§ 247d-7f. National Biodefense Science Board and working groups
(a)
In general
(1)
Establishment and function
The Secretary shall establish the National Biodefense Science Board (referred to in this section as the “Board”) to provide expert advice and guidance to the Secretary on scientific, technical and other matters of special interest to the Department of Health and Human Services regarding current and future chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate.
(2)
Membership
The membership of the Board shall be comprised of individuals who represent the Nation’s preeminent scientific, public health, and medical experts, as follows—
(3)
Term of appointment
A member of the Board described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (2) shall serve for a term of 3 years, except that the Secretary may adjust the terms of the initial Board appointees in order to provide for a staggered term of appointment for all members.
(4)
Consecutive appointments; maximum terms
A member may be appointed to serve not more than 3 terms on the Board and may serve not more than 2 consecutive terms.
(5)
Duties
The Board shall—
(A)
advise the Secretary on current and future trends, challenges, and opportunities presented by advances in biological and life sciences, biotechnology, and genetic engineering with respect to threats posed by naturally occurring infectious diseases and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents;
(6)
Meetings
(7)
Vacancies
Any vacancy in the Board shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(9)
Powers
(10)
Personnel
(A)
Employees of the Federal Government
A member of the Board that is an employee of the Federal Government may not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of the member’s service on the Board.
(B)
Other members
A member of the Board that is not an employee of the Federal Government may be compensated at a rate not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section
5315 of title
5 for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the actual performance of duties as a member of the Board.
(b)
Other working groups
The Secretary may establish a working group of experts, or may use an existing working group or advisory committee, to—
(1)
identify innovative research with the potential to be developed as a qualified countermeasure or a qualified pandemic or epidemic product;
(2)
identify accepted animal models for particular diseases and conditions associated with any biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent, any toxin, or any potential pandemic infectious disease, and identify strategies to accelerate animal model and research tool development and validation; and
(3)
obtain advice regarding supporting and facilitating advanced research and development related to qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products that are likely to be safe and effective with respect to children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable populations, and other issues regarding activities under this section that affect such populations.
(d)
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out this section for fiscal year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter.