33 U.S.C. § 857–14 — Membership

(a) Appointment and qualifications. The President appoints the members of the Committee. The members may not be full-time officers or employees of the United States. The section does not define the term "Committee." The President may appoint only people who are "eminently qualified" through knowledge and expertise in one or more of these areas: (1) marine science and technology, marine industry, marine-related State and local government functions, coastal zone management, or another field directly appropriate for considering ocean-policy matters; or (2) atmospheric science, atmospheric-related State and local government functions, or another field directly appropriate for considering atmospheric-policy matters. This section does not define "eminently qualified" or the listed fields. (b) Terms. (1) A Committee member’s term lasts 3 years. However, among the original appointees, 6 members must have terms ending on July 1, 1979; 6 must have terms ending on July 1, 1980; and 6 must have terms ending on July 1, 1981. (2) If a person is appointed to fill a vacancy before the predecessor’s term ends, the new appointment lasts only for the rest of that term. A person may not be reappointed to the Committee for more than one additional 3-year term. A member may continue serving after the member’s term ends until the successor takes office. For members first appointed after July 5, 1977, the terms begin on July 1, 1977. (c) Chairman. The President must designate one Committee member as Chairman and another as Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman acts as Chairman when the Chairman is absent or unable to serve, or when the Chairman’s office is vacant. (d) Duties. The Committee must—(1) continually review, on a selective basis, national ocean policy, coastal zone management, and the status of the United States’ marine and atmospheric science and service programs; and (2) advise the Secretary of Commerce about carrying out programs administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.