must be able to actively participate in the tasks of the 
Committee, including, but not limited to, regular meeting attendance, 
Committee 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 Committee membership.

Robert L. Santos,
Director, Census Bureau, approved the publication of this Notice in the 
Federal Register.
    Dated: April 7, 2022.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2022-07820 Filed 4-12-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P