Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters

Executive Order 13038 of March 11, 1997

Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations
of Digital Television Broadcasters

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.) (the “Act”), and in order
to establish an advisory committee on the public
interest obligations of digital television
broadcasters, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Establishment. There is established the
“Advisory Committee on the Public Interest Obligations
of Digital Television Broadcasters” (“Committee”).
The Committee shall consist of not more than 15 members
appointed by the President. Members shall be chosen
from the private sector, including members of the
commercial and noncommercial broadcasting industry,
computer industries, producers, academic institutions,
public interest organizations, and the advertising
community. The President shall designate a Chair from
among the members of the Committee.

Sec. 2. Functions. On or before June 1, 1998, the
Committee shall report to the Vice President on the
public interest obligations digital television
broadcasters should assume. For the purpose of carrying
out its functions the Committee may, in consultation
with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Communications and Information, hold meetings at such
times and places as the Committee may find advisable.

Sec. 3. Administration. (a) To the extent permitted by
law, the heads of executive departments, agencies, and
independent instrumentalities shall provide the
Committee, upon request, with such information as it
may require for the purpose of carrying out its
functions.

    (b) Upon request of the Chair of the Committee, the
head of any executive department, agency, or
instrumentality shall, to the extent permitted by law
and subject to the discretion of such head, (1) make
any of the facilities and services of such department,
agency, or instrumentality available to the Committee;
and (2) detail any of the personnel of such department,
agency, or instrumentality to the Committee to assist
the Committee in carrying out its duties.
    (c) Members of the Committee shall serve without
compensation for their work on the Committee. While
engaged in the work of the Committee, members appointed
from the private sector may be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as
authorized by law and as the Chair, in consultation
with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Communications and Information, may allow as needed,
for persons serving intermittently in the Government
service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707), to the extent funds are
available for such purposes.
    (d) To the extent permitted by law and subject to
the availability of appropriations, the Department of
Commerce shall provide the Committee with
administrative services, staff, and other support
services necessary for performance of the Committee's
functions.

    (e) The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Communications and Information, or his designee, shall
perform the functions of the President under the Act,
except that of reporting to the Congress, in accordance
with the guidelines and procedures established by the
Administrator of General Services.

Sec. 4. General. The Committee shall terminate 30 days
after submitting its report, unless extended by the
President.

    (Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    March 11, 1997.