Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2014 - 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:
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.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5754 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5754
To establish the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 20, 2014
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 Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Evidence-Based Policymaking
Commission Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established in the executive branch a commission to be
known as the ``Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking'' (in this Act
referred to as the ``Commission'').
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 program administration;
(B) 1 shall have expertise in database management,
confidentiality, and privacy matters; and
(C) 1 shall be the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget (or the Director's designee);
(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 program administration; and
(B) 1 shall have expertise in database management,
confidentiality, and privacy matters.
(3) Three shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives, of whom--
(A) 2 shall be academic researchers, data experts,
or have experience in program administration; and
(B) 1 shall have expertise in database management,
confidentiality, and privacy matters.
(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 program administration; and
(B) 1 shall have expertise in database management,
confidentiality, and privacy matters.
(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 program administration; and
(B) 1 shall have expertise in database management,
confidentiality, and privacy matters.
(b) Expertise.--In making appointments under this section,
consideration should be given to individuals with 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 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 appointed 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 Commission 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
Commission.
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Study of Data.--The Commission shall 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--
(1) 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, policy-relevant research, and
cost-benefit analyses by qualified researchers and
institutions;
(2) make recommendations on how data infrastructure and
protocols should be modified to best fulfill the objectives
identified in paragraph (1); and
(3) make recommendations on how best to incorporate
outcomes measurement, institutionalize randomized controlled
trials, and rigorous impact analysis into program design.
(b) Clearinghouse.--In undertaking the study required by subsection
(a), the Commission shall consider if and how to create a clearinghouse
for program and survey data, which shall include evaluation of--
(1) what administrative datasets that are relevant for
program evaluation and Federal policy-making should be included
in a potential clearinghouse;
(2) which survey datasets the administrative datasets
identified in paragraph (1) may be linked to, in addition to
linkages across administrative data series;
(3) what are the legal and administrative barriers to
including or linking these data series;
(4) what data-sharing infrastructure should be used to
facilitate data merging and access for research purposes;
(5) how a clearinghouse could be self-funded;
(6) which types of qualified researchers, officials, 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 individual
privacy and confidentiality;
(9) how the data and results of research can be used to
inform program administrators and policymakers to improve
program design; and
(10) what incentives may facilitate interagency sharing of
information to improve programmatic effectiveness and enhance
data accuracy and comprehensiveness.
(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
administrative 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 ``administrative data''
means information, in whatever form, generated or collected by an
agency in carrying out a Federal program, including any customer
service measure, efficiency measure, milestone, outcome measure, or
performance indicator, as those terms are defined in section 1115(h) of
title 31, United States Code.
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 responsibility:
(1) The Office of Management and Budget.
(2) The Bureau of the Census.
(3) The Internal Revenue Service.
(4) The Bureau of Economic Analysis.
(5) The Bureau of Labor Statistics.
(6) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(7) The Department of Agriculture.
(8) The Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(9) The Social Security Administration.
(10) The Department of Education.
(11) The Department of Justice.
(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
determine.
(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 Commission.
(d) Hearings.--The Commission may, for the purpose 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.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, 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 conditions as other agencies of the
Federal Government.
(g) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or
donations of services or property.
(h) Census Bureau and NAPA.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Director of the Census shall contract with the
National Academy of Public Administration to administer the Commission.
(i) Funding.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, at the request of the Director of the Census,
the principal statistical agencies shall provide funds, in a
total amount not to exceed $2,000,000, to the Director for
purposes of funding the operations of the Commission.
(2) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``principal
statistical agency'' has the meaning given that term in the
report, published by the Office of Management and Budget,
entitled ``Statistical Programs of the United States
Government, Fiscal Year 2014''.
SEC. 6. PERSONNEL.
(a) Director.--The Commission shall have a Director 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 appropriate.
(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.
SEC. 7. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate not later than 18 months after the
date of enactment of this Act.
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Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
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