46 U.S.C. § 50402 — Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee

(a) Establishment. This section creates the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee. The law calls it "the Committee." (b) Function. The Committee advises the Secretary of Transportation. It advises on the U.S. maritime transportation system. That includes how well the system connects with the rest of the transportation system. It also covers whether the U.S. Merchant Marine can survive and thrive. (c) Membership. (1) In general. The Committee has 27 members. The Secretary of Transportation appoints them, following this section and section 15109. (2) Expertise. Each member must have real expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters related to the Committee's work. (3) Representation. The Secretary must appoint members this way: (A) At least one member represents the Environmental Protection Agency. (B) At least one member represents the Department of Commerce. (C) At least one member represents the Corps of Engineers. (D) At least one member represents the Coast Guard. (E) At least one member represents Customs and Border Protection. (F) At least one member represents state and local governments. (G) The rest of the members represent private-sector groups. Together they must cover a cross-section of maritime industries — port and water stakeholders, academia, and labor. (H) The Secretary may also appoint extra members from other federal agencies, if the Secretary thinks that's a good idea. (4) Restrictions on members representing federal agencies. Members who represent federal agencies face two limits: (A) They can't be more than one-third of the whole Committee, or of any subcommittee. (B) They can't chair or co-chair the Committee or any subcommittee. (5) Administration. For the purposes of section 15109: (A) The Committee counts as a committee set up under chapter 151. (B) The Secretary of Transportation — not the Secretary of Homeland Security — has all the duties, responsibilities, and powers over this Committee that section 15109 would normally give the Secretary of Homeland Security.