ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS BUSINESS AFFAIRS.

SEC. 203. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS BUSINESS AFFAIRS. (a) In General.— There is established an advisory committee to be known as the “Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs” (in this section referred to as the “Committee”), which shall serve as an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to— (1) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (in this section referred to as the “Administrator”); (2) the Associate Administrator for Veterans Business Development of the Small Business Administration; (3) the Congress; 113 STAT. 240 (4) the President; and (5) other United States policymakers. (b) Membership.— (1) In general.— The Committee shall be composed of 15 members, of whom— (A) eight shall be veterans who are owners of small business concerns (within the meaning of the term under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)); and (B) seven shall be representatives of veterans organizations. (2) Appointment.— (A) In general.— The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Administrator in accordance with this section. (B) Initial appointments.— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall appoint the initial members of the Committee. (3) Political affiliation.— Not more than eight members of the Committee shall be of the same political party as the President. (4) Prohibition on federal employment.— (A) In general.— Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no member of the Committee may serve as an officer or employee of the United States. (B) Exception.— A member of the Committee who accepts a position as an officer or employee of the United States after the date of the member’s appointment to the Committee may continue to serve on the Committee for not more than 30 days after such acceptance. (5) Term of service.— (A) In general.— Subject to subparagraph (B), the term of service of each member of the Committee shall be 3 years. (B) Terms of initial appointees.— As designated by the Administrator at the time of appointment, of the members first appointed— (i) six shall be appointed for a term of 4 years; and (ii) five shall be appointed for a term of 5 years. (6) Vacancies.— The Administrator shall fill any vacancies on the membership of the Committee not later than 30 days after the date on which such vacancy occurs. (7) Chairperson.— (A) In general.— The members of the Committee shall elect one of the members to be Chairperson of the Committee. (B) Vacancies in office of chairperson.— Any vacancy in the office of the Chairperson of the Committee shall be filled by the Committee at the first meeting of the Committee following the date on which the vacancy occurs. (c) Duties.— The duties of the Committee shall be the following: (1) Review, coordinate, and monitor plans and programs developed in the public and private sectors, that affect the ability of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans to obtain capital and credit and to access markets. 113 STAT. 241 (2) Promote the collection of business information and survey data as they relate to veterans and small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans. (3) Monitor and promote plans, programs, and operations of the departments and agencies or the United States that may contribute to the formation and growth of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans. (4) Develop and promote initiatives, policies, programs, and plans designed to foster small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans. (5) In cooperation with the National Veterans Business Development Corporation, develop a comprehensive plan, to be updated annually, for joint public-private sector efforts to facilitate growth and development of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans. (d) Powers.— (1) Hearings.— Subject to subsection (e), the Committee may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Committee considers advisable to carry out its duties. (2) Information from federal agencies.— Upon request of the Chairperson of the Committee, the head of any department or agency of the United States shall furnish such information to the Committee as the Committee considers to be necessary to carry out its duties. (3) Use of Mails.— The Committee may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States. (4) Gifts.— The Committee may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property. (e) Meetings.— (1) In general.— The Committee shall meet, not less than three times per year, at the call of the Chairperson or at the request of the Administrator. (2) Location.— Each meeting of the full Committee shall be held at the headquarters of the Small Business Administration located in Washington, District of Columbia. The Administrator shall provide suitable meeting facilities and such administrative support as may be necessary for each full meeting of the Committee. (3) Task groups.— The Committee may, from time-to-time, establish temporary task groups as may be necessary in order to carry out its duties. (f) Compensation and Expenses.— (1) No compensation.— Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation for their service to the Committee. (2) Expenses.— The members of the Committee shall be reimbursed for travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United States Code. (g) Report.— Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this section, the Committee shall transmit to the Congress and the President a report describing the activities of the Committee and any recommendations developed by the Committee for the promotion of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans. (h) Termination.— The Committee shall terminate its business on September 30, 2004.