Advanced vehicle technologies advisory committee

(a) Establishment (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish the Advanced Vehicle Technologies Advisory Committee (referred to in this section as the advisory committee) to advise the Secretary on vehicle technology and mobility system research advancements. (2) Membership The advisory committee shall be composed of not fewer than 15 members who are qualified to provide advice on the research, development, and demonstration activities under this Act (in this section referred to as the DOE Vehicle Program), including representatives from research and academic institutions, environmental organizations, industry, and nongovernmental entities, including relevant labor organizations and associations representing automobile manufacturers. (b) Assessment The advisory committee shall assess— (1) the current state of United States competitiveness in advancing vehicle technologies and mobility systems, including— (A) the scope and scale of United States investments in sustainable and advanced transportation research, development, and demonstration; and (B) the scope and scale of research, development, and demonstration activities to lower vehicle and fuel lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions; (2) progress made in implementing the DOE Vehicle Program, including progress toward meeting the technical milestones as determined by the Secretary pursuant to section 7; (3) the balance of research and development activities and funding across the DOE Vehicle Program; (4) the management, coordination, implementation, and activities of the DOE Vehicle Program; (5) whether environmental, safety, security, and other appropriate issues are adequately addressed by the DOE Vehicle Program; and (6) other relevant topics, as determined by the Secretary. (c) Reports Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once every 3 years thereafter, the advisory committee shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on— (1) the findings of the assessments of the advisory committee under subsection (b); and (2) the recommendations of the advisory committee for ways to improve or revise the DOE Vehicle Program. (d) Application of Federal Advisory Committee Act Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Advisory Committee Act) (except for section 1013 of that title), shall apply to the advisory committee.