I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6351 
To establish the Commission on National Agricultural Statistics Service Mod-
ernization to modernize the data collection and reporting processes of 
the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 9, 2023 
Mr. MOORE of Alabama (for himself and Mr. LANGWORTHY) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture 
A BILL 
To establish the Commission on National Agricultural Statis-
tics Service Modernization to modernize the data collec-
tion and reporting processes of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service, 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. COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL 
STATISTICS SERVICE MODERNIZATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the Commission on National Agri-
cultural Statistics Service Modernization (referred to in 
this section as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
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(b) STUDY.—The Commission shall conduct a study 
of the National Agricultural Statistics Service and provide 
recommendations on— 
(1) how data collection can be modernized and 
streamlined to— 
(A) improve the quality of statistics re-
ported; 
(B) account for differences of national, re-
gional, and local production; 
(C) accelerate adoption of new and innova-
tive technologies to reduce the number of sur-
veys needed; 
(D) improve producer response rates in 
statistical surveys and identifying ways to re-
duce survey fatigue; 
(E) increase transparency and confidence 
in statistical reports through improved collabo-
ration with agricultural stakeholders; and 
(F) use more real-time statistical and envi-
ronmental data to complement existing survey- 
based data and reporting; and 
(2) how the modernization and streamlining de-
termined under paragraph (1) can be implemented 
and the estimated costs of such implementation. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
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(1) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall con-
sist of the following 11 members: 
(A) The Administrator of the National Ag-
ricultural Statistics Service of the Department 
of Agriculture. 
(B) The Administrator of the Economic 
Research Service of the Department of Agri-
culture. 
(C) The Chief Economist of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture. 
(D) The Chair of the World Agricultural 
Outlook Board of the Department of Agri-
culture. 
(E) A representative from the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics. 
(F) 3 members appointed by the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
of the Senate, of which— 
(i) 1 shall be appointed by the Chair-
man of the Committee; 
(ii) 1 shall be appointed by the Rank-
ing Member of the Committee; and 
(iii) 1 shall be appointed jointly by the 
Chairman and Ranking Member of the 
Committee. 
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sion have been first appointed, the Commission shall 
hold the initial meeting of the Commission. 
(d) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the 
Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction 
of business, but a lesser number of members may hold 
hearings. 
(e) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the Commis-
sion shall be selected by a majority of the Members of 
the Commission. 
(f) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to 
the President, the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report containing 
the results of the study required by subsection (b), includ-
ing— 
(1) an inventory of surveys conducted by the 
National Agricultural Statistics Service and the fre-
quency with which they are conducted; and 
(2) such recommendations for administrative, 
regulatory, and legislative changes as the Commis-
sion considers appropriate. 
(g) HEARINGS.—The Commission shall hold such 
hearings, meet and act at such times and places, take such 
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testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission 
considers appropriate to carry out this section. 
(h) STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT.—The Commission 
shall establish a process to collect feedback from agricul-
tural stakeholders to inform the results of the study re-
quired under subsection (b) and the report required under 
subsection (f). 
(i) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may secure 
directly from a Federal agency such information as 
the Commission considers necessary to carry out this 
section. 
(2) AUTHORITY TO REQUEST INFORMATION.— 
At the request of the Chairperson of the Commission 
for information described in paragraph (1), the head 
of a Federal agency shall provide such information 
to the Commission. 
(j) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use 
the United States mail in the same manner and under the 
same conditions as other agencies of the Federal Govern-
ment. 
(k) ASSISTANCE FROM THE SECRETARY.—The Sec-
retary of Agriculture shall provide to the Commission ap-
propriate office space and such reasonable administrative 
and support services as the Commission may request. 
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(l) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.— 
(1) NON-FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of 
the Commission who is not an officer or employee of 
the Federal Government shall be compensated at a 
rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate 
of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
States Code, for each day (including travel time) 
during which the member is engaged in the perform-
ance of the duties of the Commission. 
(2) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the 
Commission who is an officer or employee of the 
Federal Government shall serve without compensa-
tion in addition to the compensation received for the 
services of the member as an officer or employee of 
the Federal Government. 
(3) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—A member of the 
Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates author-
ized for an employee of an agency under subchapter 
I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while 
away from the home or regular place of business of 
the member in the performance of the duties of the 
Commission. 
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(m) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—Sec-
tions 1008 and 1013 of title 5, United States Code, shall 
not apply to the Commission or any proceeding of the 
Commission. 
(n) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
on September 30, 2028. 
(o) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for fiscal year 
2024, to remain available until expended. 
Æ 
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