I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1831 
To establish the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 16, 2015 
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
A BILL 
To establish the Commission on Evidence-Based 
Policymaking, and for other purposes. 
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 ‘‘Evidence-Based Policy-
making Commission Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established in the executive branch a com-
mission to be known as the ‘‘Commission on Evidence- 
Based Policymaking’’ (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Com-
mission’’). 
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SEC. 3. MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission 
shall be comprised of 15 members as follows: 
(1) Three shall be appointed by the President, 
of whom— 
(A) 1 shall be an academic researcher, 
data expert, or have experience in administering 
programs; 
(B) 1 shall have expertise in database 
management, confidentiality, and privacy mat-
ters; and 
(C) 1 shall be the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget (or the Director’s des-
ignee). 
(2) Three shall be appointed by the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives, of whom— 
(A) 2 shall be academic researchers, data 
experts, or have experience in administering 
programs; and 
(B) 1 shall have expertise in database 
management, confidentiality, and privacy mat-
ters. 
(3) Three shall be appointed by the Minority 
Leader of the House of Representatives, of whom— 
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(A) 2 shall be academic researchers, data 
experts, or have experience in administering 
programs; and 
(B) 1 shall have expertise in database 
management, confidentiality, and privacy mat-
ters. 
(4) Three shall be appointed by the Majority 
Leader of the Senate, of whom— 
(A) 2 shall be academic researchers, data 
experts, or have experience in administering 
programs; and 
(B) 1 shall have expertise in database 
management, confidentiality, and privacy mat-
ters. 
(5) Three shall be appointed by the Minority 
Leader of the Senate, of whom— 
(A) 2 shall be academic researchers, data 
experts, or have experience in administering 
programs; and 
(B) 1 shall have expertise in database 
management, confidentiality, and privacy mat-
ters. 
(b) EXPERTISE.—In making appointments under this 
section, consideration should be given to individuals with 
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expertise in economics, statistics, program evaluation, 
data security, confidentiality, or database management. 
(c) CHAIRPERSON
AND
CO-CHAIRPERSON.—The 
President shall select the chairperson of the Commission 
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall se-
lect 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 employ-
ees 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 Commission. 
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SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) STUDY OF DATA.—The Commission shall conduct 
a comprehensive study of the data inventory, data infra-
structure, and statistical protocols related to Federal pol-
icymaking and the statistical and programmatic agencies 
responsible for maintaining that data to— 
(1) determine the optimal arrangement for 
which administrative data on Federal programs and 
tax expenditures and related data series may be in-
tegrated and made available to facilitate program 
evaluation, continuous improvement, policy-relevant 
research, and cost-benefit analyses by qualified re-
searchers and institutions; 
(2) make recommendations on how data infra-
structure and protocols should be modified to best 
fulfill the objectives identified in paragraph (1); and 
(3) make recommendations on how best to in-
corporate outcomes measurement, institutionalize 
randomized controlled trials, and rigorous impact 
analysis into program design. 
(b) CLEARINGHOUSE.—In undertaking the study re-
quired by subsection (a), the Commission shall consider 
if and how to create a clearinghouse for program and sur-
vey data, which shall include evaluation of— 
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(1) what administrative data that are relevant 
for program evaluation and Federal policy-making 
should be included in a potential clearinghouse; 
(2) which survey data the administrative data 
identified in paragraph (1) may be linked to, in ad-
dition to linkages across administrative data series; 
(3) what are the legal and administrative bar-
riers to including or linking these data series; 
(4) what data-sharing infrastructure should be 
used to facilitate data merging and access for re-
search purposes; 
(5) how a clearinghouse could be self-funded; 
(6) which types of qualified researchers, offi-
cials, and institutions should have access to data; 
(7) what limitations should be placed on the use 
of data provided; 
(8) how to protect information and ensure indi-
vidual privacy and confidentiality; 
(9) how the data and results of research can be 
used to inform program administrators and policy-
makers to improve program design; and 
(10) what incentives may facilitate interagency 
sharing of information to improve programmatic ef-
fectiveness and enhance data accuracy and com-
prehensiveness. 
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(c) REPORT.—Upon the affirmative vote of at least 
three-quarters of the members of the Commission, the 
Commission shall submit to the President and Congress 
a detailed statement of its findings and conclusions as a 
result of the study required by subsection (a), 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. 
(e) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘adminis-
trative data’’ means data— 
(1) held by an agency or a contractor or grant-
ee of an agency (including a State or unit of local 
government); and 
(2) collected for other than statistical purposes. 
SEC. 5. OPERATION AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) ADMINISTRATIVE 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. 
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(3) The Department of Health and Human 
Services. 
(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. 
(12) Any other agency, as determined by the 
Commission. 
(b) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet not 
later than 30 days after the date upon which a majority 
of its members have been appointed and at such times 
thereafter as the chairperson or co-chairperson shall deter-
mine. 
(c) RULES OF PROCEDURE.—The chairperson and 
co-chairperson shall, with the approval of a majority of 
the members of the Commission, establish written rules 
of procedure for the Commission, which shall include a 
quorum requirement to conduct the business of the Com-
mission. 
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(d) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for the pur-
pose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act 
at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence 
as the Commission considers appropriate. 
(e) CONTRACTS.—The Commission may contract 
with and compensate government and private agencies or 
persons for any purpose necessary to enable it to carry 
out this Act. 
(f) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other agencies of the Federal Government. 
(g) GIFTS.—The Commission may accept, use, and 
dispose of gifts or donations of services or property. 
SEC. 6. FUNDING. 
Subject to the availability of appropriations— 
(1) at the request of the Director of the Cen-
sus, the agencies identified as ‘‘Principal Statistical 
Agencies’’ in the report, published by the Office of 
Management and Budget, entitled ‘‘Statistical Pro-
grams of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 
2015’’ shall provide funds, in a total amount not to 
exceed $3,000,000, to the Director for purposes of 
carrying out the activities of the Commission as pro-
vided in this Act; and 
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(2) the Bureau of the Census shall provide ad-
ministrative support to the Commission, which may 
include providing physical space at, and access to, 
the headquarters of the Bureau of the Census, lo-
cated in Suitland, Maryland. 
SEC. 7. PERSONNEL. 
(a) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall have a Direc-
tor who shall be appointed by the chairperson with the 
concurrence of the co-chairperson. The Director shall be 
paid at a rate of pay established by the chairperson and 
co-chairperson, not to exceed the annual rate of basic pay 
payable for level V of the Executive Schedule (section 
5316 of title 5, United States Code). 
(b) STAFF.—The Director may appoint and fix the 
pay of additional staff as the Director considers appro-
priate. 
(c) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commission 
may procure temporary and intermittent services under 
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates 
for individuals which do not to exceed the daily equivalent 
of the annual rate of basic pay for a comparable position 
paid under the General Schedule. 
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SEC. 8. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
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