106 STAT. 2214 PUBLIC LAW 102-241 —DEC. 19, 1991 tions to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (hereinafter in this part referred to as the "Secretary") on matters relating to the transit of vessels and products to and from the Ports of Galveston, Houston, Texas City, and Galveston Bay. The Secretary shall, whenever practicable, consult with the Committee before taking any significant action related to navigation safety at these port facilities. 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 that the Committee is authorized to give to the Secretary. The Committee shall meet at the call of the Secretary, 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 (5App.U.S.C.). (b) The Committee shall consist of eighteen members, who have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience regarding the transportation, equipment, and techniques that are used to ship cargo and to navigate vessels in the inshore and the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico: (1) Two members who are employed by the Port of Houston Authority or have been selected by that entity to represent them. (2) Two members who are employed by the Port of Galveston or the Texas City Port Complex or have been selected by those entities to represent them. (3) Two members from organizations that represent shipowners, stevedores, shipyards, or shipping organizations domiciled in the State of Texas. (4) Two members representing organizations that operate tugs or barges that utilize the port facilities at Galveston, Houston, and Texas City Port Complex. (5) Two members representing shipping companies that transport cargo from the Ports of Galveston and Houston on liners, break bulk, or tramp steamer vessels. (6) Two members representing those who pilot or command vessels that utilize the Ports of Galveston and Houston. (7) Two at-large members who may represent a particular interest group but who utilize the port facilities at Galveston, Houston, and Texas City. (8) One member representing labor organizations which load and unload cargo at the Ports of Galveston and Houston. (9) One member representing licensed merchsmt mariners, other than pilots, who perform shipboard duties on vessels which utilize the port facilities of Galveston and Houston. (10) One member representing environmental interests. (11) One member representing the general public. Federal (c) The Secretary shall appoint the members of the Committee ^*^|?*®r.' after first soliciting nominations by notice published in the Federal publication. Register. The Secretary may request the head of any other Federal agency or department to designate a representative to advise the Committee on matters within the jurisdiction of that agency or department. (d) The Committee shall elect, by majority vote at its first meeting, one of the members of the Committee as the chairman and one of the members as the vice chairman. The vice chairman shall act as
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