Advisory Committee

(a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Commission shall jointly establish an advisory committee to enhance public engagement and provide advice to the Administrator and the Commission with respect to— (1) standards that should apply to the criteria for the terms recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable under sections 5(b), 6(b), and 7(b); (2) standards that should apply for qualified claims of recyclability and qualified claims of compostability; and (3) standardized labeling and guidelines for recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable covered materials. (b) Membership (1) Ex officio members The Administrator (or an appointee of the Administrator) and a representative appointed by the Commission shall serve as ex officio members of the Advisory Committee. (2) Composition In addition to the ex officio members of the Advisory Committee described in paragraph (1), the Advisory Committee shall be composed of the following members, who shall be selected by the ex officio members: (A) 8 representatives of relevant industries, including consumer brands, the recycled materials industry, the composting industry, the reuse industry, the refill industry, and packaging manufacturers, including 1 representative each from paper mills and aluminum smelters; (B) 5 representatives of material recovery facilities, including— (i) 3 representatives of material recovery facilities serving urban or suburban communities; and (ii) 2 representatives of material recovery facilities serving rural or disadvantaged communities; (C) 4 representatives of environmental or sustainability organizations; (D) 2 representatives from other relevant nonprofit organizations; (E) 2 representatives of other technical experts; (F) 3 representatives from State governments; and (G) 3 representatives from local governments. (c) Meetings After selection of the members of the Advisory Committee, the ex officio members shall convene the Advisory Committee— (1) regularly until the date on which the criteria standards and labeling standards described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a) are initially established; and (2) after the date described in paragraph (1), not less frequently than annually. (d) Public participation (1) In general Each meeting of the Advisory Committee shall be open to the public. (2) Public comment The Advisory Committee shall solicit public comment with respect to the establishment of the criteria standards and labeling standards described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a). (e) Exemption from Administrative Procedure Act Subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter 7, of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Administrative Procedure Act), shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.