Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-1831
Sponsor: Rep. Ryan, Paul D. [R-WI-1]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Census and government statistics
Congressional oversight
General taxation matters
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Policy sciences
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2015

 
 Establishes in the executive branch a Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. Directs the Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the data inventory, data infrastructure, and statistical protocols related to federal policymaking and the statistical and programmatic agencies responsible for maintaining that data to:
 
 
 determine the optimal arrangement for which administrative data on federal programs and tax expenditures and related data series may be integrated and made available to facilitate program evaluation, continuous improvement, policy-relevant research, and cost-benefit analyses by qualified researchers and institutions; 
 
 make recommendations on how data infrastructure and protocols should be modified to best fulfill those objectives; and
 
 make recommendations on how best to incorporate outcomes measurement, institutionalize randomized controlled trials, and rigorous impact analysis into program design.
 
 
Requires the Commission to consider if and how to create a clearinghouse for program and survey data. 
 
Terminates the Commission not later than 18 months after enactment of this Act.

action_date: 2015-07-16
text: 

Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) Establishes in the executive branch a Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. 
 
(Sec. 4) Directs the Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the data inventory, data infrastructure, and statistical protocols related to federal policymaking and the agencies responsible for maintaining that data to:
 
 
determine the optimal arrangement for which administrative data on federal programs and tax expenditures and related data series may be integrated and made available to facilitate program evaluation, continuous improvement, policy-relevant research, and cost-benefit analyses; 
 
make recommendations on how data infrastructure and protocols should be modified to best fulfill those objectives; and 
 
make recommendations on how best to incorporate outcomes measurement, institutionalize randomized controlled trials, and rigorous impact analysis into program design. 

 
Requires the Commission to consider whether a clearinghouse for program and survey data should be established and how to create such clearinghouse. Directs the Commission to evaluate:
 
 
what administrative data are relevant for program evaluation and federal policy-making and should be included in a clearinghouse; 
 
which survey data such administrative data may be linked to, in addition to linkages across administrative data series; 
 
what are the legal and administrative barriers to including or linking these data series; 
 
what data-sharing infrastructure should be used to facilitate data merging and access for research purposes; 
 
how a clearinghouse could be self-funded; 
 
which researchers, officials, and institutions should have access to data; 
 
what limitations should be placed on the use of data; 
 
how to protect information and ensure individual privacy and confidentiality; 
 
how data and results of research can be used to inform program administrators and policymakers to improve program design; and 
 
what incentives may facilitate interagency sharing of information to improve programmatic effectiveness and enhance data accuracy and comprehensiveness. 

 
Directs the Commission, upon the affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of its members, to submit to the President and Congress a detailed statement of its findings and conclusions, together with its recommendations for appropriate legislation or administrative actions.
 
(Sec. 5) Requires the following agencies to advise and consult with the Commission on matters within their respective areas of responsibility:
 
 
the Bureau of the Census; 
 
the Internal Revenue Service; 
 
the Social Security Administration; 
 
the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Education, and Justice;
 
the Office of Management and Budget; 
 
the Bureau of Economic Analysis; and 
 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

 
(Sec. 6) Requires: (1) the agencies identified as Principal Statistical Agencies in the report entitled "Statistical Programs of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2015," published by the Office of Management and Budget, to provide up to $3 million to the Bureau of the Census, upon request, for carrying out the activities of the Commission; and (2) the Bureau to provide administrative support to the Commission.
 
(Sec. 8) Terminates the Commission not later than 18 months after enactment of this Act.

action_date: 2015-07-27
text: 

Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) Establishes in the executive branch a Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. 
 
(Sec. 4) Directs the Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the data inventory, data infrastructure, and statistical protocols related to federal policymaking and the agencies responsible for maintaining that data to:
 
 
determine the optimal arrangement for which administrative data on federal programs and tax expenditures, , survey data, and related statistical data series may be integrated and made available to facilitate program evaluation, continuous improvement, policy-relevant research, and cost-benefit analyses; 
 
make recommendations on how data infrastructure and statistical protocols should be modified to best fulfill those objectives; and 
 
make recommendations on how best to incorporate outcomes measurement, institutionalize randomized controlled trials, and rigorous impact analysis into program design. 

 
Requires the Commission to consider whether a clearinghouse for program and survey data should be established and how to create such clearinghouse. Directs the Commission to evaluate:
 
 
what administrative data and survey data are relevant for program evaluation and federal policy-making and should be included in a clearinghouse; 
 
which survey data such administrative data may be linked to, in addition to linkages across administrative data series; 
 
what are the legal and administrative barriers to including or linking these data series; 
 
what data-sharing infrastructure should be used to facilitate data merging and access for research purposes; 
 
how a clearinghouse could be self-funded; 
 
which researchers, officials, and institutions should have access to data; 
 
what limitations should be placed on the use of data; 
 
how to protect information and ensure individual privacy and confidentiality; 
 
how data and results of research can be used to inform program administrators and policymakers to improve program design; and 
 
what incentives may facilitate interagency sharing of information to improve programmatic effectiveness and enhance data accuracy and comprehensiveness. 

 
Directs the Commission, upon the affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of its members, to submit to the President and Congress a detailed statement of its findings and conclusions, together with its recommendations for appropriate legislation or administrative actions.
 
(Sec. 5) Requires the following agencies to advise and consult with the Commission on matters within their respective areas of responsibility:
 
 
the Bureau of the Census;
 
the Internal Revenue Service;
 
the Social Security Administration;
 
the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Education, and Justice;
 
the Office of Management and Budget;
 
the Bureau of Economic Analysis; and 
 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

 
(Sec. 6) Requires: (1) the agencies identified as Principal Statistical Agencies in the report entitled "Statistical Programs of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2015," published by the Office of Management and Budget, to transfer up to $3 million to the Bureau of the Census, upon request, for carrying out the activities of the Commission; and (2) the Bureau to provide administrative support to the Commission. Prohibits the authorization of additional funds to carry out this Act. 
 
(Sec. 8) Terminates the Commission not later than 18 months after enactment of this Act.

action_date: 2016-03-16
text: 

Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 201

6

 
(Sec. 2) This bill establishes in the executive branch a Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. 
 
(Sec. 3) The bill sets forth the membership composition, terms, and compensation of the Commission and requires the appointment of experts in protecting personally-identifiable information and data minimization. Consideration shall also be given in the appointment process to individuals with expertise in economics, statistics, program evaluation, data security, confidentiality, or database management. 
 
(Sec. 4) The Commission shall conduct a comprehensive study of the data inventory, data infrastructure, database security, and statistical protocols related to federal policymaking and the agencies responsible for maintaining that data to:
 
 
determine the optimal arrangement for which administrative data on federal programs and tax expenditures, survey data, and related statistical data series may be integrated and made available to facilitate program evaluation, continuous improvement, policy-relevant research, and cost-benefit analyses while weighing how integration might lead to the intentional or unintentional access, breach, or release of personally-identifiable information or records; 
 
make recommendations on how data infrastructure, database security, and statistical protocols should be modified to best fulfill those objectives; and 
 
make recommendations on how best to incorporate outcomes measurement, institutionalize randomized controlled trials, and rigorous impact analysis into program design. 

 
The Commission shall consider whether a clearinghouse for program and survey data should be established and how to create such clearinghouse. The Commission shall evaluate:
 
 
what administrative data and survey data are relevant for program evaluation and federal policy-making and should be included in a clearinghouse; 
 
which survey data such administrative data may be linked to, in addition to linkages across administrative data series, including the effect such linkages may have on the security of those data; 
 
what are the legal and administrative barriers to including or linking these data series; 
 
what data-sharing infrastructure should be used to facilitate data merging and access for research purposes; 
 
how a clearinghouse could be self-funded; 
 
which researchers, officials, and institutions should have access to data and their qualifications; 
 
what limitations should be placed on the use of data; 
 
how to protect information and ensure individual privacy and confidentiality; 
 
how data and results of research can be used to inform program administrators and policymakers to improve program design; 
 
what incentives may facilitate interagency sharing of information to improve programmatic effectiveness and enhance data accuracy and comprehensiveness; and
 
how individuals whose data are used should be notified of its usages. 
 
 
The Commission shall, upon the affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of its members, submit to the President and Congress a detailed statement of its findings and conclusions, together with its recommendations for appropriate legislation or administrative actions.
 
(Sec. 5) The following agencies shall advise and consult with the Commission on matters within their respective areas of responsibility:
 
 
the Bureau of the Census;
 
the Internal Revenue Service;
 
the Social Security Administration;
 
the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Education, and Justice;
 
the Office of Management and Budget;
 
the Bureau of Economic Analysis; 
 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics; and
 
any other agency, as determined by the Commission. 
 
 
(Sec. 6) The bill requires: (1) the agencies identified as Principal Statistical Agencies in the report entitled "Statistical Programs of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2015," published by the Office of Management and Budget, to transfer up to $3 million to the Bureau of the Census, upon request, for carrying out the activities of the Commission; and (2) the Bureau to provide administrative support to the Commission. 
 
No additional funds may be authorized to carry out this Act. 
 
(Sec. 7) The Commission shall have a Director appointed by the chairperson with the concurrence of the co-chairperson. 
 
(Sec. 8) The Commission shall terminate not later than 18 months after the enactment of this Act.

action_date: 2016-03-30
text: 

Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 201

6

 
(Sec. 2) This bill establishes in the executive branch a Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. 
 
(Sec. 3) The bill provides for a 15 member Commission appointed by the President and congressional leaders with consideration given to individuals with expertise in economics, statistics, program evaluation, data security, confidentiality, or database management.
 
(Sec. 4) The Commission must conduct a comprehensive study of the data inventory, data infrastructure, database security, and statistical protocols related to federal policymaking and the agencies responsible for maintaining that data to:
 
 
determine the optimal arrangement for which administrative data on federal programs and tax expenditures, survey data, and related statistical data series may be integrated and made available to facilitate program evaluation, continuous improvement, policy-relevant research, and cost-benefit analyses; 
 
make recommendations on how data infrastructure, database security, and statistical protocols should be modified to best fulfill those objectives; and 
 
make recommendations on how best to incorporate outcomes measurement, institutionalize randomized controlled trials, and rigorous impact analysis into program design. 

 
The Commission shall consider whether a clearinghouse for program and survey data should be established and how to create such clearinghouse. 
 
The Commission shall evaluate:
 
 
what administrative data and survey data are relevant for program evaluation and federal policy-making and should be included in a clearinghouse; 
 
which survey data such administrative data may be linked to, in addition to linkages across administrative data series; 
 
what are the legal and administrative barriers to including or linking these data series; 
 
what data-sharing infrastructure should be used to facilitate data merging and access for research purposes; 
 
how a clearinghouse could be self-funded; 
 
which researchers, officials, and institutions should have access to data; 
 
what limitations should be placed on the use of data; 
 
how to protect information and ensure individual privacy and confidentiality; 
 
how data and results of research can be used to inform program administrators and policymakers to improve program design;
 
what incentives may facilitate interagency sharing of information to improve programmatic effectiveness and enhance data accuracy and comprehensiveness; and
 
how individuals whose data are used should be notified of its usages. 
 
 
The Commission shall, upon the affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of its members, submit to the President and Congress a detailed statement of its findings and conclusions, together with its recommendations for appropriate legislation or administrative actions.
 
(Sec. 5) The following agencies shall advise and consult with the Commission on matters within their respective areas of responsibility:
 
 
the Bureau of the Census;
 
the Internal Revenue Service;
 
the Social Security Administration;
 
the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Education, and Justice;
 
the Office of Management and Budget;
 
the Bureau of Economic Analysis; and 
 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

 
(Sec. 6) The agencies identified as Principal Statistical Agencies in the report entitled "Statistical Programs of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2015," published by the Office of Management and Budget, shall transfer up to $3 million to the Bureau of the Census, upon request, for carrying out the activities of the Commission.
 
The Bureau of the Census shall provide administrative support to the Commission. 
 
No additional funds may be authorized to carry out this Act. 
 
(Sec. 8) The Commission shall terminate not later than 18 months after enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-30
text: Became Public Law No: 114-140.
action_date: 2016-03-30
text: Became Public Law No: 114-140.
action_date: 2016-03-30
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2016-03-30
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2016-03-24
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2016-03-24
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H1446-1447)
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H1446-1447)
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Mr. Hurd (TX) asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2016-03-16
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-03-16
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-03-16
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S1548)
action_date: 2015-07-28
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5486-5487)
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5486-5487)
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1831.
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5486-5488)
action_date: 2015-07-27
text: Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2015-07-16
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 159.
action_date: 2015-07-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 114-211.
action_date: 2015-07-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 114-211.
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Committee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 114-140