PUBLIC LAW 102-241—DEC. 19, 1991 105 STAT. 2215 chairman in the absence or incapacity of, or in the event of a vacancy in the Office of the Chairman. (e) Terms of members appointed to the Committee shall be for two years. The Secretary shall, not less often than once a year, publish notice in the Federal Register for solicitation of nominations for membership on the Committee. (f) Members of the Committee who are not officers or employees of the United States shall serve without pay and members of the Committee who are officers or employees of the United States shall receive no additional pay on account of their service on the Committee. While away from their homes or regular places of business, members of the Committee may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code. (g) The term of members of the Committee shall begin on October 1, 1992. SEC. 19. LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER WATERWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a)(1) There is established a Lower Mississippi River Waterway Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee"). The Committee shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (hereinafter in this part referred to as the "Secretary") on a wide range of matters regarding all facets of navigational safety related to the Lower Mississippi River. The Secretary shall, whenever practicable, consult with the Committee before taking any significant action related to navigation safety in the Lower Mississippi River. Any advice or recommendation made by the Committee to the Secretary shall reflect the independent judgment of the Committee on the matter concerned. (2) The Committee is authorized to make available to Congress any information, advice, and recommendations which the Committee is authorized to give the Secretary. The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman, or upon request of the majority of Committee members, but in any event not less than once during each calendar year. All matters relating to or proceedings of the Committee shall comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 App. U.S.C). (b) The Committee shall consist of twenty-four members who have expertise, knowledge, and experience regarding the transportation, equipment, and techniques that are used to ship cargo and to navigate vessels on the Lower Mississippi River and its connecting navigable waterways including the Gulf of Mexico: (1) Five members representing River Port Authorities between Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the head of passes of the Lower Mississippi River, of which one member shall be from the Port of St. Bernard and one member from the Port of Plaquemines. (2) Two members representing vessel owners or ship owners domiciled in the State of Louisiana. (3) Two members representing organizations which operate harbor tugs or barge fleets in the geographical area covered by the Committee. (4) Two members representing companies which transport cargo or passengers on the navigable waterways in the geographical area covered by the Committee. Federal Roister, publication. Establishment. Safety.
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