Evaluating and Improving the Utility of Federal Advisory Committees

Executive Order 2019-13175
Signed on June 15, 2019
45th Presidency

What it means

Requires federal agencies to evaluate their advisory committees and terminate at least one-third of eligible committees by September 30, 2019. It also caps the total number of committees at 350 government-wide, with exemptions for scientific merit review panels and independent regulatory agencies.

Expected impact

  • Significant reduction in the number of federal advisory committees, potentially eliminating hundreds of panels
  • Streamlined government operations with reduced administrative costs
  • Potential concerns about loss of external expertise and public input in federal decision-making
  • Some agencies may seek waivers to preserve committees deemed essential
  • Scientific advisory committees and merit review panels remain protected, continuing their role in evidence-based policymaking