Motor Vehicle Fire Rescue Working Group

(a) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish the Motor Vehicle Fire Rescue Working Group (in this section referred to as the Working Group) to provide independent advice and recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator on matters related to ensuring the safe and efficient extraction of occupants of motor vehicles post-crash. (b) Members The Working Group shall be composed of 15 members, appointed by the Administrator, as follows: (1) 4 representatives of manufacturers of passenger motor vehicles. (2) 2 representatives of national consumer motor vehicle safety organizations. (3) 4 representatives of organizations that represent first responders, including firefighters. (4) 2 representatives of institutions of higher education (as defined as section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)) with expertise in motor vehicle and motor vehicle battery safety. (5) 2 representatives of manufacturers of motor vehicle batteries. (6) 1 representative of manufacturers of fire rescue tools. (c) Terms (1) In general Each member appointed to the Working Group— (A) shall serve an initial term of 4 years (or until the Working Group terminates under subsection (h), if earlier); and (B) may be reappointed for 1 subsequent term of 4 years (or until the Working Group terminates under subsection (h), if earlier). (2) Exception Notwithstanding paragraph (1), with respect to the first 15 members appointed to the Working Group, 7 shall be chosen by the Administrator to serve an initial term of 2 years. (d) Rate of pay Each member of the Working Group shall serve without pay. (e) Travel expenses Each member of the Working Group shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. (f) Duties The duties of the Working Group shall be the following: (1) Review, assess, and evaluate factors to facilitate the safe and efficient post-crash access of first responders to motor vehicles, including the following: (A) Post-crash fire rescue tools. (B) Modifications to the design, construction, and performance of motor vehicles to improve access points for first responders. (C) Standardized motor vehicle fuel type labeling. (D) Fire suppression methods appropriate for motor vehicle batteries. (E) Any design or engineering of motor vehicle batteries that minimizes thermal runaway incidents. (F) Any other relevant factor reviewed, assessed, and evaluated by the Working Group. (2) Provide recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator about the factors reviewed, assessed, and evaluated under subsection (a). (g) Report Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall submit to the relevant congressional committees a report about the work the Working Group has done pursuant to subsection (f), including any recommendations provided pursuant to subsection (f)(2). (h) Termination The Working Group shall terminate on the date that is 60 days after the date on which the report is submitted pursuant to subsection (g). (i) FACA Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Federal Advisory Committee Act), shall not apply to the Working Group.