By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), and in order to establish
an advisory committee on science and technology, it is hereby ordered
as follows:
Section 1. Establishment. There is established the President's
Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). The PCAST shall
be composed of not more than 25 members, one of whom shall be a Federal
Government official designated by the President (the ``Official''),
and 24 of whom shall be nonfederal members appointed by the President
and have diverse perspectives and expertise in science, technology,
and the impact of science and technology on the Nation. The Official
shall co-chair PCAST with a nonfederal member designated by the President.
Sec. 2. Functions.
(a) The PCAST shall advise the President, through the Official, on
matters involving science and technology policy.
(b) In performance of its advisory duties, the PCAST shall assist
the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) in securing private
sector involvement in its activities.
Sec. 3. Administration.
(a) The heads of the executive departments and agencies shall, to
the extent permitted by law, provide the PCAST with information concerning
scientific and technological matters when requested by the PCAST co-chairs.
(b) In consultation with the Official, the PCAST is authorized to
convene ad hoc working groups to provide preliminary nonbinding information
and advice directly to the PCAST.
(c) Members shall serve without compensation for their work on the
PCAST. However, members may be allowed travel expenses, including
per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons
serving intermittently in the government service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707).
(d) Any expenses of the PCAST shall be paid from the funds available
for the expenses of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
(e) The Office of Science and Technology Policy shall provide such
administrative services as the PCAST may require, with the approval
of the Official.
Sec. 4. General.
(a) Notwithstanding any other Executive Order, the functions of the
President with respect to the PCAST under the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, as amended, except that of reporting to the Congress, shall be
performed by the Office of Science and Technology Policy in accordance
with the guidelines and procedures established by the Administrator
of General Services.
(b) The PCAST shall terminate 2 years from the date of this order
unless extended by the President prior to that date.
(c) Executive Order 12882 of November 23, 1993; Executive Order
12907 of April 14, 1994; and section 1(h) of Executive Order 13138
of September 30, 1999, are hereby revoked.
/s/George W. Bush
THE WHITE HOUSE,
September 30, 2001.