Notice2026-04246
Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 4, 2026
Issuing agencies
Trade Representative, Office of United States
Abstract
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), pursuant to Section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155(c)(1)) as amended, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. II), expects to establish a new two-year charter term and is accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as a member of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC). The TEPAC is a trade advisory committee that provides general policy advice and guidance to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy matters that have a significant impact on the environment.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10667-10668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04246]
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the Trade
and Environment Policy Advisory Committee
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice of renewal of the charter and request for nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR),
pursuant to Section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155(c)(1))
as amended, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. II),
expects to establish a new two-year charter term and is accepting
applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as a
member of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC).
The TEPAC is a trade advisory committee that provides general policy
advice and guidance to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy
matters that have a significant impact on the environment.
DATES: In order to receive full consideration, applications should be
received no later than three weeks from this filing. Nominations will
be accepted after that date on a rolling basis as vacancies arise until
the expiration of the charter term, which is on September 30, 2027.
ADDRESSES: Submissions should be sent as one PDF document to the Office
of the U.S. Trade Representative, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
and Public Engagement at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#400d02186e151314126e0901100500151314126e252f306e272f36"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="337e716b1d666067611d7a72637673666067611d565c431d545c45">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Bang, Assistant U.S. Trade
Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bbf1ded5d5d2dddec995ff95f9dad5dcfbcec8cfc995ded4cb95dcd4cd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4eec1cacacdc2c1d68ae08ae6c5cac3e4d1d7d0d68ac1cbd48ac3cbd2">[email protected]</span></a>, and Amanda Mayhew, Deputy Assistant U.S.
Trade Representative for Environment and Natural Resources,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#de9fb3bfb0babff09cf093bfa7b6bba99eabadaaacf0bbb1aef0b9b1a8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f4e626e616b6e214d21426e76676a784f7a7c7b7d216a607f21686079">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background
Section 135(c)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C.
2155(c)(1)), authorizes the President to establish individual general
trade policy advisory committees for industry, labor, agriculture,
services, investment, defense, small business, and other interests, as
appropriate, to provide general policy advice. The President delegated
that authority to the U.S. Trade Representative in Executive Order
11846, section 4(d), issued on March 27, 1975. Pursuant to these
authorities, the United States Trade Representative intends to
establish a new two-year charter term for the TEPAC which will end on
September 30, 2027.
The TEPAC is a trade advisory committee established to provide
policy advice to the United States Trade Representative on trade policy
matters that have an impact on the environment. More specifically, the
TEPAC provides policy advice on issues including: (1) negotiating
objectives and bargaining positions before entering into trade
agreements; (2) the environmental impact of the implementation of trade
agreements; (3) matters concerning the operation of any trade agreement
once entered into; (4) other matters arising in connection with the
development, implementation, and administration of an America First
Trade Policy.
The TEPAC meets as needed, at the call of the United States Trade
Representative or his designee, or two-thirds of the TEPAC members,
depending on various factors such as the level of activity of trade
negotiations and the needs of the United States Trade Representative.
II. Membership
The TEPAC is composed of not more than 35 members, including, but
not limited to, representatives from environmental interest groups,
industry, agriculture, consumer groups, services, non-governmental
organizations, and others with expertise in trade and environmental
matters. The United States Trade Representative appoints all TEPAC
members for a term of two years or until the TEPAC charter expires, and
they serve at his discretion. Individuals can be reappointed for any
number of terms. The United States Trade Representative makes
appointments without regard to political affiliation. The USTR intends
for the TEPAC to be broadly representative of key sectors and groups of
the economy with an interest in trade and environmental policy issues.
TEPAC members serve without either compensation or reimbursement of
expenses. Members are responsible for all expenses they incur to attend
meetings or otherwise participate in TEPAC activities. Committee
members must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance or
complete a background investigation and non-disclosure agreement in
order to serve and have access to classified and trade sensitive
documents. They must meet the eligibility requirements at the time of
appointment and at all times during their term of service.
The United States Trade Representative appoints TEPAC members to
represent their sponsoring U.S. entity's interests on trade and the
environment, and thus USTR's foremost consideration for applicants is
their ability to carry out the goals of section 135(c) of the Trade Act
of 1974, as amended. Other criteria include the applicant's knowledge
and expertise in international trade issues as relevant to the work of
the TEPAC and USTR. USTR anticipates that almost all TEPAC members will
serve in a representative capacity with a limited number serving in an
individual capacity as subject matter expert. These members, known as
special government employees, are subject to conflict-of-interest rules
and
[[Page 10668]]
will have to complete a financial disclosure report.
III. Request for Nominations
USTR is soliciting nominations for membership of the TEPAC. To
apply for membership, an applicant must meet the following eligibility
criteria:
1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
2. The applicant cannot be a full-time employee of a U.S.
governmental agency.
3. If serving in an individual capacity, the applicant cannot be a
federally registered lobbyist.
4. The applicant cannot be registered with the U.S. Department of
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
5. The applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a security
clearance or complete a background investigation and a non-disclosure
agreement.
6. For representative members, who will comprise the overwhelming
majority of the TEPAC, the applicant must represent a U.S. organization
whose members (or funders) have a demonstrated interest in issues
relevant to trade and the environment or have personal experience or
expertise in trade and the environment.
7. For eligibility purposes, a ``U.S. organization'' is an
organization established under the laws of the United States, that is
controlled by U.S. citizens, by another U.S. organization (or
organizations), or by a U.S. entity (or entities), determined based on
its board of directors (or comparable governing body), membership, and
funding sources, as applicable. To qualify as a U.S. organization, more
than 50 percent of the board of directors (or comparable governing
body) and more than 50 percent of the membership of the organization to
be represented must be U.S. citizens, U.S. organizations, or U.S.
entities. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the organization's
annual revenue must be attributable to nongovernmental U.S. sources.
8. For members who will serve in an individual capacity, the
applicant must possess subject matter expertise regarding international
trade and environmental issues.
In order to be considered for TEPAC membership, interested persons
should submit the following in one PDF document to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d499968cfa81878086fa9d9584919481878086fab1bba4fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f1bcb3a9dfa4a2a5a3dfb8b0a1b4b1a4a2a5a3df949e81df969e87">[email protected]</span></a>.
<bullet> Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the
individual requesting consideration.
<bullet> A sponsor letter on the organization's letterhead
containing a brief description of the manner in which international
trade affects the organization and why USTR should consider the
applicant for membership.
<bullet> The applicant's personal resume or comprehensive
biography.
<bullet> An affirmative statement that the applicant and the
organization he or she represents meet all eligibility criteria.
USTR will consider applicants who meet all the eligibility criteria
based on the following factors:
<bullet> Ability to represent the sponsoring U.S. entity's or U.S.
organization's and its subsector's interests on trade and environmental
matters.
<bullet> Knowledge of and experience in trade and environmental
matters relevant to the work of the TEPAC and USTR.
<bullet> How they will contribute to America First trade policies
that create new opportunities and higher living standards for families,
farmers, manufacturers, workers, and businesses.
Jennifer Bang,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and
Public Engagement, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2026-04246 Filed 3-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3390-F4-P
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