Decennial Census Improvement Act of 1991
PL 102-135 (H.R.3280), enacted 10/24/1991

PUBLIC LAW 102-135—OCT. 24, 1991 
105 STAT. 635 
Public Law 102-135 
102d Congress 
An Act 
To provide for a study, to be conducted by the National Academy of Sciences, on how 
the Government can improve the decennial census of population, and on related 
matters. 
Oct. 24, 1991 
[H.R. 3280] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Decennial 
Census 
Improvement 
Act of 1991. 
This Act may be cited as the "Decennial Census Improvement Act 13 USC141 note, 
of 1991". 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
SEC. 2. STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Commerce shall, within 30 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, and subject to the 
availability of appropriations, contract with the National Academy 
of Sciences (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the "Academy") to 
study— 
(1) means by which the Government could achieve the most 
accurate population count possible; and 
(2) consistent with the goal under paragraph (1), ways for the 
Government to collect other demographic and housing data. 
0>) SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting its study, the Acad-
emy shall consider such matters as— 
(1) with respect to subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) ways to improve the Government's enumeration 
methods, especially with regard to those involving the 
direct collection of data from respondents; 
(B) alternative methods for collecting the data needed for 
a basic population count, such as any involving administra-
tive records, information from subnational or other surveys, 
and cumulative or rolling data-collection techniques; and 
(C) the appropriateness of using sampling methods, in 
combination with basic data-collection techniques or other-
wise, in the acquisition or refinement of population data, 
including a review of the accuracy of the data for different 
levels of geography (such as States, places, census tracts 
and census blocks); and 
(2) with respect to subsection (a)(2)— 
(A) the degree to which a continuing need is anticipated 
with respect to the types of data (besides data relating to 
the basic population count) which were collected through 
the last decennial census; and 
(B) with respect to data for which such a need is antici-
pated, whether there are more effective ways to collect 
information using traditional methods and whether alter-
native sources or methodologies exist or could be imple-
mented for obtaining reliable information in a timely 
manner. 
13 USC 141 note. 
105 STAT. 636 
PUBLIC LAW 102-135—OCT. 24, 1991 
(c) REPORTS.—(1) The Academy shall submit to the Secretary and 
to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service of the House of 
Representatives and the committee on Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate— 
(A) within 18 months after the date on which a contract is 
entered into under subsection (a), an interim report on its 
activities under this Act; and 
(B) within 36 months after the date on which a contract is 
entered into under subsection (a), a final report which shall 
include a detailed statement of the Academy's findings and 
conclusions, as well as recommendations for any legislation or 
administrative action which the Academy considers appro-
priate. 
(2) With respect to each alternative proposed or discussed in its 
final report, the Academy shall include— 
(A) an evaluation of such alternative's relative advantages 
and disadvantages, as well as an analysis of its cost effective-
ness; and 
(B) for any alternative that does not involve the direct collec-
tion of data from individuals (about themselves or members of 
their household), an analysis of such alternative's potential 
effects on— 
(i) privacy; 
(ii) public confidence in the census; and 
(iii) the integrity of the census. 
Approved October 24, 1991. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3280: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 102-227 (Comm. on Post Office and Civil Service). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 137 (1991): 
Sept. 30, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 3, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 9, House concurred in Senate amendments.