There is established a Food Aid Consultative Group (hereinafter referred to in this section as the “Group”) that shall meet regularly to review and address issues concerning the effectiveness of the regulations and procedures that govern food assistance programs established and implemented under this subchapter, and the implementation of other provisions of this subchapter that may involve eligible organizations described in section 1722(d)(1) of this title.

The Group shall be composed of—

(1) the Administrator;

(2) the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs;

(3) the Inspector General of the Agency for International Development;

(4) a representative of each private voluntary organization and cooperative participating in a program under this subchapter, or receiving planning assistance funds from the Agency to establish programs under this subchapter;

(5) representatives from African, Asian and Latin American indigenous non-governmental organizations determined appropriate by the Administrator;

(6) representatives from agricultural producer groups in the United States;

(7) representatives from the United States agricultural processing sector involved in providing agricultural commodities for programs under this chapter; and

(8) representatives from the maritime transportation sector involved in transporting agricultural commodities overseas for programs under this chapter.

The Administrator shall be the chairperson of the Group.

Not later than 30 days before a proposed regulation, handbook, or guideline implementing this subchapter, or a proposed significant revision to a regulation, handbook, or guideline implementing this subchapter, becomes final, the Administrator shall provide the proposal to the Group for review and comment. The Administrator shall consult and, when appropriate (but at least twice per year), meet with the Group regarding such proposed regulations, handbooks, guidelines, or revisions thereto prior to the issuance of such.

(1) Consultation in advance of issuance of implementation regulations, handbooks, and guidelines Not later than 30 days before a proposed regulation, handbook, or guideline implementing this subchapter, or a proposed significant revision to a regulation, handbook, or guideline implementing this subchapter, becomes final, the Administrator shall provide the proposal to the Group for review and comment. The Administrator shall consult and, when appropriate (but at least twice per year), meet with the Group regarding such proposed regulations, handbooks, guidelines, or revisions thereto prior to the issuance of such.

(2) Consultation regarding food aid quality efforts The Administrator shall seek input from and consult with the Group on the implementation of section 1722(h) of this title.

The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Group.

The Group shall terminate on December 31, 2023.

(July 10, 1954, ch. 469, title II, § 205, as added Pub. L. 89–808, § 2(C), Nov. 11, 1966, 80 Stat. 1535; amended Pub. L. 101–624, title XV, § 1512, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3639; Pub. L. 104–127, title II, § 210, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 955; Pub. L. 107–171, title III, § 3005, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 282; Pub. L. 110–246, title III, § 3011, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1824; Pub. L. 113–79, title III, § 3005, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 115–334, title III, § 3105, title XII, § 12405(c), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4604, 4975.)