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107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 715
To require a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to develop a method-
ology for measuring the cost of living in each State, and to require
a study by the General Accounting Office to determine how Federal
benefits would be increased in each State if the determination of such
benefits were based on such methodology.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 14, 2001
Mr. TIERNEY (for himself, Mr. MOAKLEY, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. PALLONE, Mr.
STARK, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. FRANK, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr.
DELAHUNT, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Ms. MILLENDER-MCDON-
ALD, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. NADLER, Mr. NEAL of
Massachusetts, Mr. OLVER, Ms. PELOSI, Ms. WOOLSEY, and Mr.
WEINER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Commit-
tees on Ways and Means, and Financial Services, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To require a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to
develop a methodology for measuring the cost of living
in each State, and to require a study by the General
Accounting Office to determine how Federal benefits
would be increased in each State if the determination
of such benefits were based on such methodology.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Cost of Living Meas-
urement and Index Act of 2001’’.
SEC. 2. STUDY BY BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—To improve Government manage-
ment and the economy, efficiency, and management of
Government operations and activities that rely on accurate
economic information, the Commissioner of Labor Statis-
tics shall conduct a study to develop a methodology for
determining the cost of living in each State, that accounts
for the costs of housing, goods, and services.
(b) ELEMENTS
OF METHODOLOGY.—The method-
ology developed under subsection (a) shall include indices
for measuring the cost of living in a State.
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date
of the enactment of this Act the Commissioner shall sub-
mit to the Congress and the Comptroller General of the
United States a report that contains the methodology de-
veloped under this section.
SEC. 3. STUDY BY GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the
United States shall conduct a study in which the method-
ology contained in the report submitted under section 2
is applied to determine how Federal benefits provided to
beneficiaries in each State would be increased if—
(1) determination of such benefits were based
on the cost of living in each State, as determined
under the methodology; and
(2) the methodology were applied subject to a
hold harmless provision, so that Federal benefits
vary under the methodology only by increasing for
beneficiaries in States having a higher cost of living,
in proportion to such higher cost.
(b) INCLUDED FEDERAL BENEFIT PROGRAMS.—The
study under subsection (a) shall include determination of
increases in benefits provided under the following:
(1) The Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965.
(2) Section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, relating to the earned income tax credit.
(3) All Federal housing assistance programs.
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date
of receipt of the report from the Commissioner of Labor
Statistics under section 2 the Comptroller General shall
submit a report to the Congress that contains the fol-
lowing:
(1) The determinations required under sub-
sections (a) and (b).
(2) A description of any additional data that
should be obtained and considered to confirm or im-
prove those determinations.
(3) Recommendations for any changes in the
methodology developed under section 2 that would
ensure more accurate determination of the cost of
living in a State, including any appropriate changes
in the indices that should be used to measure such
cost.
(4) The anticipated costs to the Federal Gov-
ernment of using the methodology developed under
section 2 in determining Federal benefits under the
programs referred to in subsection (b), including any
change in such costs that would result from imple-
menting the recommendations under paragraph (3).
(5) Recommendations for any changes in law
that are necessary or appropriate to ensure that the
determination of Federal benefits provided to bene-
ficiaries in a State is based on the cost of living in
that State, except to the extent such determination
would result in a reduction of benefits to bene-
ficiaries in a State.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
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