[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 73 (Monday, April 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26123-26125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07883]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Census Bureau National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and 
Other Populations

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

[[Page 26124]]


ACTION: Renewal of the Census Bureau National Advisory Committee on 
Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations.

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SUMMARY: The Census Bureau is publishing this notice to announce the 
renewal of the Census Bureau National Advisory Committee on Racial, 
Ethnic, and Other Populations (NAC or Committee). The purpose of the 
Committee is to provide advice to the Director of the Census Bureau 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. 
This includes the identification of new strategies for improved census 
operations and survey and data collection methods, including cost 
efficient ways to increase census participation. Additional information 
concerning the Committee can be found by visiting the Committee's 
website at: https://www.census.gov/about/cac/nac.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 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 
Director of the Census Bureau. The Census Bureau National Advisory 
Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations 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 to the 
Director of the Census Bureau (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 will provide advice and recommendations on the 
identification of new strategies for improved census operations, and 
survey and data collection methods, including cost efficient ways to 
increase census participation.
    3. The Committee will advise on census policies, research and 
methodology, tests, operations, communications/messaging, and other 
activities to ascertain needs and best practices to improve Census 
Bureau programs and surveys.
    4. The Committee will provide formal recommendations on working 
papers, reports, and other documents related to the design and 
implementation of census programs and surveys.
    5. The Committee will provide expertise on the full spectrum of 
Census Bureau surveys and program and will examine such areas as hidden 
households, language barriers, students and youth, aging populations, 
American Indian and Alaska Native tribal consideration, new immigrant 
populations, populations affected by natural disasters, highly mobile 
and migrant populations, disabled populations, complex households, 
poverty, race/ethnicity distribution, privacy and confidentiality, 
rural populations and businesses, individuals and households with 
limited access to information and communication technologies, the 
dynamic nature of new businesses, minority ownership of businesses, as 
well as other concerns impacting Census Bureau survey design and 
implemtation.
    6. The Committee functions solely as an advisory body under the 
FACA.

Membership

    1. The Committee consists of up to 32 members who will be appointed 
by and serve at the discretion of the Director.
    2. The Committee aims to have a balanced representation among its 
members, considering such factors as geography, 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 
organizations; national and community-based organizations; and the 
private sector; 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. 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.). No employee of the 
federal government can serve as a member of the Committee.
    6. Members generally 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. An individual 
appointed to any of the other Census Bureau advisory committees may not 
be reappointed to or serve on the NAC until at least three years after 
their term on the other committee has concluded.
    7. 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 will, 
upon request, be allowed travel and per diem expenses as authorized by 
5 U.S.C. 5703.
    2. The Census Bureau will convene approximately two NAC meetings 
per year, budget and environmental conditions permitting. 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.

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    4. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in 
its advisory committee and seeks diverse Committee membership.
    Robert L. Santos, Director, Census Bureau, approved the publication 
of this notice in the Federal Register.

    Dated: April 10, 2024.
Shannon Wink,
Program Analyst, Policy Coordination Office, U.S. Census Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2024-07883 Filed 4-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P