held within the scientific community, such 
as members of the International Lyme and 
Associated Diseases Society. 
(ii) Representatives of tick-borne dis-
ease voluntary organizations. 
(iii) Health care providers who are 
full-time practicing physicians providing 
care for acute and chronic tick-borne dis-
eases. 
(iv) Patient representatives who are 
individuals who have been diagnosed with 
tick-borne diseases or who have had an im-
mediate family member diagnosed with 
such a disease. 
(v) Representatives of State and local 
health departments and national organiza-
tions that represent State and local health 
professionals. 
(B) CERTAIN REQUIREMENT.—In appoint-
ing members under subparagraph (A), the Sec-
retary shall ensure that such members, as a 
group, represent a diversity of scientific per-
spectives relevant to the duties of the Com-
mittee.
(2) EX
OFFICIO
MEMBERS.—The Secretary 
shall designate the Assistant Secretary for Health as 
a nonvoting, ex officio member of the Committee. In 
addition, the Secretary shall designate, as nonvoting 
members of the Committee, representatives from 
each of the following Federal agencies: 
(A) The Agency for Healthcare Research 
and Quality. 
(B) The National Institutes of Health. 
(C) The Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention. 
(D) The Food and Drug Administration. 
(E) The Office of the Assistant Secretary 
for Health. 
(F) Such additional Federal agencies as 
the Secretary determines to be appropriate. 
(3) CHAIR.—The members of the Committee 
appointed under paragraph (1) shall select an indi-
vidual from among such members to serve as the 
chair of the Committee. The term for serving as the 
chair shall be two years. 
(4) TERM
OF
APPOINTMENT.—The term of 
service for each member of the Committee, other 
than the Assistant Secretary for Health, shall be 
four years.
(5) VACANCY.—A vacancy in the membership of 
the Committee shall be filled in the same manner as 
the original appointment. Any member appointed to 
fill a vacancy for an unexpired term shall be ap-
pointed for the remainder of that term. Members 
may serve after the expiration of their terms until 
their successors have taken office. 
(d) MEETINGS.—The Committee shall hold public 
meetings, except as otherwise determined by the Sec-
retary, giving notice to the public of such, and meet at 
least twice a year with additional meetings subject to the 
call of the Chair. Agenda items may be added at the re-
quest of members of the Committee, including the Chairs. 
Meetings shall be conducted, and records of the pro-
ceedings shall be maintained, as required by applicable law 
and by regulations of the Secretary. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For the 
purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized 
to be appropriated $250,000 for each of the fiscal years 
2006 and 2007. Amounts appropriated under the pre-
ceding sentence shall be used for the expenses and per 
diem costs incurred by the Committee under this section 
in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 
except that no voting member of the Committee shall be 
a permanent salaried employee.
SEC. 7. REPORTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 24 months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually there-
after, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report 
on the activities carried out under this Act. 
(b) CONTENT.—Reports under subsection (a) shall 
describe—
(1) progress in the development of accurate di-
agnostic tools and treatment modalities and their 
use in clinical settings; 
(2) the promotion of public awareness and phy-
sician education initiatives to improve the knowledge 
of health care providers and the public regarding 
clinical and surveillance practices for Lyme disease 
and other tick-borne diseases; and 
(3) other significant activities relating to sur-
veillance, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of 
Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. 
SEC. 8. DEFINITION. 
For purposes of this Act, the ‘‘Secretary’’ means the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services.
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