U.S. Code > Title 16 Conservation > CHAPTER 58—ERODIBLE LAND AND WETLAND CONSERVATION AND RESERVE PROGRAM (§§ 3801—3862) > SUBCHAPTER VI—STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES (§§ 3861—3862) > § 3862. Responsibilities

§ 3862. Responsibilities

(a) In general
Each State technical committee established under section 3861 of this title shall meet regularly to provide information, analysis, and recommendations to appropriate officials of the Department of Agriculture who are charged with implementing the conservation provisions of this chapter.
(b) Public notice and attendance
Each State technical committee shall provide public notice of, and permit public attendance at, meetings considering issues of concern related to carrying out this chapter.
(c) Role
(1) In general
The role of State technical committees is advisory in nature, and such committees shall have no implementation or enforcement authority. However, the Secretary shall give strong consideration to the recommendations of such committees in administering the programs under this chapter.
(2) Advisory role in establishing program priorities and criteria
Each State technical committee shall advise the Secretary in establishing priorities and criteria for the programs in this chapter, including the review of whether local working groups are addressing those priorities.
(d) FACA requirements
(1) Exemption
Each State technical committee shall be exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
(2) Local working groups
For purposes of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), any local working group established under this subchapter shall be considered to be a subcommittee of the applicable State technical committee.