; termination (1) FACA The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Committee. (2) Termination The Committee shall terminate on September 30, 2027. 707. Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (a) Establishment There is established a Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (referred to in this section as the Committee ). (b) Function The Committee, acting through the Commandant (or the Commandant’s designee), is authorized to advise, consult with, report to, and make recommendations to the Secretary on matters relating to— (1) medical certification determinations of merchant mariners; (2) medical standards and guidelines for the physical qualifications of operators of commercial vessels; (3) medical examiner education; and (4) medical research. (c) Organization (1) Meeting The Committee shall, at least once each calendar year, meet at the call of the Commandant (or the Commandant’s designee). (2) Membership (A) In general The Committee shall consist of 14 members. (B) Restriction No member of the Committee shall be a regular Federal employee. (C) Experience Of the members of the Committee— (i) 10 members shall be health-care professionals with particular expertise, knowledge, or experience regarding the medical examinations of merchant mariners or occupational medicine; and (ii) 4 members shall be professional mariners with knowledge and experience in mariners’ occupational requirements. (3) Status of members For the purposes of Federal law, including the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and chapter 11 of title 18, each member of the Committee is hereby deemed a special Government employee (as defined in section 202(a) of title 18). (4) Nominations; appointments