8.2—Policy.
(a)
Advisory Committees are to be used for obtaining advice and recommendations on matters for which they were established, and may be utilized only when the information sought is not otherwise efficiently and economically available.
(b)
Unless provided otherwise by statute or Presidential directive, advisory committees shall be utilized solely for advisory functions and any decision taken pursuant to the advice or recommendation of an advisory committee is the responsibility of the appropriate Department officer. For the purposes of this provision, “Presidential directive” includes an executive order or executive memorandum.
(c)
Meetings of advisory committees will be open to the public unless there is a compelling reason which requires nondisclosure of the subject matter in accordance with public law (5 U.S.C. 552 (b)).