The executive branch

federal advisory committee

An outside group giving formal advice to an agency. The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires balance, public meetings, and public records.

In full

FACA exists so that private groups cannot advise the government in private. A covered committee must be chartered, balanced in point of view, and open, with minutes and materials available. Which bodies are covered is contested, because an agency that describes a group as informal avoids the whole regime.

Also written as: FACA

Where to go next

open meetings law government transparency interest group notice and comment

Written from USA.gov, Branches of the U.S. Government

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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.