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CHARTER OF THE SPECIAL OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INVESTIGATIONS OF GULF WAR CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL INCIDENTS

A. BOARD'S OFFICIAL DESIGNATION: Special Oversight Board for Department of Defense Investigations of Gulf War Chemical and Biological Incidents

B. AUTHORITY: Executive Order No. 13075 dated February 19, 1998.

C. OBJECTIVES, SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES, AND DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES FOR WHICH THE SPECIAL OVERSIGHT BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE: The duties of the Special Oversight Board are solely advisory. The Special Oversight Board shall provide to the President, through the Secretary of Defense, advice and recommendations based on its performance of two principle roles.

1. OVERSIGHT: Independent oversight of the remaining investigations being conducted by the Department of Defense (DoD) with the assistance, as appropriate, of other executive departments and agencies into possible detections of, and exposures to, chemical or biological warfare agents and environmental and other factors that may have contributed to Gulf War Illnesses.

2. EVALUATION: Overall evaluation of the DoD's plan for and progress toward the implementation of the Presidential Advisory Committee's recommendations contained in its Special Report submitted to the President on October 31, 1997.

It shall not be a function of the Special Oversight Board to conduct scientific research. The Special Oversight Board shall review information and provide advice and recommendations on the activities undertaken related to the matters described above. It shall not be a function of the Special Oversight Board to provide advice or recommendations on any legal liability of the Federal Government for any claims or potential claims against the Federal Government. As used herein, Gulf War Illnesses means the symptoms and illnesses reported by the United States uniformed services personnel who served in the Persian Gulf Conflict.

D. OFFICIAL TO WHOM THE COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Special Oversight Board shall report to the President through the Secretary of Defense. The Special Oversight Board shall submit an interim report within nine (9) months of the first meeting and a final report within eighteen (18) months of its first meeting, unless otherwise directed by the President.

E. DURATION AND TERMINATION DATE: The Special Oversight Board shall terminate thirty (30) days after submitting its final report.

F. AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING NECESSARY SUPPORT: Financial and administrative support shall be provided by the DoD.

G. MEMBERSHIP: The President appointed seven (7) members to the Special Oversight Board following its establishment. All such appointments shall remain in effect. Special Oversight Board members shall be compensated in accordance with federal law. Special Oversight Board members may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence to the extent permitted by law for persons serving intermittently in the government service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707).

H. ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS AND STAFF SUPPORT YEARS: It is estimated that the total cost of operations during the eighteen (18) month period will not exceed $1,000,000 (one million). Full time equivalent staff support years during the period of this Special Oversight Board is expected to be approximately 5 years of effort.

I. NUMBER OF MEETINGS: The Committee shall meet, as it deems necessary, to complete its functions. For voting purposes, a quorum shall consist of no less than 4 board members.

J. SUBCOMITTEE(S): To facilitate functioning of the Board, subcommittee(s) may be formed. The objectives of the subcommittee(s) are to provide advice and recommendations to the Board with respect to matters related to the duties of the Board. Subcommittees shall meet as the Board deems appropriate.

K. CHAIRPERSON: The President will designate a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from among the members of the Special Oversight Board.

L. DATE CHARTER FILED: 26 May 98.

Amendment Date: 29 JUL 1998

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