[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24426-24427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07383]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Bureau of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee

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

ACTION: Renewal of the Bureau of the Census Scientific Advisory 
Committee.

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SUMMARY: The Census Bureau is publishing this notice to announce the 
renewal of the Bureau of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC 
or Committee). 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 communications, decennial, 
demographic, economic, field operations, geography, information 
technology, and statistics. Additional information concerning the 
Committee can be found by visiting the Committee's website at: https://www.census.gov/about/cac/sac.html.

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 with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the 
Secretary of the Department of Commerce (Secretary) renews the CSAC. 
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 
CSAC will operate under the provisions of FACA and will report to the 
Director of the Census Bureau. The Bureau of the Census Scientific 
Advisory Committee will advise the Director of the Census Bureau on the 
full range of Census Bureau programs and activities.

Objectives and Duties

    1. The Committee will provide advice and recommendations addressing 
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.
    2. The Committee will provide advice and recommendations on 
internal and

[[Page 24427]]

external working papers, reports, and other documents related to the 
design and implementation of census programs and surveys.
    3. The Committee will provide scientific and technical expertise 
from the following disciplines: demographics, economics, geography, 
psychology, statistics, survey methodology, social and behavioral 
sciences, information technology, computer science and engineering, 
marketing and other fields of expertise, as appropriate, to address 
Census Bureau program needs and objectives.
    4. The Committee functions solely as an advisory body under the 
FACA.

Membership

    1. The Committee consists of up to 21 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 scientific expertise, geography, 
community involvement, and knowledge of census programs and/or 
activities.
    3. The Committee aims to have a balanced representation among its 
members, considering such factors as geography, scientific expertise, 
community involvement, and knowledge of census programs and/or 
activities, and, where possible the Census Bureau will also consider 
the ethnic, racial, and gender diversity and various abilities of the 
United States population. Individuals will be selected based on their 
expertise in specific areas as needed by the Census Bureau.
    4. Members will serve as Special Government Employees (SGEs) as 
defined in title 18 of the U.S. Code, section 202. SGEs are appointed 
for their individual expertise and experience and are subject to 
conflict of interest laws and regulations, including (but not limited 
to) the obligation to annually file a New Entrant Confidential 
Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) and complete ethics 
training. 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 full-time or permanent 
part-time officer or employee of the Federal Government can serve as a 
member of the Committee.
    7. Members will serve an initial three-year term. All members will 
be evaluated at the conclusion of their initial 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 may 
receive reimbursement for Committee-related travel and lodging 
expenses.
    2. The Census Bureau will convene approximately two CSAC 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.
    Robert L. Santos, Director, Census Bureau, approved the publication 
of this notice in the Federal Register.

    Dated: April 2, 2024.
Shannon Wink,
Program Analyst, Policy Coordination Office, U.S. Census Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2024-07383 Filed 4-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P