730
PUBLIC LAW 93-383~AUG. 22, 1974
[88 STAT.
of housing and other community facilities which can be provided; and (D) that the existence of a single authoritative nationally recognized institution to provide for the evaluation of new technology could facilitate introduction of such innovations and their acceptance at the Federal, State, and local levels. (2) The Congress further finds, however, that while an authoritative source of technical findings is needed, various private organizations and institutions, private industry, labor, and Federal and other governmental agencies and entities are presently engaged in building research, technology development, testing, and evaluation, standards and model code development and promulgation, and information dissemination. These existing activities should be encouraged and these capabilities effectively utilized wherever possible and appropriate to the purposes of this section. (3) The Congress declares that an authoritative nongovernmental instrument needs to be created to address the problems and issues described in paragraph (1), that the creation of such an instrument should be initiated by the Government, with the advice and assistance of the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering-National Research Council (hereinafter referred to as the "Academies-Research Council") and of the various sectors of the building community, including labor and management, technical experts in building science and technology, and the various levels of government. National I n s t i (b)(1) There is authorized to be established, for the purposes tute of Building described in subsection (a)(3), an appropriate nonprofit, nongovernSciences, Establishment. nieutal instrument to be known as the National Institute of Building Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the "Institute"), which shall not be an agency or establishment of the United States Government. The Institute shall be subject to the provisions of this section and, to tho extent consistent with this section, to a charter of the Congress if such a charter is requested and issued or to the District of Columbia Non1001*^' ^"'^^ ^^ profit Corporation Act if that is deemed preferable. (2) The Academies-Research Council, along with other agencies and organizations which are knowledgeable in the field of building technology, shall advise and assist in (A) the establishment of the Institute; (B) the development of an organizational framework to encourage and provide for the maximum feasible participation of public and private scientific, technical, and financial organizations, institutions, and agencies now engaged in activities pertinent to the development, promulgation, and maintenance of performance criteria, standards, and other technical provisions for building codes and other regulations; and (C) the promulgation of appropriate organizational rules a r d procedures including those for the selection and operation of a technical staff, such rules and procedures to be based upon the primary object of promoting the public interest and insuring that the widest possible variety of interests and experience essential to the functions of the Institute are represented in the Institute's operations. Recommendations of the Academies-Research Council shall be based upon consultations with and recommendations from various private organizations and institutions, labor, private industry, and governmental agencies entities operating in the field, and the Consultative Council as provided for under subsection (c)(8). (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as expressing the intent of the Congress that the Academies-Research Council itself be required to assume any function, or operation vested in the Institute by or under this section. Board of Direc(c)(1) The lustitutc shall havc a Board of Directors (hereinafter tors. referred to as the "Board") consisting of not less than fifteen nor more than twenty-one members, appointed by the President of the United
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