† HR 1831 EAS 
expertise in economics, statistics, program evaluation, data 
security, confidentiality, or database management. 
(c) CHAIRPERSON AND CO-CHAIRPERSON.—The Presi-
dent shall select the chairperson of the Commission and the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives shall select the co- 
chairperson. 
(d) TIMING OF APPOINTMENTS.—Appointments to the 
Commission shall be made not later than 45 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
(e) TERMS; VACANCIES.—Each member shall be ap-
pointed for the duration of the Commission. Any vacancy 
in the Commission shall not affect its powers, and shall be 
filled in the manner in which the original appointment was 
made. 
(f) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Commission shall 
serve without pay. 
(g) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member of the Com-
mission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of 
agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code, while away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of services for the Commis-
sion.
† HR 1831 EAS 
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) STUDY OF DATA.—The Commission shall conduct 
a comprehensive study of the data inventory, data infra-
structure, database security, and statistical protocols re-
lated to Federal policymaking and the agencies responsible 
for maintaining that data to— 
(1) determine the optimal arrangement for which 
administrative data on Federal programs and tax ex-
penditures, survey data, and related statistical data 
series may be integrated and made available to facili-
tate program evaluation, continuous improvement, 
policy-relevant research, and cost-benefit analyses by 
qualified researchers and institutions while weighing 
how integration might lead to the intentional or un-
intentional access, breach, or release of personally- 
identifiable information or records; 
(2) make recommendations on how data infra-
structure, database security, and statistical protocols 
should be modified to best fulfill the objectives identi-
fied in paragraph (1); and 
(3) make recommendations on how best to incor-
porate outcomes measurement, institutionalize ran-
domized controlled trials, and rigorous impact anal-
ysis into program design. 
(b) CLEARINGHOUSE.—In undertaking the study re-
quired by subsection (a), the Commission shall—
† HR 1831 EAS 
(1) consider whether a clearinghouse for program 
and survey data should be established and how to cre-
ate such a clearinghouse; and 
(2) evaluate— 
(A) what administrative data and survey 
data are relevant for program evaluation and 
Federal policy-making and should be included in 
a potential clearinghouse; 
(B) which survey data the administrative 
data identified in subparagraph (A) may be 
linked to, in addition to linkages across adminis-
trative data series, including the effect such link-
ages may have on the security of those data; 
(C) what are the legal and administrative 
barriers to including or linking these data series; 
(D) what data-sharing infrastructure should 
be used to facilitate data merging and access for 
research purposes; 
(E) how a clearinghouse could be self-fund-
ed; 
(F) which types of researchers, officials, and 
institutions should have access to data and what 
the qualifications of the researchers, officials, and 
institutions should be;
† HR 1831 EAS 
(G) what limitations should be placed on 
the use of data provided; 
(H) how to protect information and ensure 
individual privacy and confidentiality; 
(I) how data and results of research can be 
used to inform program administrators and pol-
icymakers to improve program design; 
(J) what incentives may facilitate inter-
agency sharing of information to improve pro-
grammatic effectiveness and enhance data accu-
racy and comprehensiveness; and 
(K) how individuals whose data are used 
should be notified of its usages. 
(c) REPORT.—Upon the affirmative vote of at least 
three-quarters of the members of the Commission, the Com-
mission shall submit to the President and Congress a de-
tailed statement of its findings and conclusions as a result 
of the activities required by subsections (a) and (b), together 
with its recommendations for such legislation or adminis-
trative actions as the Commission considers appropriate in 
light of the results of the study. 
(d) DEADLINE.—The report under subsection (c) shall 
be submitted not later than the date that is 15 months after 
the date a majority of the members of the Commission are 
appointed pursuant to section 3.
† HR 1831 EAS 
(e) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘adminis-
trative data’’ means data— 
(1) held by an agency or a contractor or grantee 
of an agency (including a State or unit of local gov-
ernment); and 
(2) collected for other than statistical purposes. 
SEC. 5. OPERATION AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) EXECUTIVE BRANCH ASSISTANCE.—The heads of 
the following agencies shall advise and consult with the 
Commission on matters within their respective areas of re-
sponsibility: 
(1) The Bureau of the Census. 
(2) The Internal Revenue Service. 
(3) The Department of Health and Human Serv-
ices. 
(4) The Department of Agriculture. 
(5) The Department of Housing and Urban De-
velopment. 
(6) The Social Security Administration. 
(7) The Department of Education. 
(8) The Department of Justice. 
(9) The Office of Management and Budget. 
(10) The Bureau of Economic Analysis. 
(11) The Bureau of Labor Statistics.