ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13539Executive OrderObama · D

Executive Order 13539

President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

This executive order establishes the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), a 21-member advisory body composed of the President's Science Advisor and 20 nonfederal experts, to advise the President on science, technology, and innovation policy. PCAST also assumes advisory roles under the High Performance Computing Act and the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, and will terminate automatically after two years unless extended.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 21973

Impact dates

  1. PCAST automatic termination unless extended by President

Key directives

  • Establish PCAST with not more than 21 members
  • Science Advisor shall serve as Co-Chair
  • President shall designate 1-2 nonfederal members as additional Co-Chairs
  • PCAST shall advise President on science, technology, and innovation policy
  • PCAST shall serve as President's Innovation and Technology Advisory Committee under High Performance Computing Act
  • PCAST shall serve as National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel under 21st Century Nanotechnology Act
  • PCAST may create standing subcommittees and ad hoc groups
  • Science Advisor may request security clearances for members without current clearance
  • OSTP shall provide funding and administrative support
  • Director of OSTP shall perform FACA functions except Congressional reporting

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • PCAST established upon signing
  • Executive Order 13226 revoked

Near term (90d)

  • OSTP to arrange funding and administrative support
  • Science Advisor to begin designating Co-Chairs
  • Potential initiation of security clearance processes for members

Long term

  • PCAST advisory functions ongoing until termination
  • Potential expiration on April 21, 2012 unless extended by President

Risks & tensions

  • Two-year sunset clause creates structural uncertainty about continuity of advisory functions
  • No compensation for members may limit pool of available expertise, though travel expenses covered
  • Dual-hatting as multiple statutorily-mandated advisory committees could create workload or conflict tensions
  • Security clearance provision for nonfederal members on classified matters introduces vetting delays
  • Vague: 'to the extent permitted by law' and 'subject to availability of appropriations' create implementation uncertainty
Executive Order 13539: President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology · Executive Orders