Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2017

This bill amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) to require appointments to federal agency advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or activity, unless required by federal statute.Each agency, prior to appointing members to an advisory committee, must give interested persons an opportunity to suggest potential committee members.

The bill requires an individual appointed to an advisory committee who is not a full-time or permanent part-time officer or employee of the federal government to be designated as: (1) a special government employee if the individual is providing advice based on the individual's expertise or experience, or (2) a representative if the individual is representing the views of an entity outside of the federal government. An agency is prohibited from designating committee members as representatives to avoid subjecting them to federal ethics rules and requirements.

Each agency shall ensure that advice and recommendations of an advisory committee that reports to the agency are the result of the advisory committee's judgment, independent from the agency.

An individual who is not an officer or employee of the federal government shall be regarded as a member of an advisory committee if the individual regularly attends and participates in committee meetings as if the individual were a member, even if the individual does not have the right to vote or veto the advice or recommendations of the committee.

Each agency shall make available on its Internet site specified information about each of the agency's advisory committees and their activities and shall designate an Advisory Committee Management Officer to be responsible for the establishment, management, and supervision of the agency's advisory committees. The Government Accountability Office shall review and report on compliance by agencies with FACA.