---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 548"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "548"
heading: "Advisory Committee on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/548"
units:
  - "Part I — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 5 — Authority and Duties of the Secretary"
  - "Subchapter III — Advisory Committees"
---

# §548. Advisory Committee on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States

- (a) **Establishment.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall establish an advisory [committee](#l-2), to be known as the “Advisory [Committee](#l-2) on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated [States](/usc/38/101.md?p=20)”, to provide advice and guidance to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) on matters relating to [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2).
- (b) **Duties.—** The duties of the [Committee](#l-2) shall be the following:
  - (1) To advise the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) on matters relating to [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2), including how the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may improve the programs and services of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) to better serve such [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2).
  - (2) To identify for the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) evolving issues of relevance to [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2).
  - (3) To propose clarifications, recommendations, and solutions to address issues raised by [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2).
  - (4) To provide a forum for [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2), [veterans service organizations](/usc/38/6320.md?p=b-3-B) serving [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2), and the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) to discuss issues and proposals for changes to regulations, policies, and procedures of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).
  - (5) To identify priorities for and provide advice to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) on appropriate strategies for consultation with [veterans service organizations](/usc/38/6320.md?p=b-3-B) serving [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2).
  - (6) To encourage the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) to work with the heads of other Federal [departments](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and [agencies](/usc/38/4214.md?p=a-2-A), and Congress, to ensure [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2) are provided the full benefits of their status as [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2).
  - (7) To highlight contributions of [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2) in the [Armed Forces](/usc/38/101.md?p=10).
  - (8) To conduct other duties as determined appropriate by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).
- (c) **Membership.—**
  - (1) The [Committee](#l-2) shall be comprised of 15 voting members appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).
  - (2) In appointing members pursuant to [paragraph (1)](#c-1), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall ensure the following:
    - (A) At least one member is appointed to represent [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2) in each of the following areas:
      - (i) American Samoa.
      - (ii) Guam.
      - (iii) Puerto Rico.
      - (iv) The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
      - (v) The Virgin Islands of the United States.
      - (vi) The Federated [States](/usc/38/101.md?p=20) of Micronesia.
      - (vii) The Republic of the Marshall Islands.
      - (viii) The Republic of Palau.
    - (B) Not fewer than half of the members appointed are [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2), unless the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines that an insufficient number of [qualified covered veterans](/usc/38/4214.md?p=a-2-B) are available.
    - (C) Each member appointed resides in an area specified in [subparagraph (A)](#c-2-A).
  - (3) In appointing members pursuant to [paragraph (1)](#c-1), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may consult with any Member of Congress who represents an area specified in [paragraph (2)(A)](#c-2-A).
  - (4) In addition to the members appointed pursuant to [paragraph (1)](#c-1), the [Committee](#l-2) shall be comprised of such ex officio members as the Secretary of State and the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of the Interior shall appoint from among [employees](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) of the Department of State and the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of the Interior, respectively.
- (d) **Terms; Vacancies.—**
  - (1) A member of the [Committee](#l-2)—
    - (A) shall be appointed for a term of two years; and
    - (B) may be reappointed to serve an additional two-year term.
  - (2) Not later than 180 days after the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) (or in the case of an ex officio member, the Secretary of State or the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of the Interior, as the case may be) receives notice of a vacancy in the [Committee](#l-2), the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
- (e) **Meeting Format and Frequency.—**
  - (1) Except as provided in [paragraph (2)](#e-2), the [Committee](#l-2) shall meet in-person with the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) not less frequently than once each year and hold monthly conference calls as necessary.
  - (2) Meetings held under [paragraph (1)](#e-1) may be conducted virtually if determined necessary based on—
    - (A) [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) protocols; and
    - (B) timing and budget considerations.
- (f) **Additional Representation.—**
  - (1) Representatives of relevant Federal [departments](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and [agencies](/usc/38/4214.md?p=a-2-A) may attend meetings of the [Committee](#l-2) and provide information to the [Committee](#l-2).
  - (2) One representative of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall attend each meeting of the [Committee](#l-2).
  - (3) Representatives attending meetings under this subsection—
    - (A) may not be considered voting members of the [Committee](#l-2); and
    - (B) may not receive additional [compensation](/usc/38/101.md?p=13) for services performed with respect to the [Committee](#l-2).
- (g) **Subcommittees.—**
  - (1) The [Committee](#l-2) may establish subcommittees.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may, in consultation with the [Committee](#l-2), appoint a member to a subcommittee established under [paragraph (1)](#g-1) who is not a member of the [Committee](#l-2).
  - (3) A subcommittee established under [paragraph (1)](#g-1) may enhance the function of the [Committee](#l-2), but may not supersede the authority of the [Committee](#l-2) or provide direct advice or work products to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).
- (h) **Reports.—**
  - (1) Not less frequently than once every two years, the [Committee](#l-2) shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and the [appropriate congressional committees](#l-1) a report—
    - (A) containing such recommendations as the [Committee](#l-2) may have for legislative or administrative action; and
    - (B) describing the activities of the [Committee](#l-2) during the previous two years.
  - (2) Not later than 120 days after the date on which the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) receives a report under [paragraph (1)](#h-1), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall submit to the [appropriate congressional committees](#l-1) a written response to the report after—
    - (A) giving the [Committee](#l-2) an opportunity to review such written response; and
    - (B) including in such written response any comments the [Committee](#l-2) considers appropriate.
  - (3) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall make publicly available on an internet website of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)—
    - (A) each report the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) receives under [paragraph (1)](#h-1); and
    - (B) each written response the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) submits under [paragraph (2)](#h-2).
- (i) **Committee Personnel Matters.—** A member of the [Committee](#l-2) shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) of an [agency](/usc/38/4214.md?p=a-2-A) under subchapter I of [chapter 57](/usc/5/chptIII-sptD-ch57.md) of title 5 while away from the home or regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the [Committee](#l-2).
- (j) **Consultation.—** In carrying out this section, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall consult with [veterans service organizations](/usc/38/6320.md?p=b-3-B) serving [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2).
- (k) **Termination.—** The [Committee](#l-2) shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this section.
- (l) **Definitions.—** In this section:
  - (1) The term “appropriate congressional committees” means—
    - (A) the [Committee](#l-2) on [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2)’ Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
    - (B) the [Committee](#l-2) on [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2)’ Affairs of the Senate.
  - (2) The term “Committee” means the Advisory Committee on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated [States](/usc/38/101.md?p=20) established under [subsection (a)](#a).
  - (3) The term “covered veteran” means a [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) residing in an area specified in [subsection (c)(2)(A)](#c-2-A).
  - (4) The term “veterans service organization serving covered veterans” means any organization that—
    - (A) serves the interests of [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2);
    - (B) has [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2) in substantive and policymaking positions within the organization; and
    - (C) has demonstrated experience working with [covered veterans](/usc/38/1703B.md?p=i-2).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 117–263, div. E, title LI, § 5102(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3205.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Deadlines for Establishment, Initial Appointments, and Initial Meeting

Pub. L. 117–263, div. E, title LI, § 5102(b)–(d), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3208, provided that: Deadline for Establishment.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish the advisory committee required by section 548 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section. Deadline for Initial Appointments.—Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary establishes the advisory committee required by such section 548, the members of such advisory committee shall be appointed. Initial Meeting.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary establishes the advisory committee required by such section 548, such advisory committee shall hold its first meeting.”